hey guys, is anyone a fan of the RPG system for Ironclaw and Jadeclaw? if so, then you should check out the mailing list for yahoo groups. regaurdless, this is an entry for a magazine called "Bitemark" that I am trying to get to the editor, Ithiaca Dreamweaver. Big man, if you read this, sorry if it's late in coming. We had issues on my end.
read and review, then give critique. it's appreciated. thanks in advance.

Article:


Notes of a practitioner: The Study of Qui Sao

author: Xiang Quei, student of the Sword and Brush.



terminology:

Qui sao is known throughout the world by many different names. In the northern and southern continents of Gondwana, it is known simply in the native tongue as "energy work". in the areas of Middle Calabria and in the surrounding Isles, it is known as Anema (primal life energy). in various areas of Zhongguo and Yindu, the terms used are simply Qi (pronounced "key" like the item used to unlock doors) or Chi. In the Isles of Nippon, off the coast of Zhongguo they use the term Ki (same pronunciation as listed above.). in various other locations around Zhongguo, they have adopted both pronunciations of Qi, Chi and Ki from their neighboring states, Nippon and and Yindu. All terminology though, it seems, refers to the same topic and can in certain circles be used interchangeably.

a brief explanation of Qui Sao:

regardless of how each area says it though, one thing is clear: the usage of Qui sao is the act of utilizing a person's body's own energy to do miraculous things outside the currently understood realms of science and magic. Using this natural energy, some cultures, most notably the ones from Zhongguo and Northern and Southern Gondwana, have developed a plethora of techniques in regard to it's usage, and have discovered it's proverbial "Metaphysical" limitations. Such techniques can be used in a variety of ways. Some cultures such as myself and other Zhongunese martial artists have trained ourselves with intimate knowledge of certain areas in the body where qui sao naturally emits from, and have been able to harness that energy from these key points for use in combat situations. Likewise, most doctors have befitted from these studies and perform great acts of healing when they use qui sao for medicinal use. However, I digress. Let us first understand how Qui Sao works so as to better explain the usage of it and it's properties. I shall begin with the following foot notes left to me by my Master, Aou Chi, Physician extraordinaire. In his notes on pressure points and acupuncture techniques, he makes note of the following observations:

" it is upon my reflection on the diagnosis of my patient, Wujao Singtong, that I have noted that his body is adapting itself in extraordinarily queer ways due to his unbalanced chi. Though each of his key Chakra points are functioning, some are woefully overproducing to compensate for the ones which are lacking proper flow and emittance. I have studied him over the course of one fort-night, and have deduced that his diet may be the cause of such an imbalance. Upon the morrow, I shall speak with him in regards to changing his diet and prescribe him supplements to even out his imbalance. Once this is done, I shall slate him for a return visit so that I may see if his treatment goes as expected."

What my master was referring to when he mentioned "Chakra points" are those key locations in the body that generate Chi. There are seven points of interest that form the network for the usage of Qui sao. These seven Chakra points reside in the crown of the head, the forehead (commonly referred to by the people of Gondwana and the Yindu as the "third eye"), the base of the throat, the center of the chest where the heart resides, the upper and lower solar plexus (the diaphragm and the middle dantien- or center of balance) and inside the area of the sex organs.

The Chakra in the crown of a person's head is known by the Yindu and Zonggunese asthetics as the sahasrara. It's delegation over the flow of one's inner chi flow is that of bringing clarity to one's mind and consciousness. the colors of the chi that flow from this point when it is activated are white and violet.

The Chakra in the forehead of an individual is known as Ajna, or Bindu. it's role in delegating chi flow is allowing oneself to balance the higher and lower functions of the mind, allowing for one to utilize the clarity of mind produced by the crown chakra to it's fullest. it has been noted that some individuals who can see spiritual entities in and out of meditation have this chakra PERMANENTLY opened, and as such sometimes go insane due to them never being able to decern what is real and what is in the realm of ghosts and apparitions. However, with help, they can learn to control it in order to benefit themselves. this topic will be discussed later in future notes. the colors of the chi that flow from this point when it is activated are Indigo and dark blue.

The Chakrah in the throat is known as the Vishuddha, and is responsible for the growth of an individual as well as being able to communicate well once cultivated. the color of the chi that flows from this point when it is activated is light blue.

The Chakrah in the heart is known as the Anahata, and it governs over the body's chi flow that corresponds with complex emotional feelings and governs the physical circulation of the chi flow. the color of the chi that flows from this point when it is activated is a vibrant green.

The Chakrah in the solar plexus is known as the Manipura. it's main function when delegating chi flow mostly allows for a person to relate to their own personal issues that hold power over them, such as their opinions and free thoughts, their ability to look inward upon themselves and better themselves and the ability to transition basic thoughts into more complex ones. the color of the chi that flows from this point when it is activated is golden yellow.

The Chakrah in the Sacral area is known as the Swadhisthana, and it governs over one's chi flow in the form of being able to control (sometimes lack thereof) oneself in regards to their emotions, acts of violence, various vices, basic emotional needs and acts of pleasure- physical, mental and spiritual. the color of the chi that flows from this point when it is activated is a vibrant sunset orange.

The Chakrah in the sex organs is known as the Muladhara. Due to the area it rests in, it is safe to say that it's functions are self explanatory on just what types of chi it governs over and what it controls inside the body. the color of the chi that flows from this point when it is activated is deep ruby red.

It is through my experience that when individuals open and close these key points in various orders, they allow the person to utilize different flows of metaphysical energy that can be used to either heal or harm- be it oneself or another. I will not lie, I myself have utilized qui sao to defend myself and others from various nere-do-well's that have attempted us harm. I will also not deny that I am capable of healing just as I am capable of harming, mending the ill effects by augmenting a person's chi flow so that they can be able to get back to their daily duties. rest assured though, that though I am capable of both, I am not capable of using magical skills to replicate my techniques- nor do I use such means to perform my tasks.

One might ask, "Kwei sensei, how is magic different then Qui Sao? What are the differences if at all?" my answer to such questions is this: your questions are astute and very well spoken. but please, answer me this- can your teeth become feet and your toes become eyes? yes they are a part of your body, but they do not function the same way as one another. In my journeys around the globe, I have encountered my fair share of great sorcerers and academics capable of great magical aptitude. we have sat down, and we have talked from dawn til dusk, comparing and listening to notes on what each has had to say. Many of them with open minds agree that while magical and metaphysical energies are similar in construction, they cannot be interchanged with each other due to a form of... oh, what was the term they used to describe it.... feed back I believe they called it. One Dao Shih actually explained it like taking a container of "bottled lightning" and pitching it into a lake full of fish when the cork was barely on. to quote him, he said that "the results, my dear associate, are a waste of time, energy, and good fish not even a kettle could save. It was truly fortuitous that I decided to test the theorem rather then act brashly and be so presumptuous to try and mix such volatile forces." Though he did not tell me what form of test he used for his experiment, I clearly saw the result, as all that was left of his left arm was a small stump dangling from his shoulder- liberally wrapped in bandages I might add.