At the source of the practice, Taoism emphasizes the dualism and importance of both masculinity and femininity as necessary, complementary forces that cannot exist without each other. This is evident in the Tao Te Ching, where Laozi highlights the nurturing mother, referencing her as the “source,” the “water,” and the mother of heaven and earth. In fact, the Tao itself is often personified as a woman, or more specifically, as the Mother.
Each human body is understood to contain both Yang Qi and Yin Qi. Yang Qi is symbolically "masculine," and Yin Qi is symbolically "feminine." The balanced functioning of these two is an important aspect of maintaining health.
Similarly, the individual and our Mother Earth are complementary forces seeking balance and symbiosis to maintain and optimize perfect health and well being. The more realized and balance the individual becomes the more health and nourishment the planet experiences.
May we realize the power and alchemy we can create on an individual level and how much that inspires the environment we live in.
