Glossary: Nine Points for Returning Yang (回陽九針穴, Hui Yang Jiu Zhen Xue)

The Song of Nine Needles for Returning Yang 回陽九針歌 by Yang Jizhou in the Ming Dynasty described a series of points for assisting those close to death. They are used to resuscitate people close to death when Yang has deserted.

The original song went:

哑门劳宫三阴交 Yamen Laogong Sanyinjiao Muteness Gate (Du-15) Palace of Toil (Pc-8) Three Yin Intersection (Sp-6),

涌泉太溪中脘接 Yongquan Taixi Zhongwan jie Gushing Spring (Kid-1) Supreme Stream (Kid-3) Middle Cavity (Ren-12) connect,

环跳三里合谷并 Huantiao Sanli Hegu bing Jumping Circle (GB-30) Three Miles (St-36) Joining Valley (LI-4) combine,

此是回阳九针穴 Ci shi hui yang jiu zhen xue These are the points for returning Yang

In the teachings of Jeffrey Yuen, they may be used to resuscitate people close to death, or if it is their time, to assist them in their passage. Their division into three trinities is related to the three stages of dying: separation, transition and reunion. Separation The first trinity is related to separation. They open the orifices, restrain Yang, calm the Shen, strengthen the Middle Burner and establish Heart/Kidney communication. Symptoms include:

Separation from physical sustenance: food, air, sleep
Breathing becomes laboured and slows down
Appetite goes down
Wants to sleep more but sleep becomes restless with tossing and turning.

The points in this trinity are:

Transition The second trinity is related to transition, visionary experiences, the Hun dimension and loved ones. They open the orifices, astringe leakages, restrain Yin and anchor the Shen. The strong presence of water imagery in the points reflects the shamanic influence of water symbolism as a passage to the otherworld. Symptoms include:

Connecting to another dimension, usually manifesting as visions of loved ones, ancestors or parental figures.
May become relatively alert, energetic and strong in spirit, keen to talk about what they are seeing but less present in memory and talking about the past.

The points in this trinity are:

Reunion The third trinity is related to reunion, deliverance and the otherworld. They rouse, tonify and anchor the Yang Qi, open the orifices, draw energy back into the Yangming and Gallbladder and aid delivery. Symptoms include:

Cessation of breathing, appearance as if dead, collapse or flatline.

The points in this trinity basically shock the person back to life rousing the Yang Qi and opening the orifices. If these points did not work it meant the person was meant to move on now. They draw energy back into the Gallbladder and Stomach, anchoring and tonifying the Kidney Yang. They are:

References:
"回阳九针" (2021). https://baike.baidu.com. [Accessed 3 Jan 2021] J. Yuen lectures on death/dying and the spirit of points, posted as Facebook comments, 19 Dec 2020.