The Earthstar Season, part of the 5 Mt System of Miryai, is a 73-day spiritual system rooted in the wisdom of the Yellow River Civilization (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia), beginning on the first new or full moon after October 25. It consists of five two-week fortnights, each aligned with one of five elemental themes and three stages of a 15-stage Neidan (Chinese alchemical) process, a path to immortality and sagehood embodied by Lao Tzu’s mythos in Taoist tradition. The system prioritizes self-guided growth over guru reliance, using reflective practices and Lao Tzu’s narrative to foster transformation. Associated traditions provide minor contextual influence. The system requires only commitment to daily engagement. For details on the 5 Mt System, see [5 Mt System Principles](#5-mt-system-principles).

The Fall Session entails a fifteen stage unfolding of:

• The Neidan spiritual system
• Spiritual history of the Asian region.
• Spiritual practices and rituals of its esoteric traditions
• The Mythos of Lao Tzu, the archetype of enlightenment from this region.

Each fortnight focuses on three stages of the 15-stage Neidan process, an elemental theme, and a segment of Lao Tzu’s mythos, with associated traditions as secondary influences. A brief overview of the Neidan area covered is included.

1. Earth+Earth: Physical Purification (October 25–November 8) 
   - Focus: Stages 1–3 initiate transformation by purifying the body, awakening qi (vital energy), and cleansing internal organs, aligned with the earth element. Influenced by Shinto and early Taoist traditions. 
   - Neidan Area: Foundational Refinement—preparing the body through purification and energy cultivation to begin the alchemical journey. 
   - Lao Tzu’s Mythos: His retreat from worldly life reflects the initial purification of body and mind.

2. Earth+Water: Energy Cultivation (November 9–23) 
   - Focus: Stages 4–6 refine qi, form the energy body, and connect with cosmic energies, aligned with the water element. Influenced by Neidan and Chan traditions. 
   - Neidan Area: Energetic Development—harnessing and refining vital energy to create a cohesive internal energy system. 
   - Lao Tzu’s Mythos: His contemplation of the Tao mirrors the cultivation of internal energy.

3. Earth+Fire: Spiritual Awakening (November 24–December 8) 
   - Focus: Stages 7–9 crystallize shen (spirit), dissolve the ego, and awaken higher consciousness, aligned with the fire element. Influenced by Shugendo and Zen traditions. 
   - Neidan Area: Spiritual Transformation—elevating consciousness through spiritual refinement and ego dissolution. 
   - Lao Tzu’s Mythos: His teaching of the Tao reflects the awakening of spiritual insight.

4. Earth+Wood: Cosmic Alignment (December 9–23) 
   - Focus: Stages 10–12 align the practitioner with the Tao, embodying wuwei (effortless action) and harmonizing with cosmic rhythms, aligned with the wood element. Influenced by Tendai and Pure Land traditions. 
   - Neidan Area: Harmonious Integration—aligning body, energy, and spirit with the natural order of the Tao. 
   - Lao Tzu’s Mythos: His wandering as a sage reflects living in harmony with the cosmos.

5. Earth+Metal: Immortal Transcendence (December 24–January 5) 
   - Focus: Stages 13–15 transfer consciousness to the golden light body, achieving ascension and sagehood, aligned with the metal element. Influenced by Shingon and Soto traditions. For details, see [15-Stage Neidan Process](#15-stage-neidan-process). 
   - Neidan Area: Ultimate Realization—completing the alchemical transformation to attain immortality and spiritual liberation. 
   - Lao Tzu’s Mythos: His transcendence into immortality embodies the culmination of Neidan mastery.

Lao Tzu, a Taoist archetype of enlightenment, is the spiritual model of the Earthstar Season. Retreating from society, he contemplated the Tao, taught its principles, and ascended as an immortal sage, embodying the 15-stage Neidan process. His journey from worldly detachment to cosmic transcendence parallels the path to sagehood. His story aligns with each fortnight’s stages. For his full narrative, see [Lao Tzu’s Mythos](#lao-tzu-mythos).

The Earthstar Season centers on the Neidan process, linked to Lao Tzu’s Taoist mythos, with minor influences from traditions like Shinto, Zen, and Shugendo. These provide contextual support for the 15-stage process and elemental framework. For a detailed historical overview, see [Historical Context](#historical-context).

The season begins on the first new or full moon after October 25, with fortnights starting every 14 days. Practitioners engage in daily reflective practices, focusing on the elemental theme and three stages of the Neidan process, as detailed in linked resources. The system requires only commitment to daily engagement.

• Fortnight 1: Earth Element (Physical Vitality): Purifies the body and awakens qi through organ cleansing and cold endurance.
• Fortnight 2: Water Element  (Energetic Mastery): Refines qi and forms the energy body via elemental fusion and cosmic connection.
• Fortnight 3: Fire Element (Spiritual Awakening): Crystallizes shen and dissolves ego with advanced alchemy and cave visualizations.
• Fortnight 4: Wood Element (Cosmic Harmony): Aligns with the Tao and kami, embodying wuwei through cosmic orbits and nature rituals.
• Fortnight 5: Metal Element (Immortal Transcendence): Transfers consciousness to the golden light body, achieving ascension.

• Neidan - 15 levels of Internal Alchemy
• Mythos of Lao Tzu - 15 part "myth" of her life and times
• Associations and symbols
• Introductory Notes
• 5 Element Study