Alchemical Midnight [oil on wood board 25x35cm © Omay Lee 2022]

日月原是一物.
其曰中之暗處，
是真胶精，
月窟不在月而在曰，
所謂月之窟也,
不然自言月足矣。
月中之白處，
是真曰之光，
曰光反在月中，
所謂天之根也，
不然自言天足矣。
日月分閙，不成全體矣。

The sun and moon originated together.

In the centre of the sun resides a shadow place,
Which belongs to the true essence of the moon,
Thus the moon cavern is not on the moon but within the sun.
This is therefore called the ‘moon cavern’,
To call it moon alone is not sufficient. 

The centre of the moon resides a light place,
Which belongs to the true essence of the sun,
The light of the sun is contrary to the moon centre,
This is therefore called the ‘root of heaven’,
To call it heaven alone is not sufficient. 

When sun and moon are separated, they are not a unified whole. 

[~ Translation of Secret of the Golden Flower (part 8) the alchemical union between yin and yang]