Ghost Points Art Quilts

Ghost Hall

Ghost Hall (gui tang), Governor Vessel 23, 50x56, hand-dyed and commercial fabric, embellished with paint, netting, beads. Upper Star (shang xing) is the modern name of the tenth of the 13 Ghost Points, because stars are located in the heavens and thus parallel the position of this point on the head. A star is “the essence of the myriad things”, and this point located on the front and top of the head (all yang areas) is, like a star, the essence of yang qi. Alternate names such as Bright Hall or Spirit Hall indicate this point’s ability to treat eye disorders when brightness of the eyes reflects the spirit.
Ghost Heart

Ghost Heart (gui xin), Pericardium 7, 68x36, hand-dyed fabric, computer-printed images on fabric, embellished with paint. Located on the inner arm just proximal to the wrist, this is the fourth of the 13 Ghost Points, and is used to clear the heart and quiet the spirit. It is also one of the nine needles for returning yang.
Ghost Minister

Ghost Minister (gui chen), Large Intestine 11, 3x27”, hand-dyed fabric, computer images on fabric, embellished with caran d’ache crayons. Twelfth of the 13 Ghost Points, Ghost Minister is also a Uniting (earth) point, like water pouring into a pool. It is needled for paralysis of the upper limbs as well as various febrile diseases of Evil Wind invasion, and is located at the crook of the elbow. Images of Wovoka, the messianic Paiute leader of the Ghost Dance in the 1880’s, are woven into the fabric. He received a series of visions preaching brotherhood and unity during a total eclipse of the sun in 1889. The Ghost Dance was a traditional dance that united all Indians, whether living or dead, and promised a return to former harmonious days before the arrival of white civilization. For the Sioux. it ended in the massacre at Wounded Knee (December 29, 1890).
Ghost Palace

Ghost Palace (gui gong), Governor Vessel 26, 31x55, hand-dyed fabric and batiks, computer images on fabric, embellished with caran d’ache crayon. First of the 13 Ghost Points, this point is located below the nose in the center of the philtrum, and is also known by its alternate name, Human Center (ren zhong). The Chinese universe is made of Heaven, Man, and Earth. The nose inhales the Five Qi from Heaven and the mouth receives the Five Vapors from the Earth. Located between the nose and the mouth, Ghost Palace is likened to mankind, which stands in the Center between Heaven and Earth.
Ghost Road

Ghost Road (gui lu), Bladder 62, 50x37, hand-dyed fabric, computer images on fabric, batiks, embellished with caran d’ache crayon. Located in the depression directly below the lateral malleolus of the ankle, Ghost Road is the fifth of the 13 Ghost Points. Traditionally used to treat neurological conditions such as epilepsy, mania, and dizziness, no doubt because it is the intersection-jiaohui point of the Bladder meridian with the Yang Motility Vessel.
Ghost Seal Hall

Ghost Seal Hall (gui yin tang), Governor Vessel 24.5, 30x23, hand-dyed fabric, computer-printed images on fabric, embellished with paint. The last of the 13 Ghost Points, this point is located midway between the eyebrows in the traditional spot of the Third Eye, the seat of the soul, and is used to calm the spirit. In ancient times, a red mark was placed here to represent wisdom and enlightenment.
Ghost Spirit Road

Ghost Spirit Road (gui lu), Pericardium 5, 33x24, hand-dyed fabric, computer-printed images on fabric, embellished with paint and beads. Ninth of the 13 Ghost Points, Ghost Road is located three inches proximal to the wrist in the depression between the two sinews. Both its ghost name and its modern name, Intermediary Courier, demonstrate the Pericardium’s function of acting as a messenger and a pathway to the Heart, just as a minister protects the emperor when necessary. Published in "Convergences" by Ricky Tims, 2003. Private Collection.
Ghost Store

Ghost Store (gui cang), Conception Vessel 1, 41x55, hand-dyed fabric. Yin energy is concentrated at this point, located at the center of the perineum between the anus and scrotum/posterior commissure. Stimulation of this point calms the Spirit, clears the Brain, and revives consciousness.