“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”
~~Henry David Thoreau
Greetings to all my precious people!!!
April 2024 in the year of the Green Wood Dragon continues to unfold. We are in the beginning of Spring, the season when the natural world revives and reinvigorates after the colder winter months. Dormant plants begin to grow again, new seedlings sprout out of the ground and hibernating animals awake. There is a sense of anticipation as the energy of the Earth awakens to celebrate rebirth and renewal.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine the seasons hold powerful symbiotic relationships with our body, mind and spirit. At the heart of Traditional Chinese Medicine lies the Five Element cycle, known as Wu Xing, (五行 wŭ xíng) symbolizing the dynamic interactions between and the continuity of the phases of life on Earth. The Elements refer to Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water and represent the building blocks of everything in the Universe. Each element is a description of one phase of constant movement, part of the observed natural cycles surrounding us, as well as the cycles within us. Each element maintains a relative kinetic balance with the rest.
These Five Elements of movement describe stages of the growth cycle from birth to death and can be used to describe the phases of life that we pass through. They are a manifestation of the ways in which the flow of Qi is guided and they can be used to describe everything in existence, and their relationships to everything else. In Chinese Medicine, each of the Elements is associated with certain body organs, a color, a taste, an emotion, and a season of the year – among other things – and they are instrumental in establishing a diagnosis and setting up a treatment strategy.
Spring, aligned with the Wood element, is the first in the cycle and signifies creation – birth, life and subsequent evolution. The restorative time we took in winter allows the energy to build and rebuild again. The energy that hibernated and germinated during those cold, dark days can now take shape. As the amount of daylight increases, so does the active and outward Yang energy, which will reach its pinnacle in the summer. For some, this increase in rising Yang energy can be overwhelming. Take stock and pace yourself accordingly, it’s okay to take it slow.
Consider this Spring a time for a fresh start, like a breath of fresh air. To get things flowing, spend time outside in Nature and get some sun, loosen up, and move. The Spring climate is associated with Wind and as an “agent of change,” Wind is known to bring new ideas and rearrange old ones. Let go of old patterns, and create new spaces for inspiration and creativity.
One of the most amazing aspects of humanity is our creativity. It is the driving force of our evolution. Spring’s Wood energy relates to the building, brainstorming and planning of any creative idea. This energy also represents the action aspect of bringing an idea to life, with Winter’s Water element as the source that incubated and protected. This planning adds the necessary substance, direction, and spark to any creative endeavor.
Questions to consider: What ideas or dreams have been dormant over the last few months? Where can I direct my creative energy? What do I need to do in order to see my dreams come to fruition?
A Season of Emotional Release
Spring can be one of the best times of the year to move through personal and emotional challenges because the season is ruled by the Liver and Gallbladder. The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of blood and emotions throughout the body. It is also known to be most affected by stagnant emotions and stress. The Gallbladder is responsible for storing and excreting bile (what to keep vs. what to let go of) and governs decision-making, planning, dreaming, inspiration, and assertiveness. Combined, these organs can influence an emotional release and breakthrough, which many of us need as we process the days behind us and the days ahead.
Tend to your Liver and Gallbladder by being mindful of what you’re eating. Consider this time a bit of a detox: drink lots of water, stay away from caffeine and alcohol, etc. Incorporate foods that cool and cleanse the Liver such as organic fresh greens, apple, cherry, grapefruit, lemon, sprouts, wheat, and barley grasses, beets and their greens, kale, parsley, onions, turmeric, mint, apple cider vinegar, quinoa, oats, sunflower seeds, green tea, seaweed, dandelion root, chamomile flowers, asparagus, and all green vegetable, as green is the color of the liver and of springtime.
Also, the Gallbladder loves to move. Take walks outside or bend like a tree in the wind – your Gallbladder will love it! Adding a bit of activity will help to stir up stagnation, allowing you to work through emotions that may have been suppressed or unexpressed.
Put a “Spring” Back in Your Step
The spring season makes it possible to shed what no longer serves you and to find more joy and lightness in life. Consider some of the following:
- With warmer and more temperate weather, get outdoors as much as possible.
- Increase movement with walking, dancing, qigong, yoga, etc.
- Start journaling your thoughts, feelings, dreams as you ignite the possibilities.
- Get in the dirt and start a flower, herb or vegetable garden.
- Catch up with an old friend.
- Do some spring cleaning around the house (even just a room or drawer).
- Try something new or be a bit spontaneous.
- Forgive as much and as often as you can.
- Walk barefoot to help feel grounded and reconnected with the season.
- Schedule an acupuncture session to get things moving in the right direction.
Our bodies may feel depleted and easily overwhelmed or agitated for some time. Be easy on yourself and trust yourself to know what you need and crave with each new season ahead.
“Earrach,” (“ARR-ach”) is the Irish word for Spring, and it marks a time of rejuvenation and awakening. As April dawns, the transformation into Spring is unmistakable, offering a canvas of natural beauty and the promise of renewal. Earrach is not merely a season but a vivid display of nature’s resilience and abundance, observable through the multitude of changes sweeping across the landscape.
With the arrival of Earrach, the land and gardens burst into life. The bare branches of winter begin to clothe themselves in fresh leaves, signaling the return of life to the dormant trees. This visual symphony is accompanied by the cheerful chorus of birds returning home, lifting the spirits, even as gray days and April showers abound.
One of the most cherished signs of Earrach is the return of daylight. The days grow noticeably longer, providing more hours of light and warmth, which encourages growth and invigorates the natural world. It’s a reminder that after the dormancy of winter, the world is reborn with vigor and beauty. This season of awakening challenges us to open our hearts to the possibilities of renewal in our own lives, to embrace the changes that come with growth, and to appreciate the simple beauty that surrounds us.
As we observe the vibrant changes and signs of Earrach, let’s ask ourselves how we can harness this energy of renewal. What aspects of our lives are ready to blossom with the care and attention that spring inspires? How can we contribute to the nurturing of our environment, ensuring that the beauty of Earrach continues to thrive and inspire?
So many times we find ourselves bumping up against situations and relationships that seem unsupportive, misaligned, and outdated. We know these are indicators that “something needs to change.” Something no longer fits the story of our Self, something no longer fills the needs or desires; it is as if we have woken up, or cleared the fog off the mirror. We recognize that what we want, or need, is not being achieved with our current operating system, and need to undertake a mindful shift towards our dreams.
If you are considering making changes in your life, the support of a trained compassionate encourager keeps you gently moving towards your goal. The impact of acupuncture and herbs can be heightened by the addition of hypnosis and integrative changework. This combination allows you to receive care while you work on rewriting the stories that live in you, and create a world of new possibilities. It would be my privilege to work with you during your discovery journey and support the unfolding of your ignited dreams.
“The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love – whether we call it friendship or family or romance – is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light. Gentle work. Steadfast work. Life-saving work in those moments when life and shame and sorrow occlude our own light from our view, but there is still a clear-eyed loving person to beam it back. In our best moments, we are that person for another.”
~~James Baldwin
