Spring Time!

Last Updated on April 4, 2024

After the depth, introspection and hibernation of Winter, Spring is always a welcome sight. Although this year winter seems to have finally shown up in February.  Despite the beauty of the late snows many of us look forward to the longer days and warmer weather of Spring.

THE WOOD ELEMENT

In Chinese Medicine, the spring is associated with the Wood element. The Wood element embraces the idea of upward and outward growth, of sprouts shooting from the soil and seeds breaking their slumber for growth.  A tree is a great representation of the Wood element.  A healthy tree has it’s roots grounded firmly in the earth, and draws water from deep in the earth to nourish it’s expanding crown of leaves.

EMOTION

Each element in Chinese medicine governs an aspect of the emotional component of human nature. The positive emotion associated with Wood is benevolence and the negative emotion is anger. Benevolence is the capacity to act for the greater good without need for personal reward.  Anger is anger.  Sometimes anger is born from frustration and personal greed, other times it is born from injustice. At times, anger may be necessary to create the momentum for transformation.  Spring time is a good time to focus on understanding and releasing past pent up frustration and anger and to prepare for new growth and exploration.

SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WOOD ELEMENT

• Chronic tendon and ligament problems

• Tension headaches and migraines

• Anxiety and depression

• Menstrual irregularities and PMS pain

• High blood pressure

  ORGANS

The Wood element represents growth and renewal. Wood is associated with the liver and the gallbladder in Chinese medicine. The Liver is referred to as the general of the body. The myriad functions it performs include cleansing the blood, regulating blood sugar, manufacturing various proteins, regulating the balance of hormones and the generation of cholesterol. The Gallbladder is responsible for the storage and secretion of bile which is necessary for digestion.

From a more spiritual perspective these two organs have an important role to play as well.  The Liver, the general, is in charge of strategic planning. As a general it is the Liver’s job to insure that the other organs of the body are working in harmony with one another.  The Gallbladder is in charge of actualizing the liver’s plan into action.

The Liver’s gift is vision and planning. The Gallbladder provides direction and stimulation. When these two organs are in harmony and well nourished they work together to insure that our visions and dreams become reality.

From this perspective our focus in Spring should be growth, planning and the preparation to take our plans to fruition.