Spring is Sprung
I love all of the transitions between seasons, but there is a certain special excitement when spring arrives - daylight hours draw out, the sun gains strength and heat, trees and flowers bud and begin their beautiful blooming.
As spring arrives we leave the element of water and move into the element of wood. The wood element welcomes stimulation and growth springing from the water which has nourished our roots during the winter and will provide fuel for the fire during the summer. Wood controls the earth element by pushing its roots deep into the soil holding it in place, and is controlled by the metal element which can chop, destroy and transform wood from one form to another.
Spring signifies our rebirth after the dormancy, death and decay of winter, it emerges like a bear coming out of hibernation. It is the perfect time to plant seeds and develop ideas for the coming harvest in Autumn. It is time to ask ourselves "What do we want to revive?" and "What needs to be renewed?".
The spring a time for a spring clean - throw out the old and welcome in the new! Let's transform our attitudes and resources for positive outcomes.
The colour of spring is GREEN. Green signifies the roots that we require to sustain and maintain our growth, it gives us structure to achieve our purpose and accomplish the growth we desire, and it provides us with the ability to prepare our fuel for the fire which is coming in summer to ignite our passions. This season is the sowing of the seeds, the deepening of our roots, the new buds, new blooms and new growth.
The climate of spring is WIND. Wind is mysterious, representing the unknown and unpredictable. Where will it come from next? When will it appear? Wind can be both refreshing and renewing, or it can be harsh and cause destruction blowing chaos around us and cutting though our souls. It can be a delicate kiss, graceful and teasing, exciting us and making us notice the source, or it can sweep us off balance, off our feet and take us in random, uncontrolled direction. Whilst the wind itself remains unseen, its effects are clearly visible.
The odour or spring is RANCID (think of left over fats and oils sitting in a fryer). This smell emits the resonance of left over winter which needs to be replaced with freshness as the season matures towards summer. Oils and fats can create smooth movement between two objects, whilst rancid or sticky fats can create friction, a lack of movement and decreased fluidity. We need to check in with what in our lives is stagnant and needs to be shaken up - physical, emotional, mental or spiritual.
The taste of spring is SOUR, of good things gone bad. Sour attitudes can be grouchy, grumpy and have ill effect, however, it can also be resonant of things, ideas and habits which are overpowering when concentrated but delicious when balanced or diluted - like cordial or lemonade. Are you willing and able to make your lemons into lemonade?
The emotion of spring is ANGER. Anger is an emotion that we are often told is "bad" or wrong, however, it is often a mask for fear, grief, old wounds or rejection. When we evaluate our anger it often shows us what our boundaries are, what is ok with us and what is not. It can help us to identify our appropriate actions for moving forwards, it can help motivate, fuel our fire and help us find our joy.
The sound of spring is SHOUTING which helps us express strong emotions and allows us to give full expression to our Self. When we do not allow ourselves to feel our full emotional spectrum we can create energy imbalances. Shouting can also be a very empowering release.
Wood is said to fortify our ligaments arising questions about whether we need to take precautions and protect ourselves more or do we push ourselves onwards, upwards and forwards. Spring also gets us to check in with whether we are running on reserves and risking breakdown or are we well lubricated and flowing.
The personal power of the season is PERSONAL POWER. It is the time of birth, new beginnings with ideas, projects and relationships. It connects us to our origins and our story.
The meridians which are most active in the spring are the Gall Bladder and Liver.
The Gall Bladder asks what is too concentrated and heavy. What do we need to dilute? It is the gall of people, "how dare they", our bile and our judgement.
The Liver handles many responsibilities and asks if we are too open, if we are toxic and overwhelmed or whether we need to absorb more. The liver is in charge of detoxifying, cleansing, purifying and nourishing.
What questions do we need to ponder on our healing journey at this time of year?
• What do we want to revive or renew?
• What do we need to grow to ignite our passions?
• What will give us that breath of fresh air?
• What can we spring clean?
• Will we get blown away with uncertainty and change, or will we turn and embrace it?
• What do you need to let go of that is now rancid and less than useful?
• What do we need to throw out and overhaul?
• Are you angry with yourself or others?
• Is your anger appropriate?
• Do you need to turn your anger around so that it is appropriate, focussed and motivating?
• What do you need to do to awaken your passion within?
• Do you need a fresh start?
• Are you starting too many things?
• Do you need more focus? Where? With what?