Spring Forward

Here we are again in this lovely time of Spring and all that is green is flowering. I managed to get out and check out the lovely Houston Japanese Garden and you can just feel the serenity emanating from this picture. With Traditional Chinese Medicine there is balance of natural cycles of the seasons that is reflected in the 5 Elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. These elements are also represented in the human body. There is a connection with five major organs in the human body to these elements as well. Wood relates to the liver, fire to the heart, earth to the spleen, metal to the lungs, and water to the kidneys. Considering the time of the year, let us focus on the spring-wood-liver connection.

Springtime is the natural beginning of the year, with the winter season coming to a close and all the dormant plants waking up and beginning to sprout; it is a chance to start fresh. The element associated is Wood energy. There are several key factors to wood, beyond what you may think of or believe. Stocky, unmoving, rigid, stoic, boring, brown, take your pick. However the energy of wood is the energy you need to start a new project. The zeal and excitement you feel when you are in the beginning stages of anything is represented in the wood element. That is also in part why the negative aspect is reflected as anger. Think about anger as a powerful source of energy and means to getting results. You are angry that the house is in disarray, and you want to do something about it; so you make a plan and clean it up. That anger fuels it, and part of the struggle is channeling this influx of energy in constructive ways.

The tricky part is realizing when we are feeling overwhelmed by this energy or enraged, and then need to siphon this off into an enjoyable hobby or sport. Been wanting to begin training for a competitive sport or try a new one? This is the perfect time to do it, since all the natural seasonal energy of growth and prosperity is at your fingertips. This includes being creative and crafty. So if you find yourself in a situation where you are bored, frustrated with life and restless, you need to get off your butt and go try something new and fun! It is guaranteed to put you in sync with the natural cycle of the seasons, as well as keep you in balance with your own element of wood, highlighted by lovely spring.