It’s hard to believe that Saturday March 20th marks the first day of Spring. After a long and snowy February, blue skies and sun are such a welcome sight this March. Spring is the season that bridges the transition away from the Yin energy of Winter towards the Yang energy of Summer. We can see this energetic shift in real time as the days grow brighter, warmer and longer.
As I write this, I cannot help but notice the tender, purple crocus shoots dotting my yard, pushing upwards after winter’s slumber. This is the creative potential and momentum of Spring, reflecting the ascending and active nature of the season. Just like the new plant growth occurring under the surface of the ground, our creative potential builds momentum during this time of year, as we transition from the pull of the past into the push of the future.
Spring is about taking the inner lessons and challenges of Winter and consciously creating growth, inspiration, opportunity and new beginnings. Creative ideas that have been hibernating beneath the surface can spring forth and gain momentum. There is the potential for more clarity, understanding, patience and courage as we begin to trust our intuition and to take more responsibility for our attitudes and our power to manifest what we want. The more we foster our creative potential, the more space we can create this Spring for new momentum to abound. Let’s take a look at how Acupuncture can support our creative momentum!
In Chinese medicine, Spring is associated with the Liver organ and the Wood element. Each of the elements is related to a phase of the life cycle and the Wood element (Spring) is associated with birth. The energy of birth must be focused, intentional, resolute and determined! In order for a tiny bud on a tree to blossom, the force needed is the creative potential.
Creating Balance
What are you getting too much of, what are you not getting enough of?
What are you doing too much of or not enough of?
What are you giving too much of or not enough of?
Early spring is a great time to start a new project or find a new interest. We need to be mindful not to spring forward too fast at this time of year so as to allow our roots to take hold. In this way, we can settle into the creative visionary energy of Spring – planning our next steps without rushing them.
Acupuncture can facilitate balance and harmony both physically and emotionally. Planning and decision making are associated with the liver and gall bladder organ systems. Treatments support the free flow of Qi energy throughout the body and can move blockages or areas of stagnation. Acupuncture gently circulates blood and lymph flow to decrease stress and inflammation, supporting the liver and gall bladder organ systems for balanced planning, decision making, strength of vision and determination.
Anger and Creativity
Do anger and creativity sound like polar opposite energies? Actually both are mutually interdependent within the liver organ system and Wood element associated with Spring. Anger can be thought of as strength or force without an appropriate channel. We grow irritable and angry when we can’t put our ideas into action, when we don’t feel powerful or when confronted with changes we don’t want to make. Anger is a virtue and necessary for growth and change! If we can start to recognize this type of energy inside ourselves as a sign that things need to creatively change, rather than a difficult emotion, we can relax into the flow of contentment, improved health and productivity.
On the flip side, creativity springs forth from frustration and anger. We need anger to realize our full potential! The forceful drive of the Wood element is necessary to move forward in our lives. Without it, we can become physically and emotionally stuck which will eventually impact our health. Acupuncture can support the transformation of anger into creative flow, ease and momentum!
In striving for balance, using the body as a gauge of what is too much or too little supports the creative momentum. Paying attention with loving patience and kindness eases frustration and anger held physically and emotionally in our bodies and allows creativity and potential to flourish.
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