Look upon nature and you can see that Spring is a time for renewal and rebirth. It is full of rapid expansion, excitement, and predicted and unpredictable change as the wind blows about. The organ associated with this time of year is the Liver, whose element is wood, and is associated with wind. The Liver is in charge of the smooth flow of qi and blood in the body. When picturing healthy Liver function, you think of soft, gentle, subtle, flowing. The opposite being stagnant…it is the most sensitive to stagnation. It is also controls bile production, so is very important in the digestion of fluid and food. Lastly, the Liver harmonizes the emotions. When functioning optimally, it is like the willow tree, bending with the wind in an easy-going, go with the flow sort of way. It’s own emotion is anger and frustration – but it is also affected by all of the other emotions.
So what does this have to do with Spring. In ancient China, the people honored the changes of the season with the knowledge of the opportunity that they could provide. Spring is truly a time for renewal and rebirth – coming out of the darkness and starkness that winter provided to replenish the body. This is a time for stretching, movement, expression, and goal achievement (winter being the optimum time for the goal setting). So get out, breathe deep, move your body, shake off the cobwebs of winter and go forth with a smidgen of knowledge of spring – Oriental Medicine style!
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