Our health as women is deeply intertwined with the rhythms of nature, and the way back home is recognising that we are nature, the elemental energies of the seasons are embodied within us. Attuning to the cycles of nature and our inner rhythms calls us back into balance and harmony within.

All traditional healing systems recognised the essential balance of the elements within us for our health, wellness, balance and vitality. In this journal we will be exploring the energetics of the season of spring and the wood element, how stagnant and blocked energy manifest as dis-ease within the mind, emotions and body and ways to balance and harmonise.

Embody and align with the spirit of nature, live in tune with the seasons and the cycles, elements and plant beings – this is the medicine of connection & relationship, bring it alive in your daily rituals and rhythms.

Spring energy embodies the essence of renewal, rebirth, expansion and growth. These qualities can be seen in nature around us, with the new shoots bursting through the ground into life, flowers and blossoms on the plants and the trees, birds nesting, the signs of new life are abundant around us.

Spring is a time of birth and regeneration. The burst of activity which surges out of the stillness of the winter has no equal elsewhere in the year; there is an energy and dynamic force abroad which brings life and vigour to everything.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), springtime relates to the Wood element, which expresses through the Liver and Gallbladder meridians (this is the energetic expression of this energy beyond the functioning of the physical organ)

The spirit of wood, is about growth, ordered growth, a sense of purpose and the flexibility to adapt to meet that purpose. It brings a sense of hope and of future as the barren landscape rapidly fills with the abundance of life. When we sense within ourselves the possibilities of growth and development, we often have a vision, a picture of what this future will bring us. From this grows the hope that this vision will be realised. This sense of hope which arises with spring is one of the wood elements greatest gifts to us, and the heart of its very essence.

Anger is the emotion that we associate with wood. We talk about anger rising within us, wanting to scream and shout with anger. A rising, bursting, fast moving, vigorous and forceful energy. We also know the feelings of frustration and resentment when our growth is blocked.

E-Motion – energy in motion – Anger & the Wood element.

Anger is a natural response to a boundary violation, this is a true wood anger and a healthy, appropriate energy to acknowledge. It is when we ignore these boundary violations however small, that anger can build and suddenly burst forth with a disproportionate response. 

Another true form of wood anger is the anger and frustration we feel when our forward motion is blocked, someone or something seemingly gets in the way of our progress and expansion.

Anger can be the propellent to set boundaries, make positive changes and drive us forward to create, yet too much anger, aggression and repressed anger, manifesting from an imbalance within our wood element, are not healthy and will cause dis-ease.

Wood type personalities are ambitious, focused, and driven. They can be entrepreneurial, decisive and make wonderful leaders. 

Energetically, the Liver smooths the flow of Qi and thus allows one to create positive change, viosion the future and put a plan in place to arrive at that goal. The Gallbladder is necessary for the change to occur, as it is the organ responsible for making decisions. 

Chinese clock – the Gallbladder & Liver are most active from 11pm – 1am and 1am – 3am respectively – How do you feel at this time of night – hot, sweaty, restless, wide awake – is this your witching hour?

When the flow of Liver Qi is not smooth, we tend to feel angry, irritable and restless. Over time Liver Qi stagnation, creating heat within the body, Overstimulating of the sympathetic nervous system, elevating cortisol levels and therefore greater stress, all of which can compromise the immune system.

SpringTime – Wood-balancing tips:

During Spring, the Wood element becomes active both within us and in nature, so it’s important to balance its energy.

1. Daily Movement Practice: Wood energy needs movement, this clears any stgnation building in the body. Yoga or Qi Gong especially help smooth the Liver Qi.

2. Daily Meditation or Journalling Practice: Release the business of thoughts on to paper. Writing also helps to process our emotions and set clear intentions, which is important for wood energy to have a goal and clear focused plan ahead to achieve it.

3. Eat lots of leafy green vegetables and berries. Both of these foods help build Liver blood. Leafy green vegetables also help drain dampness, which can accumulate in the sinuses causing headaches and allergies.

4. Avoid alcohol, coffee and recreational drugs, which aggravate and heat up the Liver and impede its detoxification process causing more anger, irritability and restlessness.

5. Herbal Vinegars: the sour flavour of vineagr is tonifying to our inner wood element, incorporating spring bitter greens into your vinegars for a daily dose, brings in a beautiful detoxifying element to your vinegars. Clearing any stagnation within the liver and supporting a healthy flow of liver qi energy for you to feel vibrant and vital. Herbs to relax the nervous system as wood types are often prone to stress and tension: lavender, rosemary, chamomile and lemon balm are great allies. See recipe included.

Discipline is key to balance the Wood type personality, so it’s important to commit to these habits and practices daily. You’ll realise that by making this commitment to smooth the flow of Liver Qi, your life will flow more smoothly as well.

HERBAL ALLIES – SPRING BITTER GREENS

Herbal Allies for your liver energy.

Any herbs that cleanse and tonify the liver energy will help to reduce stagnation and smooth the flow of liver qi energy.

Chamomile, Rosemary, dandelion, globe artichoke, fumitory, mils thistle, burdock, cleavers.

You can bring these into your life with herbal teas, recommending organic dried loose tea to make infusions, tinctures and herbal vinegars to add the taste of sour to your bitter greens for an extra action on wood and the liver.

Check out my blog on Herbal Vinegars and Dandelion Medicine – how to connect with Dandelion – for more Wood energy balancing tios.

Move from irritable, stuck, burn out and frustration to vibrant, clear, light and full of vitality

Passionate about Embodied Elemental Herbalism – Want to dive deeper into connection with the wisdom of the elements and the plants – Sign up for my Mistress Class :

Join me for this FREE Mistress Class as part of our Seasonal Cyclical Wisdom Series – Energetics of Spring, Wood Element & Dandelion Medicine : SIGN UP

To support your deepening connection with the cycles of nature, understanding of the elemental and energetic imbalances within the body and the plant allies to balance – to enhance your herbal or healing practice or personal wellness journey