The Spring Equinox is On Its Way ✨🌱✨

Spring is almost here

The Equinox will arrive March 20th, 2025. You might already be feeling that internally in various ways. A seasonal and energetic shift is afoot.

Across many traditions, Spring is a season associated with renewal and rebirth. What was resting and fallow is now being energized and invigorated for new growth and new life. 

The Wood Element in Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine, the Spring season is associated with the Liver and the Gallbladder systems - The Wood Element. 

The Liver and the Gallbladder have many correspondences from the Chinese medicine perspective. Physiologically, they govern the health of the muscles and the tendons. The Liver-Gallbladder systems also have a role in a regular menstrual cycle, in reproductive health and balanced hormonal regulation. Together they help with mood regulation and the Liver Blood (a concept specific to Chinese medicine) supplies your neurological tissue. In this system, the Liver has a responsibility to the healthy and appropriate function of your nervous system, as well as its capacity for regulation and its responsiveness to stimuli.

Emotionally, the Liver and Gallbladder systems help us metabolize, manage and relate to our experience of anger, frustration and resentment. I think we are hard-pressed to find someone who does not experience those emotions (in this political climate, etc) with some frequency and that is not in any way pathological. It's the stagnation that being in that (or any) emotional state over lengths of time that we want to be mindful of <3. 

Spiritually, the Liver and Gallbladder systems evoke our capacity for creativity. This could be our capacity for creative inspiration, creative expression, making art, problem solving, idea generation, innovation, the ability to envision a new path forward.

A stark energetic contrast

Moving from Winter to Spring is no small task. The energy conservation and consolidation that is called for in Winter is so variable and personal. I find in clinic people rarely report feeling rested or being able to take the time they want for rest in the Winter. And each year, Spring comes bursting forth, demanding that we begin anew whether or not we feel ready for all that it brings. I am always impressed by how people notice this phenomenon for themselves each year, time and time again. People really feel the impending arrival of Spring. 

How acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help

The axis for the energetic movement (really since the Winter Solstice) is "up and out". Like a seed planted below the earth, finally it is sprouting shoots. We want the seedling to also have a well-developed root system and we can nurture a balanced system with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. 

Specific to Liver and Gallbladder imbalances in Chinese Medicine, I often see people experience any number of the following: headaches, migraines, hormonal imbalances, menstrual cycles irregularities, tremors, Bell's Palsy or other neurological presentations, unexplained anxiety, difficulties with mood regulation, or depression. 

Often times around the changes of the season, conditions that were once well-managed become less managed or a little unruly for a moment in time - but this can be especially true in Spring due to the stark contrast in energies between Winter and Spring.

If you are naturally feeling called to this kind of support and holistic medical care, I look forward to seeing you soon! In any event, I hope you take wonderful care of yourselves and others and many Spring blessings to you and yours <3