Spring Energy-Liver and Gallbladder
Is it truly spring already? Dumps of snow with a quick melt off say to my Minnesotan roots that we have made it! I personally am a huge fan of spring; however, I know that isn't the case for everyone. Spring energy has a lot of quirky activity, as we can witness by simply watching the weather. In TCM spring is associated with wood energy, and wood energy is associated with our liver and gallbladder. Much like the weather and the natural world, it is a time of awakening. When parts that were hidden and hibernating start to push forth into the world through the depths of their safety and security, past their protective and quiet layers deep within the Earth. The same thing happens within us. Our energy shifts from the depths of where we retreat for reflection and contemplation during the winter, and ask us to start going out and doing things in the world again. Liver energy can be intense. It can ask us to go from 0-60mph in seconds. When this momentum naturally ramps up, it can feel revitalizing and exciting. It can also push us into a depression or a funk because we feel forced to leave this safe quiet space inside in order to interact, create, and be in action. That can feel hard, and daunting. Finally, it can vacillate between the two, making us feel bonkers because we don't feel grounded, yet we aren't fully in bloom and don't quite know where to put our energy.
Whichever way you are feeling, it isn't wrong. It's how we tend to that energy that is of importance in this situation. If you are feeling the call to go out and be wild and free in the world, that's wonderful and I'm super happy for you. I hope you are making time to do so. However, remember we do have some limits as a human, and the energy we use needs to be replenished. My wisdom to share with you is to be mindful of how and when you are expending your energy. Make sure you are taking care of yourself, not over giving, not over promising or extending yourself too far. Take it easy, take a breath, be conscious of what it takes put all that glorious energy out in the world, and what you will need in order to restore it, then factor that into your choice.
Now, if you are on the other end of that and feeling in the pits of this change, dragging your feet, wondering why everything feels so hard, remember nothing is wrong with you. It's your body's way of saying, I'm not built to go from 0-60mph and just because people around me are, just because I have this energy inside of me that wants to be active, I get a say in how this is going to go! Give yourself permission to go slow. Take your time doing things. You are not going to miss out on anything. Maybe you just need to soak in some sun while on a walk in nature, instead of making plans to re-landscape your entire garden or start your spring cleaning. Honor the needs inside of yourself, regardless of what the world around you is telling you to do.
A fun contemplation might be to see if you connect more to a daffodil and tulip or a rose? One blooms early in the spring and enjoys the sun for a short time, Then it knows it needs to take a long while to replenish and resource until it can bloom again next year. While the other one takes its time to soak in the sun and bloom only after it has absorbed more resources from the sun and earth. But once it blooms, it lingers for a while.
May you find your flow with this season. As always, if you need a little help with a smooth flow of energy, I'm here.
Warmly,
Michelle
