“Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.”
― Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
Spring Equinox: What does it all mean, From a Chinese MEDICINE Perspective
Yep, We are all Connected
One of the perks of seeing the volume of patients I am blessed to work with at the Zen Den is that I get a chance to tune in and observe the collective energy of our community and how it is showing up in each patients unique physiology. Sometimes I feel like an energy forecaster of sorts, instead of tracking storms or changes in air pressure, I’m tracking the current energy trends and tendencies showing up for my patients in their bodies, and lives. If anything it makes me feel less alone, after 13 years of practice there’s not much I haven’t seen that I haven’t experienced myself on some level. After years of noticing these patterns of oneness, you can’t help but acknowledge a sense of feeling like we truly are all in this together.
Energy: It’s not just Woo-Woo Anymore
Believe in energy or not, sutle energies are always at play, whether they be astrological, seasonal, political or even seasonal. While no one really knows where these energies originate from, I do know we as humans are very susceptible to them. Our energy or electromagnetic energy can effect our mood, emotions, physical ailments, healing, and even the type of partner we attract I do know we are all unique expressions of very similar energies. Once you start to seeThe patterns in patients aliments and presentations are almost comical at times. Three shoulder injuries in a row, or five patients back to back that just keep waking up at 3am and are feeling irritable in their relationships. Is that all a fluke or is there something more at bay here.
But First, the Chinese Medicine Stuff
Chinese Medicine has a poetic way of connecting the human body and physiology to our environment and seasonal flow. Eastern philosophy is based on the premise that all life occurs within the circle of nature, things within this matrix are connected and dependent on each other and defined as the complementary energies of yin and yang. When these energies are in balance, chi and life flourishes, when the balance is upset, disaster looms. Yet with each season being an expression of some kind of imbalance, it’s impossible to remain balanced year round. This is where I feel we are wrong in our thinking at ultimately achieving balance. The truth of it just doesn’t exist. As Pema Chodron says “things come together and they fall apart.” The goal isn’t necessarily to keep things all together and flowing harmonious, its to have awareness and compassion for ourselves and others when they ultimately fall apart. As a practitioner as Chinese medicine I never feel like I am fixing a patient. I’m harmonizing them.
Following the flow of seasons and making space for imbalances that more than likely will show up not only prevents disharmony, it can empower you by making space for the transformation that more than likely is on the horizon.
The energy of spring is embodied by the wood element, sprouting, pioneering and change. It’s about cultivating action after a period of gestation (winter). Winter is about contraction, while the Wood energy is about the initial movement after contraction. Organs affected the most during this shift are the Liver and Gallbladder. Working specifically with these energy channels will aid in a smooth transition to spring and optimum health. When the liver energy becomes stagnant, we often experience what is commonly called liver qi stagnation: frustration, anger, and irritability are all emotions associated with liver qi stagnation. I know for me they seem to manifest the most early spring: it’s an angsty type energy that leaves me wanting good weather, dry trails to explore and a freedom to work on projects after a long winter. There can be feelings of frustration about life situations, relationships or delays at this time.
Some of the physical symptoms associated with liver qi stagnation include:
breast pain and tenderness
side body pain
abdomen pain
digestive upset
irregular menstruation
Somethings you can do to counter balance this energy stagnation is to work on Liver 3 with some essential oil and some acupressure. Liver 3 is located between the first and second toes on both feet, palpating down from the webbing of the two toes about an inch, you will feel a tender spot, which almost feels like a bruise.
Simply massaging this point or anointing it with essential oils is enough to shift the energy in the liver. Some good essential oil choices for this point would be lavender, chamomile or blue tansy. All of these oils help regulate and encourage a smooth flow of qi.
Exercise is another activity that can help move liver qi. It doesn’t have to be a crazy complicated cross fit workout, or marathon training, a simple walk is enough.
The other organ associated with this season is the gallbladder. The emotional component of the Gallbladder is courage or will power. When the gallbladder energy becomes out of balance, we will feel a bit frozen in our path, indecisive or sometimes even depressed. Either lack of confidence or discipline will cause these types of emotions. When these feelings come up it’s important to first accept them, and allow them to just be. Incorporating more discipline in your life is a great way to counterbalance this energy. Through self-parenting we can create the opportune containers of disciple which, ironically leads to flow and freedom.
Other physical symptoms of Gallbladder stagnation include:
Migraines
Nausea
Gallstones
Hip pain
Herbs and supplements to consider during this time would be powdered liver greens or dandelion tea. Depending on your constitution, the spring is also the one time of the year where raw foods and juices is encouraged. It’s a great time to do the standards process cleanse, if you’ve been wanting to do it, you can check out my how to video HERE, and pick up your cleanse kit at Zen Den to get started!
These are a few of My Favorite (SPRING) Things
Recommended reading for this season: Pema Chodron When things Fall Apart
Essential Oils to work with: Blue Tansy, Chamomile, Lavender
Acupressure points: Liver 3
Foods: Raw greens, fresh juices, dandelion, chamomile, lemon water in the mornings
Supplements: Powdered liver greens, standard process cleanse
Thank you so much for your continued support in my baby the Zen Den. We’ve got some exciting things in the works this month: an acupuncture sound bath, a free community/photo shoot event, and the launch of our new lunar acupuncture moon circles. I hope to see you soon!
Big Love,
Dr. Michelle Hamilton