The Renewal of Spring


Although there is still snow on the ground, the air has a feeling of lightness with the coming of spring. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is the time of renewal, cleansing, creating, activity, growth, and movement.

Spring is associated with the wood element and Gall Bladder and Liver Meridians. This is the perfect time to release emotions that no longer serve us; specifically, anger, resentment, frustration, and lethargy. Many people spring clean their homes; it is also desirable to clean our internal environment to create mental clarity, optimum health, and emotional wellbeing.

Today I want to focus on emotional spring-cleaning strategies. Liver Meridian is the energy pathway most active in spring. The emotions associated with Liver are anger, frustration, and resentment. The liver is also “the organ most affected by stagnant emotions and stress.” Gall Bladder the partner of Liver “is responsible for storing and excreting bile and governs decision making, planning, dreaming, inspiration, and assertiveness.”

Supporting these meridians, especially this time of year, can help to make changes to inspire a spiritual or emotional breakthrough. To aid in emotional balancing and de-stressing:

  • Get outside to exercise and meditate as much as you can.
  • Add to your exercise program or if sedentary, begin some type of physical exercise.
  • Spend time with friends.
  • Walk in nature.
  • Spring clean your home.
  • Enjoy a sauna, steam or soak to aid detoxification
  • Laugh
  • “Forgive as much and as often as you can.”