We are officially into Wood Season. Also Spring. Also Liver Season.

I like understanding the seasons in this way as it helps me appreciate wherever we are in the year (even January…) as I have come to depend on the consistent energy that arises.

This season, like it namesake, enjoys:

• Being rooted – a plant cannot grow and expand without strong roots in the ground.
• Consistent movement – like a slow vine finding its way or bamboo shooting up seemingly overnight, movement is key.
• Flexibility – I’m visualizing a trellis; giving form within flexibility, it does not impede the growth of the plant.

Very simply, what really bugs wood energy is being:

• immobilized – not able to move OR
• rigidity – movement being too controlled. Plants hate that!

People don’t love it so much either.

In Chinese Medicine, the Liver system governs the smooth flow of Qi (energy) in the body. It’s responsible for physical  movement and flexibility, our vision, and emotional steadiness.

In winter, we focussed on contraction, moving inward and resting.

Spring requires expansion and outward movement. Growth pushing up through soil.If the soil  is compacted, there’s resistance and things get dicey (prickly?). 

Emotionally we may feel:

• Irritability or quick frustration
• Feeling stuck/unmotivated
• Frequent sighing
• Restlessness

Physically we may feel:

• Headaches (temples or around the eyes)
• Tension in the neck and shoulders
• Dry eyes or eye issues

Ways to soothe a cantankerous Liver are

• light stretching with twists
• bitter greens and lemon
• morning walks
• letting out a loud sigh ( or many if needed)
• less heavy foods and alcohol

And in the clinic we can move stuck or stagnant Liver Qi with acupuncture, release stiff shoulders with cupping, soften stored tension with Craniosacral and calm the nervous system with facial reflexology.

Liver season isn’t about forcing, it’s about flexibility.