Spring is the time for new beginnings. It’s the time for the seeds of creativity to come into physical form. In Chinese Medicine, it is the time for the Wood Element, which rules the Liver and Gall Bladder organs. When these organs are in balance, the energy of Spring naturally flows toward bringing ideas into form. When they are out of balance there may be ideas, but the actions to take may not be clear and the ideas remain in the imagination.
To take advantage of the energy of Spring, there are many things you can do to support the Wood Element in flowing ideas into reality. The first step is to support the liver and gallbladder on a physical level through a cleanse. There are many levels of clearing toxins from mild to intense. If you are new to cleansing, you may want to start simply by drinking 16 oz. of lemon water first thing in the morning every day for 2-4 weeks. The astringing properties of the lemon help to stimulate the Liver to gently clear toxins. Another gentle way to cleanse the liver and gall bladder is to take Milk Thistle. A quality supplement will have the following beneficial effects:
- Help cleanse your liver of toxin
- Help breakdown excess fat in the liver
- Improve blood circulation
- Increase your energy levels
- Help protect your liver from future damage
- Healthy weight management
Another way to stimulate flow in the Liver and Gall bladder is a yoga practice. For the practice, focus on poses that open the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians. The Liver channel flows on the inside of the legs and up to the rib cage while the GB channel covers both sides of the body from head to toe. Therefore, incorporating poses that open the inside of the legs and the sides of the body will promote balance in the Wood element channels. Sacred Pathways Wood Element practice is available for preview by going to the home page and clicking on the free video series button. You can do all or part of the Wood Element practice each day of your cleanse to enhance your results.
Another practice for identifying actions to bring ideas into form, is journaling. Spend some time writing a to do list. Write a list of simple actions that don’t take a lot of time along with things that require more of a commitment. You can start by doing the things that require less effort to build momentum, then move to the projects that take more time and energy once you have built a foundation.
Spring is also a good time to cultivate a regular meditation practice. You can start by committing to a daily 10-15 min. meditation while you do our cleanse. Meditation can act like a mental detox time period either first thing in the morning to start your day off with a clean slate, or right before bed to help clear your mind for a good night’s rest. Choose the time you will be most consistent, then add the morning or the evening once you have formed a consistent practice once a day.
Any and all of these practices will help you take advantage of the natural energies of Spring. Pick at least 3 days and up to 21, commit to at least one or two of these suggestions. Journal your results on a daily basis looking for subtle improvements in your outlook, clarity and energy levels toward bringing your creative project into form.
