Spring: nature bursting forth. I love the vibrancy of fresh blossom, the dynamic growth of a new plant forcing its way upwards through the soil. All around me I can see colour coming through: gentle yellow of primroses, cheery bright yellows of daffodils, pure whitness of delicate anenomes, green shoots of plants in the border, but also woolly buds on trees, the bleating of lambs in the fields: all symbols of new life and new hope.
Spring – The Wood Element
Wood is the element related to spring: the dynamic upwards movement of growth. Following the dormant period of winter, Spring starts slowly, then gains momentum, until it is hurtling forwards, unstoppable.
Within us, wood gives a sense of purpose and direction, our need to develop and ability to adapt, a goal. It is responsible for our plans and decisions: in Spring, how many of us are planning the summer holiday, changes to a garden or veg plot, or thinking about possible changes in career, or the direction of our lives? The wood element in us gives us the ability to see the potential, our ability to get to our goals. It influences our planning (and contingency planning), and the ability to make the decisions to get the job done. We intuitively use our wood element to find ways around obstacles to help us achieve our aims.
When it is flexible, wood moves and adapts easily. However, when it is stuck it becomes frustrated, full of unexpressed anger and resentment. Instead of stifling the creative surge of energy, it needs to be given the space to expand outwards, to breathe. By embracing growth, wood will develeop through to the maturity of summer, the fire element.
If you’d like to know more about the Five Elements, and how they can affect your health, please get in touch www.jgordonacupuncture.co.uk