The howls of the blowing wind was seen by the swaying conifers – bundled up in blankets, we listened, we found stillness in lying on the ground.
The clouds casted shadows cooling the air to an uncomfortable temperature – the sun-kissed garden called to us, bringing warmth and heating our bodies from the outside in.
The Spring snow weighed down the daffodils and iced over the bird baths – and, still, the bulbs are blooming and the birds are singing.
The hungry homestead rodents ungracefully ate the leek seeds planted in the tray – yet the tomatoes sprouted and are growing strong.
Overcast and grey are suddenly met with sunshine and blue. Frigid, coldness is met with friendly, warmth. Chaos and noise are reduced to silence and stillness. Loss and misfortune are met with hope.
The trials and tribulations of Spring are here. The time of balance. The reminder that “this too will pass.” And, most importantly, the cosmic teacher, patience, is here.
Like the new green growth of a tree, we are being asked to stay flexible. The action of growing, stretching, upward movement is emphasized by the Wood Element in the Five Phases Theory. When balanced, we can meet others with kindness and encouragement. When stuck, we find ourselves agitated and angry. And, guess what? It’s okay to be both.
The wind is the pernicious influence of this season. Physically, we may witness this as an obvious environmental factor or we may experience this in our body as shivering, irritated joints, skin rashes, vertigo or runny noses and the common cold. In theory, this external climatic force rapidly changes and moves, it can cause destruction, yet also cleanses old decay. In practice, there are two clinical manifestations of wind: external and internal. Externally, people may exhibit symptoms of the common cold, flu, neck and shoulder pain, and skin irritations (hello, eczema!). Internally, symptoms of vertigo, tremors, migraines, and more serious conditions of paralysis are expressed as Wind. This is a wide range of symptoms and severity, yet they share the commonality of movement. Wind moves.
Wind can be accompanied by dampness, heat, or cold. Hence, herbal recommendations vary based on the character of the person and how the disease is presenting. Yet, we can protect ourselves from environmental wind by protecting our neck and body warm (especially your kidneys/ lower back!), as well as finding ways to rest amongst commotion.
I deeply resonate with these various expressions of wind exhibited during Spring. It truly is a metaphor for life at the moment. The need to cleanse and renew those parts of the internal and external landscape that do not serve – the reminder that it’s still ok to hunker down as the cold and damp linger – the desire to eat fresh wild greens in combination with a hearty stew – the need to stay grounded amongst the up surge of energy.
How are you finding balance as we enter the month of April? When are you reminded to be patient?
May the winds move around us and may we stay flexible like the growing saplings.
Here’s to the blustery season,
Rachael