Spring is in the air...

Spring is in the air and, in Eastern Philosophy, wood is the element that is associated with this season. Creation, birth, new growth and abundance surrounds us during this rejuvenating time of year. Of the five systems, Spring is associated with the Immune system. Defense is the fifth of seven major priorities for the body. The seven major priorities, in order of importance, are crucial and muscular functions, cleansing, fat maintenance, defense, regeneration and higher mind. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on the Immune System, our personal defense system.
From a physical-nutritional standpoint, when the body is well-nourished, clean and all other insults are removed each and every one of us is capable of obtaining a higher mind. What determines the step of priorities we operate on is how well we balance our nourishment (good food in) and cleansing (toxins out). Gallbladder and liver are the organs associated with Spring. Bile is stored in the gallbladder, a very important function for normal digestive function. Cleansing and breaking down sugar, fat and cholesterol are the main functions of the liver. Stagnation in the liver can lead to imbalance, depression, and fatigue, while hyperactivity can lead to anger, insomnia and dizziness. Mucus-forming foods such as meat and dairy lead to stagnation in the liver. We also hold and encounter a lot of emotional activity in our liver. In particular, the emotion of self-protective anger.
From a more spiritual standpoint, the Solar plexus, third chakra, or Manipura is the chakra that affects and is affected by the liver and gallbladder. Disfunction in the Solar Plexus can affect our ability to discriminate and assert ourselves. This is a very logical, sophisticated, confident and suspicious chakra. To help rebalance your third chakra, sit in a comfortable position, cradle your hands around the space in front of your upper abdomen and connect with the color yellow, the feeling of the chakra and the sound “Ramn.” Give thanks and gratitude for this chakra’s participation in your life.
Another way you can rebalance the liver and gallbladder are by massaging along the meridians, or energetic pathways. For the liver start on the inside of your big toes and massage up the inner leg line, swing out at the hip and up to just under the pectoral muscle, go in and end right beneath the nipple. For the gall bladder start at the temples, swirl around above the ear and then go down the back of the ear, swing up toward the hairline above your forehead, then back down the back of your head, off the lip of your shoulder blade and hugging in at the lowest rib, continuing down to the top of the hip, outer hip socket and down the outer leg and outer foot and ending at the fourth toe.
For me, spring is a time of cleansing, purging what no longer serves you and seeing what stays. Enjoy this rejuvenating time of year!
Information from this article was obtained through the following books: Energy Medicine by Donna Eden, Feed Your Body, Energize Your Life by Dr. Jane Hendricks and from years of reading on the subject.