Spring 2026 - The Mother of All Springs

Snow is still accumulating but we can sense the signs of spring in the lengthening of daylight hours and the increased heat of the sun. This is the time of the wood element that correlates to the systemic paired liver (yin) and gallbladder (yang) systems in Zang Fu. In Five Element traditional medicine, everything in the outer world and the relationships of the external earthly elements, mirror the health of our inner being thru the flow of our Qi and the harmonious operation of our meridians.

This is a mother of a Spring. As a time of awakening from winter slumber, we are having our eyes opened even wider by the new revelations of depravity and suffering that exists in this world. The emotion of the liver is anger while the gallbladder is the seat of courage and decision making. The gallbladder also helps us deal with shock and trauma that we are all experiencing by the news and escalating wars.

Given the current extremes in geopolitics, solar magnetic forces now pummeling earth and the rare cosmic alignment of planets and comets, this spring of 2016 demands we pay extra attention to our personal well being by:

- Staying grounded in nature as much as possible by getting outdoors.

- Listening to the sounds of nature or music based in natural tones.

- Finding emotional release methods that help vent the feelings of being overwhelmed, irritable or frustrated.

- Finding creative outlets in artistic endeavours.

- Limiting time listening to or thinking about the news.

- Staying warm by covering the neck, wearing warm socks and protecting the lower back.

- Spending time in the sun.

- Eating simple broths, sour foods and herbs like dandelion, milk thistle, nettle, peppermint, bupleurum.

- Increasing movement and stretching in some form of gentle exercise.

A balanced wood element is represented by a healthy tree that is flexible, can safely bend with the increased spring winds, and be able to surge forward with purpose, energy and clarity towards expansion and growth. Like healthy trees, we too need to be flexible both physically and emotionally. The physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of self, are all connected. If we take care of our body our emotional life will also benefit. Then, if we are holistically in balance, we can embrace change, make good choices and remain positive in how we choose to move forward in a world currently teeming with anger and hate.