Spring begins with the vernal equinox, when the sun crosses the celestial equator, which is coinciding closely with the new moon this year. All this newness marks an excellent time for beginnings, whether that be a new personal project, educational journey, or a reset. It is also the beginning of the cycle of elements, which starts with Wood and its green energy. I’m gonna be honest, though: I have had a struggle of trying to feel it.
So I have been trying to conjure it in my mind with visualization. I have sat and breathed and pictured Wood’s energy all around us: leaves sprouting from trees, shoots coming up from the dark soil, and flowers opening in their variety of colours and cheerfulness. As I meditate on these images, I imagine parts of my mind emerging from darkness, unfurling to soak in the warming sun. I inhale acceptance that the transition between seasons can look and feel quite chaotic, and I exhale hope that thinking about spring’s energy can help keep my body and mind pliant and resilient and moving forward.
Now, we’re not there yet. I actually bought myself a bit more calm by taking a look through my photos from last year: there was snow on the ground last March 24th as well. And yet the birds started to sing, things got warmer, and walks outside became more pleasant (and free from the weight of winter boots!). We are at a point in the cycle, and that wheel is going to keep on turning until it properly feels like we have arrived at spring.
I’ve done a lot of reflecting and reading on the wuxing, which sometimes uses the words “transformations” or “phases” instead of elements. This idea works with the multiple cycles of the philosophy; rather than five elements being static points on a circle, they are waystations that our energies pass through and are transformed by. Wood invites us to begin, to grow upward, and to reveal things that have been moving in us beneath the surface during the cold winter months.
Unseasonal weather can be an apt way to picture dysfunction in the body. The snow outside is like an excess of water energy, which can dampen wood’s power and keep it from properly expressing itself. Water is the element of reflection and introspection, appropriate to winter, but it can also manifest as getting lost in rumination on the past, or depression, preventing us from putting our minds toward starting something new.
At the start of this season, it can be a valuable exercise to take inventory and see where your efforts can be best directed to encourage growth. Nothing helps me figure myself out quite like setting an intention and asking myself a question that I explore with a tarot reading. Previously, I’ve been in the habit of doing this every new moon, taking its zodiac sign and element into account to help frame intention and question both. Aries, being the first sign and belonging to the fire element, is great for setting goals related to creative expression, movement, and the courage to try something new.
I am asking myself what to look for this spring season, as I cultivate a new workspace, a new coaching course (more on that next Fat Tuesday!), and strengthening myself as things get busier. Many of my tarot spreads find me asking what I should notice and what I should meditate on for the day, or week, or month. The beauty of cycles is that they are always beginning and inviting us to start over, to try again, to give it another go.
For the next week, I am offering two promotions: 50% off your next tarot meditation with promo code ARIES26. You can also take advantage of 50% off your next massage with code SPRING26. Reserve either appointment by end of day March 31st to take advantage. This promotion doesn’t apply at Concordia’s athletic therapy clinic, but their prices are affordable and the table is comfy! To book your appointment at the School of Health (Wednesdays and Saturdays), click here.
I will be away pet sitting from Tuesday, April 7th to Monday, April 13th. In my last post I wrote about my tendency to be overcome with anxiety and binge eat the first night of a stay, so that will be a personal project, and I am armed with literature and meditations and will be bringing my crochet project to keep my hands busy and my self grounded. Nothing can guarantee success, however, and alleged failures are learning opportunities, so we’ll see what happens and I will probably report back because either is exciting!
