For many around the world, spring represents a return to life and family. People begin to look forward to improved weather, spending more time outdoors and to finally working towards some of the New Years goals/plans they created. This is often a time for people to also reconnect to God through their religious or spiritual practices as evident with the numerous holidays from many different religions and cultures.

As with the other seasons, spring has a major impact on our lives, nature and Earth as well. According to Huang Di (aka Yellow Emperor: Taoist Sage and Emperor):

“The three months of the spring season bring about the revitalization of all things in nature. It is the time of birth. This is when heaven and earth are reborn. During this season it is advisable to retire early. Arise early also and go walking in order to absorb the fresh, invigorating energy. Since this is the season in which the universal energy begins anew and rejuvenates, one should attempt to correspond to it directly by being open and unsuppressed, both physically and emotionally.

On the physical level it is good to exercise [Internal Exercises] more frequently and wear loose fitting clothing. This is the time to do stretching exercises to loosen up the tendons and muscles. Emotionally, it is good to develop equanimity. This is because spring is the season of the liver, and indulgence in anger, frustration, depression, sadness, or any excess emotion can injure the liver. Furthermore, violating the natural order of spring will cause cold disease, illness inflicted by atmospheric cold, during summer. (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine by Maoshing Ni p.5)”

It is important to also protect oneself from the effects of wind by covering the head, protecting the throat, keeping the body warm with jackets etc… If one does not protect themselves from the effects of wind or at least expel the trapped wind during spring they will suffer problems with their spleen resulting in diarrhea, indigestion and food retention/poisoning.

Qi Bo (Huang Di’s Taoist adviser and physician) informed Huang Di that:

“…with the arrival of spring the weather warms the earth. All plants begin to sprout and put forth green leaves, so the color associated with spring is green. Since most fruits and trees are immature and unripe at this time, their taste is sour. This sour taste can strengthen the liver, and the liver can then nourish the tendons and tendomuscular channels. The wood element of the liver can produce the fire element of the heart… (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine by Maoshing Ni, p.20)”

Thus the liver as the bodies representation of the wood element helps to nourish and protect the heart, thus if a person suffers from liver problems or has anger and stress issues, they will eventually harm their heart. This is also reflected in the connection between a weakened liver affecting cholesterol and saturated fat problems in the blood which will lead to heart disease and other cardiovascular problems.

There is much wisdom to be learned from the five elements/five phases of change and the associated seasons and its impact on our overall health and longevity.

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