Spring is the season during which the natural world revives and reinvigorates after the colder winter months. During spring, dormant plants begin to grow again, new seedlings sprout out of the ground and hibernating animals awake.
Liver and Gallbladder Season
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) spring is the transitional season of the Liver and its partner the Gallbladder. The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of blood, Qi (energy) and emotions throughout the body. It is a time of creating, cleansing, activity, movement, growth and renewal. The Liver also stores and controls the amount of blood circulating. Withdrawing it and storing it when resting or sleeping, and releasing it during exercise. It is also regulating the menstrual blood flow. Associated with the central nervous system, and autonomic nervous system it governs our emotional state. It is in charge of the tendons, the nails and the eyes.
The Liver is the second largest organ of the body, and it is situated on the right side of the body, but the Liver Qi flows from the left side of the body, drawing its energy from right to left. If the Liver Qi becomes stagnant with deficient liver blood, the tendons, ligaments, muscles will not be hydrated, nourished enough and will result in cramps, lack of strength and flexibility, blockages of all sort. The quality of the nails strong and healthy, and the look of a fresh eye with clear vision shows the balance of the Liver Qi; any troubles will manifest as brittle nails, with white spots, lack of flexibility, myopia or blurry vision.
"The spirit of the liver, the Hun, rules the nervous system and gives rise to extra-sensory perception"
The Liver ensures mental and emotional stability. It is described as the 'seat of the emotions' also called the 'Immature Child'. Liver Qi needs freedom, expansion and free wandering. Stress, anger, impulsive actions may damage this free flow and create a depression of liver Qi. Anger and depression causes stagnation, as it produces heat from the Liver to rise into the head, the angry face person may be reddened, and redness anywhere always means heat. Depression generates recurrent sight, pain and discomfort in the chest and breast (for woman).
When stagnation occurs, emotional imbalances will be felt such as outburst of anger (excess) (yang energy), or depression, (deficiency yin) sinking energy under the influence of Po (the spirit of the lung).
When depression settled for too long, Traditional Chinese Medicine relates that the Hun can leave the house of the Liver and wanders until wholeness is restored. By connecting back with the Shen of the heart, and the Po of the lungs, with arms stretching and conscious visualisation of the energy returning to the Liver and gallbladder via their respective meridians(2), the Hun can return with a new perspective and loving-kindness towards the self.
Focusing on the meridian and virtues of the Liver (kindness, gentleness, forgiveness) in association with those of the kidney (security, confidence) and heart (compassion, unconditional love) will help to bring the Hun back to the Liver to follow our dreams.
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