Spring Equinox, Liminal Transition Periods, and Uncomfortable Growth

A little over two weeks ago in the northern hemisphere, we celebrated the Spring Equinox. Throughout history and many cultures across the planet, there have been consistent rhythms of the Earth's orbit around the Sun that we celebrate. They mark seasonal shifts. They mark shifts in our bodies and spirit. Every living thing on the planet is pulled and directed by these shifts.

Many humans have (with the influence of colonization, industrialization, capitalism, and the patriarchy) stopped appreciating the in-between space that stretches through the space between the big four demarcations of the Earth's journey around the sun.

Spring Equinox is considered the astrological new year. It is the same day that we leave the watery, dreamy energy of Pisces season and shift into the fiery, demanding energy of Aries. Many cultures and religions still recognize the spring equinox as the "true" new year - not the one created in January by the Gregorian Calendar.

The Wood Element & What Spring Is Actually Asking of You

In traditional Chinese medicine spring is governed by the Wood Element. It is the beginning of the cycle in which our Qi flows along meridians in our bodies. The meridians that make up the Wood Element are Gallbladder and Liver. Gallbladder is yang, liver is yin. The tissues of the body ruled by this are the connective tissues (the tendons, ligaments, sinews) and the times of day ruled by these meridians are 11pm-1am (GB) and 1am-3am (Li). This is the time at night that we are sleeping. Energetically our bodies are at rest but our minds are processing information and thoughts at rapid speed. The gallbladder rules dreams, plans, and goal-setting (New Year's resolutions anyone?) and the liver takes those dreams, plans, and goals and puts them into action.

This often brings rise to discomfort. Thwarted plans, road blocks, and things not going our way often lead to frustration or even anger. These are the emotions of the wood element. If we allow this discomfort and frustration to go unprocessed it becomes stagnant qi which often leads to depression.

In the body the physical liver and gallbladder work together to process fat-soluble nutrients and break them down into water-soluble nutrients that can then be absorbed in the small intestine. Emotionally this looks like ideas, dreams, and goals being put into actionable steps and then assimilated into our daily lives. Just like indigestion feels uncomfortable and can cause heartburn or worse, when there are blockages in our emotional pathways things can get backed up as well leading to cascading issues.

Spring Is Not Just Pastels and Bunnies

Looking around the natural world, there is lots of beauty in spring as early flowers begin to bloom and trees begin to bud. However, we are not fully out of winter's cold and dreary weather and we are not fully into the warm days of late spring and early summer. These six weeks between the equinox and Beltane (May 1) are filled with rapidly changing weather - like a cold, drenching deluge followed by a 70 degree sunny day - and lots of mud, dirt, and windy days. Early spring is not just the soft, pastel time of bunnies and flowers and sunshine. It is a time of rapid growth, of birth, of cracking eggshells and seeds bursting forth with sprouts that break the surface of the earth. We are often digging our hands in our gardens and in the dirt, prepping beds for food and flowers that we will enjoy all summer long. After a long winter of rest we are out stretching our limbs and moving and lifting in ways we haven't been. Our bodies are sore, our sinews begin to warm and lengthen but it often comes with aches that can be both welcome and bothersome.

Birth is messy. The first steps on any journey are often careful, often falter, and sometimes require us to reroute. These things are frustrating. That frustration can turn to anger, and unexpressed anger can turn to depression.

Every year this season challenges me. I find myself tossed between wanting to retreat to my cozy den, buried under a pile of blankets on cold, rainy days — and then feeling guilty when a sunny, warm day arrives and I'm not out making the most of every minute of it. Both sides feel forced. I can't find real rhythm or stability. I am a creature who loves routine, and during these weeks I always feel a little lost. I share this because I think a lot of us feel it and don't name it.

How Can Massage Support the Early Days of Spring?

We can help the body loosen and create space for fresh new blood and lymph to flow between the layers of tissue in our bodies. While massage doesn't magically "flush toxins" (this is not a thing!) it does increase circulation and bring new space to areas of the body that feel stuck and painful. Cupping, gua sha, lymphatic drainage, and myofascial release are all great modalities to help create space and movement in your body this spring.

Come In. Let Us Hold Space for You.

Allow us to support you and give you space to carry through the demands of renewal and increasing energy this spring. These first six weeks are a very liminal time and remember that it is just the beginning of the journey towards blooming and fruiting — and you are allowed to be messy, tired, and make mistakes along the way. Listen to your body and rest when it is time to rest. Process frustrations through breathwork or writing or venting to a friend — or screaming at the east bank esplanade every Wednesday at 6pm with ScreamSocietyPDX.

Come get a massage. And if you're feeling the need for direction or clarity, add on a tarot reading with Samantha at your next session.

Book your spring massage here.