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Spring Fling
by Virginia Mitchell
Introduction
Five Element acupuncture, the tradition I practice, is based on the reflection of nature within the human body.
The energy that flows through all life is divided into the groups, Spring/Wood, Summer/Fire, Fall/Metal, Winter/Water and the transition between seasons is called Earth.
This is part of a series of articles designed to explore our energetic connection with the season. At the end of each article will be ideas you can use to explore this energy within yourself.
Spring Fling
Several years ago, after deciding I wanted to be an acupuncturist I went for a schedules acupuncture appointment. During my
visit my practitioner asked me a series of questions regarding my new intention: When are you planning to start? How will you meet the prerequisites? What about your children? What if they are sick? On and on she
went (or so it seemed).Then she smiled at me and said, "You have terrific Wood!" I was mystified. I knew that acupuncture contained a concept in which different energies were named after parts of nature
but whenever I had heard someone speak about the Wood energy it was always in terms of anger. I wasn’t angry. What did she mean?
My acupuncturist explained that the Wood energy is indeed the rising energy that fuels our anger: and it is also the rising energy that manifests in planning, making choices, being flexible, and being
creative. Thinking of it only in terms of anger was way too small.
Since that time, I’ve found it helpful to ask myself certain questions when I feel agitated but don’t know why.
First I take a look at what I’m doing. Is my vision clear? Does my action spring from my own inner wisdom or am I simply trying to stay busy? Perhaps something new is asking to be birthed.
It is easy to lose touch with my creativity. Pretty soon a routine becomes a rut and the next thing I know I’m bored. Once I’m bored, I’m no longer fully present and a nagging sense of frustration begins to build.
On the other hand, I may be clear about the direction I need to take and may have figured out the steps I need to accomplish along the way, but when I actually try to implement my plan it doesn’t work. This is where
flexibility is needed. I have to keep my eye on the big picture and consider alternative steps toward my goal.
For instance, when I decided to enroll in TAI Sophia’s acupuncture program, my husband was just finishing a graduate program himself. With two young children and limited resources, I could not afford to quit working.
I had to continue to care for the children and I had to meet my financial responsibilities. However, I know it was essential that I begin. I considered my options and decided to go to massage school first. I was
able to find funding to pay the tuition that wouldn’t cut into the family’s budget. Since I would attend classes two nights a week I could still work full time. Although I would not be home for supper every night I
could leave a meal ready. Best of all, massage would help me meet the prerequisites for the acupuncture program and would provide the opportunity for me to become more comfortable with patients. I had the vision and
successfully designed a feasible plan to realize my goal. I can assure you, however, I went through several strategies before I came up with this plan.
The ancient Chinese knew that the energy of vision and planning was vital to their survival. They recognized nature as their greatest teacher and they observed the energy of vision and planning as exhibited in the
trees. Within the seed is the vision and the entire plan for that tree. When we plant an oak we get an oak-not a willow, pine or fig. Yet every oak is different from every other oak. When a tree begins to grow, it
responds to its environment. We have all seen trees that have grown around strands of wire fencing or lost a limb to lightening. Trees don’t quit growing and die when they meet an obstacle, they adapt - again and
again. The sheer power of their rising energy carries them up and out into the world.
I have known trees as "silent sentinels," "lonely outpost," and even "gay witnesses to life" but it was not until I read Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker’s Creek* that I could imagine
the might and anger hidden within trees. Dillard pays tribute to their force and magnificent power: "Every year a given tree creates absolutely from scratch ninety-nine percent of its living parts. Water
lifting up tree trunks can climb up one hundred and fifty feet an hour: in full summer a tree can and does, heave a ton of water every day! A tree stands there, accumulating dead wood, mute and rigid as an obelisk,
but secretly it seethes, splits, it sucks and stretches: it heaves up tons and hurls them out in a green, fringe fling."
Now when I feel energy rising in me - be it anger, excitement, anticipation- I pause to consider the power within and what I might create- what I, like the trees might fling into life.
Exploring and experiencing your wood energy.
- The energy of Spring is associated with the beginning of the growth cycle.
Take time to plant something and watch it grow. Pull out your favorite art form and start something new. What arises in you as you as you do these things? What do you notice in your body during these times?
- The next time you feel angry see if you can pause for a just a moment and ask yourself, "What do I want to create in this interaction?"
With more clarity comes better results and less unintended harm.
- The direction of the Wood energy is always up and out.
Plan opportunities to do something physical that requires a little more of you than you’ve been giving on a regular basis, go for a hike, sign up for a martial arts class, go for a bike ride and see how nature is unfolding.
- Take time to review where you are putting your time and energy. Do you need to update your plans in order to bring your vision to pass? Do you need to be more flexible in your execution?
Can you change an obstacle into an opportunity?
*Harper & Row, 1988, New York, NY
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