Today I bought the apple tree. I’ll plant it on Thursday, when the Moon is in Capricorn, a good sign for planting something long-lasting and with roots. The ground has unfrozen, and it’s been warm enough to happily spend time in the garden preparing the soil and the space for the new resident. The act of tree-planting does feel symbolic of the beginning of spring. There is so much hope in planting a tree: it’s a much longer time-scale than planting flowers or vegetables. It is a legacy. 

We had a real winter here in England, with snow, ice, and months of frost. I spent weeks in a kind of hibernation, knitting in front of a log fire, watching television, reading books, drinking tea, staring at the flames. It was lovely, and peaceful. Something healed in me, and something new was quietly born. I wasn’t so busy in the outer world that I couldn’t slide into the altered state of deep midwinter. What a blessing. But I am so happy to feel the lift of energy that comes when the weather warms and the days lengthen.

In traditional Chinese medicine the Liver function is associated with the Spring, with renewal, with hope, and with planning for the future. It is responsible for the free flow of all the emotions, not just anger, although a congested Liver will give rise to anger and frustration. Liver Qi likes greens, it likes nettles and fresh young shoots. We drink nettle tea in springtime to help the Liver cleanse the whole body of the accumulated gunk of  winter.

The Liver is ruled by the element of Wood, and is associated with trees and with straightforward, upright, direct energy. The Liver is fed by the element of Water, and drinking water is a good way to clear the Liver, stop a headache, and move stuck energy or emotion. The Liver likes the truth, it likes clarity, and a healthy Liver makes good decisions quickly and happily. 

Early spring is often a time of decision-making. Ideally, we had time in the winter to mull over our lives, to listen to our inner voice and hear what wants to be done next. Once Spring begins, these mullings, these thoughts, begin to coalesce into plans, actions, a new certainty of purpose. The body shifts into a new rhythm, a higher gear. It wants clarifying, lighter food. It moves faster, springs into action readily.

So, I wish you a Happy Springtime, and new plans, new thoughts, new inspirations!