The aim of the medicine woman is to restore balance, but particularly so at the spring equinox. As the Earth blooms around us, we can be caught up in the flurry of activity. But, before we turn our attention onward and outward, we need to consciously shift from the comfort-seeking of winter to the growth of new ideas and opportunities.
Now is the time to throw open windows and doors, literally as well as figuratively. If winter drags by, then spring sprints. Equinox gives us a moment to consider the role equilibrium plays in our health and wellness – and that of the community we serve. This is, after all, the medicine woman way.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the equinox isn’t a single day of observance, nor is it a three-day window of magical reflection.The equinox is seen as a “solar term” of about two weeks, with the actual day of the observance marking the peak of spring. This is different than our view, where equinox marks the beginning of the season. This is because the Chinese way notices the things coming into potentiality beneath the surface, while we westerners tend not to notice until the buds erupt.
To learn more about the Chinese considerations of yin and yang in balance, the stages of illness, and the importance of preventative medicine, I recommend this article. It explains what can happen when yin and yang fight one another at the turn of the seasons, and how disease can result or emerge at this time.
Of course, now is the time to detox, load up on fresh seasonal vegetables, drink nurturing chamomile tea, and open your energy channels and meridians through pressure points, bodywork, or increasing amounts of exercise. These kinds of activities energize your body and spirit, but it’s also wise to turn attention to your home.
Check out this article for a do-able spring energy boost for yourself and your abode.
Last but no least, consider celebrating this day with whatever rituals seem right to you. Here is a suggestion of Seven Rituals for the Spring Equinox I think you might enjoy.
Together, let’s greet the return of the sun and celebrate the fertility of the Earth. Let’s honor our vessels of home, body and spirit with deep, enriching practices. As medicine women, let us lead by example and model those behaviors we may recommend to others.
Now is the time to throw open windows and doors, literally as well as figuratively. If winter drags by, then spring sprints. Equinox gives us a moment to consider the role equilibrium plays in our health and wellness – and that of the community we serve. This is, after all, the medicine woman way.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the equinox isn’t a single day of observance, nor is it a three-day window of magical reflection.The equinox is seen as a “solar term” of about two weeks, with the actual day of the observance marking the peak of spring. This is different than our view, where equinox marks the beginning of the season. This is because the Chinese way notices the things coming into potentiality beneath the surface, while we westerners tend not to notice until the buds erupt.
To learn more about the Chinese considerations of yin and yang in balance, the stages of illness, and the importance of preventative medicine, I recommend this article. It explains what can happen when yin and yang fight one another at the turn of the seasons, and how disease can result or emerge at this time.
Of course, now is the time to detox, load up on fresh seasonal vegetables, drink nurturing chamomile tea, and open your energy channels and meridians through pressure points, bodywork, or increasing amounts of exercise. These kinds of activities energize your body and spirit, but it’s also wise to turn attention to your home.
Check out this article for a do-able spring energy boost for yourself and your abode.
Last but no least, consider celebrating this day with whatever rituals seem right to you. Here is a suggestion of Seven Rituals for the Spring Equinox I think you might enjoy.
Together, let’s greet the return of the sun and celebrate the fertility of the Earth. Let’s honor our vessels of home, body and spirit with deep, enriching practices. As medicine women, let us lead by example and model those behaviors we may recommend to others.
