Dear Golden Thread community,

 

Happy spring! After the long and dark winter, the blossoms are blossoming and the first warm days are upon us.

 

The more years I spend on earth, the more deeply I feel the change of the seasons. As someone with a particularly sensitive body, I experience season changes as physically unpleasant – the pressure changes , as clouds give way to sun, tend to trigger migraines for me. This year the migraine gods decided to spare me, but I was tuned into something more subtle. I felt the energetic shifts to spring underneath the weather changes. And, while I am a lover of spring (as an April baby), the come-up has felt uncomfortable. A big part of me has been grieving the end of winter, the end of incubation, deep sleep, and hibernation. I still want to hide under the covers and process the deaths of this winter, but the sun gods are calling me out into the world. “It’s time to play!” they say. “It’s time to check on those seeds you planted, to be outside amidst the bursting garden.”

 

As we will share in this newsletter, Chinese Medicine validates the experience of the change of seasons being difficult. The two weeks framing the spring equinox (along with the autumn equinox and both solstices) make up their own season - Earth season - between winter and spring. These two-week Earth seasons of the year are known to be difficult transition moments; especially the equinoxes, when we switch from yin to yang (spring) or yang to yin (autumn).

 

Astrology peeps will be quick to chime in here and say that, on top of these seasonal energetics, we have also just gotten through quite an intense eclipse season, culminating in a very intense full moon this past weekend – so if it feels like some major, likely uncomfortable, possibly quite sudden shifts or figurative deaths have taken place in the last few weeks, you are not alone.

 

One truth that has really sunk in this year, that has been repeated over and over to me in every yoga class I have found myself in, is that spring is the true new year. In ancient cultures, and now still in many cultures, the new year is celebrated in the spring. And, well, this makes so much sense. Why we celebrate the new year in the absolute dead of winter on January 1st is beyond me. Spring is the time of emergence, the time of new beginning, the time of rebirth. So if you feel behind for not being further along in your 2025 projects, you are actually right on time!

 

Some reflection prompts: What died for you this winter? In what form are you being reborn? How is spring energy manifesting in you, and how are you going to meet it?

 

We talked to a Qigong + Chinese Medicine expert friend, Jonah Marsh, about the energetics of spring and how to meet them – may you each find your way with grace and ease. We know that these are not easy times to find ease in, but it is each of our work to cultivate our inner gardens at this time, despite the outer chaos.

 

With love,

Olivia, founder of The Golden Thread

For springtime, the element or phase is Wood, the directional tendency is East, the direction of the rising Sun, the color is green, the flavor is sour, and the challenging emotional tendencies of this time of year are anger and frustration. The overall quality of Qi (life force energy) for this time of year has an upward moving and thrusting tendency, in the same way that plants and mushrooms move upward as they begin to grow.

 

Because of the relative balance of Yin and Yang, as well as the fact that plants are awakening and undergoing photosynthesis at this time, spring is the ideal time to practice qigong, yoga, and breathing + meditation. The optimal time for breathing meditation is 5-7 am, as at this time the sun's energy imbues a special type of Qi and the energy is at its freshest and most wholesome. In Chinese medicine, the sour flavor benefits the liver, which is the associated organ and Qi channel for the wood element. Moderate amounts of sour foods, such as vinegar, fermented foods, grapefruit, and fresh leafy greens like kale and broccoli are great dietary choices for this time of year.

 

Because Chinese medicine views the person in a comprehensive psycho-emotional paradigm, emotional regulation is very important for the practitioner. During springtime the focus is on healthy and proactive ways to address anger and frustration. These include vigorous exercise, spending time in nature, working on projects with your hands - such as carpentry, pottery, or building something - and assertive but peaceful communication. Of course practices like Qigong and yoga can help with emotional balance as well.

 

Jonah Marsh 

 

 

 

books for spring!

 

 

Also, if you are feeling the creative energy of spring, please submit your writing here for future editions of The Muse – we love anything having to do with spirituality, ecology, magic, or weaving a better world.

 

We continue have a growing group of members in the healer directory, so if you are looking for a healer or therapist, we invite you to look there! If you are a healer yourself, please apply to join us. If you are a healer and considering joining but want to feel into the vibes, email Drew at drew@the-golden-thread.com to be invited to our next Healer Council - we have one coming up April 20th.

 

Olivia, our founder, has launched her new virtual temple, LAIMA SOMATICS, for her somatic coaching and ritual offerings. These will be linked on her listing in the directory, but in case you wanted to check it out - here it is!