Tomorrow is the first day of spring in the qi node calendar. Energetically it marks the seasonal shift of energy in the body from the depths of winter and kidneys to the outwards “spring” of energy to the liver. The liver is energetically in charge of action, planning, movement. It’s emotion is anger. It’s virtue is benevolence. We might surmise with recent events that its not coincidental that historically many actions and movements spring forth this time of year. An affirmation that we are apart of the natural cycles of the earth.
We acknowledge that anger is healthy and a natural part of the cycles of emotion. Anger often fuels change and a movement towards justice. It is also a cause of dis-ease if not experienced in moderation or given tools to be experienced in a titrated way. Angry livers can cause sensations of heat and rising in the body experienced as headaches, anxiety, irritability, discomfort/tension in the shoulders/neck/ribs and digestive disturbances.
Biologically when we feel angry, unsafe or as if social engagement is shut off, we will search for information to sooth the left brains need for order and predictability (McGilchrist). We may spend a long time online, reading, engaging in discourse. While this may help create a sense of order, it also uses energy, becomes depleting and keeps us from shifting back into connection with others and our internal felt sense. It is partly how movements and activism have the biological potential to burn us out, keep us feeling isolated and disconnected from our embodiment.
Taking time away from screens, protecting our energy and putting it back into the relationships and causes we love can sooth the liver and help us process overwhelming feelings in a more contained way. Embodying the Livers virtues of benevolence, it can also be soothing to engage in acts of kindness. Cook a meal for a friend, make a donation to your favourite mutual aid group, do a grocery shop for the local free fridge/pantry.
As you welcome in spring, I hope you can take a moment to ground into all the good folks, neighbours, organizers and lineages we are apart of that are doing the actual work of liberation in silence and humility. Our movements/activism need us well slept, resourced by community, embodied, and with well regulated nervous systems.