Spring, the rebirthing of nature and feelings of new hope is a beautiful season but has its challenges as well. The transition into the wood element season in Chinese medicine, can be understood as the plants trying to break into the cold earth from the winter.

Fall is the lung/metal element season in Chinese Medicine. Like the falling leaves, it is a time of letting go. As well as the lungs, the large intestines are most activated during this season. Both organs have the function of gathering in what is essential and letting go of what is not needed.

Yin and yang is the basis of Taoist philosophy. It is about seeing and explaining the visible world as consisting of opposite but complimentary forces that are constantly interchanging. Yin and yang cannot exist without the other, just as the day cannot be the day without the night or the light cannot be the light without the dark.

As spring is now blossoming full force there is a sense of new life all around. Winter was a time to conserve energy and go inward, now spring is a time of regeneration, new beginnings and a renewal of our spirit.

Peace, quiet, gentleness and wisdom are the dominant virtues of the kidneys according to Taoist philosophy and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Winter is the season the kidneys are most dominant, so giving the kidneys extra care at this time is helpful.

Summer is the season associated with the heart according to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Taoist philosophy. It is fitting as the heart is considered the fire element and it must increase circulation in order to dissipate excess body heat during these hot months.

Why do people do liver cleanses in the spring? In Taoist philosophy, springtime is the season the liver is the most dominant. The liver is considered the wood element. Imagine fresh green buds bursting into leaves or tree roots breaking into the cold winter earth.