Spring Sap & Anger Rising

Every spring as the temperatures begin to rise and the earth awakes from its wintery slumber, the Maple tree’s sap begins to flow upwards to nourish the new growth of limbs and leaves.

So in the maple tree; so within us.

While our winter dormancy looks quite different, as the spring sun melts our cocoon and draws us out of hibernation, we too have a force rising within us. The same Yang energy that sends the sap up to the crown builds within us to promote our own growth and creative expression. However, when Yang rises to quickly, meets resistance, or can’t find an appropriate creative outlet, it often surfaces as Anger and frustration.

Shengqi, the Chinese word for Anger, translates as the qi that accompanies the growth of plants. Its necessary for plants and humans both to experience anger for it challenges us to find creative solutions to what stands in the way of our expansion. Consider the plant that has outgrown its pot, its roots grow in circles, looking for a way to grow beyond that which confines it. For the tree, gravity, temperature, and pests stand in the way of nutrients reaching the upper most limbs. It must excerpt its will and tenacity to persevere. We too must commit and recommit to our own growth every time we meet a new challenge.

Thankfully, the Wood Element of spring invites us to take a step back and get perspective on our situation so that we have a clear yet flexible vision and plan for growth. When the Maple tree’s branches grow up against a wall the tree quietly gets perspective on its situation, adapts to the new conditions, and keeps growing. We too have this healthy capacity to meet an obstacle, feel the anger that reminds us to get perspective, and find our creative solution to keep growing. When we supress our anger we also suppress our capacity for creative growth. Just as the tree aspires to grow towards the warmth of the sun, we must also aspire to newer, greater heights within ourselves.

This spring, feel the Yang rising and embrace the anger and qi that urges you to grow in new and creative ways.

Sources: Nourishing Destiny & Clinical Integration by Lonny Jarrett