Spring, the Season of the Wood Element
April 19, 2026
After a seemingly endless winter, spring is the most anticipated season of all. The first true spring day feels like a gift from heaven, almost a miracle!
We feel a genuine effervescence, as if energy is bursting from everywhere, magically dissolving all the small and large problems in our lives!
Everyone Outside!
This moment of bliss triggers an urgent need in us to move, to go outside and feel the gentle breeze on our cheeks, the warmth of sunlight on our skin, and to see the thousand shades of green unfold before our eyes. At last, happiness is here.
I am always amazed to see so many people walking joyfully on Rue St-Denis, sitting at a crowded terrace to sip a coffee here, a herbal tea there. The exhilaration was almost palpable! Like crustaceans shedding their old shells, all these passersby were finally freed from their heavy coats, boots, scarves and the four walls of their homes.
Spring, the Season of Wood
Each season plays an indispensable role in ensuring the arrival of the next. While during winter, the season of Water, we savored the depth of introspection, dormancy and gestation to prepare life in the depths, spring, the season of Wood, invites us to set things in motion, to germinate, to give birth to what is becoming. The phenomena and sensations described in the first paragraphs are representative of the energy associated with the Wood element: a movement that tends outward, toward blossoming, warming and birth.
Generation and Control Cycle
In the great cycle of life, the elements maintain relationships with each other according to a generation cycle and a control cycle. Wood is produced by its mother Water, which constantly nourishes it. Wood is controlled by Metal, which frames it. Wood controls Earth by piercing through it. Wood nourishes and gives birth to its son Fire, feeding it with its substance.
For Maintaining Good Health
The organ associated with the Wood element is the liver. In Chinese medicine, this organ plays a very important role, some of whose functions are:
- enriches the blood, nourishes tendons and muscles;
- purifies, filters and cleanses;
- ensures the free circulation of blood, fluids, energy, hormones, enzymes and emotions;
- aids digestion;
- clarifies vision, etc.
Since some of our lifestyle habits greatly strain this organ, the first rule to follow in spring is to do a liver detox. A healthy, balanced liver is the precursor to good vitality and excellent health.
The Main Enemy? Stress!
The incessant stress caused by our unbalanced pace of life is a major contributor to poor liver function. It creates excess pressure in the liver’s energy, slowing its functions and causing all kinds of discomforts:
- degeneration of the neuro-endocrine system;
- weakening of the immune system;
- digestive disruption;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- cardiac problems;
- irregular menstrual cycle / PMS;
- depression;
- irritability, anger, frustration.
The best way to manage stress is to get moving, ideally surrounded by nature such as forests, mountains, waterways: Tai Chi, Qi Gong, stretching, walking, cycling, climbing, canoeing, skiing, snowshoeing, etc. The important thing is to move!
Creating Balance in Our Life
Here are some practical tips to help you experience a beautiful spring in harmony with the TAO, that is, with the universe. A seasonal acupuncture treatment is very beneficial for balancing liver energy while promoting the circulation of energy throughout the body.
Here is an easy Qi Gong exercise that will help you calm down quickly:
- Visualize yourself inside a bubble of green light. Breathe normally. As you inhale, imagine the green light entering each of your cells. As you exhale, imagine that light leaving, carrying away all the impurities it contained.
- Take a few seconds to relax all your muscles.
- Place both hands, one on top of the other, just below your navel. This point, called the Tan Tien, is the energetic center of your body.
- Focus on your breathing and direct the inhalation toward the Tan Tien by expanding the abdomen.
The difficulty of this exercise lies in thinking only about our breathing, analyzing it, improving it. It can be practiced 1 to 2 times a day for 10 minutes.
For a Balanced Home
- If you are stressed or your liver is out of balance, make sure you have greenery in your environment: plants, flowers, images of forests, etc. Also keep objects that represent the Water element: a fountain, an aquarium, images of the sea, etc.
- Wood materials and green and blue colors will be energetically regenerating in the living room and bathroom. They will help recharge your nervous system.
- To ensure good energy flow, make sure hallways and passageways are free of clutter. Avoid piles of books or "paperwork." Put objects back in their proper places as you use them.
- Air out the house often
- And finally, a wooden wind chime placed outside will gently awaken the energy.
Phenomena Associated with the Wood Element
Season: Spring
Direction: East
Evolution: Birth
Climate: Wind
Color: Green and blue
Organ: Liver, gallbladder
Sense: Sight
Flavor: Sour
Emotions: Frustration, irritability, anger, stress
Need: To move, to be active, to work
Desire: To charm, to conquer
Tendency: competitive, determined, organized, planned, visionary, reckless, irritable, choleric
Action: To begin, to be born
Accessories: Plants, greenery, wood
Interior rooms: Living room, lounge
Professions: Athlete, business, politician, salesperson, circus artist, stuntperson, dancer. Chinese astrological signs: tiger and rabbit
Health issues: muscle pain, migraine, disharmonious digestion, alternating constipation and diarrhea, depression, allergies, torticollis, addiction.
Therapeutic aids: Herbs, aromatherapy, deep muscle massage, relaxation, visualization