Lion?

I'm going to say that March came in like a lion this year. True, the temperatures rose and the snow turned to rain on the actual first day of the month, but it wasn't any lamb.  Looking at a torrential rain storm and blue sky simultaneously out my office window today made me think spring.

Spring is when the energy of Wood is at its strongest in the Five Element theory of the ancient Chinese.  Wood energy is the power of wind, and the energy of vegetation bursting forth after hibernation.  This energy needs to be almost violent.  It takes a great force to awaken nature from the sleep of Winter.  This is why spring is often tumultuous:  one minute its raining, the next, the sun is shining.  It is difficult to know what to expect. 

It is one of the most difficult transitions to make healthwise as well.  We have to rouse ourselves from hibernation, and begin to use all that energy we stored up over the winter.  The tumultuous energy both within and without can often leave us vulnerable to seasonal viruses, which is why it is important to get a seasonal acupuncture tune-up at this time of year.

I can personally attest to this.  Disregarding my own advice about wearing a scarf, I decided it would be a good idea to practice some qigong outside when the weather was at its coldest last week.  As a result, I'm getting over the worst sore throat I've had in years.  But- I look on the bright side as its enabled me to fully experience the seasonal transition.