Yarra Valley Community Acupuncture in Yarra Junction, Victoria | Alternative & holistic health service

Yarra Valley Community Acupuncture

Locality: Yarra Junction, Victoria

Phone: +61 405 455 744

Address: Peace Farm, 60 Settlement Rd 3797 Yarra Junction, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.yvcommunityacupuncture.com

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25.01.2022 I recently sat a meditation retreat and wanted to share some insights around leadership

21.01.2022 The Sap is Rising! The metaphor of us being like a tree is a great help in understanding how we change along with the seasons. The leaves fall in winter as their energy recedes to the deep inner places as does ours. And in Spring the blossoms bloom and its all about the birds and the bees Baby! Yeah. Oh behave....(Austin Powers fans??)...Continue reading

21.01.2022 Apply self regulation and accept feedback. Do you have too much to do and not enough time? Does your to-do list fill your day with obligation and drain it of joy? If yes then I have a suggestion. Its so simple that you may dismiss it but I can testify that it transformed the way that I inhabit time such that I have more time for the things I enjoy while productivity has increased. Here it is. ... Are you ready? Review. Yes, review. Reviewing my week, once a week, every week has transformed my life. Ive been doing it for 4 years now and I look forward to it every time. I call it my weekly "Rejoice and Recreation". "Rejoice" means I re-enjoy all of the positive experiences that Ive had and "Recreation" means that re-creating your week is as good as a holiday. I use what I call "leading questions" because theyre designed to make me feel good. Here they are. You can create your own or try these. (First I go through the week day by day and recall what I did then...) 1) What do I celebrate? 2) What did I learn? 3) How did I share value with others? 4) What actions will make the coming week extraordinary? 5) What essence or attitude do I choose for the coming week? A natural consequence of reviewing the week is that I remember the incompletions. I jot these down and in the final step I plan out my week, allocating any incomplete jobs to a day. This last step is important and heres why. You know those vending machines where the next item drops down to replace whatever was just purchased. Well, to-do lists without time application are just like that. As soon as youve done one job the next one takes its place and so on it goes, year after year. When you plan and allocate you can efficiently bundle jobs together, eg. Ill go buy that item on my way down to visiting my folks on Saturday. So instead of that next job falling down to replace the one I just did, it stays in Saturday and I can CHOOSE how Id like to spend the rest of the day. I could go on and on but unless you try it you probably wont believe me. So heres my invitation to you : try it for a month. Try it for a month and see what happens. Youve got nothing to lose but you stand to regain your sense of poise, spaciousness and fun. For those who are super-keen write down what you spent as well (keeping receipts for everything helps you keep track). When you think of it, time is one if those things you cant get more of. You can only use what you have more wisely. What would you like more time for? Or who? Murray is practicing acupuncture at Peace Farm in Yarra Junction on Tuesdays and Thursdays

21.01.2022 Thanks to those who wrote comments, visited the site and liked our page. I really invite those brave pioneering types whove already received treatments at the clinic from either Shona or myself to share what your experience has been like, on this page. Alot of people have been asking how the clinic is going and I must say the Yarra Valley Community has really embraced the idea of the multi-bed clinc as an affordable way of accessing great, regular holistic health care in an ...easy going, supportive, community atmosphere. Lots of people are coming in groups to share the experience together and this works especially for mammas who can babysit for each other while they take turns having treatments. If youve been thinking of coming in for treatments but need a little encouragement, Im hear to tell you that spring is the perfect time to align yourself with the seasons and give yourself a spring clean!! Hay-fever and Liver issues abound at this time of the year and this means eye stuff as well. The wood energy is rising in our beings and this can be the cause of anger, frustration or inspiration depending on the state of your liver. Acupuncture can assist the liver by smoothing the flow of Qi in the body and this helps you get on the wave of energy at this time of year that can just about throw you out of bed in the morning (thats why its called Spring). If youve got any questions about Chinese medicine, the seasons, how acupuncture works, the meridian system, the mind-body connection or anything other energy-based matters put up a post or come into the clinic and ask in person. Were open every Thursday from 9:30 to 1:30 during the school term at the Yarra Junction Scout Hall. Cheers Murray See more

19.01.2022 Summer is the season of the Fire element that governs the heart. The essence of the heart is joy so its time to celebrate through the spontaneity of the hearts intelligence. In nature, things are coming to fruition as the days seem to roll along timelessly.Time seems to disappear in the way it does when youve already arrived and theres nowhere else youre supposed to be. The Heart is the home of the Shen or spirit in Chinese Medicine so theres no better time to just revel... in being yourself. Recently I noticed my spontaneity seemed to be getting away on me with some unplanned purchases. I started to fear I would blow all my dough. I relaxed a little to remember that the heart is in its element and I dont have to fear a little spontaneity that might actually be guided by a higher intelligence than my caution. Besides, the seasons change and before you know it well have moved into Autumn and the time of the Lungs when crops are reaped of their harvest and there is a tinge of nostalgia and grief with the beginning of the end of the light. Its said that those who fear dying are those who have not yet lived. It is time to live. The review will come in Autumn and a fair share of regret if the opportunity to go with the Summers wave of energy has passed but was missed due to fear of letting go. Another pearl of wisdom passed onto me from a palliative care nurse,"No one ever said they wished theyd spent more time at the office". See more

19.01.2022 Here are some useful insights to aid digestion...

18.01.2022 Some reflections on the search for peace

17.01.2022 Summer corresponds to the Fire element in Chinese medicine. To associated organs are the Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium and Triple Burner. I relate the Triple Burner largely to the adrenal function. The Heart relates to consciousness, joy and fulfillment and the rest of the Fire organs can be seen as various layers of this theme. The Small Intestine sorts out what is compatible with Self and what is not and therefore what is absorbed. Summer is a good time to realize whi...ch of our views serve us and which are outdated and need to be let go of. The pericardium and triple burner are similar to the walls and boundary of our home and relate to intimacy and boundaries. When you think of summer romance, these faculties are working their hardest. The other interesting thing about any transition from one season to another is the effect this has on the Earth element and therefore our digestion. I always notice a period of uncertainty around what foods to eat that correspond to a time of uncertainty around where to focus my intention. As the season gets into full swing this always resolves. I reckon the transitions are a good time to do a simple cleanse through simplifying the diet. I like to have steamed veges, brown rice and some fish. A dressing of olive oil, lemon juice and some sea salt does nicely. I hope youre enjoying the transition into summer. Remember that the clinic is there every Thursday from 9am till 1:30pm at the Yarra Junction Scout Hall if you need to address any health concerns or just think that a tune up would enhance your quality of life right now. Cheers Murray See more

16.01.2022 Some thoughts on understanding by Peace Farms resident acupuncturist

15.01.2022 Most people think of the Liver and its function in relation to detoxing the body. Chinese medicine talks about its function of regulating the Qi and the Blood. When Qi and Blood stagnate we feel cranky, frustrated and stuck. When were busy rushing around with a million and one things to do we can deplete Liver Yin. Liver Yin is what makes the blood fluid and when it runs low we can feel rushed for time and appear a bit edgy, driven and dry to others. Whats inspiring me to... write this post is an experience treating a client recently. His body felt a bit rigid as hed been holding a defensive pattern since childhood. I treated Lung to soften the defences, Kidney to access the support that had been unavailable in the defensive state and the Bladder which accesses that support in the same way a bucket is lowered into a well to get water. When Im treating people I experience that certain points call out to be treated and I know that the treatment is complete when the points have been satisfied. The last point to call out in this treatment was a Liver point. As I needled it I experienced the fluidity returning to the body through the tendons and ligaments and then something unexpected...Humour returned. A feeling emerged that was able to look back on past experiences and few them with humour, in the same way one might relay a travel adventure that was stressful at the time but turns into an entertaining story in time. So from this insight, my hope is that when people think of the Liver they are inspired to look after it in the interests of having a more humourous outlook on life. I know that I could often do with a bit of lightening up. See more

15.01.2022 Understanding is an interesting word. Taken literally it means to stand under. I think we all like to understand. Its the motivation for every question we ask. So why is standing under such an appealing place to be? Heres my view. Theres a particular quality to being in "not knowing" akin to falling as we cling to no-thing. We often say, "lets get to the bottom of this", when we want to understand something. Allowing ourselves to fall for long enough can lead to insight....Continue reading

14.01.2022 Do you ever feel defeated? I once read on a t-shirt that read, "I never lost a game, only ran out of time". Whoever said that had very strong Lung Qi. Without getting too much in to semantics you could say the difference between "defeat" and "not winning" is that you can not-win and still come out determined and unperturbed. You might even reflect on what you learnt and what youll change for a better result. Defeat is a totally different experience. Its when your perception...Continue reading

14.01.2022 Life has a way of laying your plans to ruins sometimes and all you can do is bow to the wisdom of the universe...and make other plans. On Saturday I awoke to di...scover a scene of carnage. A fox managed to chew through the wire of a chook enclosure, butchering 11 birds leaving their bloodied carcasses strewn about the ground. Huddling in the corner is our gallant rooster whod obviously put his life on the line defending his ladies. Upon closer inspection its evident whos come off second best. The tiny punctures in his neck tell the story. hes slowly dying. I have to put him out of his misery. That much is clear. What I regret most of all is that I chose a small block nearby to put his neck on rather than walk further to a sturdier block, prolonging his pain. The result was that the axe didnt cut as the block had too much give. The rooster struggled. There are few worse feelings than when you cock up a killing, bringing more suffering upon an animal in what is already too gut wrenching and regrettable an act. I guess when you really dont want to be here doing this, whatever "this" is, your judgement is impaired. You might do something like hold that chicken down and take another frantic swing in an attempt to rectify the error. Even when you notice that youre knuckles bleeding you keep swinging until youre sure its all over for the brave, once proud and beautiful rooster named "The General". Its the least you can do. Looking down at my left hand, theres an impressive gash across the middle knuckle and my middle finger looks like its cowering under a table and refusing to come out. I inspect my good hand, observing the tendon that crosses over the knuckle and deduce that you probably need that to be intact to extend your finger. Must have cut it........"Honey...uum..I think we need to go to the hospital." God bless the emergency staff at the Maroondah hospital. By mid afternoon I was in the operating theatre under the care of a team of miracle workers. Theyve given my hand back to me. I like my left hand. I like how it writes and draws and strums the guitar. I like how it holds stuff so my other hand can do its thing, like holding the chainsaw to cut winter fire wood, wipe my daughters nose while im carrying her or massage my wifes shoulders when shes looking tired. Thanks to everyone who helped, Mat and Cat for holding the farm together, Mum and Dad Basdeo for their care... painkillers....anesthetic and sedation. So the plans of finishing the exterior by August before our holiday up north have gone the way of yesterdays chip wrappers. The good news is weve moved our holiday forward 3 weeks and extended them by one week to be back in time for the wire to come out thats been holding the end of my knuckle on. In all well be away for 4 weeks. Well, a forced respite is not the end of the world. Im sure once Im away from the tiny house Ill be able to take a much needed rest and come back refreshed and ready for the next chapter See more

13.01.2022 What is permaculture acupuncture? Living in a community on a farm operating on permaculture principles, you could say I live and breath permaculture. But what does that mean and whats it got to do with acupuncture? Well yesterday I was treating a client at Jing and I realised that what I was doing in the treatment was exactly what we aim to facilitate on the farm, which is, the management of resources to achieve maximum efficiency, harmony and abundance. Take stress for exam...ple. Isnt it just perfectly good energy stuck in the wrong place? My aim in a treatment is not to get rid of it, like we might throw out the trash (resources). It is to re-apply it in accordance with the body Qis innate wisdom to cultivate fertile soil for love and fulfilment. Dave Holmgren, one of permacultures originators once said that waste is just a resource in the wrong place. And I say that stress and disease are just opportunities for growth and fulfilment waiting for us to stop trying to get rid of them and instead to harness their power. See more

13.01.2022 Do we really want freedom to choose? Id expect most people, when asked whether they like the freedom to choose, to say yes. Yet I think, truly having freedom to choose is what terrifies us most. Do we really want a choice? Lets look at the idea of "the one true love". A romantic notion perhaps, that we are fated to meet that one other who will complete us.... I carried this notion, buoyed by the encouragement of modern media, up until the age of 32. This idea stayed with me this whole time while promising partners did not. I had been championing an idea that sacrificed choice on the altar of fate. I actually preferred the idea that meeting my true love was written in the stars. I preferred it up until I noticed that my relationships were playing out a sadly predictable plot that ended in failure over and over again. Seeing no future in this path, I abandoned it and arrived at a terrifying place. Choice. Without my belief in a fated encounter there was only choice. This is when I truly got how scary that is. It was comforting to think that the fatalistic nature of some matters was bigger than me. Oh the joys of deferred responsibility! But Oh the misery of all those disappointments. Im happy to say that the only relationship that I truly chose is in its 10th year. Why it has succeeded where all my other relationships failed is that I know it exists upon my choice and so I sustain it by choosing moment by moment. My wife does the same. Interestingly, when I came to a place of choosing, I met someone who had also arrived at this place. We both chose each other and still do. May all beings be happy Love Murray (Practising acupuncture from Peace Farm on Tues pm & Thurs am)

13.01.2022 A student once asked his meditation teacher, "how do you manage to stay so equanimous?" The teacher replied that he wasnt always equanimous. "If you shut me in a room with my brother for an hour wed be at each others throats. But thats not the point", he continued. "Its how quickly you can return to centre thats important". Staying balanced is not always easy but it can be made all the more difficult if we beat ourselves up for "straying from the path". I find the conce...pt of rhythm is helpful in this case. Consider that rhythm is like a pendulum swinging. Tick, tick, tick... Ticking away like an old grandfather clock. Its a rhythm, not a very interesting one though. What if you did 2 ticks to the left then a late tick to the right....mixed it up a little heading in a funky direction. Next thing you know, youre dancing. Rhythm is boring when its symmetrical, engaging when its syncopated....to a point. You dont want to over-do it. I think life can be the same. I like balance but I dont want to be ridged about it. I dont want to go to extremes either. The beat still needs to stay connected. Rhythm also brings power to balance through timing. Like catching a wave right when its peaking. Consider trying to surf before the wave has come. Sounds ridiculous right? But isnt that what we do? Scared to miss out we rush in before the time is right. I find that the more Im aware of working with rhythms in my life, those fewer actions that I perform are more powerful and effective because Im catching that wave when IT is ready and letting it propel me. Doubt is a real spoiler of timing. You second guess and the wave either passes or dumps you. Doubts a killer of rhythm and therefore a saboteur of power . Thankfully rhythm is compelling and can overcome doubt if we give over to it. To do this we need to dethrone thought as the sole guiding principle. We need to reconnect to how it feels to have resonance with something. Resonance implies vibration that moves in waves. Surfing is instinctive. Dancing is soulful and works best when it feels good. If youre feeling doubtful, ambivalent or lethargic how about putting on your favourite dance tune and having a little boogie....and when the song ends, keep on dancing, finding the rhythm you enjoy to help you remember, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance..." The author, Murray, practices acupuncture at Peace Farm clinic on Tues afternoons and Thursday mornings

11.01.2022 We say weve come to terms with something when we feel a sense of acceptance typically after an ordeal. A "term" is a word or phrase used to describe a specific thing or concept. This implies that coming to acceptance requires having a concept of what were dealing with. You often see this in clinical situations. A patient has a mysterious pain and doesnt know why. Their mind is taunted by grizzly possibilities of what might be wrong. The doctor then diagnoses the cause and ...gives it a name and the patients relief is palpable. A "term" has been offered which the patient may now come to. The process of coming to terms is a highly personal process requiring patience and some introspection but concepts offered from external sources along the way can help tailor the type of personal understanding required. Now, if the acceptance one reaches when theyve come to terms with something is a step on the path to healing, then why is this so? What is it about coming to a term that can facilitate healing? My belief is that both modern and traditional medicines work in the same way in this respect. By offering a term for a particular ailment what comes included in the package is a theory of where the condition came from and what a probable outcome might be based on the outcomes of similar cases in the past. In Chinese medicine we say moving Qi = health and non-moving Qi = disease. Rewind to where our patient had a mysterious pain. Her mind made attempts to create a pathway forward but nothing offered gave reassurance or confidence and thus her Qi was stuck. The pathway she did create however was to go to a therapist who then offered a pathway forward. Now the prognosis offered might be favourable or gloomy but the sooner one comes to terms with either it or some other course of action, the sooner the Qi can move. This is an explanation of placebo from a Chinese medicine perspective. Theres also something called nacebo which is the inducing of a negative outcome through suggestion. So while coming to terms might seem to be a positive, one must be careful on whose terms they are on. Knowing that the underlying benefit of this expression is the movement of Qi through a course of action, my advice would be, while opening to as much external wisdom as possible make sure that ultimately the path you choose is on YOUR terms. Community Clinic operates Tues afternoons/evenings and Thurs mornings

10.01.2022 Some seasonal reflections from Peace Farms resident Permi-puncturist

10.01.2022 Working with the Chinese Organ and meridian system is a facinating unfolding into the mysteries of the nature of the human being. Recently I have been having insights about the Heart and Small Intestine and how they express their qualities. Its common in our language to talk about the heart in such a way that suggests that it does more than just pump the blood around the body. We say things like, "Follow your Heart", "Listen to your Heart, "She broke his heart"....and so on...Continue reading

10.01.2022 Dear friends As of 1st March, multi-bed acupuncture treatments are now $60. Look forward to serving you in the future Cheers Murray

08.01.2022 I know when the seasons are changing because I become Spleen deficient. Being a TCM practitioner trained to diagnose through certain observations the signs are unmistakeable. Sweet cravings, listlessness, ambiguity. I kind of vague out in relation to why Im doing the things Im doing. Theres no real connection to intention. This happens around the change of season because as the season changes outside so to does the predominant organ shift internally. An example of this is ...to notice how trees lose there leaves in Autumn and appear dormant in winter. In our bodies the Kidney are drawing the energy deeply into our bodies in order to rest and replenish. Its helpful to know that were not meant to feel like doing as much in winter. Transitioning organs is like moving house. It throws our balance out. We appeal to our sense of balance at these times which is governed by....you guessed it, the Spleen being as it is the organ of the Earth element upon which the seasons turn. So how best to handle these transitions? I think the seasonal markers of the solstices and equinoxes as well as the mid points between them are a useful tool here. At these times we can pause and take stock, acknowledging that priorities will change with the seasons just like on a farm. Sow in spring, grow in summer, harvest in autumn, rest in winter. What our Earth element needs at this time is to connect with inspiration. This is like the sunlight that activates the regenerative forces latent in the Earth. When you feel enthusiasm winning the fight over gravity, lethargy, ambiguity (like a sprout pushing out through the soil), you know your Spleen has kicked in and is back on track now able to chaperone the new seasons organ in to optimum position. Be gentle on yourself in these transitions. Know that its natural to feel a bit of uncertainty through the transition and show self care through time for introspection and plenty of nourishing soups! Murray is practicing acupuncture from Peace Farm on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings or by special appointment

05.01.2022 Ive often had conversations with clients about how to express anger. We all know that expressing anger can be an unpleasant experience and often doesnt bring about a positive outcome. Most of us also probably know that holding it in can reek havoc on our bodies. So what to do with anger? Anger can be directed at someone or we can turn it on ourselves but what about a third way? I think the healthy expression of anger is down. I see anger like the keel on a great yacht. The ...only way the yacht is able to withstand huge winds and harness them for its own outcomes is because it has a whopping great force downwards. The bigger the sail, the bigger the keel required. To bring home that analogy, imagine that someone or something has "made" you angry. Theyre like the wind blowing across our bow. In a typical scenario we would either down sails or make a charge at the wind, but in sailing rational this would be madness. Because he has a keel, he sees opportunity. The sailor would engage three devices on his boat. The sail, the keel and the rudder. Weve talked about the keel. Its like resolve. Id say the sail is motivation.That needs to be well anchored and taught. The rudder is intent. Where are you headed? The wind invites you to Anger Ocean but instead you grab your rudder and say, "No thanks, Im headed for Happiness Harbour. By the way, thanks for the push!". See more

05.01.2022 While treating a client recently we got onto the subject of past lives. Something was coming up in the treatment energetically that felt like a very old unresolved emotion. I started to think that whatever we dont resolve emotionally stays with us. Not only that but also, in order to resolve it and move on we may unconsciously manifest experiences that trigger that emotion. Can you imagine the amount of unresolved emotion from something like the holocaust? If some of us carry that around we could theoretically manifest a very deep seated illness in order to access that depth of emotion. Whether you agree or not, its interesting to think of illness as a type of purging. If this was the case, how would you relate to your ailments?

05.01.2022 This is especially for those with lower back pain. When we feel pain its a natural response to want to disperse that feeling in order to resolve it, however it may not always be the best way to go especially in regards to lower back pain. To explain, picture a hose spraying water. In order for the water to be transported through the hose the hose needs to resist the tension exerted by the water. If it doesnt, the hose will stretch and possibly spring a leak. Now you could ...blame the water pressure for the leak or you could look at the hose. In either case you probably wouldnt say that the water needs to continue coming out of the leaky hole until the pressure resolves and yet this is what we are saying when we try to disperse the pressure associated with lower back pain. Consider that the water in our hose analogy is energy and the hose is the energy channel or meridian or even the organ (most cases of lower back pain are connected to the kidneys). Energy is moving and has a pressure as part of that dynamic. The organs and meridians job is to hold their form to conduct this energy. When an organ is depleted it may struggle to handle the pressure. The sides may bulge, so as to speak, and pain results. In this case we want to consolidate the organ/ channel rather than blow off the pressure. Heres a meditation you might want to try to get an actual experience of what Im pointing to. Tune in to an area of pain. Notice if there is a feeling of contraction around the area. If not, scan around until you feel an area of contraction. (It is there, always, holding you together) Dont judge it. Contraction is useful for many bodily functions; peristalsis in the intestines and giving birth. Always delivering something from here to there. Get interested as to where this contraction is attempting to deliver this energy. Allow it and watch it. It may move. Follow it. Respect it. Be thankful for this work. If you stay with this, something surprising may happen. Where as you may previously had tried to relieve the pressure, you have now cooperated with the contracting force and helped the body pull itself together and to move, smooth and balance the bodys energy. Its interesting that when Ive done this Ive found that other areas of the body relax. Its as if now that one part of the body has taken up the slack another can loosen up. Good luck if you choose to give this a go. It takes something to get past the initial knee jerk reactivity when confronting pain to first come to presence and then to condone the contracting force and cooperate with it but just like giving birth, the pressure is helpful and it brings good things. The author, Murray, practices acupuncture at Jing in Lilydale on Wednesdays and Peace Farm in Yarra Junction on Tuesdays and Thursdays

01.01.2022 There are heaps of sayings that allude to the mind-body connection in very insightful ways. "Hes a pain in the neck" and "I need to get something off my chest", are two examples. Recently I observed, through meditation, the role that the Stomach plays in enabling one to hold a steadfast intention. The expression, "I couldnt stomach it", came to mind. I have this tendency sometimes to quickly try to diffuse uncomfortable situations, particularly in encounters with others. It...Continue reading

01.01.2022 I wanted to share this information as I feel it has enormous benefit to anyone who practices it regularly. Id be happy to see this become common knowledge and practice. Even though my own experience has only been 2 weeks Ive already experienced undeniable proof that this works, for eg. Not needing to get up during the night to wee, feeling lighter and firmer in the lower back and feeling blockages highlighted in my awareness with pulsing as detox processes are activated. It...s purported to address weight gain, under weightedness, cellulite and my favourite....balding. Ive taken a before shot of my scalp so i can observe and document changes over time. Imagine a free cure for baldness. When you discover the causes for balding theres even more incentive to do the cleanse: toxins stored in the fascia between the skull and the brain! Ergh! I hope this info leads you to the joy of discovering the benefits of this practice for yourself. Cheers Murray https://www.dropbox.com/s/is44b26m/Detox%20Bath%20Full.pdf

01.01.2022 Colds. How good are they at slowing us down! There are two camps when it comes to colds. One says its good to get a cold once or twice a year and the other says its a sign of weakness to catch a cold. Theres probably some truth to both but what I do know for sure is that I will rarely, if ever, slow down voluntarily as much as I do when I catch a cold. When I am forced into mandatory... R & R I benefit on many levels. Time in bed provides opportunities to take stock. In the ancient Orient physicians recognised that as the seasons changed, a different organ would take precedence in its role to align the bodys physiology with the seasons processes. This "change of the guard" constitutes a massive biological and phycological shift akin to the difference between sleeping and waking up. In the transition from Winter to Spring the Liver takes over from the Kidneys. Transitioning from a winter dreaming state to spring out of bed and into action is best done with a pause in between, in my opinion. The concerns of winter are not the concerns of spring. Were we to try to project our intentions from one season across to the next we might find ourselves feeling jaded and disconnected from the old motivations that once seemed relevant. In the northern hemisphere the festival of Easter hints at a rebirth that occurs at this time of year symbolised by the egg. To be reborn one must first experience a death but not many of us wave our hand in the air saying, "pick me! Pick me!", for that one. Heres where the cold plays its vital role. When were unable to willingly lay yesterdays dreams, wishes and hopes to rest, the cold does it for us. Our old skin along with buckets of snot are left behind as the new tender shoot of who we are to become emerges. If youre down with a loogy at the moment take heart that your body is providing a space for you to recalibrate so you can be as fresh as Spring is in order to meet it fully. If youve got a lingering cold that youre having trouble shaking, check in to see if theres anything you need to let go of so that the new can emerge. Seen in this light a cold can be embraced as a powerful agent for transformation. See more