Moving Forward from Covid in the year of the tiger

Today's new moon begins a new yearly cycle - The Year of the Tiger.

In Chinese astrological terms, Feb 2020 began a new 60-year cycle - it was point zero - the planting of a new seed.  Now, two years into this cycle we are starting to emerge from the dark underground.  If you've ever watched a plant grow in time-lapse, you can understand that this transition is not without work. But, oh, to see the light.

We have an opportunity this year to prepare for how we'd like our new plant to grow.  While we may not be able to change the seed of who we are (a water molecule remains water whether it is ice, liquid or steam), we are able to exert influence. So consider:  In what direction do you want to grow?   When do you want to bloom and in what color?  

What we will start to leave behind this year is some of the fear that has been overwhelming us and a focus on the lung (yes - 2020 was a "metal" year which is the lung organ!). What we will start to move toward is a bit more happiness and a focus on the heart.  It may not be a smooth transition, and it's likely going to be emotional.  As the butterfly emerges from the cocoon it's a little sticky, a little uneven, but it's beautiful.  

If we think about a tiger and how they move through the world, there is a lot of power and beauty there.  They can change directions quickly and make big moves while landing solidly, quietly.  My hope for this year is that we do in fact land, solidly and quietly, in a new place but given the quality of tiger there could be some surprise moves yet.  

Wherever we land (and in whatever color we bloom) I believe that Chinese medicine is uniquely poised to help us recover from this pandemic both physically and emotionally because in this medicine the two are not unique.  In fact, we can't treat one without the other. We can access the medicine through different aspects and focus our treatment as needed, but the body cannot be un-wound from the spirit.   In strengthening that connection we can move forward; scarred and bruised, yes, but more truly ourselves.

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I am grateful to be a student and practitioner of this medicine.  At its deeper resonance it has the ability to bring us closer to the beautiful and useful aspects of our suffering, whether they are physical or emotional.

This past year has been a test of our endurance and many of us have aged under it's spell.  However, in my patients I have been allowed to see the strength and resilience of the human spirit and the artistry of crafting your own pathway to healing. I look forward to sharing this new year with you and helping in whatever way I can to heal and prepare the human spirit for the new projects ahead.