Rooted & Rising: Spring Equinox, Liver Health and the Energy of Change

Healthy Liver qi is strong yet flexible, like a sapling.

As winter fades and spring arrives, nature bursts into life—trees bud, flowers bloom, and the world awakens with fresh energy. In Chinese Medicine, Spring belongs to the Liver organ system and the Wood element, both of which embody movement, transformation, and renewal. The energy of this season is upward and expansive, like shoots pushing through the soil toward the sun. But growth is not just about reaching higher—it’s about having deep, stable roots so we can weather the winds of change without breaking.

The Spring Equinox, March 20-21 2025, marks the exact moment of balance between darkness and light, the transition point when Yang energy (warmth, action, expansion) begins to take over from the inward, reflective Yin energy of winter. It is a cosmic reset, a threshold between what was and what will be. This balance of opposing forces is deeply tied to the Liver’s function—when Liver Qi is flowing smoothly, we feel clear, energized, and adaptable. But if it's stagnant or imbalanced, we may experience resistance to change, frustration, or physical symptoms of tension and congestion. Just as the natural world is shedding the heaviness of winter, the equinox invites us to do the same—releasing stagnation, clearing out what no longer serves us, and setting intentions for growth in the season ahead.

The Liver: The Architect of Growth

Each organ in Chinese Medicine has a season, an element, an emotion, a color, a sensory organ, and a corresponding tissue in the body:

• Element: Wood 🌿—like a sapling, it must be strong yet flexible

• Season: Spring—this is when the Liver is most active and needs the most support

• Emotion: Anger 😤—not necessarily destructive, but the force that drives change and sets boundaries

• Color: Green 💚—the color of renewal, new growth, and prosperity

• Sense Organ: The eyes 👀—blurry vision, dry eyes, or red, irritated eyes often indicate Liver imbalance

• Taste: Sour

• Tissue: The tendons and ligaments 💪—healthy Liver Blood keeps them supple and strong, preventing injury and supporting recovery

• Climate: Wind—this is why more people experience vertigo, dizziness, spasms, and allergies in the spring

The Liver is also the master strategist, responsible for planning and direction. When its Qi is flowing well, we see clearly—both physically and metaphorically. We feel purposeful, decisive, and motivated. When it’s blocked, we may feel stuck, scattered, or overwhelmed, unable to move forward even when we desperately want to.

The Spring Equinox reminds us to check in: Are we moving forward with clarity, or are we pushing ahead out of habit, frustration, or external pressure? This is the season to refine our vision, plant new seeds, and ensure that our path aligns with our deepest truth.

As Above, So Below: Astrology, Liver Qi and Spring Equinox

In Chinese Medicine, the body is understood to be a microcosm of the Universe, a mirror of the same rhythms, cycles, and energies that govern nature. Rooted in Daoist philosophy, this perspective teaches that we are not separate from the world around us. Just as the seasons shift and the stars move through their cycles, so do we. In many ways, astrology reflects similar themes to Chinese Medicine in a way that can be useful to our understanding, growth and development. These recent and upcoming transits are likely to shift the way we relate to others and ourselves, how we set boundaries and enter relationships of all kinds, and how we honor our life's calling.

• Pluto in Aquarius is reshaping the structures of our lives. This transit demands that we break out of old, stagnant patterns and rebuild from a place of integrity. The Liver governs personal vision and the ability to plan ahead, and right now, many of us are feeling an internal pressure to redefine the path forward.

• The Venus and Mercury retrogrades in Aries (Venus: March 1–April 12, Mercury: March 14–April 7) are pulling us inward, forcing us to reevaluate what we truly desire and how we pursue it. Aries is ruled by the element of Fire—passionate, driven, but sometimes reckless. If our Liver energy is out of balance, these retrogrades may feel particularly frustrating, like we’re stuck in a holding pattern. But this pause is purposeful. It’s about making sure that when we do move forward, we’re moving in alignment with our truth.

• Neptune’s shift into Aries on March 30 marks the end of a 14-year cycle, dissolving illusions and bringing clarity to where we have been deceiving ourselves. Just as the Liver governs detoxification, this transit is working to purge what no longer serves us—whether that’s outdated goals, unhealthy habits, or relationships that drain our energy.

The Spring Equinox acts as the bridge between these transitions. It is a moment to pause, recalibrate, and consciously step into the new cycle. Liver energy is about taking action, but if the Liver isn’t functioning smoothly, we may find ourselves acting impulsively—pushed by frustration rather than guided by clarity—or feeling paralyzed by indecision. In the same way that the Liver system processes emotions and moves us forward, this season is asking us to clear out old stagnation so we can grow with intention.

This is exactly what’s happening in the cosmos right now. These planetary shifts, combined with the vibrant Wood energy of Spring, are asking us to clear out what no longer serves us, to release old frustrations, and to make space for what’s to come. A tree cannot grow strong and tall if its roots are not deep. We cannot move forward if we are still holding onto outdated commitments, limiting beliefs, or unresolved emotions.

If you have been feeling scattered or stuck, take some time to meditate or journal on these Spring Equinox-inspired prompts:

• Where in my life do I feel resistance, and what could it be telling me?

• What am I still holding onto that I know I need to release?

• Am I acting in alignment with my true values, or am I moving out of habit, fear, or obligation?

Remember, the goal is not to judge yourself but to create awareness. Awareness, in turn, creates space for transformation ✨

Signs Your Liver System Needs Support

If you’re experiencing any of the following, your Liver might be struggling to keep up with the seasonal transition:

😤 Emotional volatility—irritability, frustration, depression, feeling easily overwhelmed

🌙 Sleep disturbances—especially waking up between 1–3 AM (the Liver’s peak time)

🩸 Hormonal imbalances—PMS, irregular cycles, mood swings, PCOS, endometriosis, painful periods

💪 Muscle and joint tension, cramps, and spasms—due to stagnant Liver Qi limiting the free flow of Blood and Qi

😵‍💫 Headaches, dizziness, and vertigo—especially those that feel like a rising pressure

🤢 Digestive upset—bloating, nausea, acid reflux, or IBS flare-ups

🤧 Worsening allergies—itchy eyes, sinus congestion, skin/eczema flare-ups

Aligning With the Energy of This Moment

You may have noticed that the climate here in Austin has been particularly windy lately. In Chinese Medicine, Wind is the climate associated with the Liver—it stirs things up, shakes loose stagnation, and pushes potential energy to move. If life has felt chaotic, uncertain, or emotionally intense, it’s because things are shifting. The winds of spring are uncovering what’s been buried, but this turbulence is temporary—it’s clearing the way for renewal.

🌿 A few ways to work with your Liver energy this Spring:

• Move your body. The Liver governs movement, and sitting still only worsens its imbalances. Stretch, go for walks, practice Qi Gong, dance—just get your energy flowing. Even a 5-10 minute shakeout or a short somatic exercise can make a BIG difference.

• Eat seasonally. Fresh, light, and slightly sour foods help clear stagnation. Leafy greens, sprouts, citrus, and herbal teas such as chrysanthemum and green tea, all support the Liver’s natural detoxification process.

• Express, don’t suppress. Anger, frustration, and resentment must move through you, not get trapped within you. Journaling, creative expression, and breathwork can help clear emotional stagnation.

• Rest and integrate. Detoxification—physical or emotional—is an active process. It requires both movement and stillness, clearing and integration. Listen to your body’s needs and make sure you balance activity with rest to harmonize your Liver system.

The Liver and Wood element thrive on movement and flow, but balance is key. This is a season of recalibration—not forcing growth, but clearing the path for it.

Support Your Body Through This Transition

If you’ve been feeling stuck, tense, overwhelmed, or energetically out of sync, your body is asking for extra support. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, breath work, journaling, talking to a therapist or trusted friend, spending time outside and other gentle adjustments to your energy field will help you align with the natural rhythms of spring, clearing out stagnation and setting the foundation for a season of growth, clarity, and forward movement. Our practitioners are experienced in healing all Liver system issues with gentle, effective and personalized treatments.

🌿 Ready for Renewal? Book an appointment today and give yourself the support you need to move into spring bright-eyed and ready for the next season of life.

Need more info? Book a FREE 15 minute discovery call to chat with a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist and learn what we can do for you.