New Moon Greetings – April 27, 2025
Qigong energy in the spring is all about rising up and expanding. Traditional Chinese philosophy identifies five energetic phases in the world – water, wood, fire, metal, and earth. Wood is the phase that governs spring. We are not talking about a piece of wood, but rather the energy of trees: movement, expansion, rising, growing, and becoming.
As we pay attention to the green growth rising up all around us, we can embrace that energy for ourselves. Where in your life could you channel this energy of rising and becoming? In what arenas do you want to change and grow? How might you make that happen?
Spring energy is also about rising up to be strong in challenging situations -finding the energy needed to address wrongs. It could be setting boundaries with co-workers or finding your voice at public meetings to show up for yourself and your community. But an important part of rising up is first being rooted and grounded.
Rooting Down
Every gardener knows it is vital for plants to have a strong root system so they can rise up out of the ground. The healthy energy of plants in the spring is predicated on strong roots. We’ve all seen trees toppled by the wind when their roots systems would not hold. We don’t want to be those trees.
This idea of rooting down is more than a garden allegory. Taking time to be rooted can help us stay resilient through difficult times. It can give us the courage to rise up and challenge systems that are not working.
What does it take to be rooted?
Rootedness happens on a number of levels. Certainly our physical health plays a part in feeling grounded and rooted. During challenging times it is important to pay attention to the basics: eating right, sleeping enough, hydrating. Additionally, mindfulness practices like meditation and qigong can help us stay calm and grounded in the midst of chaos.
But rootedness also has another dimension which is about anchoring ourselves in our values. Our values provide the foundation for how we show up in the world. When we can clearly articulate them we will feel grounded, and it becomes easier to step up with confidence to address when those ideas are disregarded. For example, if we value respect, community, and fairness we’ll find ways to rise up and embody those concepts (even when it feels scary to do so). Taking the time to be rooted is an important step.
We can also look to the green world for inspiration and alignment. Here are two of my favorite plants that have a deep resonance with rising up, strength, and resilience.
Dandelion
The very essence of dandelion is resilience. Think about all the negativity heaped on dandelions and yet, here they still are with their sunny faces and puffball flower heads. Dandelions have deep tap roots (as you know if you’ve ever tried to dig them out). You can take some time to imagine yourself as a dandelion sending your roots deep into the earth and drawing on that energy when you need it. Whenever you see a dandelion you can let it remind you that the green world is full of resilience and strength that we can appreciate and align with.
Motherwort
The medicinal plant known as motherwort has a long history supporting new mothers and healthy hearts. And that connection to the heart is also about being courageous and lion-hearted. Sprigs of motherwort were often carried into battle to energetically provide strength and resilience. If you have motherwort in your garden, you can take a sprig with you into whatever “battle” you may be encountering. It will give you a strong heart and the ability to find your voice.
Finding Strength in the Green World
The green world (in all its forms) can be a source of comfort and also inspiration. We can go to the garden or the forest to renew ourselves. But sometimes we need more than renewal – our communities may need us to step up and advocate for change. At those times, we can also align ourselves with the rooted energy of plants as we tap into that strength to rise up in the world in a powerful way.
About this Blog Post & and Qigong Practice
This post is part of my lunar blog series. For the time being I’ll be posting on each new moon as that is a great time to begin projects and set intentions with the increasing light. Topics are related to related to plants and ideas featured in my book, Growing Mindful. or on other topics related to mindfulness, gardens, qigong, and intentional living. For more details and a list of past lunar blog posts, click here.
About Qigong – I lead qigong at Bluff Lake Nature Center in Denver on the last Sunday of each month. You can find the schedule in announcements on the home page. I have also partnered with other graduates of the IIQTC (Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi) to offer virtual HeART of Body Compassionate Self Care Practice Circles based on qigong and tai chi. Check out the information here: Global Healing Circles or contact me if you need more information.
