It’s been bubbling away for a few weeks already.
The gentle buzz of spring energy coming here in Perth. But every year it surprises me how this fresh boost of energy comes with the surprise gift of frustration for many.
In the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine it was known that at this time of the year our Liver and Gallbladder are under extra pressure to cleanse and clear the debris of winter. We’re familiar with the idea of spring cleaning the home and even going on some kind of dietary detox to support the body.
But the piece that still goes under acknowledged is our Emotional Body. No big surprise there really. If it ain’t happy happy joy joy, no one really wants to know about emotions.
Enter the joy of sweet sweet spring and a wave of unexpected (but seasonally predictable) frustration and anger. And when we don’t actively work with this energy – yes EMOTION IS ENERGY, stagnation happens. Frustration is a signpost of our lifeforce being stuck. Our creative energy stuck. Our sexual energy stuck.
In circle every year around this time women begin to share the fire in their bellies.
Some have been gently resting through winter, conserving their energy and pondering how their creative energy will be used when it (and spring) arrives, wondering when sweet clarity and the burst of fresh lifeforce will arrive.
Others are just waking from the deep slumber they fell into after completely exhausting themselves last summer being the perfect mum, woman, boss babe, hustler, world activist, sexual goddess and all the other kind of awesome but also completely batshit crazy “I can have it all” roles we’ve kidded ourselves into thinking we can live – at the same time. And like a hibernating bear being gently poked and prodded out of the slumber find themselves a little cranky around the edges at the thought of needing to ‘get back out there’.
So if you’re noticing anger, frustration or any of angers more nuanced expressions (rushed, apathetic, annoyed, resentful, let down, insulted) know you’re not alone. And your body is perfectly tuning in to the gifts of spring!
But maybe it’s time to sit down with your Anger…aka Inner Protector for a little pause?
A Pause? To do what? To be with my anger you say…that sounds a little uncomfortable.
Can’t I just shove it down into my hips, my belly or my jaw? Or explode it out onto anyone who dares to be near me? Or honk my horn in my car and blame everyone else for the headache I can feel coming on?
Sure. Go for it. That seems to be the modern way. To pretend it’s not there until it explodes outwards. Often the only examples of anger we’ve witnessed or experienced our either REPRESSION or EXPLOSION. But neither are very effective ways at liberating the stuck emotion.
So is there another way?
It might be less common to witness the healthy expression of anger through clear, well communicated boundaries and unapologetic No’s. But it definitely does exist. And it’s the way of Emotional Alchemy and the emotionally mature human. The one who is willing to look inside and take responsibility for their own hurts, triggers and wounds. To do their work to get to know the gifts of anger.
Because anger is a beautifully wise internal messenger, and a powerhouse of vital energy and clarity.
Unaddressed it can be deeply uncomfortable, especially for anyone who learnt ‘nice’ girls and boys don’t get angry.
But what if repression or expression aren’t the only options?
What if we could notice the gifts of anger when they first appear.
And see emotions like frustration, irritation, annoyance, rushed or bitterness as signposts.
Letting you know something important to you feels under threat or a boundary (internal or external) has been crossed and needs your attention.
Asking you to be present to these emotions as messages from your inner protector.
Asking you to not run from them.
To not shut them down, numb them out or give the power away to avoid the discomfort.
What if we began to see anger as a simple invitation to pause and notice where your sense of Self has been compromised?
And to ask:
1) Is there something here that needs to be protected or restored?
2) Do I need to take action internally or externally?
3) How do I take action while staying completely true to myself.
Maybe the action is to express your anger in a healthy grounded way that addresses a boundary compromise or a real time issue (rather than a build up of the past).
Or for you to move your body to somewhere else or in another way because something is stuck, stagnant or dangerous.
Or maybe anger is just asking you to sit with the power and wisdom of the inner protector inside.
To not give your fire away, to not shrink, to not repress, but to pause until you hear your own truth.
Sitting with our inner protector doesn’t mean we Repress.
It means we listen. Truly listen.
Whether the action needed is internal or external the first step is always to create space.
Space between the trigger and your reaction. By pausing.
So you don’t automatically push away your wise friend Anger.
When met with awareness Anger is a beautiful part of your inner guidance system.
So as we meet the beauty of Spring externally would you be willing to take a moment to pause and be with any resistance, frustration or anger as the wise gifts that they are?
Curious to learn tools and embodiment practices to help you feel more confident to pause and embrace your emotions as wisdom rather than a burden?
Join me for our Spring Women’s Yin Nest starting soon:
Friday 22 September 9.30am
Monday 2 October 6.30pm
Or book in for a 1:1 guided session.