Happy Spring Equinox!

Psalm to Virgin Spring by Edward Hays
from Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim

Drawn upward by some hidden power,
life is cracking the crust of the earth
and bursting forth from limb and stem.
Your aroma, O Life-giver,
Is upon the springtime wind,
and I feel its power
stirring deep within me.

Green is your color, O God,
the green of new life
that lovingly transfigures earth’s dreariness,
long held prisoner
by the icy web of winter’s cold.

Green up my heart with hope,
in your perpetual promise of life.
Send forth from my soul
new shoots, fresh buds
eager to grow in your divine image.

May this year’s visit of virgin Spring
make my heart a virgin once again 
intoxicated with wild love for you,
whom I discover in all things
and in everyone.

One of the things I love about spring is the return of wild cucumbers. Wild cucumbers, in the photo above, are a climbing vine that comes out in spring every year in Santa Barbara. They are not edible and are likely poisonous. My herbal teacher, Chumash medicine woman Cecilia Garcia, taught me that the plant was used for compassionate passing for elders in the tribe. A powder of the seeds was also used to stun fish and capture them. The seeds were also ground to make a black paste for face paint, or used for games and jewelry. Every year for the past 7 or more years I have gathered the cucumbers in the spring and placed them on my altars to observe and enjoy, then harvested the seeds when the beautiful pods open up. 

The Latin name of the plant is Marah macrocarpa which means bitter large fruit. The roots of this plant are very large and easily survive wild fires. They are one of the first plants to return after fire and begin to revitalize the land.

The observation of plants through the years, when they emerge, where they grow, who they are, is one of the best medicines I have found in my life. Relationship with the green world is such a gift. I hope this spring finds you exploring the lands around you and building long term relationships with the plants and animals that are our more than human kin.

Spring is also the time for seasonal cleansing in the Ayurvedic tradition, a tradition that is built on relationship with nature and the science of life in harmony with the natural world. If you would like individual guidance on Ayurvedic spring cleansing and renewal, please reach out to me to schedule an Integrative Holistic Health Counseling session at my new office in downtown Carpinteria or via phone or Zoom from anywhere.

See below for more information on the spring season in Ayurvedic understanding. 

I hope to hear from you soon for Therapeutic massage, Ayurvedic bodywork, Integrative Holistic Health Counseling, or in the foothills, on the trails, and in the garden!

Happy Spring!

With Love and Green Gratitude,

~Liz

Spring traditions in Ayurveda

Ayurveda understands the change of seasons to be a time of great potential and of great danger. This has been true in other traditions in Europe and the Americas as well. The change of the seasons is a sandhi, a joint, a liminal time, just like the dawn and dusk in each day. Fishermen know the dawn and dusk as times to set their nets, because during these times the fish, as well as other energies of the worlds of form and formlessness, are on the move.

Spring and autumn equinoxes are traditional times of fasting and spiritual renewal in many cultures and are the special times in Ayurveda to renew digestive capacity, release toxins and extra weight, and clarify ourselves body, mind, and spirit for what is to come.

Ayurvedic cleansing is not extreme, rather it is gentle and nourishing. Ayurvedic cleansing reminds your body how to burn fat for fuel, balances blood sugar, clears stored toxins safely, up-regulates your agni/digestive capacity, and helps bring clarity to mind, body, and spirit. 

The positive effects of Ayurvedic cleansing have been scientifically proven to last for up to three months after the actual cleanse event. This means that if you cleanse in the spring and fall every year, you will have at least six months of the year where your system is highly functioning and effective.

That's a pretty good payoff in my mind, two weeks of potential effort and discomfort for six months of good health.

If you are interested in learning more and being guided through your own personal home Ayurvedic cleanse, please reach out to me and schedule an appointment soon to take advantage of this special and powerful time of year.