When we think Spring, usually there's a color that comes to mind. What is it for you?
Perhaps you said Green, and yes, certainly green is the dominating color of the season. The green grass pops out, no longer covered in a blanket of snow. The leaf buds grow, ready to spring forth; there is an almost imperceptible mossy green hue covering all. But before the first leaves fully unfurl there are dashes of other colors: pink cherry blossoms, purple hyacinths, blue periwinkles, and lots of yellow.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis sp) with my friend Olivia Lovejoy as a hand model.
Yellow, the color of the glowing sun as daylight grows longer and longer. Even before the first crocus pokes up out of the ground, there is Witch Hazel - a glowing beacon of sunshine in the still dark days of winter, a symbol of hopefulness in the stark leafless landscape. Then comes Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) – not a cherry at all, but a Dogwood, it's one of the first trees of spring to bloom. And Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), once called Filius ante patrem "son before father" as the yellow blossom emerges before the leaves. There's also Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna), aka "Pilewort" named for its traditional use as a hemorrhoid remedy (I think its emergence in spring comes at an opportune time, after everyone has been sitting around on their bums all winter!).
Lesser celandine, one of the first yellow blooms of spring.
Yellow, the color of the 3rd chakra or solar plexus, where our fire is, our willpower, our boundaries and from where we spring to action. The 3rd chakra is also associated with the liver and gallbladder, and so yellow is also associated with these organs and systems. And wouldn't you know, the bitter herbs that can support liver and gallbladder very often happen to be yellow and some emerge around this time, specifically Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). We think of spring as a time to clean our homes and our bodies through "detoxing." Herbs like Dandelion leaf and root can help, as well as Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) root and Burdock (Arctium kappa) two other common "weeds."
First little dandy blossom I spotted this year.
Soaking burdock leaves the water yellow, a signature for both liver/gallbladder and kidneys.
Of course there are yellow Daffodils, so synonymous with the start of spring. According to Power of Flowers, Daffodil flower essence has a positive effect on those who are in need of a boost of happiness and light. Considering the liver is the seat of anger, and anger is a dominating emotion of spring, Daffodil flower essence could be a nice remedy for this time of year. Forsythia is another yellow bloom opening now, and according to Pacific Essences, Forsythia flower essence provides motivation for the transformation of old, useless patterns of behavior, and is associated with the gallbladder meridian. It's like spring cleaning for your emotions and habits. In addition to these flower essences, I highly recommend the essences from Tree Frog Farm, especially the ones intended for spring energies, such as Dandelion and Liver Organ Energy Meridian blend. (They also happen to be on sale this month. I don't rep for this company, I swear! I just love their essences).
Forsythia! Image: Wikimedia Commons
I hope you'll join me in Prospect Park soon to see all of the colors of spring emerging! We have 2 free trial classes coming up this Friday and Sunday. Register here!
