Seasonal Notes
March, 2024
Be good to mother nature, and mother nature will be good to you.
Country wisdom from Wales.
The Spring Equinox
The opening of the outdoor Saturday market on the 16th. Is perfect timing to celebrate the Spring Equinox. As the days lengthen, our bodies respond by encouraging us to move out of doors and engage in physical activity.
The Wood Element Liver/Gallbladder energies dominate Spring. They require exercise and lots of green leafy vegetables for their renewal. These organs correspond to 4 meridians: The Foot Liver, The Hand Pericardium, The Foot Gallbladder, and the Hand Triple Warmer. All other organs relate to only one meridian. That is how important these organs are, they are the motivating force of life through bile secretions which, in turn stimulate our nervous system to keep us alive and healthy.
Syndrome X
In 1998 Dr. Gerald Reaven, received an award from the American Diabetes Association for identifying pre-diabetic changes in the body. One of the markers commonly seen worldwide these days is belly fat. Sedentary occupations and rich and/or processed foods are some of the main contributors to this phenomenon. A clinical study in China reveals that timing is also important. Two groups of volunteers agreed to eat only one meal per day. Everyone ate the same food. One group ate their meal in the morning and one group in the evening. The morning group lost weight at the end of the study. But the evening group gained weight and girth. Apparently, our internal clocks stop producing insulin around sunset. Food ingested at this time is stored as fat, especially around the mid section. Yikes!
Yin and Yang on Earth
The poles represent the extreme expression of Yin on Earth and the Tropics the greatest abundance of Yang. Africa is especially important because it is also the hottest and driest continent and South America because the trees of the Amazon Rain Forest generate so much water vapor that they produces their own weather patterns.
For thousands and thousands of years these forces were in balance. Humans evolved in the Rift Valley in Eastern Africa. Over the course of time, our extravagant use of the Earth’s resources has damaged the balance of Yin and Yang. This process has reached frightening levels as modern humans consume more and more of the Earth’s dwindling resources to support “comfortable and convenient” lifestyles. This coupled with over population is causing the extinction of innocent life on our planet more destructive than Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined.
In geological terms we stand on the threshold of extinction ourselves. While African nations, some Central and South American nations, the European Union, China, and other locations on our planet are working very hard to reverse this trend too many politicians in our country focus on supporting corporations which destroy the natural world in the name of profit.
“If all the insects were to disappear from the earth, within 50 years all life on Earth would end.
If all human beings disappeared from the earth, within 50 years, all forms of life would flourish.”
Jonas Salk
The American Dream
Post war affluence enabled many of my relatives to move to the “burbs” of Long Island and realize the American Dream. Rows and rows of neat houses with garages, manicured lawns and landscaping. Sounded so ideal! But in time the cost of all this change was devastating sickness in the children of Long Island. It was traced to the excess amount of chemical fertilizers used to nurture those “perfect” lawns.
Today the American Dream has become a Global Nightmare. Excess travel and consumerism results in a warmer planet and uncertain weather patterns. Our way of thinking and speaking reflect the extent of our fixation with self-indulgence. When nutritional supplements become “products” in the minds of our patients, it is a sign that the corporate world is infecting their brains.
In our time, many people take for granted the luxury of flying, despite the fact that carbon emissions from planes are more damaging to the Earth’s ozone layer than most other sources. Commuters never stop to think about the consequences, only the vacation destination or the opportunity to visit with friends and family in distant places. Ironically, the very act of flying can have dire consequences for those we visit. This is especially poignant in my case as my daughter lives in Florida. Every year the hurricanes become stronger as our planet’s climate changes. She stands to lose everything, including her life. In this time of Climate Change, no place on our planet is safe. Here in southern Oregon, the threat of devastating forest fires increases as genetically-modified trees replace natural forests.
Driving long distances for visits or vacations is also a major cause of climate chaos. Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should. Fortunately, we live in a very beautiful place. The solution is to STAY HOME. This is the choice I made a few years ago after years of driving to various places to hike. Although it seemed restrictive at first, it is now my anchor. Each of us can find places to walk which are close to our homes. Instead of going far – go deep. Learn to appreciate the plants, animals, or in town, the beautiful gardens, which are nearby.
This time of change may see the end of our species. Life is only possible when nature is in balance. It is up to us. Politicians in both parties are weak in the knees taking bribes from corporate powers in the guise of “campaign donations.” Personally, I have put my faith in choices I know for a fact are Earth Friendly by supporting environmental groups who are fighting the battle to save Planet Earth for all life.
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or even the one or the two.
Mr. Spock
Thanks for reading. I know this is a tough-love edition. But it is real. Pacific Power is encouraging us to reduce our carbon foot print, unlike greedy corporations which ignore the problem and think only of profit, profit, profit. We are indeed fortunate that Pacific Power is on board with saving life on our planet. All we have to do is be creative and determined. We can do this! ☺
The care I have received at Ráven's clinic has made an almost unbearable situation bearable and allowed me to hold a job and continue on with my life. She and her staff work with you at any time you need them. They are amazing.
Frances Cole