Spring Equinox

In the northern hemisphere, March 19th marked the 2024 vernal equinox.  In the Chicagoland area, this period is where we have been slowly experiencing increasing hours of light that beckon us to get outside for more walks, runs, and activities with back-of-mind musings of if we can finally store our puffy winter jackets for the season.  However, in true Midwest weather spirit, a week post-equinox we woke up to a Spring snowfall as we were nearing the beginning of April.  The back-and-forth nature of the weather continues to challenge our bodies to adapt to the larger environment as the temperature and pressure changes continue to shift, seemingly at a moment’s notice. 

Change of season is an excellent time to re-engage in acupuncture, East Asian medicine, bodywork, and counseling to support your specific needs – be it to prepare for allergy season, manage migraines, or help to regulate shifts in mental health.  A promising practice is to plan for some additional care during seasonal transitions to help your body, mind, and spirit adjust into the new seasonal rhythms.  Should you be interested in learning how to best support your individual needs, it is always recommended to meet with one of Five Point’s acupuncturists, body workers, or therapists who are formally trained in how to best transition into the new season . 

Spring Energetics: The Cicadas Return

Many nature nerds may already be in the know when it comes to the forecasting of the return of not one, but two broods (i.e., groups) of periodical cicadas that return every 13 and 17 years.  As we transition fully into Spring and Summer, these bugs will return at the same time, starting to chorus and sing 4-5 days after they begin emerging in pursuit of attracting female mates.  It is estimated that the cicada calls register at 90-100 decibels, making for a magical and slightly noisy season ahead. 

The emergence of the Cicadas embodies the energetic nature of Spring, whereby the cicada nymphs emerge from the ground, up and out of the soil.  Just like the emergence of cicadas, Spring is also when trees, flowers, and plants shoot up and out, awakening from the winter phase of their own life cycles.  Much like our nature neighbors, we find our own creature selves emerging out into the world again with more daylight hours as many feel the energetic bump that comes naturally with increased exposure to sunlight.

Cicadas & East Asian Medicine

Cicadas have a connection to East Asian Medicine that includes and extends beyond the energetic dynamic of the Spring season.  Early in our days as herbal medicine students, we learned that the Materia Medica, our herbal medicine encyclopedia of sorts, includes the usual herbal suspects of roots, rhizomes, vines, leaves, and flowers.  However, herbal medicine also includes some animal parts, shells, and bugs.  The first herb as bug that we learn is called Chan Tui (Cicadae Periostracum), which in common language is the cicada molting.       

This sweet, salty, and slightly cold herb hails from the Herbs that Release the Exterior herbal category.  When considering what cicada moltings might be used for medicinally, we reflect on one guiding principle in East Asian herbal medicine practice called Doctrine of Signatures that we reviewed in our Winter blog.  This principle, also referred to as Systematic Correspondence or Sympathetic Magic, simply means that the herbs themselves are giving us clues as to what their therapeutic effects might be by simply being who they are.  

The nature of a molting, similar to fruit peels in Chinese medicine, often has an affinity for the skin or the outermost layer of our bodies.  Like a molting is the shell of the cicada, our skin provides a capsule for our bodies.  Not surprisingly then, Chan tui is often used in formulas to help support the healing of skin sores and episodic rashes.  In addition, this herb treats the organ of Spring and Wood season, the Liver system.  Internal pathologies associated with Liver system dysregulation can include internal “wind,” readily understood as convulsions or seizures.  In turn, Chan tui is also one of the first pediatric herbs we learn that was historically used to treat childhood convulsions. 

If you are looking to stay connected to the natural phenomenon the Cicadas bring with them this year and you live in the Chicagoland area, check out Ryerson Woods for community nature events  appropriate for nature enthusiasts of all ages. 

Connected Community:

Happy Birthday Five Point!   

In addition to connecting to the natural environment this season, we also invite you to join our Five Point community to celebrate our first year in our new space and our 10th year as a worker co-op! 

On Sunday, May 19th, 1:00 - 4:00 PM, Five Point practitioners and staff will be making 10 offerings commemorating the 10 years we have been serving the Logan Square and Avondale communities!  From a Tai Chi demonstration, tea tasting, ear acupuncture, a Tarot reading pop-up, and mindful movement & self-massage demonstration, we hope you will join our team in celebration.  Every $10 event ticket includes a raffle ticket to be entered to win acupuncture and bodywork sessions, seasonal apothecary goodie bags, and much more! 

In addition, our 10-year anniversary month from May 19th - June 18th overlaps with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage month, and we will be offering reduced $25 community acupuncture nights  and free passes to try our movement classes to celebrate and honor the contributions that the AAPI populations have had on Five Point and within our larger Chicago community. 

We look forward to celebrating with you all in the months ahead and hope to connect at an event, in class, or in the clinic soon!

 -Ashley 

Acupuncturist, herbalist, and public health-informed nature enthusiast 

SOURCES REFERENCED:

Bensky, D., Gamble, A., and Kaptchuk, T. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica Revised Edition, Eastland Press, Seattle, 1993. 

Celebrating Cicadas. Lake County Forest Preserve Education . Accessed March 25th, 2024.