Full Pink Moon
Processing and expressing anger
Season: Spring
Element: Wood
Moon: Full
Happy Friday!
Tomorrow is the Full Pink Moon in the element of wood. This full moon’s name comes from the creeping phlox wildflowers that bloom in early spring, not because it will appear pink. Phlox are known for their vanilla-clove fragrance so consider filling your home with these scents to welcome the full moon. This month we will be feeling and healing after revelations we learned last month. Take care of yourself and remember to bring in more yin energy to balance the yang energy of the spring season. If you need support, the next Rest Walk is on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 10:00am - 12:00pm and the next Rest Curation is on Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 1:30pm - 3:00pm. Please sign-up to reserve a spot and remember, as Tricia Hersey writes in her aptly named book, Rest is Resistance.
In this time of spring, it is important to remember that the imbalance of the wood element is anger. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), anger is associated with the disruption of the liver’s function and can lead to irritability, frustration, and even rage. Spring and the wood element is all about growth and when thwarted or constrained this energy can change to anger. Think about all the times things were not going your way and how angry that made you feel. I know that this is how I am feeling a lot in the present moment, and I am very aware that it often makes me angry. So how do we feel and heal our anger?
Anger triggers the body’s sympathetic nervous system, particularly the fight or flight response. If anger is not processed, the constant flood of stress chemicals and associated metabolic changes that go with ongoing anger can eventually cause harm to many systems in the body. These harms linked to unprocessed anger include headaches, digestion problems, high blood pressure, skin problems like eczema, and insomnia. Heart attacks and strokes have also been connected to long-term health issues associated with unprocessed anger. The best way to mitigate these harms is to process or express the anger.
Most of us have probably been told at least once in our lives “don’t get angry.” This may have led to repression where anger is considered a “bad” or inappropriate emotion and is therefore suppressed. Turning anger inward doesn’t process it but leads to anxiety and depression. Alternatively, some of us may have had explosions when angry leading to temper tantrums or even violence. This expression of anger is not productive and can isolate us from family and friends. This isolation can again lead to anxiety and depression.
Anger needs to be processed or expressed, so here are some positive strategies to do so:
Relaxation – deep breathing and relaxing imagery can help calm down angry feelings. Once calm, anger can be communicated and expressed constructively.
Cognitive Restructuring – try replacing explosive angry thoughts with more rational ones. For instance, instead of telling yourself “it’s awful, terrible, and everything is ruined,” tell yourself “it’s frustrating and it is understandable that I am upset, but it is not the end of the world.”
Creativity – if things are not going our way, we may need to get creative to figure out how we can continue to grow. This problem solving may involve thinking outside the box and letting go of things that are out of our control.
Better Communication – if you are in an angry, heated discussion, slow down and think through your responses. Listen deeply and be conscious of when you are getting defensive or fighting back.
Use Humor – silliness can defuse anger within yourself and bring about a more balanced perspective. Even laughing can help take the edge off of the anger.
Change Your Environment – get out of the immediate surroundings where the anger occurred if possible. Take a walk in nature or around the block to give yourself a break.
Seek Professional Assistance – if anger is becoming an issue in your life, seek the assistance of a professional therapist or counselor for help. Talking to someone is often the best way to process or express your anger, so get it out. Check out the American Psychological Association’s article Control Anger Before It Controls You to learn more about the strategies above and to help find a psychologist.
These times are trying, so give yourself permission to REST. Information on upcoming Rest Curations, Rest Walks, and Sound Curations are at the bottom of the post. And please pass this Substack onto a friend or family member to broaden this amazing CRC community and to give the gift of rest to those who need it. If you don’t live in West Michigan and want to hold a Rest Curation in your local community, please email me at abby@cascadefengshui.com for the script and music information. Or email me if you would like to organize a private Rest Curation for friends, family, or colleagues.
Note: Rest products are still in the works, but I am leaving the paid subscriber Rest Readings, Rest Recipes, Rest Rituals, and Rest Recordings on the newsletter for a month or so. If you want to contribute, consider becoming a paid subscriber through Substack:
REST READING
Check out all of the rest reading recommendations in Resources on my Substack page.
REST RECIPE
After traveling and eating out a lot during spring break, I am planning to make a simple lunch for the week that is easy, healthy, and can be quickly assembled together with some store bought staples. I will be leaning into the Mediterranean Diet and cooking a batch of Greek Lemon Chicken from Cooking Made Healthy. On Sunday, I’ll cook the chicken and will buy all of the amazing accoutrements* to go with it. Here is an example of my assembled lunches for the week:
*I purchased all of the accoutrements, which were ready to use straight out of the package. These included Sami’s Bakery lavash, Boar’s Head hummus, DeLallo grilled artichokes, Alessi fire roasted peppers, Peloponnese black olives, romaine, and feta.
REST RITUAL
To process anger during this time of wood, perhaps try some of these healthy forms of anger expression:
Dance It Out – dancing can be a wonderful way to express your emotions. Dance to angry music to get it out, happy music to uplift your mood, or no music and just shake. See my Full Worm Moon Lunar Eclipse post to start shaking.
Draw, Journal, or Paint – the physical act of putting something down on paper can help to express big emotions like anger. Dumping thoughts out into existence can stop you from spiraling and calm your mind. If the anger persists, try tearing up the paper after you are done for an added release.
Scream – try screaming into a pillow if you don’t feel comfortable screaming into a room. There are a lot of fun products out there for this purpose. I am very intrigued by the Shoutlet which is marketed as a portable voice suppression device. Shoutlet’s website lists the benefits of screaming into a pillow as improved sleep quality, increased energy, and a boosted immune system. I am eager to try it out.
Throw or Break Something – physically throwing something can relieve stress and ease anger, so try throwing a ball around your yard or against your garage door. Breaking things can be messy, so consider going to a break room. There is one in Grand Rapids called the Break Room Therapy that I am keen to try out. I think it may be a perfect venue for a girl’s night out.
This is our time to grow, so let’s find creative ways to keep going when we get stuck in anger and remember to slow down and rest. Anger can burn out our energy so process or express it to allow yourself to let yin energy nourish and support you during this time of wood.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope this has been enjoyable. May you have a restful and calm end of the week and weekend.
Below are the upcoming 2025 Cascade Rest Curations (links to Eventbrite are underlined):
REST CURATIONS
Guided body scan, energy clearing, vagus nerve reset, yoga nidra exercise, rest / sleep, wake up, and meditation over an hour and a half. All Rest Curations will take place on the Sunday near the new moon at the Liebestraum Chalet in Alto, Michigan:
Rest Curation - Sunday, April 27, 2025 from 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Rest Curation - Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 1:30pm - 3:00pm
REST WALKS
Monthly dynamic walks to bring both energy and relaxation. These guided walks will start with a circle to stretch and to set an intention to ponder based on the element of the season. The first 30 minutes of the walk will be in noble silence and the last 30 minutes will be open to conversation and observation. The walk will finish with a circle to reflect, share, integrate, and finally stretch. If you have been hesitant to join a Rest Curation, please consider signing up for a Rest Walk since this a more active entry into yin energy. All Rest Walks will take place on the Saturday near the full moon at a park near Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Rest Walk - Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rest Walk - Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rest Walk - Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 10:00am - 12:00pm
SOUND CURATIONS
Join us to celebrate the element of each season with sound immersions by Kara Markovich at the Liebestraum Chalet in Alto, Michigan:
Sound + Space Summer Solstice Sound Immersion - Summer solstice, Friday, June 20, 2025 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm
And if you are interested in my feng shui and interior design services, please see my website at www.cascadefengshui.com and contact me at abby@cascadefengshui.com. I’m also on Instagram at cascade.feng.shui.