What the first root of a seed can teach us about navigating a year of powerful change.
Over the past ten days, trays of seeds planted by apprentices, community members, and myself have been sitting quietly in the greenhouse. From the outside, nothing appears to be happening. Yet beneath the surface, something extraordinary is already underway as the quiet potential within each seed begins to stir into life.
In East Asian medicine, this year ushers in the Year of the Yang Fire Horse, a time traditionally associated with bold movement and radical change. As I watch the first seedlings begin to germinate in the greenhouse, I’ve been thinking about another kind of radical emergence.
The first sign of life is the radicle, the tiny embryonic root that emerges from the seed and pushes downward into the soil. Long before any leaves reach toward the sun, the young plant must first root itself. The radicle anchors the seedling and begins drawing in the water and nutrients that will sustain all future growth. This stage is delicate; if moisture is inconsistent, the radicle can dry out and the seedling will not survive.
Radical change, it seems, begins in much the same way. Before outward growth, there must be rooting. Before reaching toward the light, there is a quiet movement downward, a seeking of nourishment, stability, and connection. This rooting anchors us in times of transformation, much like a young plant must first establish its roots before it can grow quickly toward the sun and adapt to the changing conditions around it.
As we enter the Year of the Yang Fire Horse, with all its energy for movement and change, it may be tempting to let ourselves be swept up in its momentum. But the lesson of the radicle reminds us otherwise. When we take time to root—into our bodies, our values, our communities—we create the stability needed to move forward with clarity and direction. In this way, the ride need not be chaotic or overwhelming, but steady, purposeful, and guided toward the goals and dreams we hope to cultivate.
Note: kid’s faces hidden in photographs for privacy reasons.
The Fire element is unique among the five elements in that it is associated with four organ systems—also referred to as “officials”—rather than two. At its center is the Heart, considered the Supreme Ruler—the Emperor or Empress within the body—governing all bodily functions and housing the Shen, our spirit or consciousness. Because of the importance of serving this Sovereign Ruler, the Heart is supported by three additional officials: the Small Intestine, Pericardium, and San Jiao (Triple Heater). Together, they help regulate warmth, communication, and connection throughout the body and spirit.
To keep this inner fire steady and harmonious, consider a few simple practices that nourish the Heart and calm the Shen:
- Spend time near water. Lakes, rivers, oceans, or even the quiet presence of a fountain can offer a cooling, balancing, and Yin counterpart to strong Yang and Fire energy.
- Journal or write reflectively. Putting thoughts and feelings to paper can help process the intense emotions often associated with Fire: joy, excitement, passion, and at times agitation and sadness.
- Engage in contemplative practices. Meditation, qigong, tai chi, yoga, or other slow, mindful movement practices help ground the Shen and regulate the nervous system.
- Cultivate joy and connection. Laughter, meaningful conversation, music, and shared meals nourish the Heart and strengthen the bonds that sustain us.
- Spend time with beauty. Whether through nature, art, poetry, or music, beauty has a way of softening the Heart and restoring balance.
- Practice steady self-care. The energy of Fire can be inspiring and energizing, but without rest and boundaries it can also lead to exhaustion or burnout.
In times of great change, the goal is not to extinguish the fire, but to tend it carefully so that it becomes a steady source of warmth, clarity, and inspiration rather than a blaze that consumes us. When the Heart is nourished and the Shen is settled, we are better able to move through the world with presence, courage, and compassion.
And like the radicle quietly rooting itself before the seedling reaches toward the sun, the steadiness we cultivate now may become the foundation that supports all the growth yet to come this year and beyond! As the season continues to unfold, this quiet rooting will soon give way to the rising energy of spring—a time when the Wood element invites new growth, vision, and movement outward.