Autumn

August 7 marks the “beginning of Autumn” and we transition from summer to autumn a month later, on September 7.  Energetically, Autumn begins long before the leaves turn stunning shades of auburn and gold, painting a breathtaking landscape. Since the Summer Solstice the yang energy has been decreasing while the yin energy has been increasing.

In Chinese Medicine, this time is what is called “late summer”, a period governed by the Earth Element. It’s a great time to nourish the Spleen and Stomach energies. Even though it may feel like summer and it’s still rather hot, it’s time to start thinking about bringing in more warming foods and not overindulge in cold and iced drinks and foods. Chinese Medicine practitioners in general advise against eating cold food anyway! Some warming foods we can add include ginger to our tea and dampness reducing herbs such as snow fungus. Dampness can affect the Spleen and disrupt its role in transporting nutrients, for example. When we can ground our energy between seasons, we are able to begin the next period with a stronger constitution.

In eastern philosophy, the season of Autumn is the Air or Metal element. The corresponding meridians, energies, and organ function energies are lungs and large intestine. In the 24-hour organ clock, lung energy begins at 3AM, peaking at 4AM, before coming large intestine energy at 5AM. The “I Am” and “I Have” aspects of our being. When the lung and large intestine function energies are in harmony, we get healthy and happy deep skin.

The related emotion and attitude of Autumn and Lungs / Large Intestine energy is sadness.  Any unprocessed grief may rise to the surface to be addressed. The events of the past few years and the ones unfolding now calls to us to release our old beliefs as well as unprocessed sadness which can cause us to lose spiritual strength and resilience. we are in times of great change, a time to create a new world where everyone is celebrated. First we let go, release any attachments to the comfort and the known. I don’t believe we need to do something that scares us every day as many coaches advise. I do believe that it’s important not to let our fears stop us from being who we are and to understand where those fears come from.

Nourish our Late Summer Energies