Late Summer Balance
WELCOMING AUTUMN: CAN YOU FEEL THE SHIFT?
It's that time when the long, hot days shorten; cold creeps in mornings and night; and the bright energy of Summer is replaced by the slower, more introspective, contracting energy of Autumn.
The long, seemingly endless Summer is winding down and we are transitioning into the season of harvest. The expansive energy of Summer lingers in the air, yet winds are picking up and the leaves are starting to fall. It’s time to take stock and celebrate the fleeting abundance of Summer, allowing it to nourish our body and mind.
This year, we might feel the shift into Autumn is different; we may not feel so ready to move inward, since we’ve isolated so much in the past few years. The Pandemic has disrupted life’s structure and routine—not to mention the endless news cycle of sadness and loss in the world.
This may be a time when we don’t have as much energy, and it’s harder to get out of bed in the morning. We can feel disappointed or discouraged and less productive during this transition, with moods slightly darkened by the looming reality that “Winter is coming.”
Know that this is the energy of shifting seasons, and it can can have real effects physically, emotionally and psychologically.
SEASONAL CHANGE
In Chinese Medicine, there are five natural elements that exist within us. Each season belongs to a particular element and has unique associations. When we study nature’s patterns and cycles, we can learn to support our own health and wellness year-round.
Seasonal changes are an opportunity to take care of the body-mind to prevent disease. When there are changes in nature, it’s important to adjust to the natural rhythms and flow of the Earth. Addressing health in this way will help cultivate balance, harmony, and holistic health throughout the year.
The transition from the steady warm Summer heat into cooler autumn temperatures can be challenging physical and mentall, so it’s important to take care of ourselves. The changing weather can bring wind, which can affect the lungs with dryness; it’s good to wear something to protect your neck when you go out.
The best path to good health and wellness is preventative, so developing practices that can help balance the mind and body during this time are important. Changing diet and strengthening the immune system can be a part of any seasonal ritual. A practice to bring energy and vitality, strengthen and nourish the life force and regulate the heart would be appropriate now.
THE EXTRA SEASON
There is an extra season in Chinese Medicine called Late Summer. This “5th Season” spans the hazy days after the peak of Summer to the beginning of fall, and is associated with the Earth element. During this time, the focus for good health and wellness is on the digestive system, nourishment and stability. It is a time of slowing down and regaining balance to prepare for the cooler days ahead.
This Late Summer Earth season acts as the transition from yang to yin energy, supporting space between the cycle of Spring growth (Wood), active Summer abundance (Fire) and the inward, cooler emotions of Fall and Winter (Metal & Water). Late Summer epitomizes Earth, as the point of stillness in the seasons, with its lush tranquil energy, ripening and fullness.
Earth is where we are rooted, and from where we can grow and blossom. Everything stems from Earth, and it provides the foundation and energy to bloom and grow. Late Summer is the time of letting the Earth’s bounty bear fruit, of harvesting and reaping the benefits of all of our hard work during the planting and growing seasons.
The Earth element is Nourishment, so this is a time of deep replenishment when the rewards of self-care can be doubled. It's a beautiful time, when we can appreciate the tipping point--or fulcrum--between the outward and dynamic yang seasons of Spring and Summer, and the more inward, yin seasons of Autumn and Winter.
SEASONAL HEALTH
When Earth is happy and nurtured, we are healthy with good digestion and elimination. The mind is balanced and secure, with a sense of belonging, grounding and connection. Earth is our family and friends; the fabric of life that we create and nurture with love and integrity. Taking care of Earth reaps an inner harvest--energy to complete projects and fulfill needs, contentment and love of Life.
In Late Summer, there is rising strength in Earth energy, creating stability, settling, and a sense of “home”. Earth corresponds with nurturing, the Mother, a sense of self-worth, bonding and formation of trust in relationships. With healthy Earth, you feel at home in all situations, enjoying your efforts and have the space to love, relax, and nourish self, family and friends.
Emotionally, this season is nurturing, healthy and grounding when balanced, and filled with anxiety, worry and potentially unhealthy when out of balance. If we are doing too much and feel undernourished, or if we cannot stop worrying, the body rebels; it becomes weak and tired.
Earth relates to our capacity to digest thought and memory. When Earth is weak, thought processes can become fuzzy and there may be a lack of concentration. Digestion yields the energy reserves for all activities, so proper diet and digestion are important to Earth. If your choice of food is poor or you don't eat in sufficient quantity or at regular intervals during the day, you can weaken Earth Qi.
The shorter days, longer nights and crisp air indicate an ideal time to go outside and catch the last rays of sunshine peeking through. Preventative medicine is the best medicine: Cultivating a balanced Earth element in late Summer contributes to a strong immune system and healthy lungs in the fall.
In years of teaching yoga in Thailand, I learned the concept of “Jai Yen” (Cool Heart). It’s a heart filled with composure, calm and patience. It can be a powerful internal reminder and remedy when the going gets tough in any situation.
Breathe in jai yen, breathe out jai yen. No matter the situation, it is always best to face it with a cool heart.
May Earth continue to support and nourish us with her gifts.
“In its central position the Earth is the pivot for all of the other Elements which encircle and spin around it. It is a place of stability within the body, mind, and spirit. From this stable anchor, change and growth can take place.”
- Angela Hicks