Deep Breath In…Hold…and Let It Go
We can feel the subtle shifts around us as Autumn settles in - the air is crisp and has a chill to it, the sun sets a little earlier and rises a little later, leaves are losing their color and falling to the ground, and we harvest the last offerings from our gardens as the plants break down to become fertilizer for the next year.
In Chinese Medicine we refer to this time as yin rising. In the summertime the yang energy is more dominant, and while yin is present, it is hanging back a bit. As summer comes to a close, the yin energy starts to rise while yang energy starts to settle and slow down. The energy slows down, contracts, and turns inward.
In our medicine we associate autumn with the following attributes:
Element: Metal
Yin organ: Lungs
Yang organ: Large Intestines
Emotion: Grief/Loss
Metal governs organization, order, communication, and setting boundaries.
The energy of the lungs and of the large intestines is all about letting go. Taking in what we need and letting go of what does not serve us any longer.
Within this framework, we don’t think of grief negatively. It is a process that is necessary when experiencing loss. We can grieve in a variety of ways - changing jobs, retiring, getting rid of all the books you keep meaning to read, giving away the clothes you thought you were going to wear, and even changing our train of thought. Loss and separation help cleanse us of what no longer is a constant in our lives. Grief and the metal element gives us the opportunity to find deep inner strength, as if mining for gold deep within the earth.
Autumn leads us back to our essence so we can let go of what we no longer need, and opens us up to new ways of thinking. Nature releases leaves and seeds to return to the earth to sit in wait until springtime. It is an ideal time to remove clutter in our surroundings, as well as energetically. Let go of fear, resentment, old thoughts, and old habits. Plant the seeds for what we want to come into fruition. Embracing this time for our own enrichment.
Autumn brings dryness and cold, crisp air. Our lungs become a little more susceptible to respiratory “evils” so our immune systems need a little extra support during these colder seasons. Continue to drink plenty of water, and avoid cold raw food and cold beverages as much as possible. Enjoy root vegetables, pumpkin, winter squash, apples, pears, and pomegranates. Add ginger, cinnamon, and honey to warm the body internally. Continue to wear sunscreen, and switch to a thicker moisturizer. Get plenty of sleep. And of course….continue regular acupuncture and bodywork to support the immune system.
Want more information on how to nourish your yin? Feel free to reach out - I’m always here for you.
