September 21st the first day of Autumn is an important transitition in Five Element Philoposphy. The long days of sunshine slowly peaks and gives way to a time of decrease. The leaves turn color, fall from the trees and decay to replenish the earth. Daylight hours shorten, the weather turns cooler.
Our bodies naturally feel the effects of this transition and if we do not pay attention to subtle changes in nature during this time, we may feel out of sorts. Symptoms may include: shortness of breath, and a dislike of speaking. Catching colds easily. Coughing, a hoarse or weak voice, a dry mouth and throat. Difficulty dealing with loss, vulnerable to outside criticism. Tiredness, constipation or diarrhoea.
In Chinese medicine – the Metal element is associated with Autumn, a time of harvest, where we reap the fruits and vegetables of the season and prepare them for storage duirng Winter. The Organs Associated with Metal are the Lungs and Large Intestine.
Dr. Worsley, my teacher, spoke of the lungs as “the Official who receives the pure Ch’i from the heavens”. The first breath at birth sustains our life force throughout our lives until we take our final breath. The Chinese view the the Lungs as the receiver of energy and the Large Intestine as the “Dust Bin Collector, the Drainer of the Dregs” where its main functin is to store and eliminate waste. These two Officials when balanced work beatuifully together to allow us to “take in” air, chi, inspiration and “let go” of waste, and negativity.
Autumn is the perfect Season to support the Lungs and Large Intestine with habits that strengthen these Officials.
Here’s simple ways to smoothly transition through Autumn.
1. Awake during Lung’s peak time, between 3-5 am. Practice 30 minutes of Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or Yoga, meditate or just breathe deeply. Deep breathing stimulates the Large Intestine to eliminate (good for those with constipation) between 5-7 am, it’s peak hours.
2. Use a Neti pot with a saline solution to irrigate your sinuses. This simple habit can be incorporated into your morning routine and acts to prevent sinus infections and sore throats. I use a Neti Pot during Autumn to help alleviate seasonal allergies. It works, along with taking 500 mgs of Quercitin-C.
3. The gift of the Metal element is the ability to inspire. Hike or drive to the mountains and renew what inspires you. Grief is the emotion associated with Metal. Extreme grief can injure the lungs but can be processed through the awe-inspiring reach of the great outdoors. Nature herself is healing and transformative.
4. Eat mildly spicey foods to help support the Metal element. Tai, Indian, and other Asian foods try and balance the five flavors of bitter,sweet, spicey, sour and salt. Try combining all these tastes at EVERY meal instead of dieting. Our modern diet has too much sweet (in the form of refined sugars) and salt and too little of bitter, sour and spicey.
As is true in nature, Autumn is a time were we consolidate our energies and prepare for the austerity of Winter. When that breaks down, so too, does our ability to preserve what is nourishing to the body, mind and spirit.
