Autumn

Autumn

As we shift away from the sunshine and heat of the Summer, it is hard not to notice the cooler, crispier and dewy mornings of Autumn.  I always think this is the most beautiful season of the year with the colours of the leaves changing daily then falling from the trees accompanied by any fruit, conkers, or seeds.  This mirrors and supports the ebb and flow of the seasonal wheel, with leaves decomposing where they land to provide nourishment to the ground so the next generation of trees and plants can grow in Spring time. 

The Autumn Equinox symbolises this shift as it represents a time when both yin and yang energy are evenly balanced, so acts as a way to prepare us for the ‘darker’ half of the year as yin begins to grow. 

Energetically, and as echoed in nature, Autumn is a time to begin to turn more inward after the vibrant Summer.  It’s a  time to reflect and begin to slow down, focusing on building up immunity and our ‘stores’ for Winter. Autumn offers an opportunity emotionally to assess and let go of any bad habits or thought processes that are not productive. It can also be used as a time to physically declutter your home, again releasing and letting go of all the ‘stuff’ holding you back or that you no longer need. 

It is not a coincidence that in Chinese Medicine the organs that resonate with Autumn are the Lung and Large Intestine channels.  The functions of these organs both revolve around detoxification and letting go – the Lungs absorb and distribute Qi, by processing the air we breathe, filtering it, absorbing oxygen then exhaling to get rid of carbon dioxide a waste product from our body.  The Large Intestines perform a similar role by absorbing water and the last of the nutrients from any food in our digestive tract then ‘letting go’ of the residual digestive and emotional waste.  

Autumn is associated with the Metal phase, the colour white and the emotions of grief and sadness.  Expressed grief will strengthen Lung Qi, whereas when it’s repressed causes congestion, interfering with the Lung function of being able to disperse nutrients and Qi around the body.  The association with physical lung and digestive disorders at times of bereavement are widely recognised.

The Lungs hate dryness, so the environmental dryness of the Autumn season can be a problem or aggravate any pre-existing weakness in vulnerable people at this time.  It is also noteworthy that another function of the Lungs in Chinese Medicine is that it manifests on the skin, and provides a protective layer around the skin called ‘Wei Qi’.  It is commonplace in the Autumn for colds and flu to start flaring up, so by optimising and enhancing Lung Qi at this time offers an effective way to boost and strengthen immunity. 

Some ideas for self care during the Autumn season, could include a focus on breathing - pranayama, yoga or Qigong are all effective ways to strengthen and bolster Lung qi as can sleeping a little longer. Decluttering, letting go of negativity, wrapping up warm and eating seasonally -so moving towards warming nourishing foods such as root veg and pungent foods such as garlic, ginger and cinnamon can all be other ways to navigate mindfully through the Autumn towards Winter.