Autumn: The Season of Metal
In Chinese Medicine, Autumn is the season of the metal element.
In this blog, Clinic Director, Kate, discussed the importance and relevance of this wonderful time of year for your health, wellness and natural beauty. And what you can do to stay Happy, Healthy and Well.
Anyone who lives in the countryside or who understands anything about farming or has even a vague interest in matters of the earth will know that Autumn is the season of the Harvest. It is the time of year when we reap what we planted earlier in the year during Spring. Undeniably, is a wonderful time of year when the colours change brilliantly all around us. The sky is at its bluest against the myriad of different leaf colours, from gold to red and everything in between. The air is cooler and drier; and somehow everything seems more defined, both literally and metaphoriocally.
And this is the main theme of my blog. I want to share with you the beauty of Chinese Medicine philosophy. Moreover, how it provides a seasonal context to the way we should be caring for our skin and our bodies, our minds and our spiritual wellbeing.
A Time of Transition
To me, Autumn has always felt as if a new year is beginning. The Summer is at an end, the children are back at school and everybody returns to our more structured way of life. This is the perfect time to breathe deeply and appreciate the beauty of a changing natural world and reflect on what has passed. By reflecting on the past, we give ourselves an opportunity to let go of the memories, behaviours and thought patterns which have not served us well. And learn from them. Learning from what has gone on – the good, the bad and the indifferent – is an effective way of transitioning to a new way of behaving, thinking and being.
In other words, we remember the past year and we examine our lives. We can take a look at the good things we choose to nourish. As well as examining without judgement the negative or destructive habits and behaviors we want to move away from. In doing so, creating a strategy for moving forward with our health, happiness, wealth and relationships.
Clear the Clutter and Make Preparations
It is a time of year we reap what we have sewn in our lives as well as what we planted in the soil! By being fit, healthy and balanced during the seasons of growth and abundance, we are able to move smoothly into more challenging times with energy and resilience. Autumn reminds us that flexibility and adaptability are crucial for staying healthy and balanced during the winter months ahead. It may resonate with you when I say that during Autumn I have a natural instinct to prepare for the challenges of winter! By working hard to complete unfinished to-do lists, clearing away clutter and storing food I somehow feel more in control. I also turn my thoughts to making sure that I am physically and emotionally prepared for the cold, dark months to come. For people who suffer from Season Affective Disorder, this is particularly important.
The Metal Season
As mentioned, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Autumn is the season of the Metal element.
Metal reflects our most fundamental values and beliefs. Namely deep and meaningful questions like “Who am I?” “What is my purpose?” “What is my legacy?”. One analogy is that of precious metal found deep within a mountain. People who have an affinity to the Metal element are drawn to examine these core issues. But even if you do not personally have a particular affinity to Metal, during Autumn, you may well find that feel drawn to ask yourself these kind of questions!
Metal energy is drawn to beauty, symmetry and purity. As I mentioned earlier, everything seems more defined in Autumn and this is potentially because we are more attuned to our surroundings.
The emotion connected with Metal is “grief” or “sadness”. We have said goodbye to the bright and breezy times of Summer and are preparing for a darker and more introspective time that is to come. It is no conicidence that the direction connected to Metal is the West; the direction of the setting sun.
“Metal connects us with the ability to let go of the past and create the space for the new.”
Take Care of Your Lungs
Internal organs connected with the Metal element are the paired Zang Fu (“organs”) of Lungs and Large Intestine. Practitioners of TCM will know these to be associated with the functions of “letting go” and “receiving”. Obviously, it is common for people to be more vulnerable to coughs, colds, sinus issues and bronchial infections and these are literally illnesses of the Lungs. Spores in the air, as well as the colder winds cause stress to our immune reserves, making it a good time to support the immune system with herbs and supplements. As the temperature drops, it is important to keep your lungs warm by wrapping up your shoulders and neck. Give your immune system a boost by eating warming foods such as ginger, garlic, spices and horseradish. And keep damp at bay with apples, beetroot and nettle tea.
Interestingly, skin is the tissue associated with the Lung. So, if you want to have healthy, clear, wrinkle-free skin, it’s important to take care of the Lung and the Large Intestine! And of course, get regular nourishing antioxidant rich facials to protect your skin from the wind and central heating systems!
In conventional medicine, the Lungs and the Large Intestine do not have alot in common with each other, as one is involved with respiration and the other with digestion. However, Traditional Chinese Medicine views things energetically rather then purely physically. In simple terms, the bowel is the organ of elimination. And only when the body is cleansed of toxic matter can it receive the more refined energy brought in by its partner, the Lung.
Breathe
Now to expand a little more on my earlier point about breathing deeply. I love the notion that by breathing deeply we not only create space for clean air by exhaling stale air, we are also exhaling thoughts, beliefs and emotions which are no longer helpful to us.
In the context of Chinese Medicine emotional and spiritual perspectives, our Lungs balance the ability to yield and demand. To give and take. To hold on and let go. It follows that when the Lung energy is out of balance, order and discipline are rigidly maintained, the emotions are kept under tight control, rules and routines become inflexible, and the body begins to stiffen up. You might begin to relate to this!
Tips to Stay Happy, Healthy and Naturally Beautiful during the Metal Season
- Get Organised! Focus on what you have accomplished rather than fretting about all the work that remains to be done.
- Write It Down! Congratulate for finishing a few items on your list each day.
- Let It Go! Reflect on the past, and let go of unwanted thoughts.
- Meditate, Relax! Take a few moments each day to do nothing except, just be.
- Practice Yoga/Pilates! Stretch and nourish your muscles. Strengthen the Lungs, increase energy, still the mind, and lift the spirits.
- Look after your skin! With a regular nourishing antioxidant rich facials to protect your skin from the wind and central heating systems!
- Cleanse Your Body! Eat clean foods and cut out refined sugar.
- Drink Water! As Autumn is associated with dryness, it is very important to hydrate by drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of fresh water daily. Water also bulks the foods in our Large Intestine and promotes healthier bowel movements.
Makes sense doesn’t it!
More Information
If you would like more information on how we can help you with your wellness and natural beauty needs during this beautful Metal Season, please get in touch.
Kate x
