Fall is the season of loss and grief, of letting go of that which is no longer useful. It is also the time for keeping what’s truly valuable and breathing in the awe and beauty around us. Consequently, the organs that Chinese Medicine associates with this season are the Lung – our source of true inspiration – and the Large Intestine – our physical manifestation of letting go while saving the last of what is of value. The element for Fall is Metal, symbolizing the precision and distinctiveness that is present this time of year, palpable in the crispness of the air and the clarity of the light.
In Fall, nature begins to pull inward and withdraw from the activity and camaraderie of Summer. The plants let go of their foliage and pull their reserves back down into their roots. The fruit left on the ground begins to transform back into earth ready to nourish new growth come Spring. The animals shed summer coats and begin storing up things of worth and finding places to rest.
The energetic transition from Fall to Winter takes place at the end of October / beginning of November – around the Day of the Dead - a holiday which in some cultures is celebrated by the telling of stories about those who have died. This mirrors the Fall energetic in both honoring the deceased and preserving the valuable memories.
In Chinese Medicine, it is said that heaven recedes in the Fall, leaving us more alone and contemplative. Perhaps this is why many people have difficulty with the Summer to Fall transition. We are not taught in our culture to slow down. Often the urge to be still and “zone out” is merely our body’s way of encouraging us to balance all of our activity with an equal dose of stillness and quiet.
The more we can do to live in accordance with the seasons, the healthier we’ll be. Fall is a great time for housecleaning and simplifying life. It is a wonderful time to get outdoors for quiet, thoughtful walks and peaceful meditation amidst the beauty of the fall colors. It is a time to clarify our intentions and choose wisely what we will take with us into the dark of Winter.
In Fall, the world pauses to meditate as it transitions from the height of activity and warmth to the depth of stillness and cold. As part of nature, we are in transition too and so are more easily knocked off balance. Hence, it is good to take extra care of ourselves: eating nourishing foods, drinking plenty of water, allowing our bodies to move and stretch, and taking time to be quiet and recharge.
May the meditative quality of the season bring peace and simplicity to your life and allow you to fully appreciate the beauty both in and around you. A healthy Fall will help support us through the stillness of Winter and prepare us for surge of Spring to come.
Janice Campbell M.Ac., L.Ac., ADS is a Licensed Acupuncturist, Qigong Instructor, and co-owner of Ancient Arts Wellness, a center for healing in the heart of downtown Baltimore. [www.AncientArtsWellness.com].
