THE METAL ELEMENT – Reaching maturity as the heavenly energy cools

While young Spring is a time of birth, a more mature Autumn is the time of rebirth and renewal. This is a time to go within and assess what is not working in your life. The emphasis this season is on letting go and releasing what may be weighing us down and keeping us from reaching our highest potential. We must be light and ready to move where Mother Nature’s wind takes us.

We’ve long been aware of the connection between humans and nature – we share a relationship that is both interdependent and interconnected.

 EARTH,  WATER,  WOOD,  FIRE,  METAL

 These are the five elements that represent everything from a small emotion to a large and destructive tornado. The Five Element theory is the backbone of Chinese medicine and philosophy. Each element within this dynamic cycle manifests through a season, an emotion, a taste, a feeling, etc.

The Metal element is birthed from Fire and the season of Late Summer. It is the mother of Water and Winter. Seasonally, these three months are the pivoting point when active Yang turns into its counter passive Yin phase. Metal correlates to the energetic Yin Yang marriage of two important organs: Lung (Yin) and Large Intestine (Yang).*

EMBODIMENTS OF THE METAL ELEMENT

NUTRITION ENERGETICS OF AUTUMN

Pungent flavors are beneficial to the Lung Qi during Autumn. They are said to “generate the lung” when used in moderation. 

WIND-COLD FIGHTING DECOCTION

• 1/2 tsp of ginger (steeped or juiced
• 1/2 clove garlic (minced or juiced)
• 1/2 tsp scallions, chopped
• 1 tsp raw honey  

MORE WAYS TO BE IN TUNE WITH METAL

Music has the ability to invoke positive feelings and the power to control our mood, we put together a Spring playlist to listen to when you’re feeling stressed, stuck or irritable.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Retire with the sunset and arise with dawn

• A time for harvesting-Gather your spirit and Qi, if you’re mind has been running wild it’s time to call it back in and focus

• Find your inner peace

• Breathing exercises, allow yourself to feel the breath moving in & out (lung has its opening in the nose and connects with the throat)

*When discussing organs through a Traditional Chinese Medicine lens we are referring to the energetic function of the organ, as opposed to the literal organ itself.