It’s hard to believe it’s already the end of September! If you aren’t quite ready for it to be fall, have no fear: there’s a fifth season in Chinese medicine, late summer, that gives us a little buffer zone.
“Late summer” roughly corresponds to harvest season: it’s the time of year when things are cooling off at night, but it’s warm during the day, the leaves are mostly still green, and the crop fields are producing like mad.
I’ll have to admit, when I learned that Chinese medicine has five seasons, and that one of them was “late summer,” it seemed like a bit of a stretch – contrived, perhaps, to match the five elements and five organ systems used in Chinese medical theory. I mean, summer and fall are already too short, in my estimation; where exactly are you going to squeeze in a third season during those months?
And, yet, here we are. It’s definitely not summer any more, but things are still green, and still growing much more than they’re dying off. Winter still feels a long way away. I’m realizing this time of year does, in fact, have a flavor all its own.
In Chinese medicine, late summer is associated with the Earth element. On a physical level, this means food, eating, and all the processes of digestion. Emotionally, this element speaks to nourishing ourselves and nurturing others. It’s a good time of year to start coming down from the more kinetic energy of summer, enjoy the abundance of food available, and focus on nourishing ourselves, our lives, and the people we love.
Some Advice for the Season:
Cook and Eat: The cooler weather is more inspiring for cooking, and it’s getting dark around dinnertime, anyway, so we’re less distracted. Plus, there’s a ton of great, fresh food to be had. For some simple, seasonal recipes, try the link below.
Take care of your lovies: The Earth element brings feelings of sympathy and nurturing, so go ahead and express it. Do something extra-kind for someone, listen a little longer, cook them a meal. People tend to feel a little more needy this time of year. They’ll appreciate it.
Look after your needs, too. Many of us dive into new schedules and projects in the fall. As you’re planning your new routine, pay attention to what you’re hungry for in your life. More adventure? More support? More fun time with friends? A better sleep schedule? Find ways to feed these things. Even a tiny change in the right direction can help you feel more nourished and more optimistic about the coming seasons.
Take a little break. We tend to run around a lot in the summer, which makes prefect sense; and we tend to dig in and start working hard in the fall, which is also appropriate. Use this transition time to take a tiny breather in between: a day trip, a weekend of just hanging out, a mini meditation or yoga retreat, or just a week where you let yourself off the hook for getting anything done outside of work.
Make some good plans for the fall and winter. People can start feeling bummed this time of year — it’s getting darker, and it’s hard to leave behind the warmth and fun of summertime. Make a few plans to look forward to: book a vacation, start planning a dinner party, stock up on books and movies, get a new pair of cross-country skis to get you out of the house, or whatever works for you.
Have an acupuncture tune-up if you’re feeling out of sorts, depressed, or excessively tired. A treatment at the change of the seasons can help you make the transition more easily, and give you a much-needed boost.