How To Embrace the Harvest
Close your eyes and envision yourself walking through a forest. Feel the crisp breeze blowing against your face as you soak up the forest in all its beauty. Notice the colorful leaves that crunch underneath your feet as you walk. Maybe you see some pumpkins and apples nearby. Nevertheless you keep walking, until you reach a fork in the path ahead. “Which path should I take?,” you ask the forest gently. She replies, “surrender, let go, you know the way.”
Autumn represents the element metal according to the philosophies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Human beings and nature have a symbiotic relationship. One of the fundamental principles of TCM is that we are one with nature. You are the trees, and they too are you. During autumn trees in the forest shed their leaves, guiding you to surrender and let go of what no longer serves you.
Emotional & Physical Regulation: Autumn Edition
Cycles of death and rebirth are common during this time. With these cycles, feelings of sadness, grief, and despair can be at the forefront. This is a good time to give some extra love to your lungs and large intestine. Together, these organs are major eliminators. The lungs function physically to eliminate carbon monoxide as oxygen is taken in and cycled in the body. Emotionally, the lungs are the container of grief, sorrow, and sadness. The large intestine is responsible for “letting go” of excess waste from the body and emotional waste. Imbalances and/or unprocessed emotions can transform into physical illnesses.
With the outdoor temperature cooling, it is supportive to the body to incorporate warming foods. This is a time for broths and soups with an abundance of vegetables that are steamed or boiled. Grounding, root vegetables that are vibrant in color (red, purple, brown, yellow, orange) as well as local, seasonal produce assists the functioning of the lungs and large intestine. Pungent foods like garlic and horseradish are beneficial as well in the transition to the fall.
Which path is the forest guiding you this harvest season? Let me know in the comments below.