Elements and the Seasons
For those expressing greater interest in developing more of a relationship with nature, I offer a brief introduction to the elements through the lens of the seasons and traditional medicine. We often think that connecting with nature requires communicating with animals or spending time in a forest. Those, of course, are beautiful ways to be in relationship with nature, but we often overlook the nature that we are and our relationship with our own bodies. We often prefer not to listen when different choices would deepen that relationship. The elements provide a practical and poetic exploration of the bio intelligence within, nurturing our bodies and our spirit in ways that build momentum for our self healing and the unfolding of our dreams.
I wanted to share something about the transition of the elements that we are experiencing now. How we incorporate this change into our lives has a potentiating impact on our health and well being. This impact may not be noticed immediately, but the choices we make in the coming weeks prepares us for the coming seasons and the year ahead. Our capacity to meet life fully deepens as we nurture ourselves through this seasonal change.
We are in a very important transition from summer/fire to autumn/metal assisted by late summer/earth. This is the transition from a predominant expression of yang energy into yin energy. The willingness to begin to turn inwards creates the capacity to traverse the winter with your full creativity emerging in the spring. The “middle season”, earth herself, shepherds this transition by providing the fruits of the growing season to soften the holding on as we begin to let go of all that is complete or no longer aligned. She reminds us we that we have always had everything we ever needed and that it is safe to release what no longer serves to make room for and evolve with what is in alignment with your next steps. It is time to slow down, turn inward, reflect on your bounty. Receive fully all that has arrived, recognize what is precious and let go of what no longer serves to make room for rest, rejuvenation, and eventual rebirth.
This letting go requires fully appreciating the preciousness of all that you love, of all the experiences that offer you choice and expansion, and all that you are -just as you are. No striving here. The push of the summer quietens, bringing the invitation to notice and listen. It is a time when what remains as you let go is a gathering of treasures and resources. The truths you have come to from the exploration of rebirth in the spring and the discovery of togetherness in the summer all producing ripe fruit to fill your belly with goodness and nourish all of you, now descends and is stored in the seeds of winter ready to inform all you create when the days lengthen again. Without this cultivation or allowance of yin, you will not have the fluids to carry you forward. Grief looses its interdependence with what is precious becoming imbalanced and your lungs are challenged. Dryness instead of nourishment of the waters pervades perception.
Metal is the gift of awe and inspiration. It is the impulse of the heavens that will be received by earth to anchor more love in our home. It defines our relationship with our divinity and our sovereignty. It is the rhythm of in-breath and out-breath informing our nervous system that letting go is met with receiving what is new and next and when honored, fills us with potential and innate value. It generates self worth. Metal teaches us that we are precious. It is also the element of humility. No one is greater than another and all are needed to be the sustaining light of this world. Metal is the time of our greatest creative potential. Watch how the leaves fall from the trees to create life from the soil. The organs associated with metal are the Lungs and the Colon.
The earth body and our bodies and the elements are changing. But what remains is the movement of life itself and how we meet this gift with unlimited potential. We have access to this wonder through the physicality, seen and unseen, of our senses. We have access to our unique grid of lights that create the structure of this potential through the touching points found within and without our bodies. I am sharing a couple of these points for this season for both support and inspiration .
Abundant Splendor, is a point on the stomach meridian (40) located half way down your leg just to the outside of your shin bone over the first muscle. This light holds the reminder of the true abundance of life, the illusion of lack, and the ability to distribute this abundance to wherever it is needed so that all aspects of your body and spirit have enough. This point is associated with the Earth element and late summer. We have just moved into autumn but the support of this light softens the holding when release is called for.
Cloud Gate, Lung 2 is located in the depression just below the clavicle in from of the shoulder. This point disperses the clouds when heaviness engulfs you to give you a glimpse of the vastness of who you are and what lies beyond the grief. It reminds you of your own preciousness and the preciousness of others. This point reconnects us to our own inner light.
Very Great Abyss, Lung 9 is located on the crease of the wrist at the base of the thumb. This point lifts us up from despair, revives our spirit and reconnects us to a greater source of love and security. Resolves phlegm, stops coughing, strengthens lungs.
Joining of the Valleys, Large Intestine 4 is located in the angle formed between where the thumb and first finger join on the hand. This point empowers us to let go of what no longer serves on all levels.
Sharing the work of Lorie Dechar - The Bach Flower Remedy, Rock Water is used to support the metal when “creativity and enjoyment of life are diminished by rigid attitudes, restrictive discipline and unrealistic ideals”. The essential oil Frankincense “is an oil with profound spiritual wisdom that supports the Metal element in receiving the inspiration of the divine”.
Homeopathic Ignatia is used for shock and grief.
Now, immerse yourself in our natural world. It is the perfect time to choose a sit spot, an indigenous practice to be relational with life, reflect and quieten your mind. Watch the clouds. They change quickly now and it is said that Autumn is the exiting of the heavens. Letting go of excess and storing the bounty regenerates life. Watch the birds. Did you know the small chickadee is busy now hiding seeds and actually grows its brain by 30% remembering where to find it’s treasures.
Thank you for the treasure that you are and for your time spent with the deepening of yin.
