Introduction: A defining supposition in Chinese Medicine is that the human is part of nature, and in order to be healthy we must live in accordance with nature. In Chinese Medicine Theory, each season is associated with an element, an organ pair, a root emotion, and their own energetics described in terms of yin and yang. In the human, yin corresponds to structure whereas yang corresponds to function. In nature, yin corresponds to the cold whereas yang corresponds to heat. Yin contracts, yang expands, and so on...
According to the "5 Phase Theory" of Chinese Medicine, there are 5 seasons, not four. Autumn comes after an additional season called "late summer" (the false fall that some of us may have noticed in late August-September in the northern hemisphere). During late summer, the Yang hot expansive energy of summer begins to dissipate. By the time autumn rolls around, the energetics are described as "gathering yin". Yin gathers as we go inward, and you may have less of a desire to go out and socialize, and may instead opt to stay in and watch a movie. I'm here to tell you that that is not only okay, but natural and healthy to feel that way. It indicates that your body is harmonized and aligned with the flow of nature.
I've seen a lot of patients with self described "seasonal affective disorder", who get "depressed" when summer ends- when the suns rays have dimmed- and not to negate that experience, I sometimes wonder if they've truly embraced the change in season, which is reflected in all of our bodies. The root emotion of Autumn and the season's corresponding organs- the Lung and Large Intestine pair- is actually grief. When in balance, grief is not necessarily a bad thing. It is an experience in the process of letting go. In Chinese Medicine, the Lung is how we get inspired (quite literally inspiring air, but also metaphorically), and the Large Intestine is how we let things go (literally excretion, but some of you may have also experienced emotional constipation). When these organs aren't functioning optimally, we may struggle with the process of getting inspired and letting go.
Autumn is also the beginning of flu season, and in Chinese Medicine the Lungs are our first line of defense from external pathogens. The Lungs descend and diffuse defensive Qi (energy) through the body and between the skin and flesh, specifically. Some of you may notice that during this time of year your joints and muscles start to get stiff, your nose stars to run, and maybe you won't catch the flu but your throat is scratchy and these symptoms take a while to remit, if at all. If this speaks to you at all, its time to try acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to prepare you for the seasonal transition, and to treat these aches and pains.
Its time to start living in accordance with nature, for your health. For some of you, this may also mean listening to what your ancestors taught you. This means waking up earlier- with the Yang energizing sun, and going to sleep earlier- with the Yin calming moon. This means eating in season. This means substituting iced coffee for a warm matcha (or chai, or coffee because you can't give it up). This means wearing scarves to cover the nape of your neck and not going out with wet hair, wearing slippers/socks in the house, cooking soup with seasonal ingredients and warming spices (or if you aren't vegan, drinking bone broth!). It's Autumn, and its time to get inspired and get invested in ourselves.
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