The Wisdom of Late Summer in Chinese Medicine
Transitions are hard…especially when we’ve worked in our comforts of safety. The thing is though, life is always moving forward and as the saying goes, “The Only Constant in Life is Change”. So, how do we help ourselves adapt to constant change, especially when occupying cyclical bodies?
Chinese Medicine offers us an anchor point to return to over and over again in order to help us transition with a bit more ease. Within the 5 Element/Phase Theory 五行 Wǔxíng, we have Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. In many traditions, the Earth element is placed in the center as this serves as a resource for the other elements to transition into one another.
Each element, representing a major season, dips into the Earth element in order to help bring us forward into the next season. Earth represents the Late Summer season but also all of the in-between times between the major seasons.
Let’s explore this a little bit more…
Late Summer (The Doyo) - All About Transitions
At the center, Earth represents the transition between the major seasons. The eighteen days before the beginning of each major season is known as a Doyo period, where the seasonal Qi dips into the Earth for resourcing. During these periods of transition, the Earth organs (spleen, stomach, and pancreas) are more susceptible to health issues, reminding us of the importance of dietary habits to support digestion. Maintaining digestive harmony during the Doyo period is essential, and moderation and simplicity are emphasized.
According to Chapter 29 of the Classical Chinese Medicine text, Huang di Nei Jing Su Wen: “The spleen, that is the soil. It governs the center. Throughout the four seasons, it tends the four depots. In each [season] it is entrusted with government for eighteen days.”
The Doyo Period symbolizes the bridge between all things, highlighting the significance of nurturing ourselves both physically and emotionally while moving through change. You can read more about the Doyo Period here.
Something to get curious about is how well you do with transitions in general.
How much time and space do you need to go from inside of our house to outside? How does your body adapt to sudden temperature changes in your environment? How about when there is a sudden change in plans? Asking yourself how well you do with transitions can give you insights into how your Earth element is doing.
Late Summer and the Earth Element
As the yang energy of summer mellows into a softer, more contemplative mood, we find ourselves in the transitional phase of Late Summer that will eventually welcome us into the Autumn season. Late Summer corresponds to the Earth element in Chinese Medicine, and like Earth, it represents abundance, stability, comfort, and nourishment. This season bridges the expansive, fiery days of Summer and the introspective crisp, cool days of Autumn. Earth energy encourages us to digest our experiences and ground ourselves. We gather our harvest and gently start to draw inward, much like how the Earth itself provides a stable idea of home and comfort - a safe haven to evaluate and appreciate what we have.
What is here?
How did it get here?
How does the abundance feel?
Is there enough?
Is there too much?
How am I digesting my experiences?
Supporting Your Body in Times of Dampness and Humidity
The time between Summer and Autumn is often hot and humid. The Late Summer season is characterized by dampness and humidity. Things are slowing down from the peak heat of summer as this yang heat starts to dip into the yin side of the year. The Earth element provides a sort of fertile dampness to allow for growth + nourishment, but too much dampness can also give rise to excessive moisture in our bodies. This can manifest as bloating, sluggish digestion, and an overall feeling of heaviness. Understanding these qualities can help us make dietary and lifestyle choices that support our well-being during this season and through all transitions in general.
To support ourselves, we can focus on supporting the Earth element of our bodies which is our Digestion. We can turn to the wisdom of seasonal eating. If we’re focusing on fertile soil, we need it to be moist but also full of aeration to allow for movement. The energetic foods that are best during this time of year focus on transforming dampness and tonifying digestive Qi. These qualities can be found in very simple dishes made from root vegetables, grains, and squashes. Cooked and warm foods are a better option than raw or cold foods, as they are easier to digest and won’t snuff out your digestive vigor. Aromatic spices like ginger and cinnamon can help dispel dampness and bring more warmth to the body.
Digestion is not only about food. It’s also about how we’re digesting all of life’s experiences.
Are we taking on too much?
Are we not digesting at all?
Are things stuck?
Are we feeling nourished, under or over-nourished from our experiences?
Digestive & Emotional Health
Late Summer's energy can have a profound impact on our digestive system. Common issues like bloating, indigestion, and food stagnation can arise during this time. To maintain balance, we can practice mindful eating. By chewing your food thoroughly and consciously, you initiate the digestive process in your mouth, making it easier for your stomach to do its job. Eating in a relaxed, stress-free, non-rushed environment, free from distractions, further supports digestion.
Late Summer invites us to consider the emotional realm of digestion. Just as the Earth element governs the organs responsible for digestion, it also influences our capacity to process emotions. Accepting, metabolizing, and processing emotions during this season is essential for maintaining digestive health. Emotions, much like food, need proper time for integration, as suppressing or neglecting them can lead to stagnation. Emotions can mirror and manifest into physical symptoms like digestive issues. Late Summer encourages us to approach our emotional well-being with the same mindfulness and care we apply to the things we eat and take in.
The Vagus Nerve and Digestion
The Vagus nerve, known as the "wandering nerve," plays a significant role in regulating many bodily functions, including digestion. It runs from the brain through the body, touching and influencing various organs along the way. The state in which your body receives food is important in how well you digest it. Some great ways to promote relaxation and bring tone to the Vagus nerve before eating are:
Pausing to take a few deep breaths
Massaging the ears
Humming/singing while cooking or preparing your meal
Lessons from Late Summer
The Earth Element and Late Summer's grounding influence help us to move through all transitions more smoothly by anchoring into Digestion. They teach us the value of grounding ourselves in the present moment, appreciating what we have, nurturing our bodies and souls, and finding harmony within ourselves.
They teach us about capacity.
How much can we actually hold? How much do we actually need? Are we taking in too much or too little? Is our home comfortable and breezy? Or is it empty and barren? Is there a lot of clutter that is overbearing?
Overall, we hope that the Late Summer season and the Earth element remind you of the abundance that surrounds you and the feeling of being powerful as a small reflection of the Earth. You are worthy and you belong.
Here are some tips to help support you move through Doyo periods of any kind:
Mealtime as a sacred practice: Be present and connect with your food as you’re preparing your meals of nourishment.
Your Body & Digestive organs thrive on consistency: Eat at regular intervals.
Seasonal Root Vegetables: To deeply nourish your Earth element & digestion, be sure to enjoy root vegetables when they are in season.
Enjoy warm, cooked, and simple meals: Think about enjoying simple meals that are well-cooked during these transition times to ease the burden on your digestive system. Think about porridge, soups, and stews.
Minimize triggering foods: And also avoid too many sugary, refined, or heavy foods.
Eat Slow Carbohydrates: Whole grains are a great earth-element-friendly food that helps to not only nourish Qi but also the “sweet” flavor of grains to build blood. Enjoy grains that come from your ancestry and work well with your unique body.
Earth Element Qigong: Use your own body’s qi to strengthen your Earth element and Digestion. Here is one of our favorites.
Massage Your Belly: Here’s a great practice shared by 8 Branches to help warm and boost digestive function.
Get Acupuncture: Be sure to book your maintenance appointments every Doyo period to help strengthen your digestive system and also get herbs if needed.
- Written by Sam & Kris - The Way of Yin Team