Where we were focused on gratitude and savoring the things we receive in late summer, in autumn our attention turns to separating the wheat from the chaff: letting that chaff go, and feeling the lightness of dropping what we don’t need.
I believe we are all alive at this time on purpose. As lottery-random as life can seem, I think there's a sort of magic underlying each event, large & small, from birth to death and beyond.
Basically, we all deserve to be here, in these bodies, at this time, on this planet. There's nothing to be earned with that, it simply is.
Some ideas that have been reinforced for me during this intense era are slowing down, appreciating life, and going within to find stillness and replenish.
There are an extreme amount of meaningful external and internal events at play, changing every day, flooding our consciousness. Many people want to help, to heal, to offer whatever they can to support things that align with their desires and visions of a better world. That is a wonderful impulse!
It can be difficult to ascertain the best places for our energy, where we can do the most good for everyone.
As we approach Autumn, I ask that you examine what you're harvesting for yourself:
What resources do you need to do the work you intend to do?
How can you best prepare for yourself so that you can show up for others without compromising your integrity (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually)?
What patterns, ideas or people can be released from your life to bring more harmony and less stress through changing and challenging times?
Where are you ready to receive and where does receiving feel difficult?
Start with you. Specifically, your breath and your skin.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine Autumn corresponds with the metal element which has a lot to do with minerals and air, the large intestine, the skin, the lungs and our breath.
The internal organs are much more than physical structures in the TCM view. They are complex systems also involving aspects of the mind, emotions and spirit. Not only does each organ have a physiological function, it has functions at the invisible level of vital energy, or Qi. Each organ is uniquely related to a body tissue, a sense organ, emotion, taste, sound, climate, and a direction. These qualities are organized in the Theory of Five Elements. This ancient system provides TCM practitioners with a framework to understand, diagnose and treat health problems.
The large intestine and the lungs, what powerful eliminators these two are!
As the large intestine eliminates what is unnecessary or toxic from our bodies, the metal element suggests that we do the same on a mental and spiritual level.
As our lungs take in the cool Autumn air, the metal element encourages us to receive fresh energy (chi). Our breathing is an enormous part of our life and can be of such great service. While there are myriad apps available to assist in good breathing & meditation there are also immediate and simple ways we can work with our breath.
Get in touch with your breath, get curious about where the air flows in your body, in the center of You. Breathe slowly, calmly, exhale fully, focus on this until it feels natural.
As the summery haze dissipates and a clear Autumn crispness takes over we can use this purity of air to help us discern what needs to be eliminated and what is most precious for our winter months ahead.
As metals nourish the earth and create suitable soils for growth, so too can the metal element help us understand our self worth. The metal element urges us to acknowledge the accomplishments & successes of the year that we reap in this season. We will need our self worth intact to decide what holds true value and is in alignment with us.
For your skin, research dry brushing to remove the old and welcome the new. The skin is the body’s largest organ, take great care by applying lotion suitable for your skin type every day over all of it!
So, how’s your inner metal holding up?
Have you noticed yourself seeking respect & recognition from others?
Feeling a general lack of worth within yourself?
Do you identify your worth with the things you have (achievements, attachments, collections, possessions, attitudes … dwelling places & popular things therein, your career)?
Trouble letting any of that go?
Well friend, TCM is here to help!
1. Clear the Clutter: donate or sell your stuff, whatever doesn’t actually feel like it’s yours (get honest)
2. Use Metal to check your Mentality: examine your attitudes (from prejudice to resentment). If you’re holding onto baggage about other people this is an excellent time to try resolving those issues with folks or let those feelings about others GO. * magic tip: I like to write these contentions on paper & burn-release them. If you’re in an area sensitive to fire, you can bury them to decompose-release them.
3. Breathe & write: breathe, breathe differently, breathe longer. Think briefly on who you are, or could be without those attachments you’ve been working to resolve. Write that down. If writing isn’t your thing, consider recording your voice, moving your body, singing, playing an instrument; the point is the Processing of these ideas.
TCM Autumn release & nourish points
Tsubo points are the potent places along the organ meridian lines that help to sort of unlock blocked chi, they can free-up or slow down chi in the body. They are utilized to bring your energy into harmonious flow. When you access these points with the right pressure you will probably feel a different sensation than you would in the surrounding skin & muscle tissue.
Once the point is located you can use a finger to massage it in a gentle, circular motion. Oftentimes, tsubo points can be slightly tender.
To strengthen the lungs, it’s highly encouraged to pair these acupressure techniques with breathwork. Do 2-3 rounds of breath through the nose using a long smooth inhale and making a point to find a slightly longer smooth exhale.
Be gentle with yourself, if the feeling of activating a tsubo point moves from intense sensation into pain then back off immediately.
To get you started on Autumn clearing, here are some tsubo points, a quick summary of their mental lessons and their location:
L(Lung)7 : ease in letting go & grieving : find this by joining your hands between the thumb and forefinger. Your index finger should be resting along the radius bone. The tip of your index finger will come to rest in a small notch between two tendons which lie on top of the styloid process.
L9 : purify the old so it doesn’t taint the new: on your wrist crease, just below your thumb.
L1 : get to the core of the quality within you: On the chest, just below the outside center of the clavicle, in the space between the first and second ribs. This point is typically tender to the touch.
Li (Large Intestine)20 : breathe in pure, new inspiration: the last point on the large intestine meridian, located at the outside base of each nostril, just outside the widest part of the nose.
There are so many things outside of our control, it can feel overwhelming at times. For now, our air is free and we have a choice in how we breathe and how we take care of our skin. A great self care practice allows us to show up more fully to each of life's challenges and opportunities for joy.
Live full!
Emily Ball LMT RMT
*Disclaimer: the blog Big Magic, Fun Wisdom, Healing Touch by Emily Ball is meant to be uplifting, educational and fun, and is in no way intended to replace any medical advice from your primary care physician, acupuncturist, physical therapist, psychotherapist, psychologist, counselor or any other qualified medical specialist in whose care you are under. If you’ve read this blog and have questions, contact me.
© 2021 Emily Ball, All Rights Reserved
Further reading:
https://www.bigtreehealing.com/harmonize-with-the-seasons/
https://mendacupuncture.com/path-to-letting-go/
http://www.5elements.com/docs/elements/metal.html