October takes us deeper into fall: the light dims, the temperatures change, and nature continues its process of slowing down and turning inward.
In Chinese medicine, fall corresponds to the Metal element and the Lungs: a time for gathering, breathing, refocusing, and preserving what is worth keeping.
The Su Wen (Chapter 2) invites us as follows: “The three months of autumn are a time of fulfillment and tranquility (…) go to bed early, rise early, in tune with the rooster’s crow, and keep your mind at peace (…) so that the Lung Qi remains clear: this is how to respond to the Qi of autumn, the path that nurtures gathering.”
Few tips to help you through this time:
Go to bed a little earlier and wake up with the first light of day, treat your lungs to simple foods that nourish and moisturize (pears, honey, almonds, carrots, leeks, turnips), make more time for mindful breathing and walks in the fresh air, keep your body warm as temperatures drop, gradually lighten your schedule, and allow yourself to slow down.
Bach Flower of the Month: Mustard
Mustard (Wild Mustard) is not strictly speaking an “autumn flower,” but it can be a fitting companion during times when the light or one’s spirits dim for no obvious reason. It is described as a remedy for sadness or melancholy that arises without apparent cause, like a cloud that momentarily darkens one’s life. In line with this season, it reminds us that it is not always necessary to fight against what we are going through, but rather to embrace it mindfully.
Take good care of yourself, gently, in tune with the rhythm of fall.
