Seasonal Node : End of Heat

Since we just experienced the hottest July on record for the North Hemisphere, it is wonderful to bring you the seasonal node that starts tomorrow on August 22nd – Chu Shu or End of Heat.

Autumn is the time of year when Yin grows. All things are moving towards the hibernation phase and many plants are being readied for harvest.  The movement of Autumn is receiving, taking in, putting away, gathering in. The names of the smaller 5-day periods of this seasonal node are very interesting and relate to this idea. The first is called "Hawks Start to Sacrifice Birds". This time of year starts the slow movements towards the death phase of nature, and many plants and animals with short life spans won’t make it to next Spring. The image of hawks harvesting or killing smaller birds fits perfectly with this image. The next two 5-day time periods are," Heaven and Earth Become Austere", and "Rice Plants Are Harvested and Presented as Offering". Just as this is the time of year for bringing things to harvest, it is also the time for us to start becoming quieter and more introspective and focus on what is really important.

To maintain health this time of year, the first traditional recommendation is early to bed, early to rise. When Yin predominates it is super important to get more sleep. In the summer less sleep is just fine. However, now that Autumn is upon us, we need to get a more rest. 

The weather pattern associated with Autumn is dryness and thus another caution during Autumn is not becoming too dry. One way we do this is through diet; now is the time to focus on less spicy, and more sour. Spicy flavors have a mild drying quality as well as a sweat promoting quality, both of which dry the body. To the contrary, sour foods are gently moistening and hold in sweat. Increasing the amount of foods such as vinegar, pickled vegetables, and fruits such as plums is appropriate to the season. Other moistening foods include milk, soymilk, and fruit juices especially apple and pear.  It is also an excellent time to dedicate a part of your day or early evening - or both if you can - on focused, deep, gentle breathing.  Keeping the breathing gentle and slow while being very present in your body.  As the earth continues to contract and dry, take time to slow down and ready for the cooler weather that’s on its way!