Autumnal Equinox 2025

   The Autumnal Equinox is quickly approaching - only a few mere days away. It came quickly because the Late Summer season is so short - spanning somewhere between the beginning of August and towards the end of September. Yet it prepares us to slow down from the action of Summer and embrace the harvest of Autumn/Fall,

   I also hesitated to start the Fall section because yesterday it was 85 degrees farenheit here! Which is pretty much unheard of in late September. And also because the beginning of September was unusually chilly. I can't say cold because the folks who love cold and Winter will be upon me in a flash! But yes it was an unexpected shift - especially when one was looking forward to enjoying the last few days of Summer/Late Summer. I must confess that I was tempted to pop the heat on at night just to take the chill off the house.

   With that it got me to thinking that we might have another cold winter - with that September chill being a harbinger of things to come. And then slowly it became more moderate and then of course yesterday very very warm! 

   Last winter was the coldest Winter we've had in ten years. Of course it was a winter where I had some work so I was bundled up in my heavy coat on top of corporate clothing whereas the previous mild winters I was home by the fire in my wood burning stove. And yes I do remember last October how it suddenly became cold in a flash as though Winter were here.

   I thought about that again - wondering if this October would be like this as well and then came across the Farmers Almanac, which was predicting a white Halloween. We actually had a white Halloween here after Hurricane Sandy hit. And of course we had no power. However had that cold front hit just a few day earlier Sandy would have been pushed out to sea or lessened in strength. Such devastation from such an unusual storm.

   And speaking of hurricanes I hate to jinx it because hurricane season is not over yet - but we have not had a major hurricane this year yet. Alot of very bad smaller storms with lots of flooding and destruction. Watching the patterns on television the storms have been going out to sea and giving us some rain and rip currents on the fringes.

   So it is an unusual season for sure. Good to watch trends and patterns. But also to be prepared for the seasons as they change and be aware of how it can place some stress on our bodies and health. And not only to be mindful but to eat properly and rest when appropriate and to prepare for the Winter season ahead.

   Of course there is a natural slowing down as the light begins to fade in early sunsets and later sunrises. We reflect on what we have done, reflecting, but also taking steps towards the future from what we have learned. Harvesting that which no longer belongs - toxic situations and unfortunate incidents.

   For nutrition we begin to eat foods that produce more heat - such as soups and stews - but healthy soups and stews - being careful not to have chemicals and toxins and salt in our food but cooked fresh with fresh ingredients.  

   It's funny because I automatically start finishing up projects outdoors that need to be done. The final trimming of the bushes out front and pruning back branches that seem to be  growing towards the house too closely and getting last minute things done. As always I am struggling to trim back the ivy to keep it from over taking all the beds but with an emphasis now because soon it will be too cold to be too effective outdoors. And no I am not a wimp - I often hike in the Catskills in November when the temperature is 25 degrees.

   I also find myself stocking up on supplies and over the counter herbs and syrups for any Winter ailments. Also because strangely enough even simply every day items can be hard to come by in the middle of winter.

   So stock up, prepare and reflect. And harvest that which does not belong but cherish the warmth of those around you.

Be well,

Maery

Late Summer - A Time of Reflection

 Dawn at Montauk, NY

   It's that time again when Summer reaches its full height - with record breaking temperatures soaring into heat indices of 105 - 126 degrees across the country - and then suddenly it breaks as a cold front comes through. Temperatures plunge down to 64 degrees and storms move across the country. Heavy rains, flooding, lightning, trees down. We were spared in my area but other parts of the Island were severely flooded.

   There was already a sense of Late Summer onsetting despite the heat, for after the Dog Days of late July you get a sense of change coming. Days are getting a bit shorter and cooler temperatures will start to arrive, but not until Summer and the Sun give their last gasp of a few more heat waves. Until gradually Late Summer will transition into Fall.

   So it's a time of reflection - what have we done or accomplished over the last few months. And where do we go from here.

   Of course Late Summer is a 5th season that exists only in Chinese lore, so for most of us we consider this time to still be Summer. But nevertheless you can feel a shift. Summer has reached its peak.

   Late Summer of course is related to the element of Earth, which is more grounding than the robust Fire we have just come through. It is also the time of harvest so there is plenty of rich produce available in the stores and on the many farm stands that dot the Island on both the north and south shores.

   The organs or body systems related to Earth are the stomach and the spleen. The stomach to do with nourishment and digestion - and the spleen helps to distribute the energy from foods through the body. Often, if out of balance, stomach viruses and upset appear during this time. Your stomach will ache and you will think it is something you ate. It is just more sensitive at this time.

   The throat and the mouth are also under the influence of Earth and the color associated with this time is yellow, also very earthy in its nature. With this being the time of harvest one would naturally tend toward fruits and vegetables in their diet but also start building towards the Fall diet to come so to include more protein than in Spring and Summer.

   No matter what any transition from one season to another can be taxing, so it is important to take care of oneself by eating well and getting the proper rest. I know for myself I make an effort to continue to spend as much time outdoors in nature as I can because I know all too soon it will be too cold to be outdoors too long. Last year there was an abrupt shift early in the Fall - in October - where I had to turn the heat on in the house way before I usually do. I take long walks especially by the water, or sit in the yard, and cleaning up all the summer projects outdoors that are not finished yet - like trimming and weeding and seeing what areas need new seed for next year.

   It's a bit wistful this season, which only deepens in the Fall so I spend quiet time in meditation. It's been a good Summer with many new adventures and seeing friends old and new - so I have no complaints.

   I hope each of you finds your own sense of contentment.

   Be well

Maery

 Summer Solstice Returns

Dawn at Orange Lake

   Listen to the wind and rain.......

   One would hardly know that the Summer Solstice is but a few days away. Yes the light has increased and the days are getting longer. And in the photograph above the morning light is that translucent pale yellow accentuated by the darkness of the mountains and the lake still rising towards daylight - yet even the birds are awake and floating on the calm surface.,, 

   But it's the cool air and the days of rain that confuse us making us doubt the seasons altogether. Some kind of strange mystery. It is June after all. The increase of light and Spring made us shed the winter toxins and we eagerly embraced the sunlight. Except temperatures would fall sometimes 30 degrees at night making our bodies feel like winter has somehow returned albeit briefly.

   It is challenging enough to change with the seasons throughout the year, but this confusion of the seasons and the cool, wet temperatures make it even moreso. A few days of sunshine and we are back into Summer mode until cool air returns. So it is even more important to stay rested and balanced and eating a healthy diet so to be able to flow with these extreme changes.

   I find myself on the cooler days craving soups and tea for warmth, but then returning to the fresh fruits and vegetables once it warms again. And getting plenty of rest. When your body tells you to rest you should rest, and be active when you have the energy to do so.

   Either way Summer will be here and we do have to shift into the season. Summer is expressed through the element of Fire and the color Red so yes that indicates action and energy, energy that must be used. The climate of course would be heat and the smell would be scorched. But Summer also has many dual aspects. For example the emotions with Summer are a mixture of Joy and Sorrow - so things can go from one extreme to the other and so it is important to recognize that things can shift and change and stay on an even keel when it comes to the emotions. The organs affected by Summer are also a dual nature - to do with both the Heart and the Small Intestine. So it is important to stay "cool" in some respects to Summer - not getting too hot. To get nourishment from our food we need a properly functioning small intestine. Without that it can lead to an imbalance in the blood, which can also affect the heart. Imagine the importance of everything flowing smoothly through all the organs and systems in the body.

   It's almost impossible to go through all the nuances of these facets to do with the season, so you can always scroll down to previous articles below over the years.

   But getting back to listening to the wind and rain, when I began to write this article for this season such a storm was raging outside that you could hear the wind gusting and at the same time the staccato of the rain against the roof and windows. It was like a symphony and let myself just listen to the rhythms and be in it at the moment, sensing some hours later the storm abating and things warming up again. Good to be conscious of the changes as they are happening - for an easier and smoother transition.

   Nothing is ever easy these days it seems, and hopefully these articles over the years have been helpful. In the way of further assistance just know that I also offer Reiki sessions - to help the body slow down and heal itself. You can always leave a message through the blog and I can get in contact with you.

   But just know, that in closing, the sound that goes with Summer is laughter, so make sure you find some opportunities in your life for some joy and laughter.

As always - in good meaning and be well

Maery

Spring At Last

I've been waiting for this - literally counting the days - and suddenly the timing of the Vernal Equinox is upon us. And yet Spring seems to hesitate - moving back and forth between late Winter and early Spring as though it is undecided.

The birds have been appearing here and there - the first song of the cardinal for the season but not a regular visitor yet. The faithful mockingbird with his loud call is ever present - claiming his territory for his nest with his mate for another season. The cardinal and mockingbirds seem to have chased away the blue jays the last few years. And the flicker (a kind of woodpecker) is usually here. Every now and then a lapwing will appear. But this year many of the trees have been cut down so we shall see who comes now.

The days yes are slowly getting longer and the sun is stronger and brighter - a welcome relief from a cold Winter. They say it is the coldest Winter in ten years and I am inclined to agree. Even my Winter blooming Mediterranean heather did not bloom this year until March whereas in past years it bloomed above the snow covered ground all season long. No crocus even, no signs of possible daffodils. The only daffodils present are the ones on my Tiffany wall hanging in the living room - full of color and beauty.

So here we are approaching Spring. This blog is meant to be more about natural living and being in rhythm with the seasons and nature. Originally I included a great deal of Chinese medicine, but those detailed accounts can be found in the earlier posts from the years passed. I do make mention, but really it's about being in tune with the natural world around us. A joy to get out and walk and do work in the garden - although there's still a bit of a chill in the air.

And yes, Spring is the time for cleansing. All the toxins that have gathered in the Winter - being indoors and somewhat inactive - will start coming out. Our diet switches to more vegetables and fruits and salads rather than the heavier warming diet of the Winter. The liver of course is part of how we detox, and is one of the organs for Spring, as well as the gall bladder. The element of Wood goes with Spring as well, making me think of the trees that are getting ready to bloom.

The taste that goes with Spring is sour, which makes me think of vinegar, tangy and cleansing, and useful in salads. The color of course is green - for everything turns green now with new growth - and we too must follow suit for new beginnings. The climate is the Wind and certainly so far March has been a very windy month. But even the Wind has cleansing qualities - blowing the impurities and pollution away and leading to clear skies.

And of course no matter what the season it is the transitions that can be stressful on us both physically and psychologically. So as always we need to be kind to ourselves. I am looking forward to the coming days of walks along the ocean on the south shore and journeys to the Catskills to walk on the trails and visiting family and friends.

I hope that you all can do the things that make you feel well. Enjoy this time of new growth!

Maery

                                                    Waiting for Spring

  

Winter Solstice

Autumnal Equinox September 2024 

   The seasons are so short between Late Summer and Autumn. And of course via our expectations and parameters, we designate a specific date of September 22nd. Yet it doesn't really work like that. You don't go to sleep on September 21st and wake up on September 22nd and say oh yes it's officially feeling like the first day of Autumn, with a specific temperature set by a clock. Although the amassing of everything pumpkin is a sign, but that is man made.

   For not everything happens all at once. Even the tides, except for a few places around the globe, are gradual. Not even the tide comes in all at once. And when the temperatures outside change it happens by degree by degree. And so we must align ourselves to these changes as they happen. Yet some of them are subtle.

   But the more preparation the better. There is of course the sign of the days getting shorter and temperatures a little cooler here and there. And on some levels we must sense it. For even the birds know when it is time to migrate to warmer climates and leave Summer behind.

   So Autumn is a time of reflection and preparation for things to come. Reflecting on the past or at least the last few months where Summer reigned supreme, hoping we accomplished all we set out to do on those summery days and nights. A sense of the bittersweet.

   And to prepare, start with foods that are somewhat more heating. The root vegetables - the heavier soups and stews if that is what you eat.

   Well you can also see preparation for the Autumn in the small animals - the chipmunks, squirrels, gathering food for the Winter and storing it away in little cubby holes. Even bears (although not here!) start to eat more and build more layers of fat to see them through their Winter hibernation.

   So that is partly the purpose of this blog to remind and to educate so that one is aligned and can live a healthy life. Being out in nature is part it no matter what the season, although many times the Winter can curtail us. But the again there skiing, snow shoeing, skating and sleigh riding.

   Autumn is the harvest, bringing things to fruition. We gather all the fresh vegetables and fruits and grains for the Winter. It is recommended to do some cleansing before introducing some of the warmer foods, to rid the body of toxins.

Autumn skies on the Ocean at Montauk

   The element that goes with Autumn is Metal, which represents the mineral ores and salts of the Earth. Metal is to do with communications and creativity. The organs associated with Autumn are lungs and large intestine. The sound with Metal is the expression of weeping, or crying, and grief, yet it reminds us to let go of the past. The sense organ for Metal is the nose and of course the associated sense is that of smell. The flavor in this element is spicy - found in aromatic cheeses like Brie, as well as peppers, mustard and other spices. The climate is dryness, but too much dryness can injure this element, as well as too much dampness. One could go on forever thinking about the elements and their seasons, for it is such a vast subject and just the bare minimum here.

   Finally, as an aside, today the yellow jackets (wasps) were swarming, as they do when Autumn is approaching and thus ending their lives, although the queens live on. What was unusual was that they decided to swarm around me, in a circumference of about 2 or 3 feet, circling, moving erratically, buzzing in and out and up and down. Flying very close to me but never landing. They were busy buzzing and flying in no set pattern. The most intense part lasted about 15 minutes, and then there were a few who stayed around for another 10 minutes. But for the next hour or so the bees did not leave and continued their frantic dance. Sometimes there would only be one or two bees humming and circling and I just sat there reading my book, always one or two around me. They say bees are attracted to sweet smelling odors, but all I had done was to condition my hair and use shea butter for my skin. I read they either think you are a flower, or that they are trying to figure out what you are, and of course everyone has omens regarding bees. What was not so fun was that after the bees left, came a small swarm of the new lantern flies and they were somewhat more aggressive - flying at me, landing on the arm rests of my chair and on me. I didn't like them because they destroy our trees. So I eventually left the area, curious to see what else happens in nature!

   So as always I wish everyone well, and to be healthy in these transition times.

Best wishes,

Maery

 

Late Summer 2024

   A very unusual Summer, and we are now upon the season of Late Summer. So let me begin this season with the above photograph. Yes it's the ocean, the waters stirred by yet another storm, and rip currents pulling at the beaches and leaving their mark. Tempest tossed and wind blown.

   But it is the skies that appear to have the greatest change. For starting in May of this year, still Spring and not quite Summer, where we have been fortunate enough to see the Aurora Borealis this far south as a result of solar flares and coronal mass ejections and solar winds swirling. In this photograph the sky is covered with a greenish tint I've never seen before. A have a few photographs of green skies over the house as well in a suburban area late at night.

   However, this season, mid August the sky has lit up with the most magnificent hues of pink and magenta, even here locally at our nearby beach. A wonder and a natural phenomenon to behold!

   And so now with mid August we also approach Late Summer, yet another season, as indicated in traditional Chinese Medicine. Here is where we begin to transition, slowing down from the fiery pace of bright light and heat and Summer, as even the Sun begins to fade. Days are already noticeable as a little shorter. The cicadas, although in concert now, don't seem as robust as last year.

   Soon it will be Fall, and this season helps to prepare us. Late Summer corresponds to the element of Earth. Everything is ripened, before the coming harvest, and preparing for the fruit of next year. All in our natural cycles. This short season seems to have qualities of all the seasons, fluctuating between hot and cool and extremes as things shift.

   This element relates to nourishment, so the sense organ for this time is the mouth, the sense associated with this time is taste, while the body fluid is saliva. Here we start to incorporate more grains into our diet to prepare for Fall, then Winter. The organs connected to this time is the spleen and stomach. The spleen distributes the energy obtained from foods. The digestive system reflect the influences of diet, mental activity and emotions, the stomach being one of the most sensitive organs in our bodies. When we are nervous or under stress, do we not get butterflies in our stomachs?

   One key thing during this time of Earth is to stay grounded, and nourish oneself, reflect upon where we have been. It often brings a sense of melancholy and longing, remembering special times we have just experienced over the Spring and Summer. Our diet should include the fruits and vegetables that are in season now, yes incorporating grains slowly and some nuts and seeds as well. All this should be done according to your own needs and comfort and to not over eat or be able to sense when some foods may be too heavy yet.

   The color for this season is yellow, the direction is center, climate moist, the emotion we feel is that of sympathy. The sound is singing, the taste is sweet, like the harvest of honey. Try to enjoy these last days of Summer that can linger into Fall and take good care of yourself.

   Again you can always read past articles on this blog for more tips.

Be well,

Maery