Autumnal Equinox 2018
   I hesitated to write this season's Equinox article because the weather has been so strange. Each season is usually clearly delineated, but lately nothing has been normal with the weather. A warm winter, at the beach in February, cold and rainy in Spring with the heat on until May, and then blistering heat for the summer. Our first hurricane of the season was a rain event with much flooding. Things are barely cooling down as we approach this year's Autumnal Equinox. What kind of winter will we have?
   
  This coming week will bring us the Autumnal Equinox on September 22nd. Things have slowly been transitioning back and forth between Late Summer and Autumn these last few weeks. The days are getting shorter, the air is cooler, there is a distinct sense of slowing down. A time of transition, so we should be careful to watch our health as well.
   Below I will include the health tips for this particular season as a reminder to nurture and care for ourselves. Be kind to yourself and be careful of stress as we make the changes to Autumn and then Winter.


Autumn and Health

Autumn grasses

   Autumn is a time of reflection. Summer has ended and we move into another cycle of change which will ease us into winter. Once the harvest is over, things will begin to go dormant. A time of rest, reflection and regrouping. What we do for ourselves in the time of Autumn in regards to our health and well being will surely fortify us for the long winter to come.
   Autumn begins officially on September 22nd on the Autumnal Equinox - when the night's darkness equals the length of the day, and now nights will become longer, until December 21st on the Winter Solstice, which is the longest night. The days then slowly become longer.
   Animals start to gather food for winter, and we all slow down from the fast pace of Summer. Each cycle is in preparation for the next.
   In the Chinese Five Element Theory, Autumn is associated with the element of Metal. Metal governs communication such as phones, television, transportation and speech. People who talk alot or talk too much have an imbalance of Metal. Metal is also associate with the minerals of the Earth.
   Metal is expressed in the mind and expression in the development of ideas, creativity, writing and speaking.
   Its direction is the West, which is where the Sun sets. So it makes sense, Autumn represents endings, the sunset of our lives for the season. The color associated with Metal is white. If you need Metal you can decorate with more white or incorporate more white into your wardrobe.

Autumn colors

   The emotions that relate to Metal are worry, grief and sorrow. A moderate amount of these emotions is reasonable, but excess can injure or affect the lungs or large intestine, which are the We remember the good times of the recent past, we remember our loved ones who have passed away. Again it is good to reminisce but not to hold onto the past. Autumn can be a time of letting go, deciding what needs to stay and what needs to go. Together with emotions, the sound of Metal is weeping or crying. It is all right to shed tears, it is a normal release of emotions, but not to take over your whole life or interfere with your daily life. If you notice in September it always seems to be a time of reflection of where one has come, and remembering those have gone from our lives.
   The sense organ of Metal is the nose, and then of course the sense associated with Metal is the sense of smell. Our sense of smell is very keen, and is a direct conduit to the brain through the olfactory nerves. Using essential oils during the Autumn months as things transition could be very helpful. Mint is very cleansing but also very calming and good for the emotions. Lavender too is very relaxing. Find what scents work for you. It would seem Autumn would need musky, earthy smells, combined with something medicinal and cleansing as well. To ground oneself and cleanse at the same time would be ideal.
   The flavor of metal is spicy or pungent, with things like peppers or mustard, which help to pen the sense, clear the sinuses and stimulate the lungs. However, too much spice can injure the lungs.
   The body fluid connected with Metal is mucus. One of the functions of mucus is to coat and protect the mucus membranes and the fluid can wash away debris and bacteria. Excess mucus can indicate a Metal imbalance, not enough water or eating too much mucus producing foods. It can promote accumulation of bacteria and also cause inflammation which is a key factor in many disease states.
   The climate is dryness. A state of being too dry or too wet is not ideal and is not helpful. So there needs to be a balance. If your home has heat via hot air, you may need to humidify your air. If you live in a damp area such as near the water, you will need to worry about mold accumulating in the air and the home, so an air purifier might be needed, or a dehumidifier if extremely wet. Each place requires different things, but you can work towards gaining balance.

 The organs for Metal are the lungs and large intestines. They are about taking in nutrients and expelling waste products. It is easy to see that if these organs become inhibited by toxins that the rest of the body will suffer, for toxins can build up and clog the systems.
   Diet is important of course, but so are environmental toxins such as pollution and cigarette smoke. If you live in a city or area that is heavy polluted you might want to invest in an air purifier for your home, especially the bedroom. I also use a mister with mint water to purify the air. If you have central air conditioning make sure to clean the filters regularly. Keep the home free of dust by vacuuming and cleaning often.
   One the of the best ways to purify the air in your space is to have plants. They are great ecology cleaners and clean toxins from the air. Plants do best with a southern or eastern exposure -depending on where you live.
   Deep breathing is also essential for lung health and for cleansing as well.
   Problems with lungs can turn up in the skin and hair.
   Lungs do not do well in a cold, damp climate so it is important to keep warm
   Congestion of the large intestines leads to dysfunction and can cause abdominal discomfort as well as back aches in the low to mid back area. It can also cause pressure in the head, nose, sinus, neck and result in headaches, sore throats, and lack of energy.
   Dietary considerations fro both the lungs and large intestines include eliminating alcohol, fatty foods, fried food and chemicals and preservatives, as well as meats, dairy and refined foods. Eating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, high amounts of fiber and foods low in fat is helpful. Mucus forming foods include dairy, meat and sugar. Also try to avoid too much caffeine.
   A cold is often a sign that toxins have built up in the body.
   Since Metal is associated with the mind, meditation is also helpful. It allows the mind to relax and repair instead of being constantly supercharged by all the stimulation of modern times with televisions, phones and computers.
   Autumn is a good time to do a cleanse, however always remember to check with your doctor before making any dietary changes. Cleansing, eating properly and exercise and proper rest will help to set the tone for having a healthy Winter.

Be well,
Maery