This Sunday marks the autumnal equinox, when the sun shines directly over the equator, giving equal hours of night and day across the globe. For us in the northern hemisphere it marks the turn of seasonal energy from the yang of summer, to the yin of winter.
In Eastern philosophy, on which acupuncture is based, humans are part of, and affected by the natural changes of the seasons. These changes can be difficult for us to adapt to, but it also offers opportunities. Autumn is a time of distilling and decay. It is also a time of clarity.
Let be and let go, in order to let in
Just as the sap of the trees start to sink towards the roots to store for next year, and the leaves of the tree are discarded, we humans also need to withdraw, review and restore. This letting go can feel like loss, or grief. People can feel sad, at the change of season, and this can be a time of year for remembering lost loved ones, or to keenly feel other losses experienced in life. Meditation can be good for connecting to these feelings to understand where they come from, and why there are here, which is: to allow you to let be and let go, in order to make way for the future. We can also assess the year, seeing with clarity what is holding us back, and make peace with that, over the coming winter.
Wrap up
There is an acupuncture point on the back, just below the neck, called Bladder 12, Wind Gate. It’s commonly used by practitioners at the start of a cold due to invasion of wind in the body. So it’s advisable to wrap up warm, but particularly to remember to wear a scarf around this area that is susceptible to wind invasion. Also keep the mid-region covered, after the crop tops of the summer, which if not, can lead to cold penetrating the kidneys.
Protect from dryness
With the central heating coming on we need extra protection for our skin from dryness. The organ system associated with autumn is the Lung, and if this is your constitutional weakness, it will need extra support at this time of year. Keep hydrated. Drink plenty of water, but also keep a bowl of water in your room to stop the air from drying out too much.
Strengthen the lungs
To protect yourself from catching colds, and strengthen the lungs against environmental irritants, practice deep breathing daily. Breathe in from your kidneys, and feel the heavenly qi of the breathe be rooted in your body by your kidneys (one of their important functions in Chinese medicine). You can also use a neti pot to keep your nasal passages clear.
Pay attention to your intestines
Whereas the lung receives from the exterior, its paired organ, the large intestine, lets go. If you experience constipation, it maybe because you are having trouble processing emotional issues related to loss and grief. This could be for a person, a former time of your life, a lifestyle, job or relationship. Using acupressure on Large Intestine 4, joining the Valley, can help with the physical, mental and emotional aspects of letting go. Take note, this is an extremely strong point and should not be used when pregnant, or when pregnancy is suspected.
Use the thumb and index finger to press firmly on the webbing between the thumb and index finger of the hand.
Eat seasonally
It’s time to dispense with eating salads and eat warm, seasonal vegetables. Eat the colours of the season: dark leafy greens and brassica, deep orange butternut squashes, winter squashes and pumpkins in soups or baked, roasted root vegetable. And it’s a good time for the fall fruits, stewed apple and pears, and figs and elderberries.
Keep moving
While we naturally reduce our activity in autumn its important to prevent our circulations systems from clogging. This ensures every cell is nourished with oxygen and nutrients, and that the systems remove toxins efficiently. Try yoga, swimming or gentle rebounding.
Take time to enjoy nature and align yourself with it
Take time to observe the changing season, and while you’re doing so, top up your vitamin D by finding daily time in the sunlight. Enjoy the drawing in of the evenings, spending time catching up on reading, indoor hobbies, family and friends.
Autumn
Wind passes over the lake
The swelling waves stretch away
Without limit. Autumn comes with the twilight,
And the boats grow rare on the river.
Flickering water and fading mountains
Always touch the heart of man
I never grow tired of singing
Of their boundless beauty.
The lotus pods are already formed,
And the water lilies have grown old.
The dew has brightened the blossoms
Of the arrowroot along the riverbank.
The herons and seagulls sleep
On the sand with their
Heads tucked away, as though
They did not wish to see
The men who pass by on the river
Li Ch’ing Chao
A.D. 108101141
Fire Horse Rising 