In summer, we practice tuning into the voice of OUR heart, rather than the voice in our head.
Associated with …
Element: Fire
Color: Red
System: Circulatory
Organs: Yin — Heart, Yang — Small Intestine (Digestive fire)
Direction: SOUTH
Area of Influence: Blood & pericardium
Sense Organ: Tongue/Speech = Connect & even kiss
Releasing Sound: Haaaaaa
Energy: Expanding
The HEART houses impatience, hastiness, & hate > > AND love, joy, vitality, & enjoyment
Bitter Foods &; Herbs
A personality dominated by fire will be highly social and often the life of the party. With a rosy complexion and bright, darting eyes, enchanting and persuasive, this is our “Wizard” archetype using personal magnetism and a gift for expression to gather people and create magical fun. This personality is agreeable — and in demand — so can often become over-scheduled. “That sounds fun” becomes a ready response and may seem like agreement to plans when in fact the fire type is merely expressing something sounds fun. (Note, it’s generally an earth type that catches this misunderstanding but we’ll leave that to another season.) Fire balances with water and earth so connect to both and support this triad during summer. In other words, don’t forget to plan quiet, peaceful, reflective rest time too. Experience AND absorb.
In summer energy is expanding! It’s the time for connecting — with nature, with friends, with family, with community — and with self. In summer we open our hearts, we fill our hearts, we go outside and we play cultivating vitality, enjoyment and fun. Days are long and the bright sun is more present warming the earth sending energy into a cycle of growth. This is a wonderful time to go “Forest Bathing” to absorb the atmosphere of the forest or anywhere in nature.
As you practice Qi Gong during the months of summer open your chest to the sky and slow way down. Nourish the spirit moving through flows as if dancing in the sunshine — almost floating. Open yourself to receive — like glorious golden sunshine — whatever energy you most need for that day, the season or the moment. “Heart to the Sky” breathing, staggered stance “heart to earth and sky” as well as “Cloudy Hands” flows are nice movements to truly experience an expansive chest and heart and an openness to release — and receive! Feel vitality flow through your body and your life. Cultivate and enjoy.
I was recently chatting with dear friends who were expressing their delight in a recent out-of-town visit with close family. They had felt a deep sense of connection and enjoyment not always present during visits over the years —perhaps a similar memory from your own life comes to mind? A particular experience with family or friends that really stand out as deeply warm, loving, sheltering, and comfortable. This is “Hygge” (pronounced hoo-gah).
The Book of Hygge – The Danish Art of Contentment, Comfort, and Connection provides a rich description of a delightful lifestyle perspective from a culture and country far away.
Hygge is a very old and multi-layered practice and simultaneously quite simple. The book explains, “Hygge happens when we commit to the pleasure of the present moment in its simplicity. It’s there in the things we do that give everyday life value, and meaning, that comfort us, make us feel at home, rooted and generous.” Interestingly, Hygge’s center is around feelings of togetherness and belonging; however, one can also enjoy Hygge alone. Consider a slow walk along the coast or in the forest and fully absorbing the majesty of sight, sound, smell, and the gentle caress of a breeze on your skin … that’s Hygge.
In a nutshell, I’ve come to understand the practice as really sinking in and being present in a moment. Whether with others, alone in nature, or enjoying the familiarity of a place, it’s a full sensory experience of now. I’ve been attracted to the concept of Hygge since I first heard of it. I dusted off old candles, gathered up my coziest blankets, and discovered a new appreciation for an old pair of slippers. To really experience Hygge may take a bit of practice but the full enjoyment of a candle flickering on a dark night is a good place to start. It’s a wonderful concept to play around with, perhaps especially, during the winter months. The long nights will be with us a bit longer and we can’t change that. We can embrace and enjoy it.
If you’d like to learn more, I recommend the book. It’s full of information, ideas, history, lovely quotes and enticing pictures. I received it as a gift from a lovely Danish friend who also quite enjoyed trying to teach me to pronounce Hygge properly. I never quite got the pronunciation but I’m beginning to understand the value of incorporating more of it into everyday life. You can certainly delve deeper—or merely take a slow deep breath, light some candles now and then, and be really present with yourself and with others. That’s Hygge.
If you’re interested in coming together in a safe, comfortable setting to explore more about living in harmony with the energy of our natural world and building a strong foundation around our habits of health, join us as we launch the first of a series of seasonal seminars: https://fiveseasonswayfinder.com/seminars/.
Hyg dig! (translation: have fun—with richness)
– Denise
My last Journal entry titled, “Why Do I feel like this” discussed natural energy during the season of winter. All around us energy rests. As a reminder, this is not the best time to be making big promises and sweeping resolutions. It is a good time to ponder and reflect, perhaps in preparation for cultivating life changes in the spring when energy awakens and activates. So, in the spirit of the new year, celebrated locally in the season of winter, ponder this –
If you really must make a New Year Resolution, consider taking steps to improve both the quality and the quantity of your sleep. Better sleep reflects the natural rhythm of the season. Plus, when we are well rested we feel better overall and that helps us make all kinds of decisions better. The guidelines state most adults need 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep and it turns out there are a lot of factors to consider.
Be thoughtful about the items you bring into your bedroom. Setting the right mood and tone could be key. Reducing clutter and – dare I say – banishing technology, in addition to creating a comfortable, cozy sleeping space and managing natural light and noise are all important factors. This may not be simple or easy but the benefits of peaceful, restorative rest are numerous. So again, taking steps in that direction may be just the thing to focus on this season.
Interestingly, more and more couples are reporting sleeping separately. The top reported reasons are snoring, temperature preference differences, and “Larks vs. Owls” (early risers and night owls). Whatever steps you are able to take toward a better night’s rest, know that more and more health professionals recommend it as an important building block toward overall wellness and health.
Happy New Year and may all of your good dreams come true.