The Season of LATE SUMMER: Harmony & Balance

“As summer wanes and fall approaches, there is a hiatus, a period in which time seems to stop and the glory of summer hangs suspended.” 

– Between Heaven and Earth

Associated with …
Element: Earth
Color: Yellow
System: Digestion
Organs: Yin -Spleen, Yang – Stomach/Pancreas (Digestive fire)
Direction: Center
Area of Influence:  Muscles, joints
Sense Organ: Taste (mouth/lips not tongue)
Releasing Sound:
Whoooh (back of throat)
Energy: Stabilizing
The SPLEEN houses over-thinking, analysis, & worry AND centered, balanced, clear thinking, intuition, & fairness
Sweet Foods & Herbs

A person dominated by the energy of earth will be known as a peacemaker. Fleshy and strong their power is in their mass carried in a round body with solid hips and thighs planted firmly on the ground. Though not swift, they are efficient, and dependable, accomplishing tasks with deliberation and focus. Patient listeners and nurturers these folks bring everyone together, happiest creating harmony and providing stability and pleasure among family, friends and even strangers. Without proper balance they lose themselves, giving too much energy and time to others forfeiting their own needs. Food can often be solace. The Triad of this season is Earth, Water, and Wood. In order to bring balance between these energies, practice slowing down and insuring time for self-care.

In late summer energy is stabilizing. The expansive growth of summer winds down and there is a sense of being suspended … fields fully ripened and readying for harvest …annual plants dimming …  the sun moving lower in the sky. A friend recently described late summer and the energy of the Earth Element as, “like the pause between each breath.” As each of our seasons winds down there is a short period when energy stabilizes before the next season. Between summer and fall that period of suspension is longer and gives us our fifth season, “Late Summer”.

As you practice Qi Gong, slow – way – down.  Centering movements like, “Bringing down the sky” practiced slowly and fully aware of planting yourself firmly to the stability of earth. As you practice “Pebble in the Pond” remember to drop your center slightly as you exhale (like a pebble dropped) extending the hands out, then inhale, pushing into earth as you trace the circular shape a pebble makes dropped into a clear pond. Move as slowly and mindfully as you can. Clear your mind and ground yourself to earth energy. “Sink your roots.”