The Season of SUMMER: Revitalize!

“Stop a minute, right where you are, relax your shoulders, shake your head and spine like a dog shaking off cold water. Tell that imperious voice in your head to be still.”

– Barbara Kingsolver

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.

— LOVE