Let it fall

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In some parts of the world, the seasons are turning, and autumn has started with a temperature drop in weather, changing colours and less daylight. Several ancient philosophies and belief systems tie the turning of the seasons to their impact on our physiology and emotions, wisdom that can support us in balancing energy for health and wellness. I have studied and am most familiar with holistic systems in Eastern philosophy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Indian Ayurveda. Here, I am offering a simplified rendering of some of the perspectives in these vast bodies of ancient practice, for the purpose of fitting into today’s newsletter. Exploring these concepts makes philosophical sense, as they continue building into the reflective series on energy, vibration and frequency which started with That 9 to 5 and evolved in last week’s Energy flow.

There are many interesting parallels between TCM and Ayurveda. For example, both view the body as an energetic system that mirrors nature’s cycles, recognising that energy or life force (‘Qi’ in TCM or ‘Prana’ in Ayurveda), needs to constantly circulate rather than be statically held. In other words, they recognise that while the body is where we store energy, it cannot be indefinitely preserved in its best form but has to move through and be released at some kind of rhythm or seasonal pacing. Another shared view is that autumn, or fall, is the naturally occurring season of transformation when the energetic dynamic is one of clearing space, shedding and releasing, rather than gathering and holding.

Physical health is further linked with nature in the TCM Five Element framework, which details the energy movement patterns of naturally existing elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The elements are not in hierarchy but viewed in correspondence with each other. For example, Earth is considered the generating phase for Metal, while Fire has a controlling relationship with the element. Each element reflects a season, a physical organ pair that interact, and an energetic function, usually explained through an emotion.

As mentioned, TCM views autumn synonymous with the contraction of nature and intentional release and has associated this season with the Metal element, for its similar capacity for structure as well as discernment for cutting or eliminating what’s unnecessary. For example, trees shedding leaves can “look messy”, but TCM view this as a natural process of refinement, distillation and stripping away which is aligned with the orderly method of Metal.

It is thought that people have possibly stronger affinity with one or two elements but that we are also blends of characteristics from all five elements. People with strong Metal features in their personality are thought to be analytical, well organised, drawn to structure and beauty. When in balance, somebody with Metal characteristics can be humble, focused, honest and calm. When out of balance, they may be inflexible, controlling, perfectionistic and emotionally stuck in grief, even unable to let go. The dominant emotion associated with Metal is grief or sadness as the element deals with learning how to let go and processing loss. This handling of sorrow incidentally aligns with the article on grief shared this summer, where the people who are dealing with loss and who join Grief trips often found grief a companion that moves at its own pace, and that its fluctuations cannot be controlled.

From a physical standpoint, Metal governs our lungs and the large intestine, as well as our skin. The same organs that we associate with contraction, boundaries and detoxification. The autumnal climate paired with Metal is dryness, that seasonal transition from summer when the drop in humidity can show up directly in the body, in dry skin, a dry cough, or sluggish digestion.

TCM points to this idea that it is our relationship with the environment and people that can either balance or imbalance us. It advocates for optimal health being achieved through the balancing of Yin-Yang energy. Practices for balancing Metal energy in autumn include counteracting seasonal dryness by eating foods that are naturally hydrating. The emphasis is also on prevention, exemplified by traditional advice such as wearing warm layers or a scarf to protect against cold air. TCM Acupuncture, a gentle approach to balance us and manage pain, is another well-known healing modality I wrote about in Back to the point. Other balancing wellness practices include breathwork and gentle movement that can support emotional stability especially at this time of year.

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, sees the cornerstone of year-round health as seasonal routine. Climate and lifestyle choices are thought to cause seasonal imbalances and therefore call for selfcare practices that support wellbeing. Ayurveda is also built on a theory of five natural elements, named differently from TCM as Space, Air, Water, Earth and Fire. These elements also co-function, explaining the energetic movement behind people’s primary functional energies, or ‘Doshas’: ‘Pitta’, ‘Vata’ and ‘Kapha’. Pitta combines the elements of fire and water, Vata combines space and air, and Kapha is the energy of water and earth. While an individual may have one dominant energetic make-up, all of them are present for everyone as they balance each other. When doshas are imbalanced, root causes for disease or illness may be understood more easily.

Autumn is a season typically associated with the Vata dosha. Technically, Vata season can be any time of the year that has the characteristics of Vata and while autumn looks different everywhere, Vata energy is usually present through colder, changing weather, wind and less daylight. Autumn weather in many ways shares the qualities of a Vata dosha, which can aggravate Vata sensations like restless sleep, rumination, erratic digestion and dry skin. A balanced person with a Vata-dominant constitution is said to be creative, energetic and quick to learn. When imbalanced (often when subjected to stress, cold weather or irregular routines), they can become anxious, nervous, forgetful and restless. Ayurveda offers tips for how to naturally find balance. (Of course, this will depend on the local climate you are in.) In the autumn climate as described above, it is recommended to favour grounding foods, massage and practices that create warmth from within as they can help in keeping the body and mind steady. Other balancing advice includes maintaining routines for sleep, eating and exercise for calm energy, reducing the risk of mood swings.

Whether or not you recognise some dominant characteristics mentioned in yourself, autumn can rustle some leaves (pun intended) and have you momentarily unsettled. Even if you are usually calm and collected, autumn air can make you feel a little erratic, even overcome with sadness. These are not supposed to be seen as fixed identities to “hide behind”, rather Metal and Vata are perspectives for understanding energy, not labels to excuse behaviour by. Recognising a trait in yourself is useful precisely because it comes with agency, not lack thereof.

There is much wisdom in the world’s oldest healing systems, rooted in deep philosophical tradition. TCM and Ayurveda, their underlying philosophies and terminology are distinct, and each offers its own frameworks. What is interesting is that both reach a similar conclusion about how physical health is interconnected, internally and externally. They see optimal wellness as contingent on the balance of mind, body and spirit, and both advocate for living in harmony with one’s environment. There is proactivity in both approaches, fundamentally centred on the idea of preventative health care.

Take a leaf out of all this.

The season of autumn can stir our emotions, and these perspectives make the case for going with the flow rather than against the natural cycle of life’s energy.

Now may not be the time to force situations or seek to control, but to take stock of our inner harvest, let things happen, and release what we no longer need.