Autumn is the season for discarding the old and stale in our lives to make way for the new and vibrant. Nature lets go of the abundance created throughout the year in order to enrich the soil to prepare for another life cycle. This rejuvenation happens in our lives also, and enables us to receive the pure, revitalising energy through Metal, the element associated with Autumn.
As the leaves change colour and drop from the trees, we may also feel a sense of emptiness and loss. As the nights draw in, we too, may turn inward and direct our energy towards ourselves in contemplation. This is nature’s way of putting us back in touch with what is important in our lives and ultimately making room for new hope and creativity for the coming year.
This year, don’t wait until March to ‘spring clean’ your external (and internal) environment. Discard what you no longer need and get back in touch with what is truly valuable in your life. This is a good time to go through chores you may have been avoiding, get rid of the clothes you don’t use in your closet, but also take some time to reflect and retreat from our busy routines.
The Metal Element
According to the five elements of Chinese Medicine, autumn is associated with the Metal element and is a time characterised by retreating inside and letting go of the old.
| Metal Element | “In the three months of autumn all things in nature reach their full maturity. The grains ripen and harvesting occurs. The heavenly energy cools, as does the weather. The wind begins to stir. This is the changing or pivoting point when the yang, or active, phase turns into its opposite, the yin, or passive phase. One should retire with the sunset and arise with the dawn. Just as the weather in the autumn turns harsh, so does the emotional climate. It is therefore important to remain calm and peaceful, refraining from depression so that one can make the transition to winter smoothly. This is the time to gather one’s spirit and energy, be more focused and not allow desires to run wild. One must keep the lung energy full, clean, and quiet.” NeiJing Su Wen – 1st Century BCE |
| Direction | West |
| Season | Autumn |
| Weather | Dry |
| Numerology | 9 |
| Cereal/Grain | Rice |
| Colour | White |
| Flavour | Pungent |
| Smell | Rotten |
| Organs | Lung/Colon |
| Sense Organs | Nose |
| Body Part | Skin/Hair |
| Sound | Weep |
| Emotion | Sadness/Grief |
| Virtue | Righteousness |