Energetics of the Metal Element for Grief, Hopelessness & Lung Health
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs are considered a crucial reservoir of Qi, or vital energy. As we step into the autumn equinox, a magical time when day and night are perfectly balanced, so too are the energies of yin and yang. This balance is a powerful time for reflection, letting go of the old, and setting fresh intentions for the months ahead.
Holistic healing means taking care of your whole self— mind, body, and spirit, not just treating aches or sniffles but also making sure all parts of you feel good. Chinese Medicine focuses on keeping your body balanced and harmonious with nature.
🍂 Understanding Yin and Yang in Autumn
In Chinese Medicine, keeping a balance between Yin (cool, feminine, calm energy) and Yang (warm, masculine, active energy) is key to feeling good. Autumn brings more Yin, which means it's a time for you to enjoy calming, introspective, and reflective activities that get you ready for the winter season.
This is a time that indicates change, transformation, and a release of old energy, similar to how the Lungs and the Large Intestine release energy that is no longer serving the body and inspire the new for health and vitality.
🌬️ The Metal Element: Lungs and Large Intestines
The Lung corresponds to the Metal element, reflecting inspiration, gratitude, and clarity. Just as leaves colors change and fall, we're encouraged to shed what no longer serves us, both physically and emotionally, to make space for new growth. Autumn is our natural time to harvest our energy and prepare for winter. Before winter, it is necessary to do a check and balance on your energy, your relationships, work, career, and life to understand what is helpful and what is no longer helpful. It can be helpful to do release rituals during this time.
Autumn is linked to the Metal element, which is all about your Lungs and Large intestine. These organs help us breathe well and stay regular. When energy is stagnate and blocked in the Lungs or the Large Intestines, this is when we have problems or conditions such as constipation, shortness of breath, lack of emotional connection, lack of mental clarity, respiratory issues, and immune system issues. To support them, try breathing exercises and eat foods like honey, pears, seasonal fruits in your area, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.
💧 Emotional & Spiritual Health: The Spirit of the Lungs
Our lungs are linked to how we handle emotions, especially letting go of sadness or stress. On an emotional level, the Lungs are where we hold grief and sadness, but also the potential for immense gratitude. Engage in practices like journaling or meditative walks to process these emotions, transforming them into opportunities for gratitude. Activities like yoga, journaling, or chatting with a friend can help process and integrate feelings.
Each organ is connected to a Spirit. In Chinese philosophy, the spirit associated with the Lungs is called ‘Po’ and it guides the function of feeling bodily sensations, being present in your body, feelings and interpreting our environments, and learning rather than reacting.
⚖️ Astroenergetics and the Libra Season
As Libra season enters after the Fall Equinox, its influence brings with it themes of balance and harmony—crucial elements for our wellbeing. Libra reminds us to assess our lives’ checks and balances, ensuring that we maintain equilibrium in our health, relationships, and our environment.
Libra season is about finding balance and making sure everything feels just right, from the way you organize your day to how you relax and take care of yourself. It's a great time to look at what's working in your life and what might need a little adjustment. This season is ideal for reviewing what’s working and what’s not, making adjustments that foster greater peace and alignment. It’s about fine-tuning the aspects of our lives that have been out of sync and celebrating those that bring us joy and health.
🌟 Practical Tools for Energy Movement and Healing
Chinese Medicine has lots of simple tools to help keep your energy flowing and you feeling your best. Eating well, getting enough sleep, and finding time for yourself are all important.
Connect to the Earth energy: In Chinese Medicine, Earth element (digestive organs) promotes the health of the Metal (Lungs). So eating foods like pears, honey, almonds can be helpful in promoting more health and Qi.
Release Rituals: Carve out a time and space for you to release your intentions, old beliefs or stories, or feelings into the Wind (by blowing your intentions out into the wind), or neutralizing it by writing it on a paper and burying it into the Earth, or burning it with a candle or in a fire. This time is about releasing the old, letting go and shedding, and so we can move in harmony with that energy with our own rituals.
Gratitude Practice: Inspire gratitude in your life daily - this helps to nourish your Spirit of Lungs.
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DISCLAIMER: This is educational advice. If you are in need, seek professional support.
My heart to yours,
Dr. Linh
