Shifts toward fall

How is this late summer to fall shift in the season going for you?

Do you tend to notice certain patterns in yourself that emerge year after year?

Are these patterns playing out again?

Does this year feel different for some reason?

I know lots of people talk about changes in season. They get signaled to us in a material way all over our cities. (How long ago did we start seeing decorative pumpkins in most of the stores we habitually visit? 🎃)

Traditional medicine systems have so much to say about seasons too. These medicinal forms are rooted so deeply in nature and many of the central principles arose from thorough observations of all facets of season change.

So whether we’re getting it from the media or from a very old text, we know that something is happening when the seasons change.

But what do you feel? What do you notice in yourself?

For some people, the transition into fall can recurringly evoke nostalgia, sadness, or a sense of longing. Some people feel the most comfortable in this time, as they welcome the nudges from the natural environment to turn inward, slow down, and drink tea.

The shifts we experience are about more than just the weather, though the external climatic factors do influence us. We have so many different associations with seasons and sometimes, different seasonal factors can reveal aspects of our pathologies that we were less aware of.

Summer can be very busy - very outward and yang. The fall is not always slower (especially for people returning to school), but it does encourage an inward turn, which can be challenging for many. Sometimes it can be difficult to bring our attention toward ourselves.

In addition to the conceptual turn inward, Chinese medicine also helps us understand that fall is a good time to start gently bringing in more warming foods and herbal drinks. Bone broths, ginger tea, soups. Cinnamon and cardamom are lovely spices to add to your regular meals.

I will be writing more about food energetics and dietary practices for fall in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you are welcome to schedule a Compatibility Chat if you are interested in working together with Chinese medicine this fall - online telehealth sessions are available. If you’re based in the Albuquerque area, it would be great to meet you at one of the classes I host at Lost Cultures Tea Bar here in town (more info below).

I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about for the season ahead and if you have any specific intentions for your health. 🧡

Warmly,

Artemisia

Clinical Herbalist | Chinese Medicine

innervillagehealth.com

@innervillagehealth