dampness

I 💛 Late Summer

Seriously. A whole season unto itself for the transition from Summer to Fall.

In Chinese Medicine, this is the time of the Spleen (and Stomach), the color yellow, the emotion of empathy or sorrow, the direction of center, and the element of Earth. The aspect of the spirit associated with the Spleen/Earth element is the Yi, which is the mind/intellect. This is a great time to begin or rededicate oneself to a meditation practice to cultivate the calm, clear mind.

The Earth/Spleen Qi is also about boundaries and our sense of self. This makes it a natural time to reflect on how we are doing with maintaining boundaries and concurrently how we are doing with caring for ourselves.

  • Garden Flowers of Late Summer

Acupuncture treatments, especially including moxa, are an excellent way to bolster the Spleen Qi and transform Dampness which is prevalent now with all the humidity. The moxa burns through that foggy layer, allowing us to feel more free and clear in our upright Qi….manifesting in healthy boundaries, strong immunity, and self containment/confidence.

Enjoy these precious days of cool fresh mornings, steamy afternoons, and relaxed evenings.

Haiku on Late Summer:

while forest bathing

I sensed a quiet sadness

quite familiar

from whence does it come?

is it of the Earth or my own?

empathic sorrow

Sally Robinson, L.Ac.

828-545-2288

http://www.whitepineacupuncture.com

Late Summer 2015 by Sally Robinson, L.Ac.

Here we are in Late Summer, a season unto itself in Chinese Medicine.  This season is associated with the Spleen, the Earth element, the color yellow and contemplation or worry.

imageThe Spleen energetics relate to transition.  The Spleen Qi is what keeps us centered and focused while we transition. We come back to that sense of  center within ourselves, that round Earth energy in our middle area, that of the Spleen and Stomach.  It can be helpful to visualize a yellow orb in the middle part of the body, like a joyous and peaceful Buddha belly.

“The Spleen loathes Dampness” is an adage from the Classics in Chinese Medicine.  Dampness manifests as muddled thinking, poor digestion, and low energy.  Ways we can transform Dampness are eating warm and cooked foods, clarifying the mind by practicing meditation, and burning moxa(Artemisia vulgaris) on acupuncture points to nourish the Spleen.

Haiku for Late Summer:

sitting still, pausing

the gold finch seeks solace in

but a fading bloom