Aligning with the Seasons - Part 2
“Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air. ”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
The recent summer solstice heralded the arrival of summer and with its onset a powerful vibrant energy that we can tap into. The warmth of summer and sun-drenched days bring bounty to our gardens, as well as our lives in the form of gatherings, connections, and celebrations. Summer is the perfect time to embrace the many blessings we are being offered along with the opportunity to bring joy and laughter into our lives.
In Chinese medicine, summer corresponds with the warm glow of Fire element, matters of the heart, creative freedom, and passion. On an emotional level, this brings excitement, joy, and love while also offering us an opportunity to recharge after a long winter and sometimes gloomy spring.
For many of us, summer is a time of being on the go – kids are out of school and vacation time is uppermost in our thoughts. But it is important to find a balance between continually “doing” and relaxing, being social versus going inward, and relying on the outer world instead of our intuition. Indeed, summer asks for us to seek balance in all things in order to maximize the energy it represents. It represents an innate wisdom that there is more than enough time for everything. We can be fully present to enjoy everything summer has to offer if we only take time (literally) to smell the roses.
“The supernatural forces of summer create heat in the heavens and fire on earth; they create the heart and the pulse within the body… The red color, the tongue, and the ability to express laughter… They create the bitter flavor, and the emotions of happiness and joy.”
– The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine
In the body, Fire element is connected to the heart, which brings a desire for connection and authenticity. It is also associated with the small intestine, which helps us filter the good from the bad. Together, these perfectly encapsulate the lesson of the heart protector.
In Chinese medicine, the heart protector is a layer between our hearts and the outer world. When our Fire is not in balance, the heart protector can’t do its job. So, we either wind up in unhealthy relationships that we could have avoided by not ignoring the warning signs or we decide that we’ve been hurt enough times that we completely close our hearts off. The invitation of summer is to have an open heart but practice healthy discernment in terms of who we choose to spend our time with.
Summer also invites us to engage in activities that light us up, particularly those that foster connection and heartfelt conversations. Spending time with people we truly enjoy fills our hearts to the brim and is the perfect way to honor summer’s energy.
To fully embrace what summer has to offer, here are some suggested activities. You don’t need to do all of them, just pick the ones that appeal the most to you.
Play with your kiddos or your pets – bask in the pure joy they have
Bring a little more fire into your life by lighting candles, having a bonfire, or spending time in the sun
Look for ways to make boring tasks more fun
Do any kind of fast-paced exercises such as salsa dancing or Zumba
Engage your senses by taking time to stop and appreciate nature’s bounty
Use and trust your intuition
Do your best to refrain from anger and stay physically active
Brighten someone else’s day by paying them a compliment
Become more visible by joining a drama or social club, making a presentation, or posting more on social media
Travel, either to far-away destinations or places nearby that you’ve never been to before
Try new things – restaurants, experiences, etc.
Wear the colors of the fire spectrum – reds, coral, and orange
Bring Fire element into your home or office by adding the colors of red, coral, or orange or adding items in the shape of a triangle
As you partake in all that summer has to offer, relish in the longer days while remembering to balance work with play and relaxation. Immerse yourself in the warmth and light that summer brings right now to fill your heart with light and joy.
Want More?
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