The vitality of all people
Inevitably comes from their peace of mind.
When anxious, you lose this guiding thread;
When angry, you lose this basic point.
~~ Original Tao, 4th Century BCE
Greetings to all my precious people!
We are most certainly in the “dog days” of summer. The sweltering weather typically coincides with the annual heliacal (meaning “at sunrise”) rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. During the “Dog Days” period, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of Earth. Sirius is a part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog.
Because Sirius is so bright, the ancient Romans believed it actually gave off heat and added to the Sun’s warmth, accounting for the long stretch of sultry weather. They referred to this time as diēs caniculārēs, or “dog days.” The name “Sirius” even stems from the Ancient Greek seírios, meaning “scorching.” For the ancient Egyptians, Sirius’s dawn rising also coincided with the Nile River’s flood season. They used the star as a “watchdog” for that event.
The term Dog Days of Summer came to mean the 20 days before and 20 days after this alignment of Sirius with the Sun—July 3 to August 11 each year. These days occur soon after the summer solstice in late June, which also tends to be the beginning of the worst of summer’s heat. While this period usually is the hottest stretch of summer, the heat is not due to any added radiation from Sirius, regardless of its brightness. The heat of summer is simply a direct result of the Earth’s tilt.
Of course, the appearance of Sirius does not actually affect seasonal weather here on Earth, but its appearance during the hottest part of summer ensures that the lore surrounding the star lives on today!
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uniquely acknowledges the important transitional season of ‘late-summer’ that occurs around late August and September. Often referred to in the West as the ‘Indian Summer’ it spans the time frame from the end of summer into autumn. This is when summer with its extreme Yang energy, intense brightness and heat, yields and softens to the beginning of autumn, when the cooler Yin energy starts to seep in.
The beginning of August has been a notable turning point in the seasons for centuries. Many ancient civilizations celebrated the yearly harvest occuring during this transitional season as a reflection of the human cycle of birth and death. The reaping of food crops was associated with the spiritual abundance that sustained the soul. Yet harvest times were also a sign of autumn’s chill and winter’s imminent harsh frosts. For example, the Celtic people celebrated the first harvest of the season on August 1 with the festival of Lughnasa, “the feast of the first fruits”. It symbolized a turning point in the life cycle of Mother Earth. It was both a joyous celebration of plenty and a solemn wake for the decline of the potency of the sun god Lugh, from which the festival takes its name.
Lughnasa is primarily a festival of transition, and presents a wonderful opportunity to consider how our lives have changed in the recent past. As we honor the cyclical nature of existence, reflect upon the fact that just as there is joy to be found in the sowing and reaping, each phase of life is worthy of celebration.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the transitional season of late-summer is associated with the Earth element. Taoist teachings remind us to support our energies to align and harmonize with the current season of Earth element by paying attention to our diet, our daily lifestyle habits and our spiritual practices.
The Spleen and Stomach meridian systems of the body belong to the Earth element of late-summer, and they play a very important role in our overall health and wellbeing. Back in 1180 CE, the famous Chinese physician Li Dong Yuan founded the Earth School because he believed the etiology of most diseases was a result of injury to the digestive system. According to this school of thought, the Spleen and Stomach are at the center of one’s health. The Earth School teachings remain relevant in today’s practice, especially in light of the recent research on the relationship between gut health and immunity.
The Spleen is in charge of making our body’s qi and blood, which are the vital substances needed to stay healthy. Additionally, the Spleen “holds” the blood in the vessels, and uplifts energy to prevent prolapse of various organs like the uterus and bladder. Most importantly, the Spleen transforms the food we eat into energy and transports that nutritive energy (“ying qi”) to other parts of our body. When the Spleen is weak or out of balance, various health issues from digestive to gynecological to emotional arise.
In Chinese medicine, every organ “houses” a spirit, which corresponds to a certain aspect of our psyche. Our thoughts and mental capacity relate to the spirit of the Spleen, called the Yi (which translates to Intellect). The Yi influences our capacity for studying, concentration, memorizing, etc. With school soon to be back in session, supporting the Spleen Qi is essential! The emotion associated with the Spleen is worry. With its connection to the mind and thinking, the Yi is prone to worry, anxiety, and overthinking. When caught in this loop, Spleen Qi deficiency symptoms arise, like digestive weakness, IBS, and fatigue. Meditation and calming the mind are very important for Spleen health.
The Earth element also relates to issues of dampness (humidity, heaviness, phlegm) – the climate of late summer. Dampness shows up in the body in many ways: physical fatigue, mental fatigue, worry, digestive problems, and muscle weakness to name a few. Because the Spleen and Stomach meridian systems are particularly impacted by dampness, food therapy becomes so important to keep everything on track.
How to boost the vitality of the Earth element for the wellbeing of mind, body, and spirit:
- The Earth element thrives on a nourishing diet, and nutritional therapy related to the Spleen is key for maintaining good and balanced health. Cold raw food creates dampness in the Spleen, which interferes with its role of the transportation and transformation of nutrients and energy, and its ability to produce qi and blood. This leads to a variety of health imbalances. Maintaining warmth in the Earth center of the body is very important.
- Now is the time to phase out your consumption of cold raw foods, including smoothies, ice water, and salads. Dairy, refined sugars, and fatty and greasy foods contribute to dampness. Aromatic spices like ginger, fennel, coriander, caraway, and cardamom help to warm things up, resolve dampness, and strengthen the Spleen Qi. Introduce warm, cooked foods to your diet – this can include lightly steamed or sauteed vegetables, meats and fish.
- Sweet flavors, in small amounts, favor the Spleen and Stomach. And no, unfortunately, cookies and ice cream are not part of this suggestion!! Sweet foods that strengthen the Earth element include whole grains, like millet, rice, and root vegetables, such as yams, sweet potatoes and carrots. Enjoy the sweet fruits and veggies that are in season and available in the late summer harvest.
- According to the Chinese Medicine clock, the Stomach has optimal digestive capacity between 7-9am. Your meal should be substantial and fortifying. A good breakfast strengthens the Stomach and Spleen qi for the day. Optimal breakfast foods are energetically warming foods, prepared with warm cooking methods that stimulate the body and do not spread dampness. A favorite in Chinese Medicine food therapy is congee, a nourishing and healing way to start the day.
- The Su Wen Chapter 10 states that, “yellow corresponds to the Spleen”. Eating foods that are yellow and orange are especially supportive for Spleen health. Examples include squash, sweet potato, yams, corn, papaya, and carrots.
- The Earth element is about stability, nurture and nourishment, caregiving, and bounty. Seek activities that keep you centered and grounded; focus on what nourishes and fulfills you and those you care about. Autumn, the season of “letting go” is just around the corner, so this is an excellent time to begin the process of clearing, simplifying and releasing that which no longer serves us.
- Be mindful about what you mentally ingest. As our focus turns to the health of our Spleen and Stomach organ systems and its relationship to the “Yi” – our mind and intellect – we need to be mindful about what we MENTALLY ingest as well. This is a perfect time of year to think about our relationship with social media and the news, and to create boundaries around screen time.
Robin Sharma, renowned leadership expert, bestselling author and humanitarian, recently published his latest book, The Wealth Money Can’t Buy: The 8 Hidden Habits to Live Your Richest Life. The book provides tactical approaches and serves as a good reminder that each one of us can implement simple daily habits for a life filled with meaning and purpose. It would be a great addition to your reading list!
- How to develop joyful thoughts
- How to follow our life’s mission
- How to cultivate self-discipline and act courageously
- How to value time as our most important commodity
- How to nourish our relationships
- How to live fully, one day at a time
Finally the FREE Happier App is available to you for download. Based on the work of renowned happiness and habit-formation expert Gretchen Rubin, it is more than just a habit tracker. It gives you daily habit-formation tips and happiness-boosting insights to gain self-knowledge and strategies, with personalized recommendations. Different tools work for different people and you can try it now!
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are some of the tools I use to support the health and wellness of my patients, but the healing that occurs is always prompted from the inside. The answers to health and wellness reside in your heart. I help people learn how to listen to their body’s wisdom and reconnect the unconscious mind to nurture the mind-body connection. Doing this work allows people to realize their full capacity and choose to live a life aligned with their values, nourished by their dreams and desires. Together, we co-create opportunities for healing as the process unfolds.
I offer compassionate, attentive care. I see you. I hear you. I celebrate your journey. As an experienced clinician, I support patients as they come home to themselves, reconnecting the mind, body and spirit. This is my greatest passion: to serve as a facilitator, navigator and coach as you transcend old patterns and come into alignment with your best self. Are you ready to choose your Self and celebrate your gifts? Are you ready to manifest your Authentic Self that is abundant with health and vitality? Commit to being present and living your life with intention. Schedule an appointment today and begin to step into your power of self-directed practical magic.
