Winter. Spring. Summer or Fall. 
And Late Fall...
All you have to do is call...
Wait--that's not how the song goes!
But... if Carole King had been in China when she wrote "You've Got a Friend," she would have had to tweak it a bit because according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) there are FIVE seasons to nature's annual cycle, not four. (There are actually twenty-four 'solar nodes" the calendar is divided into but that's another story for another time.) Finding ourselves halfway into August, we are moving into that unique "fifth" season right around now.
In previous posts, I've mentioned the ancient, energetic blueprint at the foundation of TCM--that of Five Element Theory. As each element (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood) has its own season, it's not hard to tally things up and get to five total seasons. But how and where does that extra season get squeezed in? I actually love this aspect of TCM theory because it's not just tagging on a label and adding in an extra time of year to our calendars. The way this fifth season is explained not only gives the Earth element--the caring proprietor of the fifth season--its seasonal place in the annual cycle of life from winter on through to fall; but it links all of the parts of nature's life cycle together and brings it all to center. With emphasis on "center." More on that shortly.
TCM's fifth season begins in mid-August and goes until the Autumnal Equinox. Some say its season lasts until the first frost. Generally its domain covers that of late summer, when there is somewhat of a shift not only toward slightly cooler temperatures but toward a gradual reduction in the level of activity and exuberance we witness at the height of the summer season. Its energy dovetails well with the eventual streamlining of activity as many head back to school, get more organized and move back into a more established fall routine. The season also recognizes the "fruits of its labors" from summer by being a time when gratitude for the abundance experienced from veggie harvests, overflowing gardens and summer fun is in order.
Earth energy is steeped in empathy and gentleness and has a nurturing nature when in balance, The influential organs of the Earth element are the Spleen and Stomach. Collectively, they are considered "the officials" responsible for digestion in the human body. The Stomach holds the food for digestion and the Spleen is responsible for transforming the food, extracting the nutrients, and getting them where they need to go. Keep in mind though, that we don't only digest our food, we also digest our thoughts and our emotions. So having Earth energy out of balance, or the Spleen or Stomach energy in a deficient or excess condition, can impact not only our GI system in the form of complaints like bloating, nausea, constipation, and fatigue; but our emotional system as well. Signs on that level could express as excessive worrying, pensiveness, overthinking, or even anxiety. In balance, a person with Earth element tendencies will be a peacekeeper and have warm, motherly qualities. When not in balance, they may tend to overgive or have difficulty receiving help or support.
Many Five Element charts will show the Earth element when part of the "generating" cycle, as located on the circle of elements between the Fire element and the Metal element. However, the chart that best shows the Earth's essence has the four other elements in their respective cardinal directions and Earth is at the center of them all. Its nature is stabilizing and grounding and each of the TCM elements lean into the Earth element before transitioning into the next season. In this way, not only do we experience the Earth's season in late summer, but we feel its influence for several days in between seasons. We find the Earth energy at the center and it essentially links the other seasons and elements together as the chart below shows. So it really has a place of huge significance in the seasonal life cycle!
The Five Element Chart Reflecting Earth as the Central Element
These are five of the pertinent characteristics of the Earth element:
Yin/Yang Organs: Spleen/Stomach
Color: Yellow
Season: Late Summer
Direction: Center
Emotion: Pensiveness, Overthinking
Here are five simple and effective ways to support your Earth element in late summer, and nourish your body; all of which will help strengthen your immune system as we transition into the colder months ahead:
Eat foods with a warming essence. Begin moving toward cooked foods like stews, soups, and bone broths to prepare the body for the cooler months ahead. The Spleen loves warmth.
Avoid cold drinks and raw food. Raw food is cold in essence and takes more qi, or vital energy, to digest.
Enjoy root vegetables. Their essence is warm, nourishing, and supports the Spleen.
Stabilize and ground your energy with essential oils. Placing a diluted drop of vetiver, cedarwood, or myrrh (supports mother energy) to the bottom of your feet before starting your day or before going to bed will help ground and center you.
Walk barefoot outside on the earth. "Earthing," aka grounding, is a scientifically supported therapeutic technique to help you literally connect with the Earth element through our planet's energy. Check out this
science article here for more information on its benefits.
In terms of other ways to support your Spleen energy specifically, I thought I would share some movement exercises that can be done anytime of year to keep your Spleen energy balanced. After all, we are digesting constantly, not just during certain times of year. It also helps to know that "the Spleen loves routine!" It loves warmth as well. Eating warm foods at similar meal times supports the Spleen. There is so much in terms of our gut health that is important for healthy living. For example, knowing that 90-95% of our serotonin, the neurotransmitter that impacts mood, learning, digestion, and many bodily processes, is produced in the gut so its health is of paramount importance. By engaging in some of these activities you will go a long way to making your Spleen a happy camper!
I realize that the Earth element does kind of get overlooked at times when discussing staying healthy with the seasons and that's why I wanted to shine the spotlight on its importance. We know in so many ways that how and what we digest--again this is the digestion of food, thoughts, and emotions-- is critical to our health and our health longevity. The more we can learn about the aspects of the Earth element and how best to support our Spleen and Stomach energy, the better thinker we will become and the better lifestyle choices we will make. And our Earth element will nurture us in return.
“Earth will transmit to you her solidity,
her peace, and her joy.
With your mindful breathing,
with your peaceful smile…”
--Thich Nhat Hanh
. To nourishing your center. xo
Do you see yourself reflected in the Earth element's traits? Along with seeing the TCM elements react in nature, we all have a predominant element that informs our way of being. While we are all a mixture of the Five Elements, you most likely have a constitutional type that stands out. If you're interested in learning more about the Five Element constitutional types, you can connect with me here.