How to Prepare for Autumn with Traditional Chinese Medicine & Feng Shui
Looking at the modern day Ba-gua Map you’ll recognize the four seasons that correspond with the directions; North (winter), West (autumn), East (spring) and South (summer).
We have entered into the season of autumn which is about harvesting what we planted in the spring (literally and intentionally). The air is cooler and drier; and there seems to be more clarity of vision, both externally and spiritually.
During autumn; creativity, refinement, minimalism, and our connection to nature is highlighted. The emotion associated with Metal is sadness and this is not a bad thing. We are simply saying goodbye to the warm carefree days of summer and are preparing for a time of self-reflection in winter. Its also important to embrace this time with the ability to let go of the past that no longer serves you and create space for the new. Your personal manifestation of this could reveal its self in the form a new job, new friends, a new relationship, new ideas, etc. The intention of creation will focus on what you focus on.
To further assist with our physical alignment of autumn, do your best to eat foods that flow within the season's energetic frequency. It’s suggested to eat warm, cooked foods that include spicy or pungent flavors from time to time. Below is a quick food template to consider. If anything, see this as an opportunity to try new ingredients that take you outside your comfort zone.
Fruits:
Concord grapes
Niagara grapes
Pears
Apples
Vegetables
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Meats:
Duck
Pheasant
Rabbit
Venison
Wild Turkey
Collard Greens
Italian Parsley
Fennel
Jerusalem artichokes (a/k/a sunchokes)
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Fish:
Atlantic Mackerel
Bluefish
Monkfish
Native Oysters
Pacific Salmon
Red Snapper
Scallops (bay and sea)
This list suggestion is by Integrative Cancer Answers
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsnips
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Shelling Beans
Turnips
Winter Squash
- With all this noted, I also invite you embrace connecting with Mother Nature more (i.e. hiking, walking, kayaking, bike riding, having a picnic outside, etc).
- Allow yourself to indulge in the practice of mediation and give yourself permission to relax. For some this may be easier said than done, do your best to lay off the sodas and juices and drink more filtered water. This is a great simple way to help your body detox.
- And to top off your autumn season, implement some modern-day foundational Feng Shui principles, such as with organizing and decluttering your home.
Laura Cerrano is a Full-time Certified Feng Shui expert with 20+ years of experience. She provides bi-coastal consultations and workshops for residential, real estate developments, Fortune 500 companies, and healing facilities. She is currently conducting research for her upcoming book that focuses on bridging the gap between the ancient wisdom of Feng Shui and modern day science to establish the practice of Feng Shui as a credible form of health care.