Aligning with Autumn

Supporting Body and Spirit through the Season of Letting Go

There is profound meaning and power behind seasonal changes. In Chinese medicine, the rhythm of nature is not separate from us, as I truly believe, it is us. To live in balance, we must align our bodies, minds, and spirits with the energy of each season. By doing so, we honor the natural cycles of growth, transformation, and rest that sustains all of life.

Of all the seasons, Autumn (Fall) holds a special place in my heart. It is truly one of the most beautiful times of the year. The brief moment of transformation we witness is beyond stunning but within that beauty lies a deeper energetic shift, one that many people feel, yet don’t always recognize. Autumn is the season of letting go, and with it comes an invitation to reflect, to release, and to grieve.

Autumn in Chinese Medicine: The Season of Metal

In the Five Element Theory, Autumn corresponds with the Metal element. Each element is linked with specific organs, emotions, senses, and environmental qualities. Understanding these correspondences helps us care for ourselves holistically during each seasonal shift.

Core associations of Metal (Autumn):

Yin Organ: Lungs
Yang Organ: Large Intestine
Emotion: Grief, Sadness
Sense Organ: Nose
Tissue: Skin
Elemental Climate: Dryness
Color: White
Taste: Pungent
Stage of Development: Harvest

Autumn invites us inward. It’s a time when Yin energy begins to rise, gradually pulling us from the outward, expansive energy of summer into the introspection and stillness of winter. This is nature’s call to begin slowing down, to harvest the lessons of the year, and to begin letting go of what no longer serves us, just like the trees releasing their leaves.

The Beauty in Letting Go

As the leaves turn their beautiful shades of red, orange, and that sun-kissed gold, we are witnessing the final flicker before the flame goes out. Just as a candle burns brightest in its last moments, the trees, too, display their most radiant colors just before surrendering their leaves to the earth.

This vivid display reminds us that there is beauty in release. The brightness we see is not the beginning of decay but the final celebration of what was, before the cycle turns inward once again.

This idea mirrors a truth seen throughout life: there is often a spark, a heightened clarity, or emotional intensity just before we fully let go. In our bodies and spirits, this might show up as a surge of reflection, grief, or even creative energy. It is the soul’s way of honoring what is being released. 

Honoring Grief and Letting Go

Grief is the primary emotion of the Lungs, and it often surfaces more intensely during the fall season. This isn’t something to fear or avoid, grief is an emotion that shows us how deeply we love. It is a natural process of transformation, helping us clear space for what’s next.

Fall is not just about shedding, it is about preparing. The trees do not mourn the loss of their leaves; they trust the cycle. In the same way, Chinese Medicine reminds us that by letting go, we create space for deeper rest, inner transformation, and eventual renewal.

So as the leaves fall, as the air turns dry, and as the light retreats, take this time to come home to yourself, to your beautiful body, mind, and spirit. Embrace the grief, the stillness, and the clarity that autumn brings. Every season offers its own medicine, if we’re willing to listen.

I invite you to journal, here are some prompts to support you during this energetic shift:

Where in my life can I create more space for stillness or rest?

What lessons have I learned from this past year and what am I ready to release?

As the energy draws inward, what part of myself do I want to reconnect with?

🍂 Stay Connected!

If this blog resonated with you and you’d like to continue aligning your body, mind, and spirit with the rhythms of nature, I invite you to stay up to date on future posts.

My next blog will explore:

• Seasonal foods and herbs that deeply nourish the body during Autumn
• How to prepare your system for the deep Yin energy and stillness of Winter
• Practical tips rooted in Chinese Medicine to boost immunity, support digestion, and maintain emotional balance as the seasons shift

Until then, be gentle with yourself, breathe deeply, and honor the beauty of letting go.

 

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”

— Lao Tzu