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| Happy Days Mitesh,
We continue our journey coursing through the East Asian astronomical and astrological markers of the season. By now, you shouldn't be surprised to hear that summer ends and fall begins on August 2nd.
On my way to work today, I was listening to a radio segment about Rewilding. Rewilding is about giving nature its space to restore balance. It promotes biodiversity, native species, and resilient ecosystems. When we resist the impulse to manicure our environment to meet societal standards, we enhance our ability to hear what nature is saying. When we are able to hear that call of the wild, we can be in harmony with it and respond to it as well. I hope these newsletters have been developing that ability within you.
This is also the fifth issue of our newsletter. I'm hoping you can provide us with feedback regarding the newsletter. If you haven't had a chance to read the past newsletters, you can find the newsletter archive here. Details regarding the survey are in the Clinic Update section. Here are the contents of today's newsletter.
Newsletter Content
- Clinic Update: Newsletter Survey
- Seasonal Insights: Savoring the Shift from Midsummer to Fall's First Breath
- Health Tips for the Season: Touching Autumn and Staying Seasonally Mindful
- Educational Opportunities: Four Part Quarterly Lecture Series on Detoxification
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Seasonal Insights
Savoring the Shift from Midsummer to Fall's First Breath
We're almost at the beginning of Fall which starts on August 2nd.
Surprise! It doesn't begin on the equinox.
Well, maybe it's not too big of surprise given what I've been discussing in the last few issues. Just to remind you of what we talked about in Issue 3, the sun has been warming the earth with solar energy for a few months now. On the solstice, we start to see that intensity decrease. It's slow at first, but halfway between the equinox and the solstice, the intensity decreases quickly.
But because there's a delay, we still have hot days ahead of us. And remember, local phenomena affect the actual weather in the area.
So what am I going to talk about today? There are two things I want to emphasize about the season. Get out there to savor it. And prepare yourself for fall.
I mean to encourage you to go out and play and enjoy the weather, but that doesn't mean you should go out in the middle of the day. The best times, of course, are early morning and late evening. These are the times when the air is cool, refreshing, and invigorating.
Many cultures around the world celebrate the midpoint between the summer solstice and autumn equinox. We can draw inspiration from each other's traditions to find health and well-being.
In Ireland, they celebrate Lughnasadh, a festival that signifies the beginning of the harvest. Here is a modified description taken from Wikipedia:
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| During the Middle Ages, the Óenach Tailten or Áenach Tailteann (now spelled Aonach Tailteann) was held every Lughnasadh at Tailtin. According to medieval literature, kings would attend this óenach and declare a truce for its duration. It resembled the Ancient Olympic Games, featuring ritual athletic and sporting contests, horse racing, music and storytelling, trading, proclamation of laws, resolution of legal disputes, drafting of contracts, and even matchmaking. At Tailtin, young couples would participate in trial marriages by joining hands through a hole in a wooden door. These trial marriages would last for a year and a day, after which they could be made permanent or broken without consequences. |
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| Meanwhile, in China, they observe Lìqiū, or the Start of Autumn. The tradition is marked by Biting Autumn, during which people eat melons or peaches to celebrate the bountifulness of nature. In other parts of China, fruits and meats are dried starting from this festival in preparation for autumn and winter. With the arrival of Autumn, people await the cool wind, morning fog, and the sound of cicadas.
Both traditions recognize the changing rhythms of nature and our connection to the earth's cycles. In the quiet of morning or the hush of evening, take a moment to observe the subtle shifts around you. The light may seem to linger differently, casting longer shadows as days gradually shorten. Listen for changes in the birds' songs, their melodies adapting to the season. Your garden, too, holds clues—perhaps a leaf beginning to turn or a plant preparing for dormancy. And on a lucky day, you might catch that first cool breeze, a gentle reminder that autumn is on its way.
This time of year is about transition, preparation, and appreciation. So while you're enjoying these last weeks of summer, start thinking about how you want to welcome the new season and the change in weather.
Take the time to savor these late summer days, relishing in the taste of the first ripe tomatoes from your garden. Allow yourself to rest in the soothing hum of the summer evenings, while your mind wanders towards the anticipation of the upcoming crisp and vibrant autumn days. As fall approaches, it brings a unique beauty and a colorful transformation distinct from summer and spring. It is a season of labor and preparation, yet it holds its own enchantment and charm. Next time, we'll talk about the White Tiger. |
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Touching Autumn and Staying Seasonally Mindful
During this season, engage your whole body as it bursts with energy, mirroring the vibrant natural world around you. Take note of the plentiful fruits that have ripened and are now ready to be savored. If you find yourself in the Pacific Northwest, consider venturing into the majestic cascades to gather antioxidant-rich huckleberries. And if the mountains are out of reach, find solace in your own garden, where life abounds and awaits your presence.
Prioritize your connections with the community. Embrace cookouts, barbeques, late evening dinners and all the like. In our busy, goal-oriented world, we need unstructured time to nurture and deepen connections. For those who crave a little friendly competition, playing basketball can be a great way to bond. Shooting hoops, engaging in playful banter, and even helping an opponent up after a fall are all part of the experience. Of course, you don't necessarily need to talk trash to enjoy the game. But you do you.
Remember to keep yourself cool and seek shade in the midday heat. Even though early mornings and late evenings are best, if you’re out at midday, make sure to give yourself a break. In China, people combat the warmth of Lìqiū by enjoying peaches and melons, which provide hydration and a refreshing respite. Another cooling option is chrysanthemum tea, particularly the budding yellow blossoms that are yet to fully open. Sip on this tea throughout the season to keep your eyes clear and your body cool.
Alternatively, immerse yourself in a revitalizing swim, an invigorating and low-impact form of exercise that cools and rejuvenates. The colder the water, the better, as it serves as a reminder of our own internal warmth and vigor. If a dip in the Pacific is not feasible, consider concluding your warm showers with a bracing blast of cold water.
In all these activities, embrace the Chinese tradition of "touching autumn" by taking a quiet moment to observe nature's transformations. By mindfully connecting to the natural world and nurturing a heart filled with gratitude and appreciation, we can alleviate stress and become beacons of harmony. Listen to your body and adapt these recommendations to suit your individual needs and local environment. Remember, true well-being lies in attuning ourselves to where we are and the paths we have yet to travel. |
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Looking Ahead
For the upcoming year, our lecture series will take a deep dive into the world of detoxification. As we age, our bodies accumulate toxins from the environment, and our natural detox processes can slow down. Understanding how to support detoxification is vital for maintaining health and well-being.
In our four-part series on detox, we will cover:
- Reducing daily toxic exposure
- Making informed choices about products for our homes and bodies
- Activities and dietary choices that support daily detox
- Supplements that aid detoxification
- Choosing and safely completing a detox program
We are excited to share this important information with you.
Our first lecture on reducing daily toxic exposure will be held on Thursday, August 22nd, at 5:30 PM.
We will send out registration details a few weeks before the lecture. We hope to see you there!
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| It's always a pleasure to contribute to the clarity and actionable steps that enrich your life and the lives of those you serve. Being a trusted part of your support network, helping you achieve your goals, is something we cherish deeply. Being committed to wellness and fulfillment isn't easy, but we hope that we are helping you smoothen that path.
Together, we can continue to create a community that inspires and empowers.
Warmly,
Mitesh Master, LAc |
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