Late Summer - when transition is transformation

Have you noticed that the end of Summer brings on a particular kind of heaviness? Some attribute it to the conclusion of the holidays and the return to routine and the monotony of daily life. However, it’s all about the energy around us. Since early February, the energy has been building, but it began to diminish around mid-August. By early September, we find ourselves in the midst of a transition period leading us into the more Yin phase of the year. Yin is characterized by being more hidden, darker, slower, and less vibrant, balancing out the high vibe months we've just experienced.

Each seasonal change involves a transition period between the conclusion of one season and the start of the next. However, the transition at the end of Summer is unique. It is more than just a transition; it is a period of transformation. Transformation refers to altering form, nature, or appearance. Alternatively, it can be described as a metamorphosis, conversion, or transmutation.

Let's observe Nature; it's the last chance to transform flowers into fruits. This is the peak time for Nature to ripen its fruits before energy diminishes. Plants that have already borne fruit start to wither, undergoing their further transformation. It is truly the time of abundance, both of quantity and variety. This sense of satiety is one of the reasons for the heaviness left in Late Summer.

A close-up of the zucchini flower's vibrant center highlights its detailed textures and golden tones.

Just as changes occur in nature, similar shifts happen within human beings; we can also sense these transitions affecting our bodies. After following a quick "on-the-go" Summer diet, our bodies might signal a need for proper nutrition. The signs your body may exhibit in Late Summer can include digestive issues, slower digestion, fatigue, bloating, swollen legs and general swelling, headaches, difficulty falling asleep, exacerbation of some chronic conditions, and the return of candida and other fungal issues. These examples indicate that your body is struggling to transform food into nourishing blood. The organs involved are the Stomach and Spleen, and the symptoms appear when their energies are weak and in need of strengthening.

To enhance Stomach and Spleen health during this time, modify your diet to include more cooked foods (such as porridge for breakfast instead of cold yogurt), eliminate ice cream, and incorporate honey and warm water to support your Stomach and Spleen. Begin your day with a glass of warm water. If you experience digestive issues, consume some ginger after meals. Go to bed an hour or half an hour earlier than during holidays to adjust to gradually shorter days and ensure sufficient rest. If you are struggling with symptoms and a feeling of heaviness, eliminate gluten, dairy, and processed sugars from your diet until you feel better.

The Spleen and Stomach are two organs that will assist you in adapting to the approaching Autumn and also play a role in your current mental and psychological transformation.

We are experiencing a truly transformative period in September. It's an ideal time to mentally organize your life and transform the burden of new post-holiday responsibilities into a fresh routine. With the start of a new academic year, our daily habits can be reshaped. It's not about cramming your schedule, but rather creating a sustainable and nourishing rhythm. Let your days unfold like a dance routine—smooth, creative, expressive, and fulfilling. Analyze how you spend your time during the day: how much is dedicated to self-care versus house-care, how much time is spent working and commuting compared to being in nature, and how much time do you spend in front of a screen versus nurturing a hobby or relationship?

What thoughts fill your mind throughout the day? Engaging in conscious reflection, particularly during meditation, can help identify which thoughts should be transformed from repetitive or negative into more productive and positive ones. This practice of mental hygiene can release a significant amount of energy that might otherwise remain trapped.

This period offers your soul a chance to return to its origins after the erratic, vibrant, and social energy of summer. It's an ideal moment to reflect, find your center, and ground yourself to process everything that has occurred. Don't feel guilty if you're not up for hosting another dinner party! This feeling aligns with the present energy. Focus on your needs and nurture yourself with rest and beauty; for instance, enjoy a massage or another pampering experience. Receiving is crucial for transformation of the soul's nourishment.

In certain respects, it's another journey around the Sun since you last had the chance to re-center. What transformation have you already undergone and what aspects within you have matured for metamorphosis? Maybe you're prepared to take on new responsibilities that bring fulfillment and let go of those that are merely burdensome. Perhaps that is part of the heaviness you are feeling this month.

If you find yourself needing help during the transition period of September, schedule a seasonal treatment to support the transformation of food, thoughts, and experiences into nourishment for your body, mind, and soul.

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November - last orders for letting go

The 7th of November will mark the beginning of Winter according to the classic Su Wen text. Depending on where you live in the northern hemisphere you may feel it more or less wintery around you. Here in the central Italy it definitely does not feel wintery yet; feeling yet that autumnal stillness, the leaves have just began to turn yellow and the air is still smelling of fungus. All that seems like a little extension to Autumn energy as in reality, the beginnings and endings of seasons are never clear cut.

If you remember my October update, Autumn is related to Lungs and Large Intestine. Being at the far end of the Autumn there is more emphasis on Colon and clearing out activity. Think about your garden or a park near you or a tree growing near your house. It is at the end of Autumn that we need to clear out lots of dead leaves fallen to the ground.

Analogically, the end side of Autumn season is the best time to consider what we still want, or better, need to let go of before the Wintery withdrawal and accumulation season initiates. At least here in Italy we seem to have those last chances to clear out things or energy from our homes, bodies, minds and emotions.

So let's start with your body. Is your body moving smoothly or have you had your rheumatisms, headaches, constipations, extra-weight, swellings, candida in your body recently? If those symptoms have come up in the Autumn months that is clearly an indication that cleansing is necessary. It is the best time to help your Colon in clearing out by cutting down or cutting out the foods that slow down your peristalsis: glutinous grains and meat in particular. Adding, however, extra fibre from fruits, veggies and pulses. It is ideal time to help your Colon with probiotics too, remembering that you can get it from fermented foods too!

How about your mind? Are you able to get clarity at work and in other activities? If you struggle with too many thoughts that keep you awake at night you need to sit still more often and teach your mind to let go of habitual mental unrest. In the morning, plan your day consciously according to your priorities. Focusing on what is necessary to do at hand and sweep away cluttering and unproductive thoughts. Make a conscious effort to address that which is necessary. Face head on your obligations, including bills or payments, handle and resolve difficult issues with friends and family, etc. Putting things aside will hold and block the energy so resolving them will release a lot of energy which you will notice in your affairs moving ahead.

Or perhaps you have noticed that after relaxing Summer months you got back into the stressful whirl of work and life that has by now created in you feelings of anger, frustration, withdrawal, lack of enthusiasm, even fear of not not making it. Although we all have our own dynamics to work on, this period of late Autumn is a perfect time to just let go of painful feelings irrespectively of where they originate from. The energy that is out there right now is so helpful in doing just that: detach from all those destructive emotions that only stop you from experiencing life fully.

To add to this Autumnal energy we are astrologically in between two Eclipses (the Solar and the Lunar between the 25th October and 7th November), the energy of which will continue afterwards for a while. It powers the energy of introspection and reset, which is perfect for clearing the old and setting the new, clean plate for time to come; be it in your life or in your habits that ultimately create your health and wellbeing.

To start with take one habit, physical, mental or emotional that has been around for too long or you got rather tired of. Make a conscious effort to change your attitude towards it; let go of the need to repeat it. All along remember: habits cannot make who you are, put yourself in charge of your habits!

If you don't know where to start, you can book an appointment to get some help from ancient traditional diagnosis and treatment; click on the button below to proceed.

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