The heat and sunshine has certainly allowed the full expression of the Fire element this Summer. Longer days encourage us to be more active, spending time outdoors with friends and family. Joy and laughter fill the beaches and parks as children play. Our physical hearts get more of a workout with outdoor activities too. Summer’s Fire can be intense for many, leaving them feeling a little burnt out. Others find their hearts (physical and emotional) and bodies feel the best in Summer. The Fire element, just like a candle flame or campfire, has both a quietness and intensity that draws people into its warmth. And the ranges of temperatures this Summer have certainly been quite like a flame!
The crest of Summer has peaked as we move into the Late Summer. This season can sometimes be overlooked…it has a different quality to it than high Summer, and there is a taste of the coming Autumn, but is often rushed through. During Late Summer, everything around us is full and “hanging”. The fruit and vegetable stands are bursting. The air is more humid and sticky and everything is viewed through a foggy haze. Our bodies and minds may feel heavier during Late Summer, finding it hard to move through our days and the heavy air. This year it feels particularly heavy and “stuck” with weeks of greater humidity and heat. But after all the high Summer fun this is a great season to enjoy some deeply nourishing time before the Autumn.
Related to the Five Element philosophy, Late Summer is represented in the Earth element which correlates with the functions of the stomach and spleen. The stomach digests all that we take in whether from words, food or thoughts, to nourish our whole body. The spleen carries blood throughout the body and mind, distributing energy throughout. These two organs function to process and distribute vitality on a physical level but also keep us centered and rooted to the ground in body and soul.
One way you can experience this Late Summer season in greater depth is by what (and how) you eat. The nurturing comfort of food is at its peak right now and you can see it in the fruits and vegetables that are in abundance. Do you make a conscious effort to savor all that you take in? The “taste” or flavor associated with the Earth element is sweet. You can soak in this wonderful season by visiting a local farm stand to sample all that is in season, smelling the sweetness and tasting it all. And at your next meal, notice whether you truly taste every bite. In doing so, notice your sense of satisfaction in body and mind after wards.
