Harvest Time, Shifting Seasons 🤍🫁🍂🌾

Late Summer Moves Into Fall 

The Fall Equinox will arrive Monday September 22, 2025. A mere 11 days away, we can already feel and see the season shifting and changing. 

Harvest Time + Late Summer Energy

With the peak energy of the Summer season waning, the daily light is shifting, this corner of the year naturally engenders a time to "take stock."

Amidst all the flurry of activity and the transitions of this time of year, it can also lend itself to gratitude and simple pleasures. In Wisconsin, our local food systems are abundant and there is so much bounty.

This Harvest time in Chinese Medicine theory, is acknowledged as a 5th Season: that of Late Summer. The season is associated with the digestive system, the Earth Element and the corresponding organs are the Spleen and Stomach.

Physiologically, these organ systems govern and are responsible for the quality of your digestion and your metabolism. Their function and energy is required so we can properly digest food, assimilate nutrients and "build" Qi (energy). If these organs are taxed or imbalanced we can experience any number of digestive symptoms: sluggish digestion, slow metabolism, fatigue, brain fog, acid reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, nausea, loose stools or diarrhea. 

Emotionally, our Spleen's energy supports our thoughtfulness, our mental stability and our relative experience of feeling "grounded." If the Spleen's energy is taxed or imbalanced, we can experience that particular type of anxiety that involves rumination, over-thinking and perseveration. 

Spiritually, our Spleen's energy governs our intellect. Our capacity to take in ideas or information, to "digest" that information, sort through facts and data is all supported by healthy Spleen energy from the Chinese Medicine perspective. 

Local Abundance

In Wisconsin we have so many dedicated farmers and local purveyors who make our local foods systems rich and abundant. 

I'd like to give a quick shout out to the lovely folks at Vitruvian Farms for the delicious organic produce they grow and the community they foster. If you've been in clinic the past few years you know that I work a volunteer shift on Fridays in the Summer in exchange for a Community Supported Agriculture share. It has been such a source of goodness in my life <3 If you're ever in McFarland, they have a beautiful farm store curated with local products for you to enjoy year round. 

There are so many exceptional farms in the state of Wisconsin! I hope these resources might connect you to a farm or farms in your area. Our outdoor Farmer's Markets run well into October so there will be plenty of local abundance to take part in :) 

Fall: The Metal Element

The transition to Fall also lends itself reflection and introspection as the one Season gives way to another. 

The Fall Season is associated with the Metal Element which is comprised of the Lungs and the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine Theory. 

Physiologically, their correspondences are the same as in Western Medicine: the Lungs govern the respiratory system and the Large Intestine is responsible for healthy waste removal. The Lungs also have a role in governing your skin and an aspect of your immune system that we refer to as Wei Qi or "Protective Qi". 

Emotionally, the organs of the Metal Element help us move through and process our experience of grief and sadness. 

Spiritually, the Lungs and Large Intestine supply us with healthy discernment. Just as we take in our next breath and then exhale (or take in nutrients, digest, and eliminate), these organ systems help us sort through and decide what we will keep and what we will let go of. 

Common imbalances of the Metal Element can present as: asthma, allergies, constipation, a lowered immune system or frequent colds, shortness of breath, chronic sinus issues, general dryness or dry skin or dry scalp.

Transitions At Any Age

This time of year often involves a change in routine and getting accustomed to a new rhythm. Transitions can be a real challenge at any age!

Life transitions can happen at any time of year, in any Season and can most certainly be big or small. With any new beginning, there is often an accompanying element of loss that can require some tending and care.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are here to support you, your Vital Life Force, your Whole Being as you move towards integration with whatever new changes are on the horizon. 

May you be well, I look forward to seeing you in the clinic soon! <3