On the Cusp of Transformation with the Autumn Equinox

Autumn officially started Tuesday morning, and according to the East Asian tradition, we've now entered into the time of Metal, the element associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine. These are the organs that take in nutrients from the outside world, nourish us, and release unused byproducts. So, this is a time when we assess what's precious and worth keeping, as well as what's no longer needed and can be left behind. Here's the great lesson of the Autumn Equinox--recognize our resources and gather our harvest, then share what we can with others after releasing what no longer sustains. 

How does this energy manifest in our visceral lives? This can be a powerful time to do an Autumn clearing and cleaning of our physical space in preparation for the reflective season of Winter. We can focus on making home and work accessible and cozy, cleaning out closets, donating items to mutual aid, while also doing our best to nourish our bodies lovingly. 

How does Metal engage our emotional and psychic selves? By deeply supporting us in moving through the cycles of grief. This can be a potent time to allow ourselves to hold the great ongoing losses of the pandemic and structural oppression. As we face the ongoing injustice against Breonna Taylor and Black communities and the overall violence facing so many of us, Metal gives us strength to carry on and heal as well. It offers resilience and determination in hard times while cautioning us to not veer into rigidity. 

This Autumn I’m working deeply on my own physical space; holding close what promotes our mutual healing and scrubbing away and letting go of what needs to go. I hope the result is something that suits us and our work in the most loving way. Beginning this week, I’ll be teaching a virtual yoga class on Wednesday mornings for Centered Studios in Chicago, I hope that you can join me!

As we see the colors changing and the light shifting in the cooler evenings we can remember that we can weather change too, and even thrive in it, aligning our lives with the seasons. 

Wishing you healing, breath, and all the resplendence of this changing time.