Most of us think of the year in four distinct seasons. Yet, ancient traditions like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) observe a fifth: the season of late summer. 

This often-overlooked period holds a unique energy. An energy that asks us to slow down, nourish ourselves, and find our footing before the autumn transition. 

Late summer is the season of the Earth element. It's a time for harvesting the fruits of our labour and tending to our inner foundation.

Understanding this season and aligning with the Earth element offers a profound way to: 

• Support your digestion, 

• Find your footing, and 

• Cultivate emotional balance.

The Fifth Season: Understanding the Energy of Late Summer

Each season flows into the next, carrying a specific energy that influences our health and the world around us. In the five-element system of TCM, late summer is the central point, the pivot around which the other seasons turn. 

Its energy is similar to the feeling of a warm, golden afternoon just before dusk: stable, nourishing, and settled.

This season is associated with the Spleen and Stomach, the primary digestion and nourishment organs. 

The Earth element governs our ability to transform food into energy and to process thoughts and emotions. 

When our Earth element is strong, we feel centred, stable, and capable. We can give and receive care with ease, feeling secure in ourselves and our environment.

Signs of an Imbalanced Earth Element

Late summer is a season of transition, so it's easy for our internal systems to become unsettled. 

When your Earth element is unbalanced, you'll notice it physically and emotionally. 

Because of its connection to digestion, an imbalance can manifest as bloating, sluggishness, loose stools, or severe cravings for sugar and heavy foods. 

You'll also feel a persistent sense of fatigue or physical heaviness. And despite a healthy sleep pattern, these feelings remain. 

Emotionally, the Earth element is linked to the state of worry. An imbalance can lead to circular thinking, anxiety, and a mind that feels stuck. You'll struggle to feel settled, secure, or present in your body.

These signs are your body's way of letting you know it needs nourishment and stability. With a few simple, supportive actions, you can bring yourself back into balance.

How to Rebalance Your Earth Element in Late Summer

Cultivating balance during this season involves creating a sense of inner harmony and stability. These practices are designed to strengthen your digestive fire and ground your spirit. 

Eat for the Season

The Earth element is supported by foods that are naturally sweet, yellow, or orange, and those that grow in or near the ground. These foods are thought to be nourishing to the Spleen and Stomach.

Add these foods to your diet:

• Root Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and yams.

• Squashes: Pumpkin, butternut squash, and acorn squash.

• Grains: Millet, corn, and rice.

• Legumes: Chickpeas and lentils.

Eating warm, cooked foods is crucial during this time. 

Soups, stews, and porridges are easier for your body to digest, reducing the burden on your Spleen. This helps your system to absorb nutrients and build energy more efficiently. 

Remember to also practice mindful eating. Take the time to chew your food thoroughly and eat in a calm environment. This will reduce the burden on your digestive system, allowing for better nutrient absorption.

Create Stability Through Routine

The Earth element thrives on reliability. Create a simple, predictable rhythm for your days. This will have a profound impact on your sense of well-being. 

We don't mean a rigid schedule, but rather gentle consistency. 

Try to wake and go to sleep around the same time each day. Eat your meals at regular intervals to support your digestive system's expectations. 

This rhythm creates a safe container for your body, helping to calm the nervous system and reduce feelings of worry.

Move to Ground Your Body

Strenuous exercise can deplete the body during this time. Instead, choose gentle, grounding movements that connect you to the earth. 

A slow walk in nature, focusing on the feeling of your feet on the ground, is deeply restorative. Practices like Tai Chi, Qigong, or a slow-flowing yoga session are excellent for circulating energy without creating stress. 

The goal is to feel your connection to the stability beneath you.

Support Your Body with Earth-Sourced Remedies

The health of our soil is directly connected to our own. Our digestive system relies on a complex internal ecosystem, and you can effectively support it with elements from the earth. 

Because our gut health is central to the Earth element, taking soil-based medicines can help you regain your internal balance.

High-quality humic and fulvic supplements, derived from nutrient-rich soil, work to support a healthy microbiome and improve nutrient absorption from your food. It reflects the Earth element's core purpose of nourishment.

Manage Worry and Overthinking

Find or create a space for mental quietness to help settle and counter your emotional stressors. Now, we don't mean forcing your mind to be silent. Instead, implement gentle redirection. 

Simple breathwork exercises, where you focus on a slow and steady inhale and exhale, calm anxious thoughts. Journaling is another useful tool. It helps get looping thoughts out of your head and onto paper, providing clarity and release.

If you're after a more tailored approach, our personalized online consultations allow you to explore your well-being on a deeper level.

We're here to help you experience true well-being and live in harmony with all of nature's cycles.

Explore more of nature's remedies.

All WYRD Wellness supplements are sustainably wildcrafted in Northern Alberta and are third-party tested for purity.

Disclaimer: The wisdom shared within these words is offered as a guide on your journey of well-being. We at WYRD Wellness believe in the power of self-discovery and the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit. The information presented here is drawn from ancient traditions and modern understanding, but it is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

Always seek the counsel of qualified professionals for your individual health needs. Approach this knowledge with an open mind and a discerning heart, honouring your path and the wisdom of your ancestors.