The Fifth Season

Those smarties in the far, ancient east recognized long ago that the long Summer season actually had two distinct parts: Summer and Late Summer.  While Summer is the time to stay up late to enjoy long days and beers with neighbors, friends and lovers, Late Summer is notably different.

The last two weeks or so we have heard reports from you that you are more foggy, less focused, and downright lazy.  Perfect. Late Summer has arrived. 

The Challenges of Late Summer:

  • Sluggishness
  • Procrastinating tendencies
  • Feeling tired and heavy

If you have felt unmotivated, you are not alone. All of nature (including your human pals) are going through a necessary seasonal shift.  Energy rises in Spring and Summer and at this point we start to transition to a slower time. It’s OK. Fall will endow us all with a new fresh start – time to plan, time to organize (the gift of our ancestors who needed to plan for a hard, long winter).  

Modern Translation: Just as it would have been silly to start a new garden bed in August in early farmsteads, it is not an ideal time to start a new project. Soak up what is already around you. You have all you need now. Enjoy a month of a slower pace (everyone else is at the beach – no one will even notice!).

The Joys of Late Summer: 

  • Noticing abundance
  • Slowing it down

If you and I were farmers, we would have done all the field work in Spring and Summer, and come Late Summer it’s time to harvest and enjoy our ripened fruits in the shade out of the intense heat.  

Modern translation: It’s time to feel gratitude for the fruits of accomplishment from the year of work behind you – in the garden, in career, in personal growth, etc. Time to draw your attention and gratitude to the abundance around you, like the friends who “get you,” good food, a well written book, etc. Savor it. Fill your storehouse as if to prepare for the Fall and Winter ahead.

How Does Acupuncture Help with the Transition into Late Summer?

  • Supports digestion: your digestive system can be weakest in Late Summer, e.g. diarrhea/constipation, tired after eating, etc.
  • Moves dampness out of joints: in this damp time of year the “dampness”/humidity will get linger in joints in the form of pain and stiffness.
  • Clears brain fog and fatigue: Late Summer is heavy. Use acupuncture to help clear the feeling of moving through mud during daily tasks.
  • Lightens negative feelings such lack of support, understanding and envy/jealousy that can be strong this time of year.

Want to try a treatment to off-set the Late Summer’s effect? Schedule online here.