Here in the valley where I live, the abundance of late summer is on full display. We still have more weeks of hot weather, but I can already feel the shift towards the earth element. My garden basket is brimming with late summer tomatoes and basil, and the squashes are growing at an almost daily rate. But there’s also a hint of decay in the air – there are more golden leaves on the forest floor, and even my body is starting to crave a bit more slowness.
Physically, energetically, and mentally, late summer is a time when life should be easy, and we should aim for the middle path. Not always simple to achieve when this season can get quite busy! Follow along below for a few easy ways to bring more late summer self-care into your life.
The Late Summer and The Earth Element
Did you know that in Chinese Medicine, the season of late summer is distinct? Late summer is associated with the earth element and is a short season marking the transition between yang (spring and summer) and yin (fall and winter).
Late summer is a crucial time of transformation, harvest, and nourishment. The Chinese character for the Earth element (pictured here) conveys two key aspects of it. The top horizontal line portrays the top of the soil (nourishment), and the bottom line represents the undersoil or bedrock (stability). Our central task with the earth phase of the cycle is to build stability, create balance, and reap the abundance that’s on offer.
Find Your Ground in Late Summer
"Ground…is what lies beneath our feet. It is the place where we already stand; a state of recognition, the place or the circumstances to which we belong whether we wish to or not. It is what holds and supports us, but also what we do not want to be true; it is what challenges us, physically or psychologically, irrespective of our hoped for needs. It is the living, underlying foundation that tells us what we are, where we are, what season we are in and what, no matter what we wish in the abstract, is about to happen in our body; in the world or in the conversation between the two. To come to ground is to find a home in circumstances and in the very physical body we inhabit in the midst of those circumstances and above all to face the truth, no matter how difficult that truth may be; to come to ground is to begin the courageous conversation, to step into difficulty and by taking that first step, begin the movement through all difficulties, to find the support and foundation that has been beneath our feet all along: a place to step onto, a place on which to stand and a place from which to step."
Follow these few tips to support your earth element in the late summer:
- Use grounding practices, especially focusing on strength in the legs and big muscles of the body.
- Practice yoga twists and poses that open or pressurize the digestive organs.
- Create regular and consistent routines, especially around cooking, mealtimes, and meal prep.
- Use simple food combining, whole foods, fermented and probiotic foods.
- Don’t take on too much! The earth element thrives when you “digest” experience. Process significant events and changes through journaling or self-reflection.
- Learn what nourishes you and do what nourishes you – physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, spiritually.
The Earth Element and Digestion
Late summer and the earth element are related to Spleen/Stomach energy and digestion. In many ways, holistic systems recognize that digestion is central to health. You can use the suggestions below to strengthen your digestive capacity.
DIGESTION SUPPORT TEA (CCF TEA)
This is a classic spice tea used in Ayurvedic medicine that supports digestive ease and agni (digestive fire) and is especially wonderful to use in the late summer.
- Bring water to a boil and add 1 part each fennel seed, cumin seed, and coriander seed.
- Simmer for about 15 min., then strain and drink
Find more resources on digestion below:
Late Summer Herbal Remedy
CALENDULA (Calendula officinalis) – LATE SUMMER’S HEALING OIL
Calendula is a vibrant summer beauty that offers a wealth of medicinal benefits. This year, my garden got an upgrade, so now I have more room for these lovely rays of sunshine!
I like to dry the petals and use them in baths, or soak them in oil to create soothing skin oils and salves. Calendula medicine is anti-inflammatory and rich in nutrients, including antioxidant carotenoids. It can be used topically for dry, parched skin and rashes, or internally in tea, tincture, or fresh on a salad.
(If you’re allergic to other plants in the daisy family like chamomile, use caution, but other than that, calendula is generally very safe.) Learn more about Calendula here.
Calendula is a vibrant summer beauty that offers a wealth of medicinal benefits. This year, my garden got an upgrade, so now I have more room for these lovely rays of sunshine!
I like to dry the petals and use them in baths, or soak them in oil to create soothing skin oils and salves. Calendula medicine is anti-inflammatory and rich in nutrients, including antioxidant carotenoids. It can be used topically for dry, parched skin and rashes, or internally in tea, tincture, or fresh on a salad.
(If you’re allergic to other plants in the daisy family like chamomile, use caution, but other than that, calendula is generally very safe.) Learn more about Calendula here.
GATHERING CALENDULA – Pinch off the flower heads on a sunny day. The more you pick, the more will bloom! Use fresh flowers in salads, or dry the flower heads (on a drying rack or in a very low-heat dehydrator) for use in medicines like tinctures and oils.
CALENDULA OIL RECIPE – Place dried blooms (make sure they’re completely dry) in a jar and cover with oil (I like olive oil or sweet almond oil). Leave the flowers to soak in the oil completely submerged for 4-6 weeks. Strain and enjoy! Use the oil on your skin or for other herbal remedies, such as salves.
Acupressure for Late Summer
Spleen 3 (Tai Bai):
This point is a “source point” and the earth element point for the Spleen channel. This means it has a powerful effect on strengthening the Spleen and Stomach Qi, and is particularly helpful for building energy related to the earth element. In Chinese Medicine, the Spleen/Stomach organ system is responsible for transforming and transporting Qi from food to the rest of the body. When this system is weak, there may be an accumulation of “damp,” which leads to fatigue, heaviness, and poor digestion. Use this point to alleviate fatigue, clear dampness, and promote strong digestive energy.
LOCATION: on the inside of the foot, below the ball of the big toe, where the dark and light skin meet. Bring your finger to the inside of your big toe. Slide your finger along the inside of your big toe towards your ankle, going over the big toe mound. The point is on the proximal side (side closest to the ankle) of the big toe mound, where the dark and light skin meet.
Learn more about the Spleen meridian here.
I hope these ideas support you as we transition through the earth element phase of the year. If you’d like to learn more about the energetics of late summer, be sure to check out my self-care course: Seasonal Self-Care for Late Summer. Happy late summer to you!
