Metal Element-Fall
"We cannot lose what really belongs to us,
even if we throw it away." ~ The I Ching
After the magnificent harvest of the Summer thanks to its Fire energy, the Fall and its Metal energy support our letting go of the waste, the old and stale in our lives, leaving us purified and ready to renew. Like trees letting go of their beautiful leaves, it's time for us to let go of the old clutter: toxins, pollutants, emotions, regrets, attachment, intellectual and spiritual garbage...
The Metal energy is also about protection and drives the immune system. So Metal energy is the connection between detoxification (letting go of the waste and old), maximum immunity and the Fall season of flu and cold.This is where the power of detoxification comes into play: to provide the help and support to eliminate what your body needs to eliminate but cannot by itself. Detoxification will move the old toxic burden out and purify your body, providing maximum support and strength for your immune system to shield you totally from viruses, bacteria and fungi. The best protection against diseases comes from within, not from vaccines!
Acupressure points for Detox
You can easily stimulate the function and vitality of a given organ (here the large intestine and the lungs) and support your body to flush out toxins by simply pressing some specific points on your body that correspond to acupressure meridian points:
Large Intestine 4: Great Eliminator:
Located on the top of the hand in the webbing between the thumb and index finger. Its name says it all!
Liver 3: Great Rushing:
Great Rushing can be imagined as a great physical, emotional and spiritual roto-rooter, breaking up blockages and allowing energy and blood to flow freely and detoxify. Located on the upper side of the foot in the depression in the webbing between the big toe and the second toe.
Lung 1: Central Palace:
A central place where nourishing and invigorating energies are born. Slide your finger along your collarbone to the outer end, just above the armpit. Central Palace is the natural depression just under the collarbone and just above the armpit.
Lung 9: Great Abyss:
A direct line to the Lungs, where it activates and energizes the Lung energy. Located on the crease of the palm side of the wrist in the depression at the base of the thumb.
There is a natural rhythm in letting things come and letting things go in our lives, breathing in the oxygen of life, and discharging the toxic aspects of the psychic air.
Metal helps us through changes in our lives, to let go and move on. Taking in the things we value and are precious to us from our experiences, letting go of things we don't need. Self-respect. To feel our value in the world and in see it in others. Out of balance: grief and sadness, perfectionism, unable to move on from change. The lungs and the large intestine, associated with metal in Chinese medicine, both deal with purification and elimination. The lungs take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide through breathing. The large intestine absorbs water and completes the absorption of nutrients, minerals and vitamins. It also holds and eliminates waste. Is it no wonder in the abundance of coughs and respiratory colds that occur more during the Fall than any other season? Our natural urges to cleanse our bodies and begin that art class, or start a new journal are all perfectly in sync with the natural rhythm of the inward turning energy available during the Fall season.
The gifts of the Metal Element in balance:
Courage, Non-Attachment, Openness, Acceptance, Ability to Grieve, Righteousness, Receptivity, Letting Come & Letting Go
SEASON: Fall
ORGAN: Lungs (yin) 3-5am Large Intestine (yang) 5-7am
DIRECTION: West
COLOUR: White
SOUND: Weeping
EMOTION: Grief (Letting go & Letting come)
ODOUR:Rotten
TASTE: Pungent
ORIFICE: Nose
SENSE ORGAN:Nose
FLUID: Mucous
GOVERNING BODY PART: Skin & Body Hair
CLIMATE: Dryness
PLANET: Venus
QUALITY: Harvesting
INDICATING BODY PART: Skin & Body Hair
HIGHEST EXPRESSION: Inspiration/Purification
SPIRIT: Corporeal Soul P’O
FALL FOODS
Adding more root vegetables and squashes to our diets is suitable in Fall, as well as cooking our food longer and eating warmer more densely nourishing meals. Picture large dishes of Roasted Fall Vegetables!! It is better to minimize mucous producing foods during this season, like dairy, sweets, breads, and pasta.
Enjoy Soups, Brown Rice & Wild Rice, Onions, Squash, Garlic, Ginger, Beans, Pumpkin, Root Veggies, Carrots, Leeks, Kale, Sweet potatoes, Yams, Cauliflower, Collards, Brussels sprouts, Winter squash, Cabbage, Apples, Pears, Figs, Grapes, Pomegranate, and Mushrooms. Here's Two of my Favorite Fall Recipes:
Fall Shitake Mushroom, Pumpkin and Okra Rice
2 cups pre-cooked brown rice, half red onion, about a sixth of a pumpkin, 8-10 okra, 4 garlic cloves,
handful shitake mushrooms,
2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 2/3 fresh green chillis
Slice the pumkin carefully, place about a sixth to steam or boil in a oil.
Finely chop the garlic and red onion.
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan on a medium heat.
Slice the green chillis lengthways, they’ll be easy to pick out this way if too spicy.
Add the cumin seeds to the oil.
Add the garlic and red onion, .
Wash and wipe dry the okra, chop off the ends and finely slice.
Pull out the Shitake mushroom stalks and finely slice.
Check the pumpkin with a fork, if soft take out to cool.
Stir in the mushrooms and okra and cook on a high heat stirring well.
Add the turmeric, salt and rice, stir well.
Chop the pumpkin when cool, and add!
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Squash and apple complement each other naturally; curry adds an exotic note.
Feel free to experiment with other types of winter or summer squash.
4 Tbsp sweet butter
2 cups chopped yellow onions
4-5 tsp curry powder
2 med sized butternut squash (about 3ils)
2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
3 c Chicken Stock
1 c apple juice
Salt and Pepper to taste
Garnish with 1 Granny Smith Apple, Grated
Melt butter, add chopped onnions, & curry powder and cook, covered until onions are tender, about 25min.
Peel and Chop the Squash. Add Stock, Squash and Apples to the Onions, and bring to a Boil. Reduce heat and simmer until squash and apples are tender. Process in a blender or food processor. Return to pot. Add apple juice, Season to taste with Salt and Pepper, Simmer briefly to heat through, and Serve, Garnished with Shredded Apple.
FALL HERBS
Coltsfoot- expectorant, respiratory soother, anti-tussive, supports harmonious lung function
Thyme- expectorant, anti-microbial, astringent, immune enhancing, digestive tonic
Ginger Root- warming, circulation, digestive tonic, colds, stimulating, sore throat soother
Burdock root- bitter, diuretic, skin &blood purifier, great for liver and skin conditions
Plantain- expectorant, diuretic, respiratory soother, bronchitis, coughs, astringent
Licorice- expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, coughs, bronchitis
Mullein- expectorant, respiratory soother &tonic, anti-inflammatory
