Late Summer

Late summer or Indian summer is a time of seasonal transition. During this gentle abundant season, we shift our attention from the fiery expansiveness of summer toward the watery inwardness of winter. We may want to move from a lighter to a heavier diet in response to the changes of temperature.

During this time of metamorphoses it is important to stay grounded (earth element). We help achieve this through a grounded diet, staying close to the earth and using our five senses.

Do This!

Exercise 71 • Exploring Indian Summer

Plan to spend part of your day on or close to September 1st outside. Walk around and observe your environment. Check out the plants, animals, birds and people. Sense the play of the elements at this time.

How do you experience the decrease of fire in your environment and body?
How is the shortening of the day affecting your mood and sleep patterns?

LATE SUMMER BODY SYSTEMS

The two body systems associated with the late summer are the stomach and the spleen.

Stomach:

The stomach is the organ that takes in nourishment and begins the digestive process. It is connected to the nervous system, which regulates the secretion of acids and enzymes. A state of over excitement or eating too rapidly may result in digestive upset. Our eating habits connect to our energy state. Relax as you eat and savour your food. After eating relax for awhile. A short walk can aid digestion.

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Spleen:

The spleen is the organ that distributes the energy from food. According to Chinese medicine it rules the memory, will power and the ability to form opinions. An imbalance in the spleen may be a lack of willpower. The spleen governs the menstrual cycle in women. Problems with the menstrual cycle and infertility may be caused by a spleen imbalance. The spleen stores blood, and destroys old blood cells. It is a reserve organ for blood formation.

LATE SUMMER ELEMENTS

Earth is the element of late summer. This element governs the actions of the stomach, the spleen and pancreas. The Earth element gives us the power of manifestation. This element connects to forming opinions and creating thoughts. An imbalance in the earth element may be revealed as obsessive thinking. Since the nervous system rules the digestive system nervous thinking may result in indigestion. Also a strong attraction or repulsion to the colour yellow may suggest an earth imbalance. The earth element connects to nourishment.

DREAMBODY HARVEST

Do This!

Exercise 72 • Harvesting Experiences

Take some time to think about your personal harvest. Think about any projects you have recently completed or are close to completing. Focus your attention on them and allow the experience into your body.

Allow the positive energy to renew your spirit and let go of the negative.

Record harvest experience:

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LATE SUMMER EXERCISE

Centering and becoming grounded can be part of the internal change during this transition period.

Do This!

Exercise 73 • Using the Six Directions to Get Focused

Stand on the earth. Turn to the four directions and invoke their powers. Name each of the directions, North, South, East, and West. Give each directions all the attributes you think of; colour, emotion, mental characteristics and animal powers e.g. I would turn to the North and say " I welcome in the powers of the North. Coldness, clarity, wildness and wilderness, the Polar Bear, Snow Goose and my Nordic ancestors."

Name and imagine the above, all that is above you. Next name the below, all that is below. Picture yourself surrounded by a sphere of light and energy formed by all the points of the directions. Sense and affirm yourself as the centre of this sphere. Repeat this exercise during transitions when you feel nervous or ungrounded.

Record grounding experience:

LATE SUMMER DIET

The diet for late summer is building and toning. We need more fat and proteins than with the summer diet. Vegetarians would benefit from eating more whole grains and steamed vegetables. The great variety of fruits and vegetables are now coming available in the mellow days of late summer. Remember to include beans, some *dairy products and eggs. There are many ways for vegetarians to increase their protein intake such as soy, nuts and seeds. Essential minerals may be obtained from sea vegetables such as Nori, Kombu, Wakame, Hijiki, Dulse, Bladderack, Sea lettuce and many others. Meat eaters can increase their portion of poultry and fish during this time. Only increase red meat consumption a small amount.

*We recently came upon an article on milk by Robert M. Kradjian. It reduced our families consumption of dairy products to goat's milk, a little cheese and Ghee (clarified butter).

To receive a copy send $3.00 to:

Canada Earth Save Society,
#103 - 1093 W. Broadway,
Vancouver ,B.C., Canada, V6H 1E2

and ask for Dr. Kradjian's Milk Letter October 1993. If you are a heavy dairy consumer I encourage you to send for it.

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Course Index
Seasons Index
Late Summer