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Bitesize Blogs - Autumn Pt.3 - a Daoist Perspective
Late Summer - the Earth Element, Blends with Autumn, the Element of Metal - Grounding and Letting Go - A Daoist Perspective
In Summer we are in full Yang, Masculine, energy, but as we move through into Late Summer (the 5th season in Daoist tradition) and into Autumn, the Yin, Feminine, energy is rising and needs to be balanced.
Late Summer & the Earth Element
In the Daoist tradition, there is a fifth season that often goes unnoticed in the West - Late Summer. This is the season of the Earth element, a time of grounding, balance, and integration. It arrives after the fullness of high Summer, before the crispness of Autumn takes hold, around Mid to Late August until the Autumn Equinox.
Whereas in the West, we might just say Late Summer, or even use the term Indian Summer (something people of my generation hear / heard our parents say all the time, and I still have no idea what it means!!), without thinking of it as being it's own separate season, it aligns much more to honour it as such.
Late Summer is deeply connected to the Spleen and Stomach in Chinese Medicine. This is the time to nourish our digestion and immunity, building inner strength before we head into the colder, darker months. Eating seasonal foods such as grains, squashes, root vegetables, and naturally sweet produce helps to harmonise the body and support our energy.
Spiritually, the Earth element reminds us to come back to centre, to find stability, and to ground ourselves before the seasonal shift into the Metal element of Autumn. Just as the harvest ripens, we too can pause, give thanks, and take stock of what we have grown before letting go of what no longer serves us.
By aligning with this season of Late Summer, we strengthen body, mind, and spirit, carrying nourishment with us into Autumn and Winter.
Key Emotions of Earth Element (Spleen/Stomach):
Worry & Overthinking – the mind going in circles, rumination
Anxiety – particularly digestive-related or from feeling unsupported
Nurturing & Compassion – the healthy side of Earth, care for self and others
Groundedness & Stability – feeling centred, safe, and balanced
When Earth Element is out of balance, we may notice:
Feeling stuck in worry, unable to let go of thoughts
Fatigue, heaviness in the body, lack of motivation
Digestive issues (bloating, cravings, sweet tooth, sluggish digestion)
Over-giving to others and neglecting self-care
How to Work with the Earth Element:
Food & Nourishment – eat warm, cooked, seasonal foods like squashes, sweet potatoes, grains, and root veg
Movement – gentle practices like qigong, walking, or yoga that connect body and breath
Stillness & Grounding – meditation, barefoot walking, spending time in nature
Balance Giving & Receiving – notice when you are over-nurturing others and redirect some of that care inward
Rituals of Gratitude – honour the harvest, both outer (seasonal foods, abundance) and inner (your personal growth)
Earth-Centred Herbs & Teas – oatstraw, ginger (lots of ginger!), dandelion and burdock root to support digestion and grounding
Tend to the Earth and Nature - tidy and put your garden "away for Winter", but not too much! - leave seed heads and stalks, piles of leaves and logs for insects and critters to overwinter.
The Season of Autumn is connected with the Metal element. Just as the trees shed their leaves, Metal teaches us about letting go of what no longer serves us, and refining what is essential. It is the element of clarity, discernment, and purity, the alchemy of distilling life down to what truly matters.
Metal relates to the lungs and the large intestine in the body. Both organs teach us the balance between taking in and releasing. The lungs are about taking in the breath that nourishes us, and the letting go of that breath to create space - the large intestines take in water and nourishment from absorbed food and release it as waste. In Qigong and breath practices, Late Summer and Autumn invites us to slow down, deepen the breath, and release any old grief or stagnant energy we may be holding in our chest and in our bodies.
The emotions of Metal are grief and inspiration. Grief comes as we release, honouring what has passed, but Metal also gives us the spark of new inspiration and inner strength that comes from clarity.
Metal Element – Emotions & Practices
Key Emotions of Metal Element (Lungs/Large Intestine):
Grief & Sadness – the natural emotion of letting go and honouring loss
Release & Acceptance – healthy expression of Metal, surrendering what no longer serves
Integrity & Strength – clarity, boundaries, and self-respect
Inspiration – breathing in fresh energy, connecting to the spiritual and sacred
When Metal Element is out of balance, we may notice:
Difficulty letting go – holding onto old relationships, habits, or grief
Shallow breathing, lung issues, skin problems, or constipation
Perfectionism, rigidity, being overly critical of self or others
Feeling disconnected from purpose or higher meaning
How to Work with the Metal Element:
Breathwork – deep breathing, pranayama, or qigong practices to expand the lungs
Ritual of Release – journaling, fire rituals, or letting go meditations at the Equinox
Honouring Grief – allowing space for tears, acknowledging past losses without judgment
Nature Connection – long walks among falling leaves, feeling the cycles of release in the trees - garden, make seasonal altars / mandalas
Seasonal Foods – pungent flavours (onion, garlic, ginger, radish, mustard greens) and warming stews
Sacred Space – cleanse your home (smoke, sound, decluttering) to create clarity and inspiration
Sound & Vibration – work with tone, mantra, or sound baths to resonate with the lungs and open energy flow
Autumn invites us to:
Let go – of clutter, relationships, emotions
Do breathwork - open the lungs to release stagnant emotions
Do shadow work – examine what's no longer serving us
Reflect and integrate lessons
Embrace balance:
“There is no light without darkness.”
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