In ancient Chinese wisdom, each season is associated with specific physical, emotional and spiritual energy. Similar to the ocean’s tide, where we can more easily catch a wave during high tide, seasonal energy offers an opportunity to more readily heal the associated physical, emotion and/or spiritual malady, as the energy is at its highest access point.

The season of Autumn is associated with the Metal element and the lung and large intestine organs; and thus, affects our ability to breathe and eliminate. From a physical perspective, Autumn reminds us of how essential it is to differentiate between what is needed and what is not, for optimal resilience. For example, when we fully exhale, our diaphragm wholly relaxes and thus, allows for complete oxygen exchange on the next inhale. In contrast, when we only partially exhale (i.e. shallow breathing), we hold onto ‘old breath’ (carbon dioxide) and top it off with suboptimal levels of ‘new breath’ (oxygen). When shallow breathing predominantly replaces diaphragmatic breathing, it creates low-level stress in the body and, over time, the diaphragm may weaken and ultimately, work less efficiently.

From an emotional perspective, Autumn offers a golden opportunity to get in touch with ourselves, to mine our worth. To do this, the metal element of Autumn provides a tool to ‘cut through’ emotional baggage, release and expel the nonessentials, and, in doing so, open our awareness to the new, pure, precious. Like the breath example — when we forego deep breathing, the amount of new we are able to inhale becomes limited — and when, in Autumn, we ’hold onto’ accumulated emotion — we limit our ability to receive and embody the energetic gifts of the season — inspiration, awe, reverence. While some may say, “I don’t need such gifts!”, the energetic access point of Autumn does not discriminate and is omnipresent. And the resultant discordance between our human desire to ‘hold on’ while being energetically guided to ‘let go’ — can result in feelings of sadness, sorrow, grief and depression.

Within western culture we have lost (or never learned) the skills necessary to navigate troubled waters, which has left many feeling unequipped. The result — instead of honoring the experience — we reach for the quick cure. In the case of sadness, grief and sorrow, it’s not uncommon to overhear (or even participate in) conversations that include ‘just let it go’ or ‘just get over it’. Yet, what does that really mean? For, we cannot truly make something magically disappear, this is the law of thermodynamics in modern physics: “Nothing is created, nothing disappears; energy is either transmitted or transformed.”

Whether it is feeling the depths of a personal loss or the sorrow of another’s, we have forgotten sadness, tears and grief are a natural element of the human experience, just as feelings of joy, awe and reverence. In this post [as with all seasonal energy posts] we will further explore the seasonal attributes — based on Five Element Theory — and our ability to build resilience through working with the seasonal energetic access point to consciously transform physical, mental and emotional energy.

One of my earliest experiences of grief

I was only twenty-two when I experienced one of my profound moments of professional grief, and it has taken an additional 20 years to appreciate the nuances of letting go and the complexities of grief. To fully experience sorrow, to be stuck in it, to feel broken by it, to realize the value of it and finally, to slowly learn how to release it. It is my sincerest hope that my story, and more importantly the techniques, will help readers develop a new relationship with grief, perhaps, uncovering the wisdom buried within.

During my last year of nursing school, I interned at an Intensive Care Unit. During the 3-month internship, I cared for many patients — some young, others old, some who were extremely ill and others who I only worked with once. That said, the patient who has yet to leave my memory, was a woman dying from alcoholism. She was in liver failure and her bilirubin level was so elevated that when I touched her skin, my gloved-hand stained yellow. I provided care for days and following her death, I dreamt about her for months. My nurse training had taught me the mechanics of providing medical care; however, it failed to teach me how to release the grief and sorrow from the experience — both my own and the patients.

“We live in a culture that promotes independence, self-reliance and above all, strength. To seek support, to fall apart, to not know what to do, is perceived as weakness. Which is entirely untrue — as conscious grieving — requires profound courage and tenacity.”

Grief and sorrow come in many shapes and sizes. Whether the passing of a loved one, receiving a significant medical diagnosis, the death of a dream or acceptance of the limitations of our aging bodies — at their core, are all deep loss. The emotions of grief and sorrow are often felt physically in the chest, with a profound sensation that things are not okay, and will never again be okay.

While mourning practices and ceremonies vary by culture, and there are many mental health experts who offer professional emotional support, there are also powerful acupressure, qigong and energy healing practices which can ease the physical and emotional impact of sorrow and grief. By no means is the intent to promote turning away from or bypassing the loss. Instead, the goal is to both provide emotional respite and to keep the wavelike energy moving; as like all emotions, grief, loss and sorrow are meant to flow through and not get stuck in our physical, emotional and/or energetic bodies.

Five Elements Theory

Within the Five Elements Theory of Chinese Medicine, there are five distinct Seasons with five representing Elements and five emotional patterns. See Rhythmic Pulse of Life to read more background details.

Autumn is represented by the Metal element – silver, gold, crystals, precious gems and minerals, all of which are housed underground; like treasures waiting to be unearthed and discovered. Jin, the Chinese symbol for Metal, represents the “golden nugget hidden within”, suggesting something of substantial value.

Just as precious metals are valuable, the Metal rhythm feeds our personal self-worth and relationship with value. When something of “value” leaves, dies or is lost, an imbalance within the Metal energy may make it difficult to release or ‘let go’, causing extended sorrow, grief and feelings of loss.

The Lungs are the Yin organ associated with grief and the Metal element, and the Large Intestine is its Yang partner. Not surprising, as the ancients believed when a newborn infant took her first breath, Heavenly energy, or Qi, entered and enlivened her body. In return, when the last breath of life was exhaled, Heavenly energy exited the body. This connection between the Lungs, the breath and heaven continues throughout life; with each breath we inhale, we breath in not only air, but also Heavenly energy.

One method for energetically balancing Metal energy, and therefore feelings associated with grief, is working directly with Lung acupressure points. There are hundreds of acupressure points located on the surface of the body, each corresponding to one of the fourteen meridians. Each of the points has an ancient name that can be especially meaningful, when working with emotional or spiritual dis-ease. Some names pertain to the point's location; however, most names describe the "Spirit of the Point" or the specific healing energy associated with the point.

Because the energy of Autumn, the Metal element and the emotions of sorrow and grief are all comprised of Yin energy, working with the corresponding Yin meridian can offer deep support for those seeking seasonal support, along with anyone hoping to release deeper physical or emotional patterns of loss, sorrow and grief.

Lung Meridian.jpg — The Centre of Wellness

***Lung Meridian Acupoints***

Lung 1 “Middle Palace” — This point is extremely beneficial when caught in grief, loss, disconnection or feelings of emptiness or unworthiness. This point directly touches the core of our spirit, giving a fresh breath of inspiration. On a physical level, Lung 1 eases breathing difficulties such as asthma, coughing, wheezing and nasal and throat obstruction. Working with Lung 1 opens the chest; easing chest pain and tightness. As the lungs open, this allows us to emotionally open to the world and to heaven. It enables us to breathe in the richness of life and connect more deeply with the higher spiritual realms — allowing inspiration, vision and a sense of connection with all that is.

Lung 9 “Very Great Abyss” — This point is a power location, also known as the source point, on Lung meridian. Working with Lung 9 can directly relax the organ and provide energetic balance to the entire meridian. Physically, this point helps relieve cough, wheezing, difficult breathing, dry throat, phlegm in the lungs, cold hands and weak voice. Emotionally, this point will help when we cannot find our way out of emotional turmoil or we are unable to find our sense of self within the darkness.

How to administer acupressure

The goal of acupressure is to clear energetic blockages and balance the acupressure point(s), to more fully support the corresponding meridian and organ.

Find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying. Relax your face, shoulders and abdominal muscles.
Use the chart to locate the two recommended acupoints.
Starting with Lung 1, located at the lateral side of the collar bone. This point can be especially tender during the Autumn months or when experiencing loss or grief. Tenderness is a sign of stuck energy and if this point is tender, it is beaconing attention!
Apply deep, firm pressure to stimulate each point. You can work both sides simultaneously, by using your left fingers on the right side points and vice versa.
If working one side of the body at a time, start on the left (Yin) side of the body and then proceed with the right (Yang) side.
Close your eyes, and consciously breathe. When you actively inhale and exhale while working on a point, you help release any stagnant energy and bring fresh oxygen to the part of the body needing balance.
Move to Lung 9, located on the end of the radial bone, at the wrist crease. Along with feeling tenderness over an acupoint, it is common to find a “divot” over key points.
Again, apply deep, firm pressure to stimulate each point. The point may not have tenderness the first time you work it, but subsequently develop tenderness. This is normal and again, your body signaling you to support the release of stagnant energy.
Repeat the point stimulation often; several times per day if it continues to feel supportive. You cannot “overwork” an acupoint (aside from pressing too hard and bruising the tissue). And just like you would not take a blood pressure pill once to control high blood pressure, applying acupressure just once will likely not address the energetic imbalance!

When working with acupressure and the energy body, changes can be subtle and slow. Remember, nature moves slowly; the seasons do not change from one to another overnight or in a few short days.

I have experienced again and again, when we explore and directly apply the resonance, characteristics and primary concerns of the rhythm during its own season, the impact permeates deeply into the body, mind and spirit to re-pattern actions, emotions and health imbalances. Join me in taking a few moments this Autumn, to allow grief and loss to flow through, to exhale, to release. And in doing so, to find greater inspiration and perhaps, tap into the golden wisdom hidden within.