What Chinese Medicine Can Teach Us About Summer Balance

Summer is officially here! According to both the Chinese Solar Calendar, also referred to as the Celtic Wheel of the Year, we entered this fiery season on May 5, at 07:49 am EST and we will be in this sunniest leg of our annual journey around the sun which we will be experiencing until August 7.

This leg of our annual journey around the sun is a time of maximum solar energy and is ruled by the Fire element as fire now reaches is maximum strength. These longer, hot days are what make summer so delicious, particularly here in the Northerly climate here in the Berkshires. Fire can certainly be a feel-good element giving a sense of hope and optimism, or even inspiration, and a tendency to have a more positive outlook.

However, this particular summer season is occurring within an unusually unbalanced Fire Horse year that is also within a twenty year cycle of fire. In fact the birth chart of this year has an enormous excess of fire element and absolutely no water making it an unusually unbalanced and volatile year. We can certainly see evidence of this in the world around us which is experiencing rapid changes, conflict, volatility which can induce feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. While warmer days may be welcome after a particularly long winter season, the fire of summer this season may feel like a bit too much especially in the context of this unusually fiery year.

As an extraction of the Solar Calendar, Chinese Astrology is inherently connected to the seasons. This then plays an important role in an individual’s birth chart interpretation, but also in its ability to connect us to the many disciplines within the Chinese Metaphysical system that we can incorporate into daily life to bring support and balance. This integrative system includes modalities you may already be familiar with like martial arts such as tai qi or qigong as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbology, and acupuncture.

As in Ayurveda, the Chinese system utilizes the Five Elements to understand how energy moves and can be transformed. When an element becomes unbalance by either deficiency or excess, we can bring balancing elements through a variety of practices to invite in greater balance and equilibrium. The main antidote to too much fire is Water, and the secondary balancing element is Earth, cooling dampening energies to ground and subdue the heat.

Again, similarly to Ayurveda, dietary choices are a great way to bring balance during this summer season. You can reduce the the fire in your diet by minimizing heated and spicy foods, refined sugar which is fire element, fried foods, and by reducing alcohol and coffee consumption as they contribute to raising the temperature. Instead, opt for classic summer foods like melons, blueberries, and cucumber which bring water element and reduce the heat. In general, opt for cool (not cold) and refreshing foods and beverages such as choosing mint tea over black caffeinated tea for example.

In addition to diet we can lower the temperature energetically through lifestyle and actives as well. Excess fire can exacerbate anxiety and stress and tends to bring intensity and speed to daily life in general. Simply slowing the pace of your day or week can go a long way to bring some Earth element into your experience.

Getting close to the Earth and spending time in nature, especially amongst trees, is a fantastic way to quickly slow your brain wave activity to bring calm and grounding energy that reduces the frenetic quality of fire. Even if you can’t get outdoors, taking small meditation breaks throughout the week can also sooth and lower the temperature. Even when it comes to yoga, opting for a fluid and gentle practice over an intense heated practice is a great way to find balance on your mat this season as well.

Generally, when I make a recommendation to introduce an element for greater balance it is not meant to be brought in literally. However, when it comes to putting out excess fire this summer actually spending time in or around water might be the best method of all. Nothing beats the heat like a swim or a soothing soak in the tub. Simply taking a few minutes to sit or meditate next to a water source of water can be the perfect antidote to an intense and fiery time.

If you are finding the intensity of the season to be a bit too much this year, remember to beat the heat by getting grounded, slowing down, and cooling down and whenever and wherever possible. You can also seek support from those who can tailor an approach to you personally with Chinese Medicine, Astrology, or Ayurveda to help you keep your cool.