This season marks an abundance of light, fruit and warmth... In traditional Chinese medicine, it is symbolised by the element FIRE. Let's take a closer look at what this represents...
THE SYMBOLISM OF SUMMER
According to Chinese tradition, it is in summer that Heaven and Earth form a perfectly united couple. It is the most yang season of the year: what we have sown in winter and set in motion in spring, comes to maturity in summer before entering the retreat phase of autumn.
FIRE, THE SUMMER ELEMENT
The FIRE element is characteristic of summer. It represents mobility, action and openness. Buoyed by this lively energy, we open up to the outside world, like plants, and diversify our activities.
The sun is life, warmth and light. Warmth makes us joyful, lively and spontaneous. In Chinese medicine, an immoderate taste for heat often indicates an imbalance in the Fire element. General chilliness generally comes from a weakened FIRE element.
The colour associated with the FIRE element is red, a symbol of power and vitality. In summer, don't hesitate to wear red clothes to harmonise your FIRE! Similarly, when it comes to food, eating "red" fruit and vegetables in season, such as strawberries, raspberries, cherries, redcurrants, tomatoes, peppers, etc., is excellent and helps you maintain your energy balance!
The emotion of the FIRE element is joy. Summer is the season for socialising, meeting people, barbecues, music and dance festivals: joy and laughter (the expression of Fire) are omnipresent. So if our "Fire" is balanced, we'll be inclined to feel joy. If it's not, we may feel sadness or bitterness.
The sense organ of the FIRE element: the tongue. In Chinese medicine, it is essential to examine the tongue. Studying its colour, texture and shape helps the practitioner to make an energetic diagnosis of how the person's body is functioning.
The flavour of the FIRE element is bitter. So choose bitter foods and drinks such as grapefruit juice, beer (in moderation, of course!), salad or bitter chocolate. Think also of endives, dandelions, watercress, cucumbers... What's bitter for the tongue is sweet for the heart!
ORGANS ASSOCIATED WITH FIRE
These are the heart and the small intestine.
The heart has been called the "emperor" organ of summer because of its importance in the functioning of the human being. It propels and circulates the blood in the vessels. But according to Chinese tradition, it also houses the Shen (spirit), which corresponds to mental and emotional activity. It is the Shen that directs all the body's activities. The heart receives and directs the 5 emotions:
- joy (the heart)
- thought (spleen),
- sadness (lung),
- fear (kidney),
- anger (liver).
Whatever the emotion, the heart is the first to be affected.
The small intestine is responsible for sorting out the pure from the impure. It has the same role at a psychic level, supporting our ability to discern between what is good for us and what is not.
If these organs are in balance, we will benefit fully from this season and its abundance. Conversely, if their energies are out of balance, we may experience agitation or even anxiety. In addition to these emotional states, physical problems such as heavy legs, palpitations, cardio-vascular problems, insomnia, etc. could appear.
IT'S ALL A QUESTION OF BALANCE, BUT HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN THAT BALANCE?
Reiki or the practice of certain martial arts, such as Taïso, can help you balance your body energies.
Acupuncture is also a way of getting the Qi (vital energy or breath) to circulate harmoniously so that you stay in good health.
As with magnetotherapy: daily energy balancing sessions help to stimulate physical energy and regulate emotional energy (link to energy boxes).
Osteopathy is a complementary solution, as mechanical blockages can prevent the free circulation of fluids and energies.
Don't forget that it's important to maintain your state of health: prevention rather than cure... Your body will thank you for it!