In the Gregorian calendar the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, marks the first day of summer. It is a magical time that awakens our hearts to the beauty of nature which in turn encourages us to slow down and appreciate the present moment.
In the Five Phase Theory of Chinese Medicine, summer is also the most yang season. Each season has corresponding attributes. For the summer season they include the heart and small intestine, the color red, the sound of laughter, the taste of bitter and the fire element.
Anxiety (over joy) is the challenging and often called negative emotion of summer. Move through this emotion with acceptance to help bring resolution and restore balance. The fire element represents heat, activity and outward expression, while the heart is seen as the emperor of the body governing blood and emotions.
Embracing the Summer Fire Heart Phase
Spring prepared us for summer with fuel through naturally arising springtime expansive yang qi. During summer we can continue harnessing yang qi and come more fully into a time of expansion, creativity, activity and abundance.
“In summer, the song sings itself ” ~ William Carlos Williams
Nature shows us that summer is the time to live life to its fullest by celebrating each day and moment. We enjoy the warm days and nights with family and friends, take vacations, garden, and undertake new projects and adventures. If you’ve been considering doing any of these activities this summer, now is the time!
Stay Refreshed and Healthy
During summer and the fire heart phase it is natural to awaken earlier, go to bed later and have a mid-day siesta. It is a time for balance and moderation in all things. Adequate rest, proper hydration and being mindful of excessive heat and sun are important.
Pay attention to staying refreshed with plenty of water and seasonal fruits. You will feel best if you eat light meals, incorporating abundant local, fresh vegetables and stay away from heavy greasy food. Watermelons, cucumbers, mint, mung beans and green leafy vegetables are recommended as they are cooling and hydrating during these hotter months.
Attending to Your Heart
The heart, mind and spirit are ruled by fire, the symbol for maximum activity or outgoingness. Attending to the heart, mind and spirit is helpful for staying healthy in summer as summer’s fire heart phase is a time to nourish our spirits and harness our greatest potential.
We may notice a stronger longing for our own radiance to shine more brightly during summer. It is an ideal time to open your heart to deeper compassion and joy. However, it is important to be mindful so that you don’t get burned or burned-out from excessive brightness. Like tending to the cooking fires, we want our heat to be even.
Balancing with Qigong
Integrating and embracing seasonal information can help support us in living within the laws of nature and enjoying life more. As always, starting or continuing your qigong practice is a powerful way to help you stay in balance and feel harmonized with the current season.
Wishing you the best for a happy and healthy summer. We look forward to seeing you at one or more of our summer qigong classes to help you make the most of summer–the fire heart phase!
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