The Medicine of Summer: 5 Unique Practices for Healing

“The whole summer was inside of us.”
― Leah Raeder

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the season of Summer is the season of light. Of fire (and earth). Of the heart. The promises made in Spring blossom into fruition, bringing the blessings of the previous year into manifestation. Each season is the result of the one before it, and the one before that…a timeless journey of yin and yang creating each other. The medicine of Summer is especially potent because it is all energy and movement, yang within yang. This is easy medicine in many ways because our culture in the West honors “doing”. Creating, manifesting, growing….flitting from one flower to the next collecting the nectar of the moment. But we can go deeper. Each season asks us different questions of ourselves. The season of Summer beckons Joy, Expansion, Circulation, Abundance, and Love. Sound good? Here are five practices to help us get into touch with these experiences.

ENJOY YOURSELF
The days are long. There is more time and more light to embrace. Get up a little earlier. Go to bed a little later. Take a little siesta in the early afternoon when the sun’s warmth is highest. Have friends over for a colorful dinner outside. The heart leads this time of year. Give it connection, repose and time to express itself as happiness.