Receiving Fullness: Simmering Late Summer

by Jen Jorgensen, Jin Shin Do® Bodymind acupressurist®
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Lying on the earth I become a part of the play of scattered supple leaves. Each leaf has fallen here in its own way- sliding, slipping, pirouetting. One drifts to and fro with the cadence of a metronome and arrives beside my face.  
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Late summer is known as the Earth element phase. Here we gather the yield of our summer experiences and energetically gear-down as all that grew with the sun begins to return to the roots.

Earth season is a vital stage of conscious growth. In the cycle of creation, this is the phase of comprehensive acknowledgment. Qualified by slowing down and cooling temperatures, we become reflective on the renderings of our ideas, visions and efforts.
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For some of us, fulfillment will be immediate. Others of us however, will feel broken open by the self-recognition that comes to conscious awareness. Valuable and necessary changes for our inner balance will come to light as we recognize that we can no longer not be who we basically are.

It can feel humbling as our experiences pass through the turnstile of awareness. Perhaps we understand others, ourselves, or life circumstances with fresh, unexpected clarity, perhaps even uncomfortable self-honesty. It may be difficult to stomach the fresh facts, or to take in the tartness of having unconsciously oriented ourselves from an incongruous self-concept. Ushered with the compassion and wisdom of the heart, all of this can now be digested as the fuel for our next chapters.

While the illuminations tenderize us, self-consciousness, worry or insecurity may increase. And all is well. The upgrades in our sense of identity, wholeness, stability and security will very quickly land us in the relief of coming home. Tense muscles, achy hips, nausea and soothing with sweets are indicative of the Qi flow within the Earth element. We can find satiety in warmed grounding foods including millet, carb-rich vegetables like yams and squash, and garbanzo and  black beans. Settle into discovery, as we naturally acquiesce to the restoration of grace and ease. 

The stomach and the spleen are the organs/meridians officiated by Earth. The essence or spirit of this season is akin to the physical functions of receiving and processing nourishment, and fuels our lives with worth and sustenance. Point names like “Receiving Fullness, Complete Nourishment, Great Embrace, Great Unity and Celestial Pivot” illustrate the effect of balanced Earth Qi.

​When we ingest the affirmation we need as individuals, we become internally referenced. From this, peaceful and loving relationships germinate, and we live with the openness, balance, and self-care that is foundational for our landing aspirations. Trust that the process will carry us to exactly where we need to be, and when you reach your thresholds, just find a pile of leaves and dive in.
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© Jen Jorgensen
 
Move awareness through the body.
Let go of thinking; allow the circulatory systems to assimilate, update and steady you.
Rub or stretch areas that call to you; involve the whole physique through movement like lunges, twists, bending over and shaking out.
Dance formlessly.
Dose with dark chocolate, daily.