The Fiery Essence of Summer: A Look at Chinese Medicine and the Solstice
It's that time of year again, where we celebrate the summer solstice and all the wonderful things that come with it. But as a Chinese medicine expert living in sunny Florida, I can't help but draw parallels to the fire element in traditional Chinese medicine.
First, let's talk about the summer solstice on June 21st this year. It's the longest day of the year, where the sun is at its highest point in the sky. It's a time of celebration and vitality, where we can fully embrace the warmth and light of the sun. However, as much as we love the sun, too much of it can lead to heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sunburns. A balance must be struck between enjoying the sun and protecting ourselves from its harmful effects.
Similarly, in Chinese medicine, the fire element is associated with joy, passion, and warmth. It's the element of summer, where we celebrate life and all its pleasures. But just like the summer sun, too much passion or excitement can lead to burnout, anxiety, and even heart palpitations. As with the sun, a balance must be struck between enjoying the fire element and protecting ourselves from its negative effects.
Here are some correlations for The Fire Element:
- Color: Red
- Sense organ/Sense: Tongue - Speech / Hands - Touch
- Smell: Scorched (burnt)
- Taste: Bitter
- Bodily Fluid: Sweat
- Quality of Movement: Maximum Expansion
- Progressive/ Life Cycle: Growth / Life
- Season: Summer
- Climate: Heat
- Yin / Yang: Heart (Pericardium) / Small Intestine (San Jiao)
- Body Areas Governed: Arteries / Veins
- Yang Activity: Intellect / Awareness, discernment
- Yin Activity: Wisdom / Knowing, deep synthesis (knowing of life)
- Consciousness: Spirit, self awareness "I Am."
- Role: Propels (pushes) blood
- Emotion: Joy / Sadness
- Natural Emotion: Harmony
- Pathological Emotion: Depression
According to the Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen (The Yellow Emperor’s Classical Text on Basic Questions), a 2,000 year old foundational text from the roots of Chinese Medicine, it is said of summer:
Go to rest late at night and rise early.
Never get enough of the sun.
Let the mind have no anger.
Stimulate beauty and have your elegance perfected.
Living in Florida, I can attest to the power of the sun and the fire element. It's a beautiful, vibrant place full of life and energy. But it's also hot, humid, and sometimes overwhelming. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the fire element, but it's important to take a step back and assess how it's affecting us as individuals.
So, as we enjoy the summer solstice and all the wonderful things it brings, let's also take a moment to reflect on our relationship with the fire element. Are we enjoying it in moderation? Are we protecting ourselves from its negative effects? It's a delicate balance, but with a little mindfulness and awareness, we can fully embrace the joys of summertime without getting burnt out. Check out this DIY homemade sunscreen recipe to incorporate into your self-care regimen.
And on that note, I'm off to enjoy a refreshing glass of water and some shade. Happy summer solstice, everyone!
