August 23rd, 2011. "The End of Heat", the 2nd small Autumn season arrives

      "The End of the Heat" is the 2nd small Autumn season and the turning point for temperature. This is when the celestial longitude reaches 150 degree. Also this is the main harvest season, not only for farmers, if you have been taking care of yourself for the past half an year; it will be your season to "harvest" as well. 


      Although being the "end of the heat", when there is a bright day the highest temperature will be not less than in summer, this is also being called "autumn tiger" in China as well, because the heat will still "bite" like a tiger. However, during late night and early morning, we can really feel the "end" of the heat. The temperature difference will be greater and greater. Also as the farmers hate to see this season being too rainy, so does our body. Because as the heat is leaving us, the humidity is still around, we need to make sure to kick the excessive harmful fluid out of our body, so we will not be bothered by them in the winter. It may sounds contradicting, but this is also the season of dryness. Meaning we may get some health issues that caused by low moisture condition. So how does this make sense? Well, one simple example I often use is the question of "can a sailor thirst to death in the ocean?" Apparently the answer is "yes". Although being surrounded by water (salty), the sailor can still die by not having water (fresh). Got the idea? The "water" we mention here is different from one to another. 


      So the main points of this small autumn season are:

1. Greater temperature difference and unstable weather.
2. Excessive fluid from the past season in the body and harmful dryness from the new season.

      We have talked about the Autumn being the season that connects to our lungs energy, the foundation of a healthy body is the strong and healthy lungs (and large intestine) energy. So the basic principle is still making sure to protect the lungs energy. Here are some simple things we can do to reach that goal:

• Do NOT add too much clothes to fast. The purpose is to maintain a lower body temperature (not catching a cold, please) in this season.This will not only prepare you for the colder season that is coming, also help you with preserving and withdrawing the Yang energy. If the body is too hot, the heat (Yang energy) will have to exit, when there is heat exiting, there must be cold to replace it. However, as we mentioned, during late night and early morning or when the temperature drops, DO add clothes to protect yourself. Always, stay balanced.
• Protect the belly. Cover your belly well during sleep, even if the night happens to be warm. Cold air harms the stomach and spleen energy easy if you let them. I'm sure you have heard or experienced the consequences of stomach cold. Well known common sense, just a friendly reminder.
• Time to shut off the air conditioner, at least in your own room. Don't let "turn on the AC" becomes a habit. Turn is off at night is a must. During day time try not to use it, just open the windows and you will not only have the natural cool air, but also will have the fresh autumn energy to "air-cleanse" and remove the leftover harmful humidity and heat in your room from the past season.

      You can see all we trying to do is to make the body remain balanced. We also usually know this point as strong immune system. And another thing that can never be replaced is good sleep. Especially during this transitional season, mid-night sleep, and noon-nap if possible, becomes especially important as noon and midnight is the transitional time of the day. Some of us may not be able to fall asleep by midnight, I recommend you at least just go to bed and close your eyes. This way even though you are not asleep, you are not wasting or hurting your precious transitional energy either. 


      I have listed many kinds of food to take in autumn, please check my older posts for detail. Here I just want to repeat the main rule is, less spice and hot, more sour and smooth. During this small season some Chinese (especially for original Beijing resident, like myself) has the tradition of eating duck dish on the "End of the Heat" day (August 23rd for this year). I know duck is not a common dish for many people, but being a very nourishing kind of food I still recommended it. Right now is the good season to eat it as duck nourishes Yin energy well and the season of autumn and winter is the season to nourish the Yin energy (on the other hand, spring and summer is time to nourish the Yang). With strong Yin energy you will have what it takes to balance the dryness, it will not only smooth your body and energy, also your mind, there will be less frustration or sadness if your whole system is balanced and strong against the harmful energy. If you really have problem with the duck meat itself, duck soup is the alternative, of course if you can find them. 


      So, during this dry and unstable small fall season, maintain a stable mood, enjoy your moment of peace as the summer party is ending. So bring the energy back in to take care of it, so you can have more fun next year!