Summer is here - time for light and warmth
Summer is here and what a beautiful day we've got in Melbourne to welcome it in. The skies are blue, the breeze is warm and there is heat in the air.
With summer we welcome in the element of fire. Fire resonates with scorched earth, red heat, sunsets, light and warmth. We can also think of burning passions, life's heat, enthusiasm and vitality.
The wood element that we left behind as we move from spring creates the fuel for summer's fire, the earth element of late summer is formed from the ashes generated by the fire. Metal is controlled by fire - melting, purifying, forging it and giving it shape and strength whilst water can be used to dowse the flames and temper or quench the heat.
When we think of fire and how it shows up in our life we can begin asking ourselves if we have a fire in our belly. Is there something we need to achieve with passion and energy for life? Or are we too passionate, burning up everything around us?
The colour of summer is red, the colour of fire and burning passions.
Summer is the period of our finest development where we tend the seeds we planted back in spring and they begin to mature into shape and form. We mature our powers at this time of year but balance that power with fun in the sun and vacations.
Summer can also be a time to harvest our fastest growing plants or goals and we can use the enhanced vitality to our advantage with increased activity.
The climate of summer is heat - think great passions, high pressure or possibly even danger. We can temper and balance the heat with water.
The odour of summer is scorched, a vision of scorched earth, shriveling up or perhaps the literal scorching of the earth with the hot, harsh sun. Scorching can also be used to describe severe criticism, scorn, stigma or traumatic experiences. Metaphorically it can refer to trial by fire, risk taking and surviving dangerous situations with minimal repercussions.
The taste of summer is bitter - the taste of many poisons and a potential indicator of danger. It can also be the taste of lingering regrets, a sense of injustice and unpleasantness.
The emotion of summer is joy. Getting pleasure and a kick out of life, gaining satisfaction but also balancing it with a sense of well-being and peace. Emotions at this time of year are also the passionate emotions such as love.
The sound of summer is laughing. We can laugh in many occasions and it can be a very healing expression of ourselves. We can laugh in spirit, mirth with joy and pleasure, or we can laugh in nervousness and at inappropriate moments when we refuse to deal with underlying emotions.
The fire element fortifies the arteries which circulate our lifeblood and bring nourishment and fuel to the correct place in our bodies. It can relate in our life physically or metaphysically.
The personal power active at this time of year is mature, to reach full growth, to come of age and use discretion. It is where we know and work within our limitations and understand our capacity.
The active meridians at this time are the Heart, Small Intestine, Triple Warmer and Circulation Sex - most elements have 2 active meridians, perhaps suggesting the importance of passion and desire in our life.
The heart meridian is all about circulation and communication. The heart communicates constantly with all the organs and muscles to determine their blood and oxygen needs. The heart also electrically communicates with the Soul. The heart helps us to access our feelings and allows us to feel rather than think through situations and identify conflicts between logic and intuition.
The small intestine meridian is related to the absorption, not just of nutrients but of what is going on in our life. It helps us assimilate and digest and assists us to gain nourishment from our internal and external environments.
Circulation sex is related to the hormones and chemical messages being sent through the body, assisting with reproduction and pleasure.
The triple warmer meridian regulates our fight or flight response. It helps us regulate heat,
Some healing questions for this time of year:
• What gets you hot and bothered?
• Do you have enough fire in the belly?
• Are you burned out?
• What makes you feel passionate, energised and excited?
• Are you able to have fun in the sun or are you sensitive to light and sapped of energy?
• Can you withstand the heat around you at the moment?
• Do you have counterbalance measures in place to withstand heated exchanges?
• Have you been scorched by the elements, trauma or the demands of others?
• What place does joy have in your life right now?
• Are you having enough laughter in your life?
• Do you have a steady supply of fuel to maintain mental, spiritual, physical and emotional vitality?