WHISPERS OF AUTUMN — THE SEASON OF METAL AND THE ART OF LETTING GO
I often sense the coming of Autumn long before it officially arrives; the breeze cools with a kind of inward pull. The hot afternoon sun softens and light begins to slant differently, casting longer shadows across the yard. The once-bold greens of summer soften, as the first leaves turn to golden, almost imperceptibly. Grasses set their seeds. The garden slows.
There is a stillness that begins to settle—not silence, but a kind of reverent pause.
What is no longer vital falls away. What is essential gleams brighter.
Autumn teaches us the beauty of release and refinement—the art of separating what is essential from what is no longer needed, like grain from chaff. I used to believe that planting always began in the spring but I’ve come to see that it actually begins now, in Autumn. In the natural cycle of loss and letting go the soil of our lives is cleared. Old growth falls away. And in that space new seeds can be sown.
This is the realm of the Metal element.
In the Five Element tradition, Metal governs the Lungs and Large Intestines and teaches us the balance between taking in what is essential while letting go of what no longer holds vitality and meaning in our lives. Letting go is not just the end of something; it is the beginning of possibility. Emptiness invites inspiration.
SEASONAL PRACTICES:
Seasonal Practice: The Letting Go Ritual
Go outside and find a fallen leaf or a fading flower that speaks to you. Hold it in your hand with respect and reverence. Name something you’re ready to release; a thought, a judgement,a habit, a sorrow. Speak it softly, then let the leaf fall from your hand. Trust the earth to hold what you no longer need.
Breath Meditation: The Sacred Exhale
Sit quietly. Inhale gently through your nose, filling your lungs with light. Pause. Exhale slowly through your mouth, as if releasing a long-held sigh. Feel what leaves you. Repeat for 5 breaths, letting each exhale carry something away.
Acupressure Point: Lu1 — Central Treasury (Zhongfu)
This point lies on the upper chest, just below the outer corner of the collarbone, near the shoulder. Gently press or tap with your fingertips while breathing deeply. Continue as long as feels good. LU 1 opens the chest, releases grief, and restores the breath. Touch with tenderness. When you are finished take a deep breath and enjoy the increased spaciousness within your chest.
