Embracing Summer – The Season of Fire 🔥

As summer unfolds, it’s time to align with the fiery energy of the season. Drawing on the principles of biomimicry, Taoism, and Qigong, let’s explore how to harmonize with the energy of summer here in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Energy of Summer

Summer is a time of ripening, fulfillment, and outward, social energy. Following the regenerative growth of spring, the yang energy of summer reaches its peak, inviting us to embrace vitality and connection.

When balanced, summer fosters excitement, creativity, and joy. However, if we overextend or neglect our boundaries, it can leave us feeling drained. To stay aligned, nourishing your heart, the organ associated with this season, is key.

The Wisdom of Ancient Texts

In The Neijing Suwen, one of the oldest Chinese medicine texts, summer is described as the time when heavenly energy descends and earthly energy rises, merging to create the interconnectivity that ripens fruits and brings nature into full bloom.

Here are some tips inspired by this wisdom:

• Stay up later than in winter but still rise with the sun.

• Refrain from anger, and stay physically active to keep your Qi flowing.

• Enjoy intimacy within reason; summer allows for more indulgence than other seasons.

• Cultivate emotional happiness and let go of grudges to maintain health as autumn approaches.

Releasing Anger and Cultivating Joy

Anger is an emotion that can surface strongly in summer. Practicing Qigong forms like Punching with an Angry Gaze or Opening the Bow to Let the Arrow Fly can help release pent-up emotions.

The heart, the sovereign of our body, houses our spirit (Shen). When balanced, the heart radiates joy, allowing us to live fully and authentically. But heartbreak or anxiety can unbalance this energy, causing disconnection. To welcome the Shen back home, Qigong practices like Bringing Down the Heavens and tapping on the heart channels can be profoundly nurturing.

The Element of Fire

In the Five Elements Theory, summer corresponds to fire, symbolizing warmth, passion, and transformation. Fire teaches us the importance of boundaries—too much can destroy, but balanced fire supports growth and connection.

Support your fire element with these Qigong forms:

• Nod the Head and Wag the Tail (calms the heart’s fire).

• Two Hands Support the Heavens (balances the Triple Heater, your body’s thermostat).

Late Summer: Transitioning to Earth

As summer transitions to late summer, the element of earth becomes prominent. Earth energy is about centering and grounding. To cultivate this balance:

• Practice Qigong that connects heaven and earth.

• Set and honor personal boundaries to avoid overwhelm. Forms like Raise the Hands to Condition the Stomach and Spleen from the Baduanjin are excellent.

• Spend time in nature: walk barefoot on the sand, swim in the ocean, or connect with the wisdom of trees.

Summer Foods and Drinks

Nourishing your body with seasonal foods helps align with summer’s energy.

• Increase fruits and vegetables to cool and hydrate.

• Eat what’s in season, especially melons, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

• Try cooling foods like pearl barley, mung beans, and lotus root.

• Drink green tea to detoxify and balance summer heat.

As we embrace summer’s fiery energy, may you find joy, balance, and harmony. Whether through Qigong, nourishing foods, or grounding practices, let this season support your growth and connection to life.

If you’d like to practice Qigong with me, I offer:

• In-person classes on Mondays and Thursdays near Freshwater Beach.

• Online classes on Tuesdays.

For more in depth sessions, I offer 1:1 energy healing at the Freshwater Wellness Centre. I’m offering a New Year Reset package of three healings and a bonus Personal Alchemy Elixir with over $100 in savings, click here to explore.

Feel free to reach out for more details. Let’s align with the rhythm of the season and keep blooming.