The first day of Summer in the Chinese system is the beginning of May, and falls on May 5^th in 2022. This day is called a cross quarter day and represents the midpoint between the Spring equinox and the Summer solstice. It is also a time to observe your inner infrastructure and notice what the initial stirrings of Summer feel like inside you.

Summer is a time of heightened activity when the energy of nature is at its most expansive.  The light-filled hours of the day extend to manifest in the longest day of the year, the summer solstice.  Winter is the most yin time of year, while summer is the most yang, or active time of year.  Nature reaches its zenith and full bounty during the summer, when plants seeded in the spring begin to bear their fruit. The energy that was stored underground during the winter months has not only burst forth, but is now at full bloom, and nature is abuzz with noise and activity.  In summer our physical energy is at its most outward expression, meaning our ability to participate in the external world is at an all time high.  In Chinese medicine, the natural element of fire represents the summer season, which is expressed in the emotion of joy.  Our inner fire is burning at its brightest, mirroring the heat and intensity of summer.

The organs that correspond to spring are the heart and the small intestine. The heart is not only responsible for the circulation of blood, but it is also houses the spirit (or shen), or our feelings and ability to express those feelings. This is our emotional intelligence. The small intestine is responsible for helping to digest food and separate the usable food from the waste. This organ supports the heart functioning on an emotional level by helping us turn unprocessed emotions or experiences into conscious material. All of the strong life force energy that began to emerge in spring has risen to the surface and is available for our use. Ideally, food and life practices adopted in the spring have helped to build blood and life force energy to allow our flames to burn bright during this time. However, without a balance of rest and activity, the internal fire can literally burn itself out, and we can expend our reserves of energy, leading to “burn out”.

Balancing the Inner World During Summer’s Expansiveness

It during these first days of summer that peony flowers bloom. Peony is a true teacher that mirrors how to balance your inner world during times of expansion and focus on the outer world. In Chinese herbal medicine, white peony is an important tonic herb that nourishes and supports the blood and yin aspects, moistening the body’s tissues and organs from the inside out. White peony, or Bai shao, stops the vital essence from leaving the body through the process of sweating. This helps preserve the yin, which is the ability to connect to the quiet and still aspects of our inner nature. It softens and relaxes the body tissues, and is an antispasmodic that can alleviate pain. White peony strengthens our ability to soften and to receive.

Meditating with peony feels like a sense of calm and peace, as if my very cells were exhaling a deep breath of pure contentment.  This plant expands my awareness of my ability the beauty that is surrounds me and is available to me in every moment.

White peony embodies the qualities that can help respectfully manage the increased energy of Summer. A good way to experience the emotional and spiritual qualities of white peony is to make a flower essence with its blooms. Flower essences are a herbal preparation that infuse the vibration and healing essence of the plant in water. For more information about flower essences and good place to purchase them try this resource: https://www.greenhopeessences.com/about-essences.

Taking Care of Ourselves During the Summer Season

Here are some tips for managing summer energy:

• Spend time outside gardening, walking, or enjoying weather
• Spend time socializing with friends and family but remember to pace yourself during active times to maintain your energy reserves.  For example: rest during the heat of the day, don’t overdo exercise and outdoor activities, prioritize social activities and tasks, and eat healthily and regularly.
• Use cooling and drying herbs  – chrysanthemum, lemon balm, mints, catnip, hibiscus, hawthorn berries, burdock root, and chamomile are all examples
• Heart strengthening foods – watermelon, papaya, cherry, mung beans, adzuki beans, amaranth, eggplant, dark green leafies (collards, kale, spinach, chard, etc.) are good examples
• Cook with the fresh herbs from your garden like basil, cilantro, parsley, dill, and oregano
• Use Spicy herbs (chiles and peppers, as well as chrysanthemum and mints) in small amounts, as they help to open the pores and eliminate excess heat from the surface of the body.  An excess of spicy foods and herbs can disperse too much of the body’s heat to the surface, reducing the reserves available for the cooler seasons.
• Smile and imagine your smile is radiant spotlight or love and appreciation shining directly to every cell in your physical, emotional, and spiritual heart.