Honouring the Metal Element in Autumn

young-alice
Sep 22
3 min read

There comes a moment each year when the sun softens, the trees begin to whisper of change, and something inside us begins to pull inward.

This is autumn, and in the language of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it belongs to the Metal element, the alchemist of the Five Elements, the one who cuts away the unnecessary and reveals what’s essential.

The Body’s Breath and Boundaries: The Lung and Large Intestine

In the realm of Metal, we find two important guardians of our inner and outer worlds:

The Lungs

The Lungs are more than just respiratory engines. In TCM, they are known as the “tender organ”, the commander of Qi, and the ruler of the skin. They inhale the pure, exhale the impure, and manage the delicate balance between our internal essence and the outside world.

They also:

Disperse defensive Qi (Wei Qi) to protect us
Regulate skin and pores
Govern breath, which is the rhythm of life itself

The Lungs are the poets of the body; sensitive, refined, and easily wounded by dryness, sadness, and overexertion.

The Large Intestine

Partner to the Lungs, the Large Intestine teaches us the wisdom of release. It shows us how to let go of waste, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

When Metal is in balance, we breathe deeply, eliminate easily, speak truthfully, and live with quiet precision. When out of balance, we may experience:

Dry coughs
Dry or itchy skin
Nasal congestion
Constipation
Sadness that lingers
Difficulty letting go

Autumn’s Whisper: What the Season Teaches Our Body

As Yang energy begins its graceful retreat, the movement of Qi turns inward. It’s a time for gathering what is useful and discarding what is not; a theme echoed in every system ruled by Metal.

Physiologically, autumn is a time to:

Protect the Lungs from dryness and wind
Strengthen immunity (Wei Qi) before winter arrives
Preserve bodily fluids, especially Lung Yin
Support regular elimination

Tips to Support the Metal Element in Autumn

1. Breathe with Intention

Take moments each day to simply breathe. Close your eyes. Inhale deeply into the belly. Exhale slowly, allowing what is no longer needed to drift away.

Try breathwork, Qi Gong for the Lung, or just walk in the crisp air and feel your lungs open to the season.

2. Moisten from Within

Dryness is autumn’s prevailing force. It can parch the throat, tighten the skin, and irritate the lungs.

Support your fluids with:

Pears- nature’s Lung tonic
Tofu, almonds, sesame seeds, barley, honey
Soups, stews, and congee- warm, soft, and hydrating

Avoid too many dry or spicy foods, which scatter Lung Qi and increase internal dryness.

3. Warm the Spleen Gently

Though Metal governs the season, we still lean on the Earth element (Spleen and Stomach) for digestion. Cold, raw foods can weaken the middle burner and leave you feeling tired and bloated.

Choose:

Steamed vegetables
Slow-cooked grains
Herbal teas with ginger or cinnamon

Avoid:

Iced drinks
Cold dairy
Overly raw meals

4. Honour Your Skin

Your skin is the outermost layer of your Lung system. Keep it moist and protected:

Use natural oils like sesame or almond to nourish the surface
Cover up on windy, chilly mornings
Hydrate well. Warm water sipped slowly is your ally

5. Simplify. Clarify. Let Go.

Autumn is the season of discernment. Metal helps us refine, to know what is essential.

Clean out your closets. Say goodbye to old patterns. Breathe out the past.

Journal. Meditate. Take long walks in nature and listen. Let yourself grieve what must go; this is the season that makes it sacred.

A Season of Still Beauty

Autumn doesn’t shout. It whispers. It teaches us through quiet release, elegant decay, and dignified transformation.

To live in harmony with Metal is to honor breath, boundary, and beauty in simplicity.

So wrap yourself in a soft scarf, sip your warm tea, and let this season carve out the gold within you.

"To let go is not to lose; it is to reveal the space where wisdom can breathe."