Autumn arrives with quiet beauty and a subtle invitation: to let go. In TCM, each season has an emotional tone, and autumn’s is grief. Grief arises naturally from love, connection, and attachment. It can sweep through us like wind; sometimes gentle, other times overwhelming. When acknowledged, grief becomes a medicine of its own, clearing heaviness from the chest and restoring ease to the breath. But when resisted or held too tightly, it can weigh down the body, often showing up as fatigue, sadness, or shallow breathing.

The Lungs, associated with autumn, govern our ability to take in the new (breath, inspiration) and release the old (exhalation, attachments). Their partner organ, the Large Intestine, carries the same lesson: what we no longer need must be released to create space for renewal.

The Medicine of Letting Go

Autumn teaches us that letting go is not an ending but a passage. Just as trees shed their leaves to prepare for winter’s rest, we too are invited to release what no longer serves us: old habits, unresolved emotions, or even clutter in our homes. This release creates fertile ground for new growth in the seasons ahead.

Practical Ways to Support Yourself in Autumn

1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture harmonizes the Lung and Large Intestine channels, helping to open the breath, ease chest tightness, and calm emotional heaviness. Regular treatments in this season can also strengthen immunity, preparing the body for colder months.

2. Nourishment for the Lungs
The dryness of autumn can irritate the Lungs. Moistening foods and herbs help restore balance:

  • Steamed pears with honey (a soothing Lung tonic)
  • Warm ginger tea to support digestion and circulation
  • Broths and soups with daikon, mushrooms, and root vegetables
  • Sesame seeds, almonds, and honey for gentle nourishment

3. Mindfulness & Ritual

  • Walking Meditation: Take time outdoors among falling leaves. Notice what feels ready to be released within you.
  • Journaling: Write about what you’re holding on to and what you might be ready to let go of.
  • Breath Practices: Gentle breathing exercises, especially long, slow exhalations, help the body mirror the season’s rhythm.

A Guided Meditation for Autumn

Find a comfortable seat or lie down. Close your eyes. Take a slow, deep breath in, filling the chest fully. Exhale softly, as if releasing tension into the air.

Visualize yourself standing beneath a tree in autumn. Its branches are filled with golden leaves. With each breath out, imagine a leaf drifting gently away, carrying with it something you are ready to release—a worry, an old story, a heaviness. Watch it fall and return to the earth.

Breathe in deeply, welcoming fresh air and new possibility. Breathe out, letting go with ease and trust. Continue for several minutes, until you feel lighter, more spacious, and at peace.

When you are ready, open your eyes, carrying this sense of release into your day.

Closing Reflection

Autumn invites us to honor our grief, not as something to “fix,” but as part of life’s natural rhythm. When we breathe deeply, nourish our bodies, and allow space for letting go, we prepare ourselves for the stillness of winter and the promise of renewal in spring.

If you’re feeling the weight of the season or navigating grief and transition, know you don’t have to go through it alone. Acupuncture and herbal support can help restore balance, strengthen immunity, and bring ease to both body and spirit.

Call us or email anytime to schedule a session—we’re here to support you in moving through this season with more comfort, resilience, and peace.