The Fifth Season: Practical Late Summer Health Rituals
The Fifth Season in Chinese Medicine: Foundations, Health Benefits, and Practical Late Summer Rituals
Most of the world moves with spring, summer, autumn, and winter. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Late Summer, the “Fifth Season”, is a vital window for healing and realignment.
It’s a gentle turning point in the cycle of the year, where the vibrant outward energy of summer softens into a quieter, grounding pause.
Recognizing and acting in tune with this season can profoundly enhance your digestion, immunity, mental clarity, energy, and overall wellbeing.
Late Summer is a time when the outward, bright, active “Yang” energy of summer gives way to the grounding, restorative “Yin” of autumn.
In TCM, this Earth-ruled period is foundational: it’s about fortifying your center, harmonizing body and mind, and preparing the groundwork for a stable, healthy year ahead.
The Earth Element: Center, Stability, and Grounding
At the heart of the Fifth Season is the Earth element—the symbol of stability, transformation, and balance. Earth governs your spleen and stomach, which work together as the body’s “center” in TCM.
When the Earth element is robust:
Digestion is strong and efficient
The mind is clear and focused
Emotions remain balanced, not tipping into worry or rumination
As the bold, Yang energy of summer bows to the more contemplative Yin of autumn, Earth is the bridge. It is the quiet strength that steadies us, grounding our bodies and minds to carry us smoothly through this seasonal passage.
Aligning With the Season
Aligning your diet, movement, and self-care with the natural rhythm of the Fifth Season creates:
Noticeable increase in daily energy and stamina
Better digestion, less bloating, and feeling lighter
Stronger immunity for the colder months ahead
Improved mental clarity and emotional resilience
A stable foundation for life and health changes you want to make.
Here are some practical tips for being as healthy as possible this season.
Digestion Tips: Eat to Support Your Center
Digestive health is paramount now. Scientific and clinical TCM wisdom recommends:
Warm, cooked foods: Focus on sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, millet, yams, peaches, corn, and lightly steamed greens
Limit dampness-producers: Scale back raw foods, dairy, excessive fats, and cold beverages (these can weaken spleen-stomach, causing bloating and sluggishness)
Sample Day-of-Eating: Start with warm breakfast porridge, have steamed vegetables and protein for lunch, and a lightly seasoned soup for dinner.
Exercise Tips: Build Energy the TCM Way—Through Movement
Late Summer favors moderate, grounding movement:
Prioritize brisk walking, yoga, tai chi, qigong, or light strength training, especially in the morning when digestive Qi peaks.
Avoid intense, draining workouts; these can exhaust rather than energize during this season.
Movement should circulate energy, support the muscles (Spleen’s domain), and sharpen focus.
Grounding Rituals and Emotional Clarity
Earth imbalance often shows up as worry, overthinking, or scattered focus.
Stick to regular mealtimes—consistency anchors digestion and mind.
Mark the turn of day with breathwork, gratitude, or gentle stretching.
Practice presence: when the mind races, return to Earth through touch, taste, and breath.
These rituals settle the mind and restore the body’s parasympathetic strength for deep, healing sleep.
Fortify Immunity—Prepare for Change
A strong spleen and well-balanced Earth element directly boost your body’s immune defense heading into fall.
Eating in season, sleeping deeply, and mindful routines strengthen your adaptability, helping you avoid both physical illness and emotional lability.
Embrace the waning sun to nourish metabolism and mood.
Acupressure and Self-Massage
For a practical boost:
Try daily “Middle Jiao” acupressure or abdominal self-massage to stimulate digestion, relieve bloating, and steady emotions.
Combine these acts with deep, steady breaths to amplify grounding and balance.
Take Your Health a Step Further
Following the Fifth Season’s wisdom can do more than help you “feel better”—it builds a foundation of lasting energy, clear thinking, and steady wellbeing throughout the year.
For those ready to deepen their journey, becoming a Member will help us personalize a whole health routine, aligned with the season, for you.
We’re here to help you align with nature, honor your body’s rhythms, and thrive all year round.
Not quite ready? Register for our upcoming webinar on the fifth season to learn more!
