How to Prepare for the Autumn and How is it related to the Metal Element

autumn leaves

According to Chinese Medicine, autumn is associated with the Metal element.

This is the time of year when leaves fall to the ground and are recycled into a rich compost, which, thanks to bacteria and earthworms, breaks down into essential nutrients that nourish the soil for next year’s growth.

The energy of autumn is characterized by release and purification, letting go of the old to create fertile ground for the new.

Just like late summer, autumn carries the abundance that the Earth has given us.

But unlike the warmth and expansiveness of summer, the world now begins to slow down, preparing for the sleepy, heavy, Yin energy of winter.

This slowing allows time and space for reflection.

It is why gratitude comes naturally in this season, when we sort through our harvest, deciding what to keep and what to return to the Earth to fertilize the next cycle of life.

A Season of Transition

Autumn is a season of transition and introspection.

It is perhaps the best time for self-examination, because everything around us becomes bare and exposed. We cannot hide behind the bright foliage of spring, the busy energy of summer, or the snowy blanket of winter. As the outward, expansive energy of spring and summer turns inward, we too are invited to self-reflection — aligning with the Earth’s quiet preparation for winter.

The Essence of Metal – Value and Purity

In nature, metal gives value to the Earth in the form of precious minerals. In humans, Metal represents our sense of self-worth. When a person lacks inner value, they may seek external validation or unhealthy attachments that ultimately leave them feeling even more empty than before.

When balanced, the Metal element allows us to recognize and honor our own intrinsic worth.

The Emotion of Autumn – Grief

Each element governs an emotional and intuitive aspect of human nature. For Metal and autumn, that emotion is grief. Chinese Medicine does not view any emotion as “negative.”

All emotions can be expressed in healthy or unhealthy ways depending on balance.

Thousands of years ago, ancient Chinese philosophers, deeply attuned to nature, observed that grief is the emotion most aligned with autumn, the season when the world wears brown and golden tones.

Grief has a natural cleansing effect: it helps us release what no longer serves us.

When expressed in a balanced way, grief honors the passing of what once was, making space for renewal.

When the Metal element is out of balance, a person may feel “stuck” in sorrow, unable to transform it into the compost of growth. They may cling to past experiences and struggle to let go, preventing new energy from entering their life. Here can also be fragility or weakness that makes it hard to process grief in a healthy way.

Organs of Metal – Lungs and Large Intestine

The organs associated with the Metal element are the Lungs and Large Intestine. The Large Intestine eliminates what the body no longer needs, physically and emotionally. The Lungs draw in purity, allowing us to breathe in the essence of life.

Next time you step outside on a crisp autumn morning, take a deep breath and receive this natural medicine that surrounds you. The lungs connect us to the season’s energy through the pure, cool air of fall.

These two organs work in harmony:

The Large Intestine releases what’s impure, while the Lungs inhale what is pure. Without elimination, there is no space for purity. Without purity, there is nothing to be thankful for.

When Metal Is Out of Balance

• Recurrent colds or flu

• Toothaches

• Asthma / Allergies / Sinusitis

• Bronchitis

• Constipation

• Colitis

• Skin disorders

• Sweating disorders (too much or too little)

• Deep sadness or prolonged grief

• Low self-esteem

• Perfectionism

• Obsessive-compulsive behavior (OCD)

Reflections with the Metal Element

1. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude aligns perfectly with the essence of Metal.

A simple daily practice—acknowledging what is pure and real in your life - nourishes both the lungs and the spirit.

Meditation on the breath is another beautiful tool: taking a few moments each day to observe your breathing cleanses and strengthens the lungs, allowing space for purity and thankfulness to arise.

For those who prefer movement, try a Qigong routine suited for autumn.

2. Let Go of the Old to Invite the New

Nature is the greatest teacher: trees do not resist shedding their leaves.

How often do we hold on to “old things” - stories, belongings, relationships, excuses—that no longer serve us?

When we let go, we create room for new growth that will bloom again in spring.

Food for Autumn & the Metal Element

During the autumn months, it’s best to emphasize foods that strengthen and protect the Lungs and support the process of letting go.

1. Spicy and Aromatic Foods

Prepare for the cold and flu season by protecting your Lungs.

Spicy, pungent, and aromatic foods help dispel pathogens and keep the sinuses clear. Drink ginger or turmeric tea, and cook with cardamom or cloves. At the first sign of a cold, chew a clove or a small piece of raw garlic—not delicious, but very effective.

Try some autumn recipes in the recipes section :)

2. Minerals

We all need balanced levels of minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, and potassium. Some of the best sources include beans, lentils, dark leafy greens, fish, and seeds. These nourish both the Metal element and the body’s foundation.

Embrace the Autumn Energy

Autumn invites us to slow down, breathe deeply, let go, and give thanks.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to align your body and mind with the rhythm of nature — and to prepare your inner landscape for the peace and stillness of winter ahead.