This is the time of year where we transition from yang energy, what was felt as outward, heating, and active energy to a more yin time of year which is felt as inward, cooling, and slowing in nature. With this it is common to feel a pull to slow down and go more inward over the next few months, honor this.

Fall season is the season of the metal element, metal being a mineral above all else. The governing organ for the metal element is the lungs. Metal personalities love aesthetics and making all things beautiful. They design their lives, wardrobes, homes, & spaces in a very modern, sleek, minimalistic and aesthetically pleasing way.

Metal personalities are constantly searching for meaning, things that bring value & worth to their lives. It is what drives them and keeps them motivated. They are idealists, perfectionists and have incredibly high standards thus they not only hold themselves to these standards but everyone around them. These folks love space and taking it up thus they need very strong boundaries and to be surrounded with people who have strong boundaries otherwise things go array quickly.

EMOTIONS WHEN IN BALANCE

• Metal personalities know that their value & richness is inside them.
• They do not look for value in their external environment.
• They are mentally & emotionally stable.
• They are not sensitive to the words or actions of others.
• They have a hard- outer shell but are quite sensitive & endearing.
• Very high standards which drives them and inspires those around them.
• Feel grief deeply and are able to navigate the complexities & stages of grief without becoming consumed

EMOTIONS WHEN OUT OF BALANCE

• Since they have a hard- outer exterior they can often come off as cold.
• The chase for meaning & value is constant thus constantly leaving them with an internal battle of self- worth.
• They chase materialistic & superficial things/ objects. When they are out of balance everything looks appealing & perfect on the outside- this is a façade of what they are really feeling on the inside.
• Because their standards are so high they can easily become over critical and get caught up in gossip and ridicule.
• Hard time letting things go.

Manifestations when Metal element is Imbalanced:
If your lungs are not doing well some common signs or symptoms you might notice include:

• Shortness of breath, shallow breathing, a cough that lingers, asthma or feeling chest constriction.
• Dry, itchy, sensitive skin, rashes, skin tags, moles.
• Sinus issues like congestion, sneezing, sinusitis.
• Hair concerns like thinning, brittle or even hair loss.
• Voice that is weeping, soft spoken, brittle, and sounds like it is on the verge of tears, difficult to assert yourself.
• Prone to autoimmune diseases & flares, you easily get sick, sensitive and reactive to many things (food, environment, fragrances, etc.)

Food as Medicine to Support your Metal Element this Autumn Season:

• Apple, pear, persimmon, oats, cinnamon, clove
• Ginger, garlic, radishes, onion, daikon, rosemary, sage
• Cauliflower, fennel, mustard seed, mustard greens, black pepper
• Chicken, halibut, turkey, jasmine rice

* This post was originally printed in the Village Medicine Seattle’s Wellness Quarterly Magazine, 4Q24 Edition. Read and download the full publication

About The Author

Dr. Tiffany Jaramillo is a Naturopathic Physician and practitioner at Village Medicine Seattle. Tiffany loves empowering, educating, and reconnecting patients to their inner wisdom. Learn more about Dr. Jaramillo