"The mysterious powers of the summer create heat in heaven and fire upon earth. They create the pulse within the body and the Heart within the viscera. Of the colors they create the red color. and they give to the human the voice of the ability to express joy. In times of excitement and change they grant the capacity for sadness. Of the orifices they create the mouth with its palate: of the flavours they create the bitter flavour: and of the emotions they create happiness and joy the Heart is like the minister of the monarch who excels through insight and understanding the Small Intestines are like the officials who are trusted with riches; they create changes of the physical substance............... the Heart acts as the bolt of the door to the storehouse; the Small Intestines act as messengers....... The Pericardium is the minister of the Heart, and the door of joy and happiness. Those who are concerned and satisfied with their station in life will rise above it....  the  Burning  Spaces  are  like  the  officials  who  plan  the  construction  of  ditches  and sluices, and create waterways     the Pericardium is like the official of the centre who guides the subjects in their joys and pleasures." Nei Ching

"Listen, listen, listen to your Heart’s song." — Paramahansa Yogananda

Summer is about Celebration! It is our time to celebrate our joy, creativity, the ripening of the earth’s bounty all around us, and our own Blossoming. We can celebrate our own spirit by absorbing all the solar energy available this time of year, exercising, playing, and just being outdoors. The Heart is the ruler over the Summer season. The Heart is the root of life and generates all changes in Spirit. In the cycle of the Five Elements FIRE is the element associated with SUMMER. The Fire Phase embodies Warmth, Expansion, Joy, Compassion, Creativity and Brilliance. The Summer is a time of Blossoming where the fullness of Yang supports this period of luxurious growth. Fruits and flowers abound during the Summer’s season of growth and maturation. 

LOVE, COMPASSION, SELF CONFIDENCE, JOY, PEACE. These are all gifts of Fire in balance. 

The Heart in Harmony and Illness 

Clarity is a central attribute of those with a harmonious Heart-Small Intestine/Mind. Review the psychological/emotional role of SI separating clear from turbid. Heart disease is the largest disease in the US. Studies show connection b/w heart and nervous system problems and calcium metabolism.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Concepts

Qi of the Heart: often Deficient or Stagnant/Knotted.

� Stagnant Qi usually starts with the Liver and affects Heart. 

� Qi of Heart derived from that of Lungs and Spleen. 

Deficient Qi and Yang of the Heart: heart disease, angina, nervous disorders, weakness, and depression. 

Poor Qi flow related to quality of Shen. Tai Chi- the Qi follows the mind; Buddhist and Vedic psychology- For there to be an illness in the body there must first be an illness in the mind. 

Stagnant Heart Blood: not enough Qi or Yang to move the Blood, or mucus/phlegm may be obstructing flow. Phlegm = fat = cholesterol deposits. 

OBSERVATIONS

The Fire element appears in angular designs with sharp edges and points as well as in structural features like fireplaces and barbeques. Fire is commonly associated with the qualities of energy, dynamism, strength, persistence, assertiveness, creativity and passion. However, it is also connected to restlessness, aggression, impatience, and impulsive behavior. In the same way, Fire provides heat and warmth, however an excess can also burn.

Fire is commonly associated with the qualities of energy, dynamism, strength, persistence, assertiveness, creativity and passion. However, it is also connected to restlessness, aggression, impatience, and impulsive behavior.

Fire is yang or masculine in character, its motion is upward and its energy is expansive. The color associated with Fire is red. The corresponding direction is south, the climate is heat, and summer is the season for the Fire element.

The Heart (XIN) "Residence of Shen" - 11am-1pm & the Pericardium (XIN-BAO) "Heart Protector" - 7-9 pm are governed by the Fire element in the human body.

The sense organ is the tongue, and the related internal organ is the Small Intestine (XIAO-CHANG) "Controller of the Transformation of Matter" - 1-3 pm & Triple Warmer (SAN-JIAO) "Commander of all Energies" - 9-11pm.

Fun and variety are the values associated with fire.

PERSONALITY

Fire people are usually willowy with bright eyes, big smiles, and reddish coloring on the neck and chest. They are charming, fun, mischievous, easily excitable, quick wit, and change emotional states rapidly. They also approach relationships, work, and play with passion and enthusiasm. They love change, bright colors, and environments that stimulate.

In the conquest cycle, Fire overcomes metal, and in turn is overcome by water. In the birth and nurturing cycle, fire burns to earth, and is sparked by wood igniting.

EMOTIONS

The negative emotions associated with Fire are hate, sadness, discouragement, self -doubt, despair, emptiness, hopelessness and depression, while the positive emotions are joy, happiness, self- confidence, compassion. Signs of Fire disharmony are any kind of psycho-emotional disorder. Pale complexion, depression, dreaming vividly, forgetfulness, speech difficulties, anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, hysteria and insomnia are also signs of Fire imbalances.

The negative emotions associated with Fire are hate, sadness, discouragement, self -doubt, despair, emptiness, hopelessness and depression, while the positive emotions are joy, happiness, self- confidence, compassion.

SUMMER FOODS

Associated foods for the Fire element include bitter foods, lamb, asparagus, lettuce, dandelion, alfalfa, citrus peel, celery, peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, cayenne, wine, coffee, and tea. These foods can reduce heat and dry fluids. They most benefit slow, overweight, overheated, and aggressive people.

Millet, Plums, Cabbage, Lamb, Cilantro, Bitter greens (Mustard, Watercress), Cranberries, Cauliflower. Just look around at what fruits and veggies are in luscious abundance this time of year, this is the ideal Summer diet! This is a full yang time so eating less heating (yang type) foods is better to be in balance with the season. More yin, cooling, moist foods like fruits and veggies combined with some millet, rice, a few nuts, seeds and a touch of dairy protein balance out a Summer diet.

Paul Pitchford suggests we take full advantage of this by eating a full spectrum of fresh foods. With respect to cooking, we should cook things with heat, but not for long periods as we might in the winter. We steam or simmer foods with high heat quickly. Contrary to popular belief, eating lots of cold food (iced beverages, ice cream) does not assist with managing heat. Furthermore it may actually stifle the energies of our digestive system. 

Cooling foods: salads, sprouts, fruit, cucumber, tofu, and flower teas (chrysanthemum/Ju Hua, etc) 

Warming foods bring yang energy to surface: hot peppers, cayenne, ginger, horseradish and black pepper. These must be used in moderation otherwise they will create too much dispersion. 

Foods to improve Yin: wheat germ, wheat berries, mung beans (known to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol also). 

Calming the Heart/Mind:

Foods: The bitter principle affects the Heart, draws yang energy down from the head and concentrates them in the Heart. 

Bitter aspect of grains is in the germ and bran, as are EFA's and B vitamins, which help calm nerves. 

Magnesium (Mg) allows Calcium to function properly in the heart and nerves. Green foods have chlorophyll, which has Mg as its molecular center.

Cleansing the Heart/Vascular system or the Heart/Mind:

� Oils such as Omega 3 to reduce cholesterol, thin blood

� Traditional Spirit-focusing practices: prayer, meditation, mantras, singing, contemplation. 

� Remember - the Heart is the Monarch, activities of all other organs affect the Heart. 

Mental Depression

Usually rooted in stagnant Liver but experienced in Shen, foods for minor short-term depression:

� brown rice, cucumber, apples, cabbage, fresh wheat germ, kudzu root, blue-green algae, and apple cider vinegar. 

Foods That Deplete Blood

• Sugar

• Excessive Alcohol

• Saturated Fats

• Hydrogenated Oils

• Stimulants

SUMMER HERBS

Ginger root –stimulates circulation, good for nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, gas

Hawthorn Berries –heart tonic, good for palpitations and to nourish & balance the heart!

Red Clover –blood tonic & cleanser, also for coughs

Fennel Seed –digestive tonic, anti-spasmodic, expectorant

Motherwort –heart tonic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, palpitations, mothering nourishment

Cayenne –tonic, stimulates circulation, pungent, heating, anti-inflammatory, blood cleanser

Western Herbs for calming:

Valerian

Passionflower

Skullcap

Hops

Catnip (Nepeta)

Wild Oats (also calms Wind, mildly astringent)

Lemon balm

Kava Kava. 

NB: most of these herbs, particularly valerian and kava kava, should not be taken long-term, as they have a tendency to build up in the body. 

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Herbs for Deficient Heart Qi:

As noted by Pitchford, herbs that generally tonify Qi are used to tonify Heart Qi. Often the Qi of the Heart, Spleen, and Lung are strengthened by similar herbs. 

These herbs will be covered in the Earth and Metal units. 

SOLAR / LUNAR HERBAL TEA