In TCM, grief is closely connected to the Lungs and the Metal element that rule during the season of Autumn. As such, it can be quite common to face emergent grief during this time of year, when we begin to walk toward the closing of a cycle. Just as the leaves fall, we may find ourselves mirroring nature and taking inventory of our losses or reflecting upon what we’re leaving behind. It will come as no surprise that there is presently also a lot of grief in the collective, as we reckon with a variety of current events involving tremendous loss. Although this season’s organ correspondences of the Lungs and Large Intestine—two of our crucial elimination pathways—highlight an invitation for physical detoxification, it’s also important to tend to our emotional detoxification.
The Lungs not only play a crucial role in the regulation of our overall oxygen and Qi into the Blood, but are additionally responsible for filtering and expelling airborne toxins, allergens, and molds. Just as the Lungs play a physical role in the intake and release of air, they also help process and release emotional experiences and accumulations. In TCM, grief is understood as an emotion that can constrain the flow of Qi, particularly in the Lung meridian, leading to symptoms of stagnation. When grief is not properly processed or released, it can lead to physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, fatigue, or even depression. Prolonged or unresolved grief can weaken Lung Qi, making a person more susceptible to respiratory issues (like colds, asthma, or coughs), as well as skin conditions (since the lungs are also connected to the skin in TCM).
TCM teaches that grief, like all emotions, is natural and necessary. When expressed and processed in a healthy way, grief helps to move Qi and allows us to let go of all that which no longer serves. Within the Five Elements Framework of TCM, there is an aspect of our psyche called the Po, or “Corporeal Soul,” also referred to as the spirit of Autumn. Residing in both the Lungs and Large Intestine, it governs the ways in which the unconscious manifests in our lives. Suppressed emotions or unconscious feelings, especially unexpressed grief, injure the Po. Amazingly, the Po also facilitates the expression of grief through weeping and crying, supporting a sense of release. This is actually seen as part of a spiritual purification process in TCM; being aware that emotions can come bubbling to the surface and allowing it to happen can go a long way in supporting the physical, emotional, and spiritual intersections of healing.
Autumn tends to be a naturally introspective time, which can support us in processing our emotions and releasing unresolved grief. Leaning into this energetic signature and making time/space to feel, reflect, process, and resolve will allow us to feel more clear, balanced, and resilient for the road ahead. Acupuncture is an amazing modality for supporting emotional regulation and release, while any type of meditation practice that includes mindful breathing will also nourish the Lungs and promote the free flow of Qi. Journaling, especially as a way to move through and let go anything that’s weighing on our hearts, is a great way to practice removing any filters and exploring what lies beneath. Finally, we can lean on herbal support from Lung tonics (e.g., Astragalus, Reishi, Schizandra), or psychospiritual tonics (e.g., our Shen blend).
