The Season of Letting Go: Grief and Fall in Eastern Medicine

Do you ever feel a wave of grief when fall comes around? If so, there may be reasons why outside of triggers…

In Eastern medicine, particularly within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), emotional states like grief are closely linked with the seasons and internal organ systems. Grief, a natural response to loss, is connected to autumn. This connection is thought to be a reflection of the natural cycles of life and the interaction between the mind, body, and environment.

Autumn is a season of transition—marked by shedding, decline, and letting go, just as trees release their leaves in preparation for winter. In TCM, this season is governed by Metal and provides us the ability to release what no longer serves us. Grief naturally aligns with autumn, as it mirrors the emotional process of letting go, whether through the loss of a loved one, a change in life circumstances, or personal growth.

The Metal element corresponds with the lungs and large intestine, organs involved in respiration and elimination. Just as these organs regulate the intake and release of air and waste, grief involves the emotional process of taking in experiences, processing them, and releasing any emotional burdens.

Fall offers a powerful opportunity for reflection. It encourages slowing down, tuning inward, and finding ways to reconcile emotional experiences. Eastern medicine emphasizes balancing emotions during this season by nurturing the lungs through breathwork, meditation, and herbal remedies. Rituals of release—such as journaling, crying, or practicing gratitude—can also help move stagnant grief.

Additionally, I will be offering Fall grief group sessions in Castle Rock, Colorado that can be found on my Support Group page. These can be incredibly therapeutic, providing time and space for such reflection and processing.

For additional information, please contact me at kristy@yourpersonalgriefguide.com or at (720) 425-3610.