Why is Late Summer so unique?

Nature doesn’t shift from summer to autumn overnight.

Ancient cultures also recognized this in-between time. In Europe it was often referred to as the “Indian Summer.”

A régi emberek is így tekintettek rá: nem igazi őszként, hanem „vénasszonyok nyaraként” emlegették.

A nappalok már rövidülnek, este nyolckor sötét van – holott alig egy hónapja még a strandon élveztük a naplementét. Az éjszakák és a hajnalok csípősek, a napközbeni napsugarak azonban még mindig melegek, simogatóak.

This brief 4–6 week period belongs to the Earth element, when the Stomach and Spleen take center stage. Nature’s abundance is gradually calming down, and it’s time for us, too, to turn inward: toward nourishment, digestion, and grounding.

The Message of the Earth Element

The Earth element represents center and stability.

If you take a moment to pause in nature (away from the constant noise of the city), you might feel as if time itself slows down for a while.

I have to admit – ever since I no longer had to return to school benches every September, this season has become one of my favorites.

Earth is also the element of nourishment.

It’s no coincidence that cultures across the world honored Earth as Mother: in Late Summer she offers her greatest abundance. Visiting a farmer’s market, slowly choosing colorful vegetables and fruits, is in itself a grounding ritual.

Earth and Qi

In TCM, Earth holds special importance because it generates our postnatal Qi – the vital energy we rely on after birth.

• When our “center” – the digestive system – is strong, every other organ is supported.
• When it is weak, the whole body eventually becomes depleted.

💡 Associations of the Earth element:

• Organs: Stomach and Spleen – the foundation of digestion and energy production
• Emotion: worry and overthinking – when imbalanced, we ruminate and find it hard to let go
• Task: to “digest and integrate” what we receive – food, experiences, emotions

What happens when the Earth element goes out of balance?

If the center is not strong, we can easily lose our stability.

The transition from summer to autumn can bring fatigue, digestive issues, mucus buildup, or excessive worrying.

That’s why in late summer it is especially important to:

• to prioritize warm, cooked meals,
• practicing grounding habits (going to the market, taking slow walks, keeping a regular daily rhythm),
• and also mental digestion: we need to “digest” not only food, but also our experiences and emotions.

Late summer and digestion

The Stomach and the Spleen provide the fundamental energy of our body. If they are weak, everything else becomes more vulnerable.

Signs of an Imbalance

• bloating, sluggish digestion, sugar cravings (especially for refined sweets)
• fatigue, heaviness after meals
• excess mucus or dampness
• worry, overthinking, or restlessness

This is why warm, cooked meals, grounding routines, and emotional digestion (processing feelings, not just food) are so essential at this time of year.

Eating in Harmony with Late Summer

Earth’s allies are the warm yellows and oranges, foods that grow close to or within the soil, and the natural, gentle sweetness of whole foods.

✅ Supportive foods:

• grains: millet, brown rice, oats, quinoa
• root vegetables: carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, squash
• fruits: grapes, apples, pears, peaches – ideally baked, stewed, or gently cooked
• legumes: chickpeas, red lentils
• spices: cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove, cumin, star anise

❌ Best to avoid:

• too many raw salads, yogurt, iced drinks
• ice cream, cold or frozen foods
• overly sweet desserts
• heavy, greasy, or oily dishes

Simple Recipe – Creamy Pumpkin & Millet Porridge

Ingredients:

• ½ cup millet
• 1 cup steamed pumpkin cubes
• 2 cups almond or oat milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon, pinch of cardamom
• 1 tsp honey or date paste

Directions:

Simmer millet in plant milk until tender. Stir in the steamed pumpkin and spices, blend until creamy, and sweeten to taste.

A warm, grounding breakfast that nourishes the Spleen Qi and brings gentle stability.

Grounding Lifestyle Practices

Late Summer is not just about food – daily rhythm and lifestyle matter, too:

• eat at regular times, as much as possible
• make meals calm and mindful, without rushing or distractions
• choose grounding, gentle movement – yoga, walking, tai chi
• practice slow, abdominal breathing to support digestion
• spend time in nature – forest walks, observing the seasonal changes

The Emotional Side of Earth

This season speaks not only to the body but also to the heart and mind:

• When imbalanced: worry, rumination, anxiety about the past or future
• Practice: 5 minutes of gratitude journaling or mindful presence each day
• Insight: just as food must be digested, so must our emotions and experiences

Preparing for Autumn

Late Summer is short, but deeply important.

If we use this time to strengthen the Stomach and Spleen:

• our immunity will be more resilient,
• the transition into cool, windy weather will feel easier,
• fatigue and dampness will be less of a burden.