Fall Transitions

Have you noticed the transitions that are signaling that we are moving into Fall?

My friend pointed out today the change in the light because the angle of the sun has shifted
I am aware that the sun is rising later and setting earlier
Plants are starting to dry out and turn brown despite the rains
The breezes are cooler too even though the temperatures are still high

Fall transitions are important to note because it means we’re moving from Pitta season—the season of wet heat—to Vata season—the season of dry cold.

It’s hard to believe when you’re baking in the hot sun that Fall is on its way, but the signs are all pointing in that direction.

According to Ayurveda, we should look for these signs because, as creatures of Nature, we are affected by these transitions from the inside out. If we don’t pay attention to them we may be surprised when our delicate physical systems come under the sway of these changes and are unable to re-balance. Ayurvedic wisdom encourages us to take steps now to care for our bodies:

Eat apples and cherries, late summer foods which help to dispel summer’s heat

Sip water that is room temperature or hotter throughout the day to stay consistently hydrated

Move the body regularly so that all the systems of the body can operate optimally

Sit quietly for a while every day for meditation or deep breathing

Get more sleep by getting up with the sun and going to bed a little earlier in the evening

Observe the Fall transition in order to stay in tip-top shape as we say “good-bye” to another summer and prepare for the cooler, dryer, darker days to come.