Autumn = The Metal Element: Letting Go, Breathing In

In Classical Five Element Medicine, we each carry what’s called a Causative Factor, or CF. In essence, this is the root of our being, or rather, the energetic pattern that shapes how we experience life, health, and emotion. Think of your CF as the unique song of your spirit -sometimes steady, sometimes off-key, always trying to come back into harmony.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a wonderful herbal ally to implement into your self care regimen during autumn. This sweet bee was seen resting for a minute on a 2 ft mullein leaf on our herb farm.

While this philosophy and diagnostic system has ancient roots, no one knows exactly when our CF takes shape -perhaps it’s written in our first breath or woven through our earliest memories. But one thing is certain, learning about it can reveal so much about yourself and the people in your life. It helps us understand why certain seasons touch us deeply, why certain organs are more sensitive, and why we respond to the world in our own special way.

Each element (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) corresponds to an organ system, an emotion, a time of year, and a lesson in life. For those with a Metal CF, the season of Autumn calls most strongly.

The Season of Metal

Autumn is the time when nature exhales. Trees release their leaves, the air turns crisp, and the Earth prepares for stillness. Metal teaches us the sacred art of letting go -of grief, of clutter, of expectations- so that we can breathe in what is pure and essential.

In the body, Metal governs the Lungs (LU) and Large Intestine (LI) -organ systems that mirror this rhythm of taking in and releasing. When these are balanced, we feel inspired, clear, and connected to something greater. When out of balance, we may hold on too tightly, feel weighed down by sadness, or struggle to let things flow.

The Nature of Metal People

Those rooted in the Metal element often carry themselves with quiet grace. At first, they may seem reserved or serious, but beneath that polished surface is a tender, loyal heart.They crave meaning, beauty, and truth -and often have a deep reverence for the sacred. Many Metal types look to their father figures or mentors for guidance, and they tend to seek order and integrity in all they do.

When Metal falls out of balance, the world can feel harsh or empty -as though something precious has been lost. But with the right care tailored to the metal element – LU/LI herbs, nutrition, breath, stillness, and connection to the Earth -the light returns to the shine of the metal once more.

Herbal Allies for the Metal Season

This is the time to nourish your Lungs and Large Intestine with herbs that open, clear, and moisten. Plants like Mullein, Lobelia, Elecampane, and Licorice root help strengthen the breath and ease lingering grief.

For the digestive side of Metal, Dandelion root, Burdock, and Yellow Dock encourage healthy elimination and help the body let go of what it no longer needs.

Remember, Autumn is also the season of root medicine — as plants pull their energy inward, their roots grow dense with vitality. Harvest mindfully: never take more than a third from any stand and always, always offer gratitude for the life you take.

Nourishing the Metal Within

If you find yourself drawn to the crisp air and reflective mood of Autumn, your Metal element may be speaking.

Here are a few ways to tend it well:

• Breathe deeply. Step outside in the early morning and let the cool air fill your lungs.

• Practice release. Write, cry, or exhale what’s no longer serving you.

• Stay warm and hydrated. Soups, stews, and herbal teas with ginger or marshmallow root help moisten and soften the lungs and ease digestion.

• Keep beauty near. A clean, simple space or a single vase of wildflowers can feed the Metal spirit.

• Reflect with gratitude. As the days shorten, take time to honor what’s been and what’s ready to fall away.

  
  

Metal people are like polished silver -they shine brightest when they’ve been gently tended. This season, may we all learn from Metal’s wisdom: to breathe deeply, to release with grace, and to remember that what’s essential always remains.

Kindly,

Dr. Fig