A couple of years ago, a patient shared with me a holy inspired method to temper reactivity and just let it be.

When a situation arises, give three days time: one day for mind, one day for body, one day for spirit. For some reason this trinity of letting it be really, really works for me. So much can change in a few days.  More information may present itself.  A dream may come. The whole situation may fizzle completely. Spirit may whisper in our ear.  

In the past, I used the rule of 5.  Will this matter in 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 months, 5 seasons or 5 years? Framing with 5 helps me determine how much energy I want to give the situation.

I leave you with this final inspiration for the earth season.

Mary Altar in Oliva’s garden from our Garden Altars Class

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be

And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Yeah, there will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be

Let it be, let it be (ooh)
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom (ooh)
Let it be (ooh)

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom

Writer/s: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

photo by wimuwi73

This exercise introduces the concept of mindfulness in a tangible way. It helps improve our relationship with food and reduce emotional or impulsive eating.

Mindful eating: A raisin

1. Take one raisin and keep it in your hand.
2. Hold the raisin in the palm of your hand. Feel the weight of it.
3. Look at this raisin. Notice any unique features of your raisin. Let your eyes explore every part; examine the highlights where light shines, its darker crevasses, its folds and ridges.
4. Hold the raisin between your fingers and turn it. Notice its texture and its “topography.”
5. Hold the raisin to your ear. Squish it a bit. Does it make a sound? Take note of any sensations you feel.
6. Hold the raisin beneath your nose, and with each inhalation drink in any smell, aroma or fragrance that may arise, noticing as you do this if there’s anything interesting happening in your mouth or stomach.
7. Simply notice any thoughts that you may have, such as likes or dislikes, without trying to push them away.
8. With awareness, slowly bring the raisin to your lips, noticing how your hand and arm know exactly where to position it, perhaps noticing that saliva starts to get secreted as you bring the raisin towards your mouth.
9. Gently place the raisin in your mouth, without chewing notice how it gets into the mouth in the first place. Spend a few moments exploring the sensations of having it in your mouth, exploring it with your tongue.
10. Notice to which side your tongue pushes the raisin.
11. When you’re ready, prepare to chew the raisin.
12. Then very consciously, take one or two bites into the raisin and notice what happens in the aftermath, experiencing any waves of taste that emanates from it as you continue chewing.
13. Resist the urge to swallow the raisin. Notice the sensation of taste—the juice of the raisin and its texture in your mouth and how these change over time, as well as any changes in the raisin itself.
14. See if you can first detect the intention to swallow as it comes up, so that you experience this sensation consciously before you actually swallow the raisin.
15. Finally, swallow the raisin—see if you can feel the raisin going down towards your stomach and even entering your stomach. Perhaps noticing what it feels like to be one raisin heavier.
16. Sense how the body as a whole feels after completing this mindful eating exercise. Notice your thoughts.

Earth: Limit raw foods 

To bring balance and wellness to the organs ruled and expressed by the Earth Element, we focus on how to optimize digestion and personalize nutrition, regulate blood sugar and strengthen the muscles during Late Summer as well as the 18 days around each equinox & solstice.

I am a huge fan of fresh food.  I am more skilled at chopping than cooking. I love to chop, so food prep is super fun for me and therefore a strength. I am also aware that food is freshest at soon as I harvest it from the yard, bring it home from the market or buy it from the grocery store. Food prep is critical to those of us that have day after day commitments.  I highly encourage you to chop and blanch as soon as fresh food enters your kitchen.

But……the next step isn’t my gift: cooking. I have, however, for the sake of my digestive system and nutrition learned some short cuts that allow me to care for my precious body.  I hope these tips help you too!

1. Keep it simple
2. Create a fun atmosphere in my kitchen: play some tunes, diffuse essential oils
3. Keep glass storage containers & re-use canning jars for stackable storage
4. Invite the kids to help
5. Consider a mono meal – yup, only green beans for lunch (mono) or green beans with toasted sesame seeds (mono-ish)
6. Cook in bulk & freeze individual meals
   

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Cook or no?

Look in the mirror.  If your tongue is larger or thicker than average, has tooth imprints, and a thick white coat, you have dampness.  Raw foods will generate more dampness. Dampness weakens the body’s ability to digest. Raw foods add cold to the nature of the food. If however, you look in the mirror at your tongue and see a thin, red, dry tongue.  You have the digestive fire to cook raw foods in your digestive center. Enjoy! 

Blanch: key to time management. Try blanching an entire head of broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts for a couple of minutes (retain the bright color). Strain. Cool. Package. Ready to roast, bake or stir fry!

Steam: adds moisture to nature of the food. Check out this chart for steam times of many vegetables.  I also steam tofu, tempeh or reheat protein. 

Pressure Cook: fantastic quick method for grains and legumes. Add broth to increase protein & flavor. Soak overnight in the stainless instant pot vessel to optimize nutrition and denature those pesky lectins.

Stir fry: dries the nature of the food. Try cooking vegetables separately to retain the best flavor. Ginger and garlic are mainstay spices.

Spices: warming and aromatic herbs and spices help to balance the nature of foods – allowing us to personalize our nutrition. For example, ginger and cardamom reduce damp and cold. 

I leave you with two very easy ways to put these tips to work for you right away:

Autumn Bake: Rosemary Sweet Potatoes Recipe Here

Very Simple Soups: Soup Cleanse Recipes Here

Earth:     Lǎo shànrén kàn wǒ xìn shí. Wǒ xìn shí.

老善人看我信实。我信实。
Cleansing doubt & blame. Affirming信实xìn shí, the virtue of deep trust, integrity & trustworthiness.

~Confucian Chant, 500BCE

Trust (n) As early as 1200AD the word traust appears likely originating in the Old Norse referring to help, confidence, support, reliance from sound qualities; religious faith (v) have faith, to rely, make safe and strong *source

The emotional spectrum of the Earth element is worry to faith. The organs associated with the Earth element are the spleen, stomach and pancreas. Worry can manifest as blame and doubt, while faith express itself as trust and integrity. Worrying injuries these organs, while trust or faith heals and strengthens them. 

Suffice it to say, that trust (or mistrust) has been an element in relationships since the beginning of relationships. Trust (or distrust) has created empires and started wars. Although non-verbal, trust (or distrust) is apparent in animal behavior.  

How is trust developed?

Pause and allow yourself to answer that question. 

photo by TyliJura

Experts, leaders and psychologist agree upon several qualities that are essential to developing deep trust.  Some of those include:

• Reliability, predictability
• Care, compassion, empathy
• Authenticity, transparency, integrity
• Respect, benevolence
• Active listening & capacity to receive feedback

Do you agree?  What would you add to this list? 

Trust is an emotional process that is influenced by our attachment style, life experiences and personality. Trust is also a neural process influenced by oxytocin and dopamine and can also be linked to pool of hormones and neurotransmitters like cortisol, endorphins, GABA, endocannabinoids, etc.

The best way that you can find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them

~Ernest Hemingway

The tips are appropriate for seasonal wellness and are helpful all year long for constitutional Element Earth types.

Want to establish or return to care with Dr Cox? Book here!

Paying close attention to the coming and going of feelings within the body leads us to a deeper understanding of impermanence.  This mind-body understanding of impermanence guides us deeper into allowing. 

Have you tried body scanning? 

Enjoy a free body scan script here

or choose from a free guided 20, 30 or 45 minute audio here

Body scanning is a widely used technique for stress reduction. As we practice this mindfulness act again and again, we may start to notice the sensation arise prior to an emotion or feeling.  The question then becomes, are we reacting to the external situation or an internal stimulation?  

Sensations arise and sensation pass. 

Situations arise and situations pass. 

Body scan meditations help reduce stress & anxiety, improve concentration, begat clarity and helps us live in the present moment. This study shows that body scanning can even reduce the severity & perception of chronic pain immediately.

Practices that focus the mind and explore sensation help us discover that, generally, we are reacting to internal, pre-programmed stimulus.  To break our reactive patterns and form new habit patterns: be still, notice the sensation, be still some more, notice again.

Mandala for the Earth Season

To create an Element Wisdom Card Mandala

 Create sacred space through ritual.

Design the space. Your sacred expression.

Some of my favorite ways to create sacred space:

Open with prayer. 

Bow to the four directions.

Invite our guides.

Give thanks.

Light a candle, smudge, chant.

Choose 5-8 cards.  Arrange them in a circle within concentric rings of found or precious materials like seasonal fruits/vegetables, flowers, leaves, shells, stones, sticks, feathers, etc.  Choose an elemental center piece:  an earthenware filled with soil/clay, a transparent vase of water or a shell, a bell, a wooden bowl, an incense burner. Cards and objects may also be arranged by cardinal directions.

I created a mandala with intention and drew

3 Jedi mind tricks, 3 suggestions, 1 body self care tip & 1 inquiry

• Change is a constant
• Change directions without losing balance.
• Does your ‘yes’ serve the balance?
• Redistribute & Mobilize
• It’s All Good
• Collaboration is the truth
• Shake into your muscles
• Convert discord into harmony

The center is an earthen bowl with Alabama Red Clay. Placing an earthen vessel in the center of the home or filling a vessel with earth in an area of your home or room adds grounding via feng shui placement during these times of change.

Cotton bags sewn in Georgia. Cards printed in Mississippi. Bags stamped by me. Persimmons grown at Alberta Orchard Wellness. To learn more or purchase element-wisdom cards, visit our website www.drsaritaelizabeth.com

Fun, going with the flow, adventure, excitement, allowing a natural unfolding?

No way, Nope, No. Not for me. I just can’t. That’s crazy. 

From the latin roots: sua – from + sponte – of (one’s) own accord

Recall the last time you had a good belly laugh? True laughter arises spontaneously. 

When was the last time you were spontaneous? A last minute yes to extra concert tickets? a trip to the beach without previous planning? dancing in the kitchen to a favorite song? a walk to clear your head after hours on the computer? chasing a rainbow or sunset? a random act of kindness?

Do you have a great story about a decision you make spontaneously?

Why be spontaneous?

It can contribute to our happiness, expose us to new things and engender adaptability. Life events can turn out better than we could ever imagine (or plan) when we allow natural unfolding verses forcing desired outcomes.

5 ways to encourage spontaneity:

Be present

Be open to new things

Be flexible

Trust your intuition

Connect with your feelings & emotions

Spontaneity v Impulsivity

In short, spontaneity considers the consequences of the decision.  Impulsivity does not.

Today autumn begins in the Northern Hemisphere, while the folks in the Southern Hemisphere are preparing for warmer, spring weather. 

In 2025, the Autumnal Equinox arrives on Monday, September 22, at 1:19 P.M. Central Standard Time. The autumn equinox happens at the same moment worldwide marking the astronomical start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere – the moment when the direct ray of the sun crosses the equator to the South. After the autumnal equinox, nights begin to grow longer than the days until the winter solstice in December, when the days start to grow longer and the nights are shorter. The Autumnal Equinox represents the symmetry between light and darkness, as a balance is struck between day and night.

According to the Chinese Medicine understanding of the cycle of the seasons, we have technically returned to Earth phase, or Doyo, which is the transitional time when the seasons change, four times per year. After this return to earth transition, we will be in the metal phase of the seasons which invites reflection and resonates with breath and sound healing.

The Earth element is associated with times of change throughout the year, which happen between each of the seasons around the two equinoxes and the two solstices. These transition phases begin about 7 days before each equinox and solstice and continue for about 7 days after, which constitute an approximate three-week period of adjustment between the seasons. 

I  embrace and promote the wisdom of seasonal cycles  increasing awareness of and balancing our individual constitutions within dynamic change and to honor repeating cycles throughout our return to our wholeness.  

WHAT IS THE EQUINOX?

The word “equinox” comes from Latin aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, “night.” On the equinox, length of day and night are roughly equal.

During the equinox, the sun crosses the “celestial equator”—an imaginary line or extrapolation of Earth’s equator line into space. The equinox occurs precisely when the sun’s center passes through this line. When the sun crosses the equator from north to south, this marks the autumnal equinox; when it crosses from south to north, it marks the vernal equinox.

At this exact moment, the lengths of day and night are approximately equal around the world in the Northern and Southern hemispheres — hence the term “equinox,” which is derived from the Latin phrase meaning “equal night.”

Image credit: NASA

Why the Autumnal Equinox Doesn’t Fall on the Same Day Every Year

Depending on the part of the world and time zone where you live, the equinox usually falls on either September 22 or 23; although it can sometimes occur anytime between September 21 and 24. That is because the equinox is not an exact, daylong event but is defined by the position of the Earth and the sun at a particular moment in time. 

Ancient Autumn Traditions 

The fall equinox has been celebrated by cultures for ages as people track the transitions of the Earth’s paths around the Sun. Indigenous cultures recognized EARTH wisdom and understood that the Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, and Autumn Equinox reflect our own inner spiritual journey.

• An ancient stone monument called Intihuatana at Machu Picchu in Peru, which means “Hitching Post of the Sun”, serves as a solar clock to mark the dates of the equinoxes and solstices.  
• In Mexico, the Mayans built a giant pyramid called Chichen Itza. On the equinoxes, a snake created by light appears to slither down the pyramid’s steps.
• And of course, in England, Stonehenge is aligned with the equinoxes and solstices.

An image of the serpent appearing on the side of the Temple of Kukulcan on the equinox at Chichen Itza

SIGNIFICANCE

The Autumnal Equinox is a significant time of year to honor the harvest, which may be an actual harvest of fruits and vegetables from your garden or the harvest of efforts and intentions for your life that you set earlier in the year.  This Earth seasonal return represents the harvest time of year, when we acknowledge the gifts and abundance in our lives. It is a time when we can see, in nature, a reflection of our own lives as we go through cycles of growth, harvest, death, and rebirth.

At the Autumnal Equinox, it’s important to take a moment to go inward. Life is a continuous circle of shifting and evolving, dying, and being reborn again. Because change is a constant, it is possible to identify unbroken patterns within the ebb and flow of life. As we become quiet during this time of transition, we are allowing space for our greater vision to emerge and set in motion the intentions for another cycle. I invite you to take some time September 22 to be mindful of your life cycle, honor your own growth and shine your inner light.

Citrine is known as the merchant stone as it attracts prosperity and abundance.

• The crystal ranks 7 on the Mohs hardness scale
• The color ranges from lemon yellow to rustic red-brown
• It is associated with the solar plexus in the chakra system 
• Citrine balances the Earth Element
• Natural Citrine is found in igneous rocks like granite or alluvial deposits
• Citrine forms around 440 degrees 
• Citrine is a gemstone name for quartz with iron in the color center
• Lab made Citrine is an eco-friendly choice

The color gold is associated with the earth element

We, therefore, utilize the hues and tones of yellow to support our center. I have a favorite yellow linen shirt and a gold silk shirt that I find again and again during the earth season. What golden tones do you have in your closet?  Wear them during Earth season. I adorn with amber and citrine during the transition season. Bejewel yourself with gold and golden gems.

Citrine is Vitamin C for the soul

Through Qi Gong principles, we learn that the physical form is a manifestations of the more subtle energies.  Visualization focus energy into form.  I often describe Qi Gong as internal Tai Chi – the medical form of the martial arts.  We can focus our mind’s eye within our organs and highways of energy – the meridians – for wellness. Praying or meditating, visualizing wellness, speaking positivity, chanting or singing can heal our bodies.

In the prosperity area of my office (SE), I have a citrine sun catcher.  This Feng Shui placement invites abundance into my practice. 

Right now, visualize the sparkling yellow light of citrine in your umbilicus.  Allow it to fill your organs, your tendons, your muscles, your skin.

Invite citrine to support you in prosperity, abundance & health.