Autumn : Letting Go Makes Space for Return
You may have noticed: autumn has returned, complete with her crisp, dry, orange-and-purpley blushes. Here in Portland, the smoke that we endured a few weeks ago hid the very beginning of the changing season. As the smoke cleared, we opened our doors and windows again to see autumn leaves beckoning us.
One of our favorite quotes about this time of year goes a little something like, “autumn is about to show us how lovely it is to let things go.”
In East Asian Medicine (EAM) each season brings with it an elemental aspect; the aspect of autumn is Metal. Metal shines brightly, reflects truth, and it also severs — it releases. Its energy chops things up and makes them easier to metabolize, both physically and emotionally. Metal helps us let go. One of the organs associated with Metal is the Lung. This relationship can be seen through the breath: inhalation, pause, and letting go with exhalation.
Letting go allows us to return, to move inward, to traverse the interior spaces of ourselves — to integrate, to find ease and peace amidst even the most arduous circumstances.
Letting go allows for transitions.
In nature, transitions are ever-present, beautiful, and even revered. While these natural transitions are inherent and unavoidable, we often find ourselves resisting them. We may even find ourselves saying things like, “I can’t possibly enjoy this beautiful summer blossom... Because I know in a few months, it will be dead and gone.”
EAM reminds us that we are not separate from nature--that we, too, can weather these cycles, seasons, and epochs.
How Can We Achieve Balance in the Midst of Transition?
In EAM, one of the places the body holds untransformed (read: un-dealt-with) experiences are the Luo Vessels. The acu-points that control them could be likened to little release valves that without tending, fill up with unmetabolized experiences that ultimately spill out and affect other parts of ourselves. Bet you’ve never felt that, eh?!
The Luo vessels connect two very important layers of the body — both the ying (interior) and wei (exterior). They impact how we feel inside, and how we—and our body—express ourselves in the world. Properly treated, the luos help us let go and allow for spaciousness where holding was only creating unnecessary tension; they help us regulate our emotions and our defensiveness, and make us more adaptable. Luo points help us let go so we can stay in harmony with the seasons of our lives.
This season will see some changes at Dragon Rises!
As of November 1st, Melinda will return to clinical practice. She’s well rested and more wholehearted than ever, with her burgeoning identity as a Mama, as a parent, gleaming in her heart — we imagine you’ll be able to feel the tender-fierce mother energy she now brings to her practice!
With her return, and as the season implores, Dragon Rises will honor transitions and say goodbye to our dear Dr. Arista Gates. After graciously caring for you all during Melinda’s leave, Arista will return to her ongoing clinical practice in Eugene, Oregon!
If you’d like to stay in touch with Arista, she is available at www.gatesacupuncture.com, via email at arista@gatesacupuncture.com, and via phone at (651) 271-9703.
Here are some words from Dr. Gates:
When my dear friend & colleague Dr. Melinda Wheeler asked me to cover her maternity leave earlier this year, I was honored. Practicing at Dragon Rises these last few months has felt like a string of human connection and healing amidst a sea of chaos, turbulence, and discord.
Whether in the treatment room or over Zoom, my heart has never been as opened by my work with you, dear patients. Never have I been more moved, changed; never have I let myself more fully feel my impact on my patients and their impact on me.
The sadness of the end of my time at Dragon Rises is offset by the knowledge that you all will be in the best hands with the rest of the Dragon Rises team.
Warmly, Dr. Arista Gates
Dragon Rises offers big gratitude to Dr. Gates for taking such great care of many of you in Melinda’s absence, and we wish her every success in her journey.
Melinda is thrilled to be seeing patients again and looking forward to connecting with you. Although she has already had a chance to treat her little one with non-insertive needles and with the beloved cranial sacral therapy (that many of you know and enjoy), she has truly missed getting to wield acupuncture needles and healing hands at Dragon Rises and—even more so—has missed getting the opportunity to be a part of your ongoing healing in the treatment room. We welcome her back with open arms!
Many of you have been emailing to find out when her schedule was going to open back up, and now we’re so excited to announce her return — she will be available for both virtual and in-person visits!
Alexandra McBryde and Stephen Higgins will continue to offer care for any patients who are unable to get onto Melinda’s schedule!