Haiku for Late Summer: Golden Stillness in TCM

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), late summer is the season of the Earth element, a time of harvest, nourishment, and transition. It is a period of golden stillness when nature begins to slow, preparing for the inward turn of autumn. The Earth element corresponds to the Spleen and Stomach, which govern digestion and the transformation of nourishment into energy. Cultivating balance during this season helps strengthen the body and stabilize the mind.

One of the most profound ways to honor late summer’s stillness is through poetry. Haiku, with its simplicity and grounding imagery, captures the essence of this season perfectly. Writing or reading a haiku can itself become a daily ritual of mindfulness, allowing us to pause and align with the natural cycles around us.

A Haiku for Late Summer

Golden fields whisper,

the cicadas fade to hush,

stillness holds the earth.

This short verse reflects the essence of late summer — warmth, abundance, and the quiet anticipation of change. The golden tones remind us of ripened crops, while the fading sounds of summer hint at the transition toward autumn. Stillness, in TCM, is not stagnation but nourishment: a pause that strengthens our inner foundation.

Rituals to Embrace Late Summer’s Stillness

1. Mindful Eating: Focus on warm, lightly cooked meals with seasonal produce like squash, sweet potatoes, and corn. This supports the Spleen and Stomach and prevents dampness from accumulating.

2. Breath and Reflection: Begin your morning with five minutes of slow breathing, followed by a short reflection on what you are grateful for. This practice aligns your energy with the grounded nature of Earth.

3. Creative Expression: Late summer is an ideal time to turn inward through creative activities. Calligraphy, journaling, or poetry help harmonize the mind and spirit, channeling thoughts into calm focus.

Affiliate Pick: A Ritual of Brush and Stillness

To deepen my connection with late summer’s golden stillness, I often practice calligraphy using the Japanese Calligraphy Brush Set. This set includes brushes that glide smoothly across the page, creating strokes that feel both meditative and grounding. To unwind, I like to sit near a window in the late afternoon, when the light is soft, and write haiku or simple characters. The process slows my breathing and centers my mind, echoing TCM’s emphasis on balance and intention in daily life. This brush set has become one of my favorite tools because it transforms writing into a sensory ritual — one that nourishes both creativity and calm.

Closing Thoughts

Late summer invites us to pause, reflect, and ground ourselves before the transitions of autumn. Through mindful eating, breathwork, and creative rituals like calligraphy or haiku, we can embrace the golden stillness that TCM views as essential for harmony. Stillness is not an absence but a presence — the presence of balance, clarity, and nourishment.

May your words flow gently, your breath stay steady, and your stillness shine like the golden fields of late summer.

— Jake