Introduction
The beginning of autumn doesn’t always look or feel like autumn.
Warm afternoons often continue well into August, yet the season has already begun to change. Mornings become a little cooler, evenings feel more comfortable, and nature gradually shifts toward a quieter rhythm. Rather than changing overnight, this is a season of gentle transition.
Beginning of Autumn, also known as Li Qiu, invites us to slow down and notice these subtle changes. By making small adjustments to our daily habits, we can move into the new season with greater ease and balance.
What is Beginning of Autumn?
Beginning of Autumn is the thirteenth Solar Key in the Twenty-Four Solar Keys and marks the first Solar Key of autumn. In traditional East Asian seasonal medicine, it represents the gradual transition from the outward energy of summer toward the inward energy of autumn.
During this time, Yang energy begins to decline while Yin gradually increases. The Lung becomes the primary organ associated with the season, reminding us to care for our breathing, skin, and overall resilience as the weather slowly changes.
Nature’s Seasonal Transition
One of the unique qualities of Beginning of Autumn is that summer heat often lingers even though the season has already changed.
You may still experience hot afternoons, while mornings and evenings become noticeably cooler. The air begins to feel different, humidity starts to decrease, and nature quietly prepares for the months ahead.
Because this transition happens gradually, our daily routines can change gradually as well. If you’ve been enjoying lots of iced drinks, cold foods, or spending long hours in strong air conditioning during the summer, this is a good time to begin easing into the new season. Small, thoughtful adjustments often feel more natural than sudden changes.
How Can You Support Yourself?
Beginning of Autumn encourages gentle seasonal adjustments rather than dramatic lifestyle changes.
During this period, consider:
- Gradually adjusting your diet as the weather changes.
- Supporting your lungs with healthy daily habits.
- Reducing excessive raw and very cold foods.
- Going to bed a little earlier and waking a little earlier.
- Making time for quiet breathing exercises or meditation.
- Paying attention to cooler mornings and evenings by avoiding prolonged exposure to cold air while sleeping.
The goal isn’t to rush into autumn—it’s to move with the season at a comfortable pace.
Seasonal Foods
As summer transitions into autumn, food choices can gradually transition as well.
This season emphasizes supporting Qi while recovering from the demands of summer. Sour flavors become more appropriate, while very pungent foods are reduced. For some people—especially those with weaker digestion or a tendency to feel cold—this may also be a good time to reduce very cold foods such as watermelon, cucumber, and other chilled meals.
Rather than following strict rules, think of these changes as gentle adjustments that support your body’s natural seasonal rhythm.
Seasonal Recipe
Astragalus Oatmeal
One featured recipe for Beginning of Autumn is Astragalus Oatmeal, prepared with oatmeal, astragalus granules, and blueberries.
According to the course material, this nourishing breakfast is traditionally used to:
- Support Qi.
- Help clear lingering summer heat.
- Promote immune health.
- Prepare the body for the cooler months ahead.
Seasonal Self-Awareness
As the season begins to shift, take a moment to notice how you’ve been feeling during the past week.
You might ask yourself:
- Have you noticed cooler mornings or evenings?
- Have your eating habits begun to change with the season?
- Do you wake up feeling refreshed after sleep?
- Have you experienced any stiffness in your neck or shoulders after sleeping near an open window or air conditioning?
- Are you beginning to feel the slower, calmer rhythm that often accompanies the arrival of autumn?
There are no right or wrong answers. The purpose is simply to become more aware of the relationship between your well-being and the changing season.
Continue Your Seasonal Wellness Journey
Curious how you’re adapting to the changing season?
Our Seasonal Wellness Check-In offers a simple opportunity to observe your recent well-being while exploring seasonal wellness inspired by the Twenty-Four Solar Keys. Your anonymous participation also helps us better understand how people experience seasonal changes over time.
→ Begin the Seasonal Wellness Check-In
A Final Thought
Autumn doesn’t arrive all at once—it begins quietly.
Beginning of Autumn reminds us that meaningful change often starts with small moments: a cooler breeze in the morning, choosing a warm breakfast instead of an iced drink, or noticing that our daily rhythm is beginning to slow.
By paying attention to these gentle transitions, we can better align ourselves with the season and carry the balance of summer into the months ahead.
