According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the particular element associated with Late Summer is Earth, which provides us with our physical and emotional stability, and gives so generously of itself at this time of year.

In the same way that Earth nurtures us, this season calls us to nourish and strengthen ourselves after the expansive growth and outer-directed movement of summer, to once again ground and centre ourselves. We take special care of our own centre, our Stomach and Spleen and digestion, what is most in need of regeneration during this season.

Human beings are designed to appreciate sweetness. Sweet is the taste of the first nourishment we know (breastmilk being somewhat sweet), and the flavour most prevalent in foods. This connection between the sweet flavour and mother’s milk reflects the way many cultures see the earth itself as a mother. It also highlights Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) association of the earth element with the sweet taste.