Welcoming Autumn: The Metal Element’s Call to Inspiration & Self-Worth

As the air turns crisp and the days shorten, autumn arrives with its gentle nudge to slow down and turn inward. In Chinese medicine, this season is governed by the Metal element — a force that symbolizes refinement, self-worth, value, and inspiration.

Metal teaches us that just like precious gems are formed deep within the earth, our truest essence and strength emerge when we clear away what no longer serves us. It’s a season that reminds us to honor our worth, breathe deeply, and find inspiration in both simplicity and structure.

The Big Picture of the Metal Element

In the Five Element cycle, Metal is paired with the Lungs (breath, inspiration, immune system, skin) and the Large Intestine (release, letting go of waste). Together, these organs remind us of the rhythm of life: inhale inspiration, exhale release.

Metal also represents:

• Value & Self-Worth: Knowing our intrinsic worth and holding healthy boundaries.
  
  
• Inspiration: Breathing in fresh ideas, new energy, and life force.
  
  
• Resilience: The strength that comes from refinement, much like raw stone being sculpted into a masterpiece.
  
  

One of my favorite analogies comes from Michelangelo. When asked how he created the statue of David, he explained that David was already inside the block of marble — his job was simply to remove the excess. That’s the wisdom of the Metal element: stripping away the unnecessary to reveal the essence of who we are.

Where This Shows Up in Life & Business

This is a powerful season to reflect on where you may be undervaluing yourself. Are you charging enough for your services? Are you offering your clients the fullest expression of your gifts? Are you honoring your own energy and time?

Just as Metal asks us to discern what is valuable, autumn invites you to identify the “gems” in your life and business that are ready to shine — and to clear away the noise, distractions, and doubts that diminish your worth.

Practical Support for You and Your Clients

For Yourself:

• Breathwork Ritual: Take five minutes daily to breathe deeply, inhaling inspiration and exhaling what no longer serves you. Diffuse or apply an essential oil like Eucalyptus, Peppermint, or Tea Tree on your chest or over LU9 (Taiyuan) to strengthen Lung Qi.
  
• Inspiration Journal: Each evening, jot down one moment of inspiration and one thing you’re ready to release. This simple practice cultivates clarity and resilience.
  
  

For Practitioners to Use with Clients:

• Essential Oil + Acupoint Integration:
  
  
• Apply Tea Tree or Eucalyptus to LU9 (Taiyuan) to support Lung Qi, deepen breath, and inspire clarity.
  
  
• Use Frankincense on KI27 (Shufu) to open the chest, lift energy, and help clients feel more expansive.
  
  

• Business/Wellness Coaching Cue: Encourage clients to reflect on where they might be holding onto “clutter” —
• whether physical, emotional, or even outdated habits — and guide them in discerning what has true value.
  
  
• Immune Support: As cold and flu season approaches, remind clients that autumn is the time to fortify the immune system by strengthening Lung Qi. Oils like Eucalyptus, or I love doTERRA Breathe blend (or similar if you don’t use doTERRA) paired with points such as LU7 for releasing and letting go or Rosemary on ST36 can be both preventative, strengthening, and empowering.
  
   

Closing Reflection

Autumn is not about loss — it’s about clarity. It’s the season where we strip away the excess to reveal the beauty, strength, and value within.

As you breathe deeply this season, may you be inspired to honor your worth, align with what truly matters, and help your clients do the same.

Because when we embody the wisdom of the Metal element, we don’t just let go — we shine brighter. ✨

Autumn is a season of refinement, inspiration, and honoring what truly matters. I’d love to know: What are you letting go of — and what fresh inspiration are you calling in? Share your reflections in the comments so we can inspire one another. 💬

And if you’re curious about bringing this wisdom deeper into your own life, start with my Essential Oil Energetics mini-course — it’s a simple way to experience the energetics and power of oils on points for yourself and begin exploring with your clients 🌿

For practitioners ready to take this work further with clients, my AcuOil Alchemy Certification is where you’ll learn how to confidently integrate essential oils + acupoints into your sessions and amplify client results while standing out in your field.