Cycles Of Summer - Growth and Early Adulthood

The Cycle of Life

Natures rhythmic revolutionary cycle of activity is felt seasonally throughout a year, each phase can be summed up as Birth, Growth, Maturity, Decline and Death. These cycles can be noticed in a day, a month, a season and even in our own lifetime. Every few months I will explore each cycle of energy as we enter it, within nature and human life.

In spring I considered the resonation of birth and new beginnings, today I will reflect on the heightening frequency of summer, growth and early adulthood.

Deepening the exploration of energetics in the natural world we deepen our connection to the hidden effects our surrounding have on us. The silent wisdom of our physicality resonate with every changing season and life cycle, each having equal challenging and positive effects on our health and wellbeing.

The Cycle of Growth in Nature

Summer corresponds to the Fire element. We notate the energy of the fire element by what we see, smell, feel and hear. We can also discern the energy of summer in the same way.

Spring now behind us, we see bright light with long sun filled days, we smell the light scent of perfumed flowers and hear buzzing activity of wildlife all around us. We may feel joyful, sensed as a warming lightness that is at ease in the body.

Energy is at its highest point as we reach maximum Yang, the sun is high, the days are long, bright and hot, nature capitalises on this and blooms completely. This is the cycle of nubile growth.

We observe this with flowers fully open, revealing their essence in form of a stamen, ready for fertilisation. Brightly they explode with colour and scent everywhere, attracting pollinators and staying open to wherever the breeze may blow. All leaves are present, overflowing on trees and shrubs as they worship the sun, growing towards the light. Animal life is flourishing, all life is flourishing and growing with voracity.

The energy here is of expansion and life thrives. Exponential growth is seen everywhere and on everything, the hum of communication present in the air, activity is elevated.

The Cycle of Growth in Human Life

Growth is the cycle we experience in early adulthood. Like summer it’s a time of expansion and flourishing development as we enter our most energetic phase.

Observing those in early adulthood, we may be struck by their primed magnificence, they are flawless and lush in all areas of life, immediately and abundantly so. We notice effortless energy physically and emotionally to open up and expand into the world. Early adulthood, is nubile, colourful and in bloom.

Relationships of all kinds are also a focal point during this phase. Summer energy is open and relaxed and is ready for engagement. Exploring feelings of love and intimacy outside of a familiar environment arises from a natural desire to relate openly, whilst delighting in fun and adventure.

Vulnerability is also present, our essence of who we are is exposed to all, revealing ourselves to the unfamiliar, whilst creating appropriate boundaries to protect our heart. Although practiced at making friends, study and work, there is plenty of energy in reserve to try new things, bounce back and learn about ones self whilst finding a place in society.

Joyful Energy in Summer

In Summer our energy peaks. No matter what stage of life you are in, summer allows for a rise in motivation and energy. You may feel more active with less food and sleep. The long days, heat and summer sunshine bolsters our energy and like plant life we capitalise on flourishing.

The sun is our energetic reservoir, we feel enthused to play, be spontaneous, express ourselves freely, open to loving relationships, having fun and being adventurous. A feeling of love and ease is present, allowing expression of our true nature and authenticity.

With such a reservoir we may feel more inclined to expose more of ourselves physically and emotionally in the summer, at times this may feel easy and enjoyable but at other times we may be aware of vulnerability.

Being Vulnerable

We all experience vulnerability and continue to do so throughout life. Vulnerability is often mistaken for weakness, society accepts only strength, so various defences are built to harden our true nature. Our vulnerability is gold, it’s our essence, its what makes us true to oursevles, authentic and human.

We fear rejection or shame, on exposing our heart. Old childhood distress creates wounds, which we continue to protect and defend to survive. However this does not culminate with growth, instead we become the un-flowered rose. So guarded, we stop growing to stay safe.

Just like early adulthood, we need the reserve energy of the summer sun, to stay open and experience joy and love. Summer allows our hearts to open and have a healthy amount of vulnerability to grow and express our true nature.

Attune to Energies of Growth, Summer and the Fire Element

Stay Vulnerable safely in the words of Brenne Brown, you can’t have courage without vulnerability and you can’t have vulnerability without courage. So first recognise do you have the reserves to be vulnerable. Vulnerability could be recognised as something we are uncertain of or perhaps a fear of rejection or shame.

Notice when you feel vulnerable, whether its your turn to sing karaoke with friends, telling someone you love them, or asking a friend over to visit. These examples are seemingly gentle and safe, but our fear stops us asking for what our hearts most desire and stops the expression of our true nature.

Asking for what you want can be difficult in any relationship, especially those closest to us. If we are out of balance we may tend to feel the need to people please. This is one way to protect the heart, shielding us from uncertainty, shame or rejection. However it limits our growth and keeps us closed and generally unhappy. Let the heart speak, communicate what you most desire to the person who means the most to you, whether it’s more cuddles or help with washing the dishes. Communicate fully your wants and needs.

I love you, well I do. It also maybe a good time to tell someone who means a lot to you, those words. Perhaps a parent, sibling, child, significant other, a relationship which feels safe and nurturing. Notice how it makes you feel and how your chosen recipient reacts. Qualify this with a six second hug if you are in person and restrictions allow. Again notice how you and your special person feels. A warm embrace is like the sun shining on your face, it’s bound to make you smile.

Acupuncture is one way to help support energetically fragile vulnerability. Old childhood wounds, can make our heart energy to closed or to open. One a fear of rejections and shame keeps us unloved, the other being desperate need to feel love from others. Clearing an energetic block or bolstering deficiency is very effective with treatment.

Movement in terms of any activity, being outdoors, walking swimming, cycling or running. This is the season to use natural motivation and get the heart pumping and to feel the circulation of energy flow. Heart opening backbends with a yoga pose are also timely, always a good idea to do so with a qualified yoga teacher in class.

Cool down with restorative yin yoga, meditation and plentiful rest, if you become too hot, agitated or anxious during a heat wave. This is likened to swimming in cool water on a hot summers day.

Expression of your true nature, play, perform, sing, dance. Our energy is on the surface and high, it delights in fun movement. So gather friends and family to socialise outdoors and talk, laugh out loud, raise the spirits with heartfelt joy.