This was inspired by a conversation with a client during her session.

We’re in such intense times. The challenges and storms are rolling in — physically and metaphorically. I don’t think I know anyone who’s having an easy time now, whose life is straightforward. Do you? Are you feeling it? So how do we deal with it?

I find following the energies of the seasons, the five elements in ancient Taoist terms, invaluable for navigating my way through when I start to feel overwhelmed.

The trees are letting go their leaves, preparing for winter; the winds are blowing through strongly, giving us a sense of big changes; the rains are washing away a lot of debris. It’s all a natural part of the cycle. Autumn is represented by the Metal element. Metal signifies the gems in the earth, crystals, stones and precious metals, and mountain energy. All these point to the need to refine and hone your life at this time, in whatever way feels right to you, in whatever way brings you joy or even just simple satisfaction.

I love Marie Kondo, the queen of tidying: she has inspired millions to keep only items that bring joy, and pass on or recycle the rest. That’s the energy of Metal in a nutshell! It’s reflected in the lungs and large intestine, the organs connected with this element: the lungs breathe out carbon dioxide; the large intestine releases the non-beneficial aspects of food. It’s about healthy discernment, just as the lungs have to step up and filter out more viruses at this time, and maintain good Wei Qi, good boundaries.

And why mountains? Because again, the air is more refined at the top. And we have an overview of what’s important to us. We can see the bigger picture, a greater perspective, instead of being locked into and feeling overwhelmed by the minutiae of life. We can begin to prioritise, realise what is of true value to us, and again, start to release everything that’s not in alignment with this.

As a backdrop this autumn, most of the outer planets are retrograde, so the cosmic energies are pulling us back into reflection, revisiting, clearing on an internal level too.

And then waves of energy have been forecast from the beginning of December. You’re not alone if you’re feeling a bit battered by it all!

In face reading, I look at the lines coming down from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, to see the health of the large intestine and someone’s ability to let go and keep moving, but also how strong their sense of purpose is. These are fa leng lines, purpose lines, in Chinese face reading. They’re good lines to have, as long as they’re not too deep or dark (which indicates that one’s become a bit entrenched or stuck).

I also look at the colouration and lines on the cheeks — the lung area in face reading. Are you living in the present, looking after yourself well? In which case your cheeks will probably be more filled out and slightly pink — like a peach. Or are you constantly pulled back into your head and thoughts, into past or future? When we’re not present, when we’re in our heads a lot, the cheeks can become gaunt, lined and dark or marked. If we’re always focused on a better future or fearing a worse future, or regretting, grieving the past, this area will be more shadowy. This adds another layer: stripping away what is not relevant at this moment. Can we live more simply? Can we let any complicated area in our life just be what it is, without trying to change it, in this moment?

And if it’s really feeling overwhelming and you can’t see a way forward, my current mantra is “How good can it get?” (Courtesy of Cynthia Sue Larson, interviewed by the astrologer Pam Gregory on YouTube.) It instantly reframes my thinking.

Outer contraction, inner expansion

Autumn invites us to let go of the blooms and blossoming of summer, and of the harvest of late summer. As the days shorten, the energy is of contraction. I’ve experienced more loss of loved ones at this time of year, as we head towards winter. It can feel harder to access joy and lightness. We can feel grief at this time as we lose the sunshine and warmth, and birds and creatures start to go into survival mode, and flowers fade and die.

To transmute that sense of loss and grief, we need to draw on gratitude — a beautifully uplifting and powerfully regenerative emotion, an energetic quality. Gratitude for all that we do have, for all that we have experienced (for instance, happy memories of a loved one who has passed on), rather than a focus on lack or emptiness. Awe and wonder similarly lift our spirits: the awe of a breathtaking view from a mountain top. Breathtaking… See the connection with our lungs and breathing?! Such a view stops us in our tracks, makes the incessant chatter of our thoughts drop away for those moments. It brings us back to presence. Studies show that when we feel awe, we feel more connected not just to natural wonders but to other people; we become more expansive and generous — the opposite of contracted.

For although the Metal element can be solitary, the lone mountain, its essence is that of oneness, of us all breathing the same air. It’s reflected in the crystalline grids that are deep within Mother Earth and steadily spreading as high-frequency consciousness across the surface of this beautiful planet. It’s coming together in greater consciousness, seeing the good in each other, the sparkling, precious gems in the earth. Honing the diamonds and sapphires — under immense pressure.

This is a metaphor for us too: the seemingly relentless challenges are making us more honed, more conscious, more aware, more empathic… The Metal element draws this out in us in this season of autumn, if we will only give nature a little time to weave its magic into our beings. Stop and marvel at the deep oranges and reds of the beech trees’ leaves, half still on the trees, half carpeting the lanes below. Be still for a few moments and take some deep breaths. And ask yourself what can you release from your life, what is no longer appropriate? Can you free up a little more space or time and energy for yourself?

All this is what we’re invited to explore during autumn. Suddenly it feels not like a time of loss, grief and contraction, but a time of inner expansion and clearing; a time full of potential.

How good can it get?

With love

Saffron

31st October 2025