How Fall and the Metal Element Affect Mood and Energy

Rachel Kloiber
Oct 20
5 min read

Fall in Richmond often feels like a soft exhale after the buzz of summer. The air turns crisp, light fades earlier, and life takes a slower rhythm. For many, this shift brings more than cooler weather. It brings a mood change that’s harder to name—quieter thoughts, a tug of sadness, or a pull to stay home and reflect more. These emotional changes in autumn can feel confusing if we expect to stay as upbeat or energized as before.

One helpful way to look at this seasonal transformation is through the lens of the Chinese medicine 5 element theory. It’s a system that links each season with different elements, body systems, and emotional patterns. In fall, this theory connects us with the Metal element. Exploring how this connection plays out in body and mind may help us move through this season with more awareness and a gentler approach to ourselves.

What Is the 5 Element Theory?

The Chinese medicine 5 element theory is built around the idea that everything in nature, including us, moves through cycles. These cycles are linked to five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each one represents certain qualities, organs, emotions, and even times of the year.

- Wood connects to spring and energy that pushes forward

- Fire links with summer and a time of expression or joy

- Earth belongs to late summer, a brief turning point of grounding and nourishment

- Metal ties to fall and a sense of release

- Water relates to winter and the energy of rest or retreat

This theory shows up in small ways throughout daily life. Maybe we naturally crave soups and quiet nights in November, just as we crave sun and connection in July. In the same way our appetite and energy level shift with the weather, so do our moods. The five elements help explain why.

Each element comes with emotions and organs it tends to influence. For Metal, those organs are the lungs and large intestine. The emotions are often tied to grief, clarity, and the ability to let go. These connections can offer insight when we notice certain feelings rising with the season.

At Divine Spark, practitioners consider the rhythms of the five elements in holistic healing sessions. Clients may notice sessions in autumn focus gently on the breath and letting go, in sync with Metal traits.

Fall and the Metal Element

Of all five elements, Metal is the one that encourages stillness. It’s a time of reflection, of holding on to what matters and releasing what doesn’t. Like leaves falling to the ground or sweaters being pulled from storage, Metal reminds us to simplify—to prepare for a quieter phase of life.

The qualities of this element speak to order, structure, and refinement. Metal helps us notice patterns more clearly and set boundaries where there were none. At the same time, it comes with the energy of grieving. Not just in mourning people we’ve lost, but even letting go of ideas, routines, or seasons we’re no longer in.

That’s part of why the fall can bring both peace and sorrow. While it invites clarity and focus, it may also stir up feelings we haven’t made space for during busier times. When we resist slowing down or expect ourselves to keep going at full speed, we may feel extra tension, confusion, or fatigue as autumn deepens.

How the Season Impacts Mood and Energy

As the days shrink, so do some of the social cues and external motivators that keep us buzzing during summer. We naturally spend more time indoors and may become less outgoing without realizing it. That pause in activity gives us space to reflect, but it can also bring mood shifts we’re not prepared for.

Some people notice more sadness or nostalgia in fall. Others feel low motivation or a sense of heaviness even though nothing is “wrong” in their lives. It’s common to feel emotionally stirred when the body starts slowing down yet the mind expects the same pace.

This is where the Metal element can be a gentle teacher. Instead of pushing ourselves against the current, we can look at ways to feel more grounded. That might mean creating a daily rhythm that includes rest, or keeping personal spaces more organized to offer a sense of calm.

When we align with Metal traits like order and simplicity, it’s easier to notice what we actually need. That clarity can help us respond kindly to mood dips, create routines that work with the season, or spend time reflecting instead of rushing.

Tips for Staying Balanced with the Season

For people living in places like Richmond, fall weather can swing between cool and warm through October. That unpredictability can make it harder to settle into a rhythm. But that’s part of the season’s message—learning to be okay with change, while still creating habits that support us.

Here are a few gentle ways to feel more balanced during the Metal season:

1. Focus on breathwork. Slower, deeper breathing can support the lungs, the organ tied to Metal. Try pausing for a few minutes in the morning to simply breathe and notice how you feel.

2. Create structure where you can. Keep a consistent bedtime, have morning routines, or simplify parts of your schedule. Even small forms of order can calm scattered feelings.

3. Eat warm, nourishing foods. Seasonal options like roasted squash, soups, and root vegetables tend to feel grounding. If your appetite changes in fall, it helps to listen to it.

4. Make space for grief or quiet emotions. Whether you’re feeling the weight of change or just a shift in your energy, know that it’s normal. Not all emotional waves need fixing—they sometimes just need room.

5. Reach out for support when things feel stuck. A lack of sunlight or seasonal grief may need more care than we expect. Support from others, whether social or professional, can make a big difference.

Seasonal shifts don’t mean something is broken. They’re expected, and part of a natural cycle. When we know that, it’s easier to meet each day with more kindness for ourselves and others.

Calm Through the Changing Season

The Chinese medicine 5 element theory doesn’t try to fix feelings. It offers a lens to understand them. With Metal as the guide for fall, we get permission to slow down, reflect, and release. That change can be as light as cleaning out a closet, or as deep as letting go of expectations that no longer fit.

As we settle into another Richmond autumn, we can learn to trust the quiet moments. Instead of rushing through sadness or trying to maintain summer’s pace, we can pause and ask what fall is asking of us. Often, it’s something simple—rest, order, breath, or a little more stillness so we can hear ourselves again.

Seasonal changes can stir up more than just cold mornings—they often shift how we feel on the inside, too. At Divine Spark in Richmond, we like to slow down with the rhythms of nature.

If you're ready to experience a more natural approach to wellness, learn how traditional Chinese medicine can support your unique healing journey. Greg at Lotus Professional College offers personalized treatments at the student acupuncture clinic to help you feel more balanced and at ease with each season. Book online or call 804-290-0980 at Lotus School to get started.