by Joel Proctor
Although the autumnal equinox occurred about two weeks ago, many of us began feeling this seasonal change much earlier. “It feels like fall” dusted our daily conversations with anticipation, and the first dusting of Mt. Sopris followed close behind.
Until recently our attention would have been on the annual harvest, gathering, storing, and preparing for winter. Now, as the influence of linear technology isolates and insulates most of us from the natural seasonal cycles and our agrarian roots, we focus instead on season passes and tuning our winter gear, or on ski swaps and upgrades. Unfortunately for some of us caught in these turbulent times of economic recession, our attention has been on finding employment, keeping our homes and jobs, or wondering if we will have enough money to keep our homes and families warm as winter approaches. Whatever situation we are facing, the disconnection from natural cycles, and the resulting imbalance, is shared by all.
Over more than 6,000 years, patriarchy and the concept of eminent domain have gradually overtaken human culture and society. It has allowed us to experience an extreme materialistic existence. It has also led us to our present state of imbalance and disconnectedness through an over-emphasis and over-reliance on linear thinking.
Healing traditions rooted in observance of natural cycles – such as Taoist Oriental medicine and indigenous “medicine societies” – see the roots of disease in imbalance and relational disconnectedness. It is often difficult to separate imbalance and disconnectedness in the individual from that of society and culture. Indeed, it is a true dialectic. Facing the extent of imbalance in modern society and disconnectedness in ourselves can be overwhelming to even the most spiritually rooted among us. To do so, however, can bring clarity, understanding, and compassion for ourselves and for those around us. In natural healing traditions it is the first rite of passage into the healing process.  
A simple yet powerful way to begin to restore balance and connectedness for us as individuals and for the greater human society and culture is to regain our ability for circular thinking. The most obvious and natural place to start is by paying more attention to the four seasons. This will connect us once again to the circular and cyclical language of Mother Earth and nature. Notice the qualities of each and how they affect the physical, mental/emotional, and energy/spiritual body. Through a basic study of the Five Element system of Oriental medicine, we can uncover a wealth of practical steps we can take in protecting our health, especially during seasonal transitions. Studying medicine wheel models of indigenous traditions can reconnect us to the cyclical/circular nature of life and provide guidance and direction to our life journey. We will regain our inherent nature to embrace and welcome change instead of treating it as a source of stress, fear and anxiety. Understanding the four phases of the human experience – mirrored in the four seasons – of the infant, adolescent, adult, and elder, will enable us to smoothly navigate the transitions and complete the rites of passages of each phase with grace, dignity, power and wisdom.
By restoring balance and reconnecting to the center, true transformational healing can occur for us as individuals and for our families, communities and nations. Society and culture can be transformed.
Hopefully, in future articles, we can delve deeper into more of the practical aspects of these traditions and the benefits to our health and well-being they offer.
Remember, there are no straight lines in the universe.  In the circle of life, we are all connected.

Joel Proctor is a licensed acupuncturist, doctor of oriental medicine and herbologist. He has studied martial arts with many respected teachers for 30 years. His work as a healer, teacher and guide incorporate many indigienous practices, and his native lineage lies with the Cuelgahen Nde (Lipan Apache) and Carrizzo Nation.