Understanding Seasons in Ayurveda: The Cosmic Framework
The Three Cosmic Forces = Moon, Sun, and Air
The living system is a miniature of the outer universe. Every natural phenomenon is reflected and represented within an individual. Ayurveda understands that the universe is nurtured and governed by three cosmic forces: Soma (Moon), Surya (Sun), and Anila (Air).
These three forces are represented by Kapha, Pitta, and Vata within the living system, which nurtures and governs the living system. (Sushruta Samhita Sutra Sthana: 21/8) Soma is responsible for an increase in Bala (strength) and accumulation of energy and pertains to the Sheeta (Cool) character.
Surya is responsible for extorting Bala out; utilization of energy pertains to Ushna's (Hot) character. Anila is the carrier of Sheeta and Ushna to reach the sites of functions. Therefore, any change in cosmic energy systems, the Moon, the Sun, and Air, shall influence the status and balance of the three doshas within the living system.
How Cosmic Changes Influence the Three Doshas:
Moon, Sun and Air are not static factors but keep on changing owing to their movement. These changes consequently effectuate changes in the universe and the living systems. The changes in the universe normally follow a definite pattern both within a day and also over a period of time. Though it is a chronological time period, it is the common signs seen during that period that define a season.
Classification of the Year - Ayana and Ritu (Solstice and Season)
The year is thus classified on the basis of the similar changes seen in the universe consequent to the rotation and revolution of the cosmic forces. The year, according to Ayurveda, is divided into two periods, Ayana (solstice), depending on the direction of movement of the sun. The time between the winter and summer solstices is called Uttarayana (northern solstice), and the time between the summer and winter solstices is called Dakshinayana (southern solstice).
Uttarayana (Winter–Spring–Summer): The Period of Energy Extraction
"Uttarayana" indicates the ascent or northward movement of the Sun from the Tropic of Capricorn to the Tropic of Cancer. This movement can be compared to the gradual movement of the earth around the sun to the position in which the rays of the sun fall perpendicularly at the 30 degree meridian of the North Pole on June 21st every year, called the summer solstice. This period is also known as Aadan Kala (period of year, where nature sucks energy from living systems) as the Sun takes a northern course, extorting the unctuous portion (Snehansha) from the earth (due to progressively decreasing distance between earth and sun); the winds are intense, dry, and absorbing, which dries up unctuousness from the earth to produce dryness. This causes debility in human beings. There are 3 seasons in this period – Shishira (Winter), Vasant (Spring), and Grishma (Summer). The innate strength of an individual reduces progressively from winter to Summer, being lowest in summer. (Ch.Su.6/6)
Dakshinayana (Rainy-Autumn-Early Winter): The Period of Energy Replenishment
- Dakshinayana indicates the descent or southward movement of the Sun from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn. This movement can be compared with the gradual movement of the earth around the sun to the position in which the rays of the sun fall over the 30 degree meridian of the South Pole perpendicularly on December 21st every year, which is called the winter solstice.
- This period is also called Visarga Kala (the period of the year where the universe gives energy to living systems) as the sun takes its southern course. The winds are not very Ruksha (dry), and the moon is having unobstructed strength (due to the progressively increasing distance between the earth and the sun) to replenish the earth continuously with its cold rays.
- There are 3 seasons in this period, Varsha (Rain), Sharad (autumn), and Hemant (Early Winter). The innate strength of an individual increases progressively from Rainy to Early Winter, being highest in early winter. (Ch.Su.6/5)
Seasonal Strength (Bala) - How Vitality Shifts Across the Year
As discussed above, the living system goes through continuous changes on a daily and seasonal basis. Some of these changes are beneficial, and some are detrimental to health. Thus, a daily and seasonal regimen needs to be followed to maximize the benefits of favorable changes and to minimize the effects of detrimental changes.
Why Seasonal Regimen Matters for Health:
Dinacharya and Ritucharya: Daily and Seasonal Lifestyle Practices -
These regimens are known as Dinacharya (Daily regimen) and Ritucharya (Seasonal Regimen). Extensive details of daily and seasonal lifestyles and dietary and therapeutic regimens are described in Ayurvedic texts.
Maximizing Benefits and Minimizing Seasonal Health Risks -
The challenge lies in how to identify the possible changes and respond to them. Though consequent to normally observed patterns, both days and seasons are divided into chronological time frames, but the principle states that one must determine the day and season on the basis of the features seen in nature. Therefore, each season has been provided with determinant features in nature.
Identifying Seasons Across Different Regions of the World:
Why the Classical Six-Season Model Doesn't Apply Universally -
- These features reflect the logical effect of changes in the moon, sun, and air in nature. Once they are seen in the place where the individual lives, then only the suitable regimen should be followed.
- It is quite possible due to natural reasons the features may come early, late, or not at all. Thus, a rigid adherence to a daily and seasonal regimen without assessing the features of nature is not advisable.
- To explain further, in Ayurveda classics, a description of six seasons is found. And all six seasons are not seen even in all parts of India. India extends approximately 3,200 kilometers from north to south.
- Seasonal variation is observed as the distance from north to south increases. Likewise, a considerable seasonal variation is seen in different regions and countries in the world.
- This poses a challenge in adopting a seasonal regimen when the season pattern is different than described in texts.
- It needs understanding of the relative orientation of the concept of season with region to bring the Ayurvedic concept of seasonal regimen into practice as a basic component of health worldwide.
Reading Nature's Signs to Determine Your Local Season:
Ayurveda states that the sun, the wind, and the moon are responsible for the appearance of time, season, Rasa (taste of substances), Dosha, and Dehabala according to the nature and course of time they follow. (Cha.Su.6/5).
The Role of Gunas (Properties) - Hot/Cold, Dry/Unctuous, Sharp/Dull
Ushna – Sheeta (Hot – Cold), Ruksha – Snigdha (Dry – Unctuous), and Tikshna – Manda (Sharp – Dull); these three pairs of Gunas (properties) of the sun, wind, and moon, along with their permutation-combination, play a significant role in the advent of time, season, Rasa (taste of substances), Dosha, and Dehabala (innate strength of body).
Dosha Status and Seasonal Regimen Planning:
Consideration of different seasons in different regions in accordance with Ayurveda, and that too in terms of Doshik involvement, is very important for framing the seasonal regimen. These regimens have to be planned according to the status of the Doshas. The status of the Doshas can be understood on the basis of proper acquaintance with seasons and ultimately three factors involved in the seasons: -
Three Key Factors for Assessing Dosha Status -
- Appearance of the three pairs of the properties (i.e. Snigdha-Ruksha, Sheeta-Ushna, and Manda-Tikshna) with their permutations and combinations in the environment
- Their order
- The status of Doshas due to previous seasons.
Guna Combinations Across the Six Rutus -
Combinations of Gunas (properties) in six Rutus are as follows (Ah. Su. 12/19, 20, 21)
Sanchaya, Prakopa, and Prashama: Dosha Accumulation, Aggravation, and Alleviation
Status of the Doshas depends upon the combination and order of the properties (Guna) appearing in the different seasons. Main properties (Guna) are Ushna – Sheeta (Hot – Cold), the association of other properties like Ruksha – Snigdha (Dry – Unctuous) and Tikshna – Manda (Sharp – Dull) with them due to changes in the seasons' effect on the status of the Doshas like Sanchaya (accumulation), Prakopa (aggravation), and Prashama (alleviation).
Conclusion: Applying Ayurvedic Seasonal Wisdom Globally
We can predict the season from the signs seen in a particular place at a particular time and then plan a seasonal regimen for that specific time by assessing the properties in different places on earth on these parameters. In the next article, we will take a few places of the globe as examples to show how seasons can be identified.