THE SIX SEASONS

THE SIX SEASONS

PART ONE

Northern and Southern Movements of the Sun

The seasons are defined according to the two directions in which the sun appears to be moving. As the earth makes its annual voyage around the sun, we also experience six distinct phases called the seasons. The northern and southern movements of the sun are created mainly by the earth’s relationship to the sun and the moon. The northward movement of the sun, known as adanakala in Sanskrit, begins with the winter and ends before the beginning of summer. The southern movements start at the summer solstice and ends at the winter solstice and is known as visargakala.

During the northerly phase i.e adana kala, the sun’s energy is at its strongest and sucks moisture from the earth, leaving it dry. Also the wind conjugates with the sun, adding to the harsh nature pervading the three seasons in this phase. During this half of the year the body tends to be weakened by the sun absorbing its moisture and humidity.

THE THREE SEASONS IN THE NORTHERLY PHASE OF THE SUN

The three seasons in the northerly phase of the sun are late winter, spring, and summer. From late winter, in mid-January, the absorbing effects of the sun and wind increase progressively until their culmination in mid-June, when the sun’s southward movement across the earth commences.

Due to the sun’s harshness during the northernly phase, three of the six tastes bitter, astringent and pungent-are dramatically enhanced. These three tastes share a constricting and absorbent nature which, when used in the form of food, further weaken the physical organism.

THE THREE SEASONS IN THE SOUTHERLY PHASE OF THE SUN

The southerly phase i.e visagra in Sanskrit, influenced more by the moon, provides a period of cooling relief to the earth. The sun’s energy begins to wane and more moisture is released into the atmosphere. During these remaining three seasons of the year, the body tends to gain strength and vitality.

Contrary to the northerly phase, the sun’s southward movement begins a period that gives strength for earth’s inhabitants and vegetation.  During this period, the sun and wind are also restrained by the clouds and rains, triggering a period of cooling release, which begins towards the end of summer. The stupendous powers of the sun begin to slacken as a result of the course of the earth’s movement, cloud formation, and the presence of wind and rain.

During the southerly phase, the natures of the three remaining tastes, sweet, sour, and salty are greatly enhanced. As a result, they contribute to bulk and vigour when used in the body.

The three seasons created by the southward movement of the sun are the rainy season or early fall, autumn and early winters from mid June until towards the beginning of summer, the heat of the sun slackens progressively until its weakest culmination in mid November. The end of the southerly phase and the beginning of the northerly phase marks the important junction of the changing seasons.

Daily and Seasonal Cycles

THE SEVEN DAILY CYCLES

The earth is a mobile force, which circles the sun, just as the moon circles the earth. The daily and seasonal cycles are created by the earth’s dynamic relationship to both the sun and moon. 

Table 14

7 DAILY CYCLES OF THE DOSHAS

	VATA	PITTA	KAPHA
DAWN	Dominant	Neutral	Accumulating
MORNING	Lessening	Accumulating	Dominant
MID-DAY	Neutral	Dominant	Lessening
AFTERNOON	Accumulating	Lessening	Neutral
DUSK	Dominant	Neutral	Accumulating
EARLY MORNING	Lessening	Accumulating	Dominant
MIDNIGHT	Neutral	Dominant	Lessening

VATA:               Dominant 2:00am-6:00 am & 2:00pm-6.00 pm

PITTA:  Dominant 10:00am –2:00 pm & 10.00pm-2.00 am

KAPHA:            Dominant 6:00 am– 10:00 am & 6.00pm-10.00 pm

Each day we experience six phases of expansion and contraction, all of which are controlled by the sun. At dawn, when the sun is about to rise, the dry, cold, mobile aspects of Vata, gathered through the night, are prevalent. At daybreak, the cool and heavy energy of Kapha begins to flow out of the body as we rise from rest. At midday, when the sun is at its peak and saps the body with its heat, Pitta prevails. In the early afternoon, as the sun’s energy begins to wane, the dry, cold energy of Vata once more dominates. At sunset, when the sun has descended on the horizon, Kapha begins to pour back into the body to induce the body to rest. Finally, at midnight, when the sun is farthest away from the earth, Pitta once more prevails

THE SEASONS OF NATURAL ACCUMULATION, AGGRAVATION AND ALLEVIATION

Given that the term prakriti denotes both body constitution and nature, it is only expected that with the changing seasons of nature there will be corresponding effects on the panchmahabhutas and thereby the doshas of the constitution( of the human body ). Cold, dry weather for instance enhances vata, hot humid climate increases pitta, while cold, wet weather aggravates kapha.

To avoid such continued aggravation leading to imbalance of the doshas, Ayurveda prescribes a seasonal routine to preserve the doshic balance as the seasons change. For each season therefore, there is a unique diet (ahar), a distinct mode of living (vihara) and routine living (karya). These keep your doshas in a state of equilibrium and help you cope with the stresses and strains of changing seasons.

Table 15

	Accumulation	Aggravation	Alleviation
VATA	Summer	Rainy season ,early fall, Late winter	Autumn
PITTA	Rainy season	Autumn	Early winter
KAPHA	Early winter	Spring	Summer