‘Ground Control to Major Tom’ – Don’t Get Disconnected From Earth, Protect Your Spleen
September is when summer drifts away and life speeds back up. Schedules fill. Vacations end. Work accelerates. Suddenly, you’re back in orbit.
“Ground Control to Major Tom…”
What You’ll Learn This Month
- Why late summer is the season of Earth
- Why your Spleen is essentially your body’s Ground Control
- Which foods help keep your digestive system grounded
- Why too much cold, raw, sugary, or processed food can send digestion into orbit
- How strengthening Earth supports the upcoming Metal and Water elements
- Why September is an excellent time for preventative acupuncture
Ground Control to Major Tom…
In TCM, the Spleen and Stomach are central to transforming food and drink into usable energy — they’re your body’s Ground Control, keeping the whole mission running.
Systems Nominal
- Grounded
- Energized
- Clear-headed
- Nourished
- Stable
- Comfortable after meals
Ground Control, We Have a Problem
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Loose stools
- Food cravings
- Brain fog
- Heaviness / poor appetite
- Muscular weakness or tension
⚠ Your spacecraft may still be operational — but Ground Control is definitely asking for a meeting.
Houston, We Have a Digestive Problem
One of the simplest ways to support Earth is through what — and how — you eat. As late summer transitions into autumn, gradually shift away from the excessive cooling habits of summer.
Cooked Grains
- Barley
- Oats
- Millet
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
Root Vegetables
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Squash
- Pumpkin
- Parsnips
Fruits
- Apples
- Pears
- Peaches
- Plums
- Cooked if sensitive
Supportive Spices
- Ginger
- Fennel
- Cinnamon
- Cardamom
“Houston, We Have a Problem” Foods
- Excessive iced beverages
- Large quantities of raw foods
- Frozen foods and smoothies
- Excess sugar
- Heavy desserts
- Highly processed foods
- Excess alcohol
- Constant snacking
Your Spleen doesn’t need another ice bath. It needs reliable fuel.
September Mission Control: Eat Like You’re Coming Back to Earth
Try making at least one substantial meal each day warm, cooked and grounding.
Breakfast
Warm oatmeal with cooked apples, cinnamon and walnuts.
Lunch
Barley or brown rice with roasted vegetables and a moderate portion of protein.
Dinner
A nourishing soup or stew with squash, carrots, onions and cooked vegetables.
Simple. Predictable. Grounded. Your Spleen likes boring — your Instagram account may not.
Earth → Metal → Water
The Five Element cycle teaches that Earth generates Metal. As late summer transitions into autumn, strengthening Earth provides the foundation for Metal — associated with the Lungs, Large Intestine, respiration, and the ability to let go. After Metal comes Water, corresponding to the Kidneys — the deepest reservoir of vitality in TCM.
Earth
Nourish & stabilize
Metal
Breathe, organize & let go
Water
Restore, conserve & replenish
If you spend all your energy blasting off into space, eventually the spacecraft needs to return to Earth.
Signal Check: What Each Element Is Telling You
Earth
- Digestive upset — bloating, loose stools, poor appetite
- Muscular issues — weakness, tension, low tone
Metal
- Respiratory trouble — shortness of breath, congestion
- Seasonal allergies
- Sadness or grief that lingers
Water
- Depleted willpower or drive
- Low back pain
- Knee pain or weakness
Don’t Wait Until You’re Lost in Space
You don’t have to wait until your body is sending emergency transmissions. Seasonal acupuncture can help support:
- Digestion and Spleen energy
- Overall energy and resilience
- Seasonal transitions
- Patterns of stagnation or deficiency
- The transition from Earth into Metal
- Conservation and preparation for the Water season
Routine spacecraft maintenance. You wouldn’t wait for the oxygen system to fail before checking the spacecraft.
Your September Mission
For the next few weeks:
1. Stay Connected to Earth
Eat regular meals and favor cooked, nourishing foods.
2. Reduce the Ice
Choose room-temperature or warm beverages more often.
3. Fuel Ground Control
Include grains, squash, root vegetables and simple whole foods.
4. Don’t Overload the Spacecraft
Reduce excessive sugar, alcohol and highly processed foods.
5. Schedule Maintenance
Consider a seasonal acupuncture treatment before problems become emergencies.
Stay grounded. Feed your Spleen. Prepare your Metal. Protect your Water.
You were designed to explore, to work, to travel, to accomplish things, to reach for the stars. But even Major Tom needed Ground Control. Don’t get so busy being “out there” that you lose contact with what’s happening down here.
“Ground Control to Major Tom… don’t get disconnected from Earth. 🌎”
Ground Control is monitoring your vital signs. Please eat something warm.
Your body doesn’t always need an emergency repair. Sometimes it just needs good maintenance. Investing in your health while you’re still functioning well may be one of the smartest missions you undertake this year.
Mark Gutkin, LAc, MS
Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture
