As we transition into Autumn, we can sometimes feel unsettled. We might lament the ending of summer, or resist various changes happening this time of year such as settling back into a school routine, shorter days, and cooler weather (or maybe not as it’s currently in the 80s here in Detroit).

So how do we feel more settled during this shift in seasons? I’ve written about grounding during transitions here, my favorite fall self-care activities here, and fall rituals here and here. I also love to use the chakras.

The first 3 chakras are all about grounding, flowing, and firing up, perfect for balancing the change into fall.

The root chakra (muladhara) can help us feel grounded and root during any transition, but especially one where the days might be more windy and blustery.
The sacral chakra (svadhistana) can help us flow into change, finding fluidity and flexibility, as well as bringing in the water element to balance the dry, brittle qualities of Autumn.
The solar plexus chakra (manipura) can help us with our confidence, willpower and strength to make changes, as well as the fire to heat the cooling temperatures.

Then chakras 4-7 help us settle our nervous system and turn inward as days get shorter and darker.

The heart chakra (anahata) reminds us to have self-compassion during changes, and stay centered in our heart (in our love and compassion for ourselves and others) when transitions might feel dysregulating.
The throat chakra (visshudha) helps us by utilizing our voice to keep us regulated and in a ventral vagal state through communicating with others (the power of community) and using tools like humming or chanting.
The third eye chakra (ajna) supports us in visioning and dreaming during these quieter, darker days; tapping into our creative intuition on what we need during this seasonal transition.
The crown chakra (sahasrara) reminds us that there is something bigger than us that is steady and unchanging, even as the transitions around us may seem chaotic.