And Finally, What are the Five Elements?
Just as a year has seasons, we too have different aspects, or elements. Each season has a specific character and many roles to perform, and each element has a character and parts to play in our lives. An imbalance in any one of the elements can result in physical, mental, and spiritual problems.
The Five Elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. By understanding the attributes of each, we can gain insight into how we function as a unified whole.
Wood is the element of springtime, engendering birth, growth and vision. The Liver and Gall Bladder Officials, the muscles, tendons and eyes all belong to Wood. The physical symptoms of a Wood imbalance might be tendonitis, ligamentous instability, myofascial pain or visual problems. Emotionally, a person with a Wood imbalance could be someone who is never able to get angry, even when it is appropriate; or at the opposite end of the spectrum, a person with a Wood imbalance could be constantly angry, flying off the handle at the slightest provocation. Constitutionally, someone with a Wood imbalance could become very stiff and brittle, like dead wood. Such a person could be stuck creatively, unable to adapt to change, and lack drive, focus, and the ability to plan.
Fire is the element of summer: it symbolizes our ability for joy, love, sexuality, warmth, communication, and compassion. The Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium and Triple Heater Officials, the blood vessels and tongue all belong to Fire. A Fire imbalance might show as cardiac arrhythmia, hardening of the arteries, heart conditions, stuttering and sexual addiction. As the Fire element is so closely tied to the emotions involved in interpersonal relationships, someone with a Fire imbalance may have trouble communicating and feeling connected, never smiling, laughing or sharing intimately. Conversely, they might be too open to others and lack necessary borders and boundaries.
Earth is late summer, the nurturing season of the harvest. The Spleen and Stomach Officials, the flesh and mouth belong to Earth. An Earth imbalance can result in food addictions or anorexia, mouth sores, stomach ulcers and some digestive disorders. Because of its relationship to nourishment, someone with an Earth imbalance may often feel unsatisfied on a physical, mental or emotional level. They may be starving for care and comfort, unable to enjoy the support that is already present in their lives. Alternatively, they may be too busy taking care of everyone in their lives to tend to themselves.
Metal is the element of autumn, when leaves turn first to bright colors, then to brown as they fall and decay. The Lung and Large Intestine Officials, skin, and body hair all belong to Metal. Asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, constipation, colitis, and skin problems are often symptoms of a metal imbalance. A failure of Metal might show as the inability to feel grief when we suffer a loss, or to be grief stricken, holding onto feelings of loss endlessly. By releasing grief, we are able to move forward. The act of breathing, which involves inspiration, the receiving of Qi from the heavens, and expiration, the discharge of waste, is representative of Metal.
Water is the element of winter, when plants gather nutrients and animals slow down to recoup their energy. The Kidney and Bladder Officials, the bones, marrow, genes, and hair all belong to Water. Our energetic reserves come from Water. Discord within the Water element could appear as a lack of sex drive, arthritis, hypertension or hearing problems. Emotionally, a person with a Water imbalance could be terrified by the smallest threats, becoming immobilized by fear. Conversely, they might be a “dare devil,” taking unnecessary risks.
The Five Elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. By understanding the attributes of each, we can gain insight into how we function as a unified whole.
Wood is the element of springtime, engendering birth, growth and vision. The Liver and Gall Bladder Officials, the muscles, tendons and eyes all belong to Wood. The physical symptoms of a Wood imbalance might be tendonitis, ligamentous instability, myofascial pain or visual problems. Emotionally, a person with a Wood imbalance could be someone who is never able to get angry, even when it is appropriate; or at the opposite end of the spectrum, a person with a Wood imbalance could be constantly angry, flying off the handle at the slightest provocation. Constitutionally, someone with a Wood imbalance could become very stiff and brittle, like dead wood. Such a person could be stuck creatively, unable to adapt to change, and lack drive, focus, and the ability to plan.
Fire is the element of summer: it symbolizes our ability for joy, love, sexuality, warmth, communication, and compassion. The Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium and Triple Heater Officials, the blood vessels and tongue all belong to Fire. A Fire imbalance might show as cardiac arrhythmia, hardening of the arteries, heart conditions, stuttering and sexual addiction. As the Fire element is so closely tied to the emotions involved in interpersonal relationships, someone with a Fire imbalance may have trouble communicating and feeling connected, never smiling, laughing or sharing intimately. Conversely, they might be too open to others and lack necessary borders and boundaries.
Earth is late summer, the nurturing season of the harvest. The Spleen and Stomach Officials, the flesh and mouth belong to Earth. An Earth imbalance can result in food addictions or anorexia, mouth sores, stomach ulcers and some digestive disorders. Because of its relationship to nourishment, someone with an Earth imbalance may often feel unsatisfied on a physical, mental or emotional level. They may be starving for care and comfort, unable to enjoy the support that is already present in their lives. Alternatively, they may be too busy taking care of everyone in their lives to tend to themselves.
Metal is the element of autumn, when leaves turn first to bright colors, then to brown as they fall and decay. The Lung and Large Intestine Officials, skin, and body hair all belong to Metal. Asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, constipation, colitis, and skin problems are often symptoms of a metal imbalance. A failure of Metal might show as the inability to feel grief when we suffer a loss, or to be grief stricken, holding onto feelings of loss endlessly. By releasing grief, we are able to move forward. The act of breathing, which involves inspiration, the receiving of Qi from the heavens, and expiration, the discharge of waste, is representative of Metal.
Water is the element of winter, when plants gather nutrients and animals slow down to recoup their energy. The Kidney and Bladder Officials, the bones, marrow, genes, and hair all belong to Water. Our energetic reserves come from Water. Discord within the Water element could appear as a lack of sex drive, arthritis, hypertension or hearing problems. Emotionally, a person with a Water imbalance could be terrified by the smallest threats, becoming immobilized by fear. Conversely, they might be a “dare devil,” taking unnecessary risks.