WHAT IS FIVE ELEMENT ACUPUNCTURE?
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“Health that has been restored due to
the cultivation of virtue is not the same as health that has been restored due to the dispelling of illness." - Thea Elijah, The Perennial Medicine |
The Theory of the Five Elements originated thousands of years ago from observations of patterns in the natural world. Based on these observations, the ancient Chinese mapped a cycle of nature that was understood to pervade all things. One can see this cycle most easily in the successive revolution of the seasons. The tradition of Five Element Acupuncture is based on the study of these cycles, and how they apply to human life.
'Elements' might alternately be translated as Phases. Each of the five elements, translated as Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, represents a different phase of the cycle. Just as these phases map out predictable patterns in nature, so can they be used to understand health in a person's life. By using observations of how the five elements translate to human life physically, emotionally, and spiritually, a useful and effective tool to treat illness was developed.
It is understood that we pass through the cycle of these phases in the course of each day, as well as each month, each year, and through the entire course of our lives. Health is seen as the appropriate expression of each phase and an easy, natural transition from one phase into the next. A five element acupuncturist looks at the health of each of the elemental phases within a person to determine which ones are functioning optimally and which ones are not. This is part of the basis for planning an appropriate acupuncture treatment.
Another core concept in Five Element theory is that each person has one element that is their constitutional factor; one phase which is their greatest strength and greatest weakness. This element tends to be at the root of most symptoms. Treating this element with acupuncture restores health to the entire system, yielding relief from symptoms as well as better long term health. On another level, understanding one's own constitutional element can help to clarify deeply rooted strengths and weaknesses. This increased clarity is very useful for both practitioner and patient, adding depth to any discussion of preventative care. Taking into consideration this concept of constitutional factor, many five element acupuncturists have two phases to their treatment plans: the first aimed at immediate symptom relief, and the second including points to treat and support the constitutional element.
It is important to remember that even though we each have a constitutional element, every person has all five elements within. To clarify this concept, one might think of the cycle of seasons in Florida as compared with the cycle of seasons in Alaska. Both states have seasons, but in Florida all of the seasons tend to cycle within the overarching season of summer, whereas in Alaska all of the seasons cycle more within the overarching season of winter. In this way, we each have one overarching element, while all of the elements of the cycle are present within us.
Below is a chart which illustrates how the Five Elements interact with one another. The circle of arrows in the chart illustrates how the elements engender one another, one becoming the next in the cycle. One can see this most easily in nature as the flow of the seasons; Winter becomes Spring, then Spring becomes Summer, and so on. The arrows in the center show how the elements control or contain one another, so that none grow out of control. One example of this can be seen in how earth controls water. High river banks prevent water from flooding an area, giving the river strength and direction by controlling it's flow.
It is important to remember that even though we each have a constitutional element, every person has all five elements within. To clarify this concept, one might think of the cycle of seasons in Florida as compared with the cycle of seasons in Alaska. Both states have seasons, but in Florida all of the seasons tend to cycle within the overarching season of summer, whereas in Alaska all of the seasons cycle more within the overarching season of winter. In this way, we each have one overarching element, while all of the elements of the cycle are present within us.
Below is a chart which illustrates how the Five Elements interact with one another. The circle of arrows in the chart illustrates how the elements engender one another, one becoming the next in the cycle. One can see this most easily in nature as the flow of the seasons; Winter becomes Spring, then Spring becomes Summer, and so on. The arrows in the center show how the elements control or contain one another, so that none grow out of control. One example of this can be seen in how earth controls water. High river banks prevent water from flooding an area, giving the river strength and direction by controlling it's flow.
The Individual Elements
By getting to know the health of each of the elements within ourselves, we can better understand our own strengths and weaknesses, and use this information to guide our personal evolution towards better health and increased clarity.
THE WATER ELEMENT
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Gifts: Fear → Wisdom
Meaninglessness → Faith |
When healthy, the strengths of water include courage and resourcefulness, as well as skill and ability. These gifts help you to be prepared for anything life can throw at you. One common symptom of an imbalance in the Water element is fear or anxiety; the feeling of not being prepared for what life may bring. In health, one may have passing thoughts of things that could go wrong, but these are immediately transformed through consideration of how one would get through whatever terrible situation might arise. For example, driving in icy road conditions you might suddenly think of the frightening image of the car sliding on the ice. In health, the Water element aspect of your self would create reassurance by imagining the correct way to handle the situation; taking your feet off the pedals, steering calmly until the slide ended, then gently pressing on the gas once again and continuing your trip. When Water is out of balance, though, these imaginings of scary situations are more frequent and are not let go of so easily. The thoughts of what you would do don't arise, you simply are left with the anxiety of the imagining and it leaves you stressed as you go through your day. It is easy to see how bringing the Water element back to health really allows life to be lived more fully in the present, more calmly, and with more peace.
Another aspect of the Water element is involved in the way we set boundaries for ourselves. In health, we keep track of our own resources, spending our energy wisely and knowing when to stop and replenish. One possible sign of imbalance is ignoring signs that it is time to rest. For example, instead of taking a break when tired in the afternoon, one might be tempted to drink a cup of coffee and push through. The healthy way to add to our reserves of energy is through drinking water, eating nourishing food, correct breathing, and rest or sleep. Not paying attention to our boundaries tends to show up in various telltale symptoms correlated with the Water element on a physical level, such as knee or low back pain. We live in a culture where we are taught to value pushing our boundaries, doing the most we possibly can with our time. But the wisdom of the Five Elements says that slowing down, nurturing a balance between movement and rest, and fostering 'being' equally with 'doing' will bolster our health, extend our lives, and allow us to live more fully in each moment.
Here is a list of correspondences associated with the Water element:
On a physical level, the Water element corresponds with the back, knees, ears, head hair, bones, teeth, kidneys, bladder, and with fertility. On the mental level, water corresponds with cleverness, persistence, setting limits for oneself, risk taking, intelligence, trust, faith, and the ability to overcome obstacles. On the level of the spirit, water corresponds with resourcefulness, courage, will, power, stillness, calm, and reassurance.
To read more about the Water element, take a look at this lovely essay on The Season of Water from the Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
Another aspect of the Water element is involved in the way we set boundaries for ourselves. In health, we keep track of our own resources, spending our energy wisely and knowing when to stop and replenish. One possible sign of imbalance is ignoring signs that it is time to rest. For example, instead of taking a break when tired in the afternoon, one might be tempted to drink a cup of coffee and push through. The healthy way to add to our reserves of energy is through drinking water, eating nourishing food, correct breathing, and rest or sleep. Not paying attention to our boundaries tends to show up in various telltale symptoms correlated with the Water element on a physical level, such as knee or low back pain. We live in a culture where we are taught to value pushing our boundaries, doing the most we possibly can with our time. But the wisdom of the Five Elements says that slowing down, nurturing a balance between movement and rest, and fostering 'being' equally with 'doing' will bolster our health, extend our lives, and allow us to live more fully in each moment.
Here is a list of correspondences associated with the Water element:
On a physical level, the Water element corresponds with the back, knees, ears, head hair, bones, teeth, kidneys, bladder, and with fertility. On the mental level, water corresponds with cleverness, persistence, setting limits for oneself, risk taking, intelligence, trust, faith, and the ability to overcome obstacles. On the level of the spirit, water corresponds with resourcefulness, courage, will, power, stillness, calm, and reassurance.
To read more about the Water element, take a look at this lovely essay on The Season of Water from the Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
THE WOOD ELEMENT
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Gifts: Anger → Benevolence
Dependence → Identity Frustration → Creativity |
It is from the Wood element that we gain our ability to make long term plans and then define the steps that it will take to get these plans accomplished. When this element is out of balance, it often shows up when something unexpected hinders the carrying out of our plan, or our vision of 'the way things should be'. The emotions that arise from an imbalance in Wood are frustration and anger. If the Wood element is healthy, when a roadblock shows up you are able to stay calm, maintain clear focus on the end goal or vision, and be flexible with the details of how to get there. For example, you are at work and your computer crashes. You were in the middle of a project and you immediately tense up, feeling frustration tighten all your muscles. If Wood is in a state of health, the next step is not to bang your fist on the table and insult your computer. It is to stop, take a deep breath, and release your muscles. Perhaps stretch, and allow yourself to take a moment to pause and regroup. Then think of ways to complete the project if the deadline is near, or perhaps allow this as time to take a step back and think about the big picture of your project and whether it's going in the direction you want. If you do have a near deadline, perhaps you brainstorm about how to continue working on a different computer. Maybe you could complete the day working from home, a nice benefit to what could be seen as a difficult situation. As you can see from this example, the Wood element's strengths include clarity of mind in the realm of problem solving, as well as flexibility. There is also an aspect of creativity to healthy Wood, which is at times needed to get past an obstacle to reach the goal.
Another aspect of how the Wood element manifests in a person is on the spectrum from confidence to timidity, the ability to stand up for oneself in life. When Wood is strong, you have a clear vision for yourself in the world and you stand tall and have confidence. You can envision who you are and where you're going, and this comes across clearly in your interactions with other people. Your voice is strong, and you speak clearly and with good enunciation about your vision. If Wood is out of balance, you may not have clarity of vision or confidence and show up as timid, not wanting to raise your voice, not able to stand strong and present to others who you are in the world. Not to say that everything is clearly laid out about life all the time, but healthy Wood allows you to have a vision of yourself and where you're going that carries you through any periods where things seem to not be going as planned. To know yourself and have a vision of who you are and what you stand for is a manifestation of healthy Wood in the Five Element system.
Here is a list of correspondences associated with the Wood element:
On the physical level, the wood element corresponds with the sinews and joints, eyes, liver, gallbladder, and symptoms that show up on the sides of the body. For example, one sided headaches are a common manifestation of a Wood imbalance. On a mental level, the wood element corresponds with planning, organization, decision making, direction, coordination, emotional expression, flexibility, and the ability to undergo transformation and change. On the level of the spirit, the wood element corresponds with vision, self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, and completion.
To read more about the Wood element, take a look at this wonderful essay on The Season of Wood from the Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
Another aspect of how the Wood element manifests in a person is on the spectrum from confidence to timidity, the ability to stand up for oneself in life. When Wood is strong, you have a clear vision for yourself in the world and you stand tall and have confidence. You can envision who you are and where you're going, and this comes across clearly in your interactions with other people. Your voice is strong, and you speak clearly and with good enunciation about your vision. If Wood is out of balance, you may not have clarity of vision or confidence and show up as timid, not wanting to raise your voice, not able to stand strong and present to others who you are in the world. Not to say that everything is clearly laid out about life all the time, but healthy Wood allows you to have a vision of yourself and where you're going that carries you through any periods where things seem to not be going as planned. To know yourself and have a vision of who you are and what you stand for is a manifestation of healthy Wood in the Five Element system.
Here is a list of correspondences associated with the Wood element:
On the physical level, the wood element corresponds with the sinews and joints, eyes, liver, gallbladder, and symptoms that show up on the sides of the body. For example, one sided headaches are a common manifestation of a Wood imbalance. On a mental level, the wood element corresponds with planning, organization, decision making, direction, coordination, emotional expression, flexibility, and the ability to undergo transformation and change. On the level of the spirit, the wood element corresponds with vision, self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, and completion.
To read more about the Wood element, take a look at this wonderful essay on The Season of Wood from the Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
THE FIRE ELEMENT
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Gifts: Sadness → Joy
Confusion → Propriety Excess Elation → Awareness Isolation → Connection |
Fire is about communication and connection. One of the core gifts of Fire is the ability to connect deeply with another person. In balance, this yields the emotion of joy, as well as partnership with the people around us. When Fire is out of balance, our ability to connect and communicate falters. For example, although you may be outwardly smiling and laughing when in the presence of other people doing the same, you may feel as if something is preventing you from connecting with them at a deep level. Or you may feel like you can't seem to communicate your inner world to others, yielding sadness, disconnection, or a sense of isolation. If Fire is out of balance, you can experience this sense of isolation or disconnection even when surrounded by people. Healthy Fire allows you to be honest and genuine both in communicating to yourself what you are experiencing internally, as well as communicating this to the people in your life. This honesty fosters understanding and connection, and from connection comes genuine friendship and love. In order to be honest with others, you must be honest with yourself; aware of the emotions, ideas, and beliefs that you hold in your heart. Healthy Fire is not only about knowing and loving other people, it is also about knowing and loving yourself.
Another virtue of Fire is the ability to be present in the moment. This ability to be present yields compassion, empathy, and warmth, emanating directly from the heart. The mind is often busy thinking about the past, the future, things that need to be done or should have been done; anything but the present moment. If you allow your mind free reign to do this, you may never be present to the moment nor present to the people around you. The heart, unlike the mind, is always present yet often quiet. It is easily overridden by the mind's antics. If one can quiet the mind and come present with the heart, this allows the full compassion and empathy of the heart to be expressed. This is truly a gift to both yourself and those around you. It's a gift to any person in your presence because they will be able to receive the full depth of your attention, warmth, and love. "The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers." (Thich Nhat Hanh). It's also a gift to you, as the compassion and empathy of the heart need not only be directed toward others, but can also shine on your inner self.
Here is a list of correspondences associated with the Fire Element:
On a physical level the fire element corresponds with the face (including acne), tongue, speech, heart, pericardium, small intestine, and with the triple heater (loosely correlated with the endocrine system). On a mental level, fire corresponds with love, warmth, relationships, affection, sexuality, excitement, joy and happiness, animation, self-expression, enthusiasm, activity, passion, the boundaries you hold between yourself and other people, and the ability to sort and separate ideas. On the level of the spirit, the fire element corresponds with the ability to be clear and present, a sense of beauty, confidence, consciousness and unity.
To read more about the Fire element, check out this wonderful essay on The Season of Fire from the Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
Another virtue of Fire is the ability to be present in the moment. This ability to be present yields compassion, empathy, and warmth, emanating directly from the heart. The mind is often busy thinking about the past, the future, things that need to be done or should have been done; anything but the present moment. If you allow your mind free reign to do this, you may never be present to the moment nor present to the people around you. The heart, unlike the mind, is always present yet often quiet. It is easily overridden by the mind's antics. If one can quiet the mind and come present with the heart, this allows the full compassion and empathy of the heart to be expressed. This is truly a gift to both yourself and those around you. It's a gift to any person in your presence because they will be able to receive the full depth of your attention, warmth, and love. "The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers." (Thich Nhat Hanh). It's also a gift to you, as the compassion and empathy of the heart need not only be directed toward others, but can also shine on your inner self.
Here is a list of correspondences associated with the Fire Element:
On a physical level the fire element corresponds with the face (including acne), tongue, speech, heart, pericardium, small intestine, and with the triple heater (loosely correlated with the endocrine system). On a mental level, fire corresponds with love, warmth, relationships, affection, sexuality, excitement, joy and happiness, animation, self-expression, enthusiasm, activity, passion, the boundaries you hold between yourself and other people, and the ability to sort and separate ideas. On the level of the spirit, the fire element corresponds with the ability to be clear and present, a sense of beauty, confidence, consciousness and unity.
To read more about the Fire element, check out this wonderful essay on The Season of Fire from the Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
THE EARTH ELEMENT
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Gifts:
Thoughtlessness → Sympathy Self pity → Receiving/Nourishment Pensiveness → Integrity |
When a person has a healthy Earth element, they are grounded, centered, and stable. No matter what kinds of situations life throws at them, they maintain their center and don't get thrown off balance. When Earth is out of balance, a person can be swayed or toppled easily by situations or people in life. Everything can seem to swirl around them, and life can seem out of control or at least very confusing. To have a healthy Earth is to be solidly anchored in your core, your gut.
One major function of the Earth element has to do with our gut: to take in nourishment and break it down into useful parts. On the physical level, this corresponds to healthy digestion. Any gastrointestinal upset is a sign that this element is out of balance. On a mental level, this correlates with the ability to think clearly and 'digest' the information given to us. An imbalance in Earth may therefore also show up as a difficulty in thinking; feeling 'foggy headed', having trouble with memory, or constantly worrying about the same things over and over again. These two levels of the Earth element, digestion and thinking, often go hand in hand. For example, after eating a heavy meal one might feel sluggish and foggy headed, unable or unwilling to do anything productive. Everyone has experienced this at one time or another, especially around the holiday season. Healthy Earth is supported by choosing foods wisely. Instead of asking what would taste good for a meal, asking instead how you will feel after eating that food, or that second helping, can be helpful in making healthy choices for your body and mind. Nourishing your body with healthy food in appropriate amounts will also manifest as a healthy ability to think, process ideas, and remember things. Thinking clearly and memory are a big part of being centered.
Earth is also the element that is at the core of giving and receiving. Healthy Earth means we can easily give of our time and energy to nourish others in our lives, and easily ask for and receive what we need in return from others. In health, we can do both of these things without altering our own ability to be centered. Out of balance, this aspect of the Earth element usually manifests in one of two ways. The first involves giving to others without regard for yourself, and draining your own reserves for the sake of helping someone else. It is important to remember when this pattern shows up that you will not long be able to care for others if you drain yourself in the process. A good example of this is a caregiver who is caring for an elderly parent. If the caregiver only focuses on tending their loved one and ignores their own needs, then they will soon also get sick, and when they do they will be unable to focus and care for their loved one the way they could when they were healthy. If the caregiver is able to ask for help at times when they need a break, then they will stay healthy for the long term and be able to tend their loved one to the best of their ability indefinitely.
The second way an imbalance in giving and receiving shows up involves feeling as if you are never offered or given what you need from others. We tend to expect that the people in our lives who are close to us should automatically know what we need from them. It's possible, though, that they don't know that you need anything from them. Many people are busy with their own internal world, and miss subtle clues from loved ones about what it is they are struggling with. The solution for this is clearly asking for what you need, and then remembering to savor the experience of receiving. Clearly asking for what you need will bring ease to both you and the other people in your life, as they most likely sense that you are unhappy but don't know why. To allow yourself to ask is also a gift for the other people in your life, as it allows them to be the giver, and that feels good for them. One example of this is a wife who does all the housework and wishes that her husband would pitch in. If she doesn't ask him for help and is simply grumpy, he may have no idea why she's unhappy. On the other hand, if she makes a clear request for him to help by doing a specific task or chore, he will know what she wants and be able to give it to her. Keep in mind that not all requests will be automatically accepted. This is where clear thinking and compromise come in, allowing counter-offers to be made until both people feel heard and have their needs met. Again, healthy Earth involves a balance between giving and receiving, and having this balance is central to your ability to be centered and stable.
Here is a list of correspondences associated with the Earth element:
On the physical level, the earth element is correlated with the digestion, appetite, the mouth, the muscles/flesh, the spleen, and the stomach. On the mental level, earth is correlated with nourishment, stability, security, mothering, centeredness, fulfillment, groundedness, empathy and caring. On the level of the spirit, the earth element is correlated with an easy balance between giving and receiving, comfort, belonging, and a sense of contentment.
To learn more about the Earth element, take a look at this beautiful essay on The Season of Earth from the Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
One major function of the Earth element has to do with our gut: to take in nourishment and break it down into useful parts. On the physical level, this corresponds to healthy digestion. Any gastrointestinal upset is a sign that this element is out of balance. On a mental level, this correlates with the ability to think clearly and 'digest' the information given to us. An imbalance in Earth may therefore also show up as a difficulty in thinking; feeling 'foggy headed', having trouble with memory, or constantly worrying about the same things over and over again. These two levels of the Earth element, digestion and thinking, often go hand in hand. For example, after eating a heavy meal one might feel sluggish and foggy headed, unable or unwilling to do anything productive. Everyone has experienced this at one time or another, especially around the holiday season. Healthy Earth is supported by choosing foods wisely. Instead of asking what would taste good for a meal, asking instead how you will feel after eating that food, or that second helping, can be helpful in making healthy choices for your body and mind. Nourishing your body with healthy food in appropriate amounts will also manifest as a healthy ability to think, process ideas, and remember things. Thinking clearly and memory are a big part of being centered.
Earth is also the element that is at the core of giving and receiving. Healthy Earth means we can easily give of our time and energy to nourish others in our lives, and easily ask for and receive what we need in return from others. In health, we can do both of these things without altering our own ability to be centered. Out of balance, this aspect of the Earth element usually manifests in one of two ways. The first involves giving to others without regard for yourself, and draining your own reserves for the sake of helping someone else. It is important to remember when this pattern shows up that you will not long be able to care for others if you drain yourself in the process. A good example of this is a caregiver who is caring for an elderly parent. If the caregiver only focuses on tending their loved one and ignores their own needs, then they will soon also get sick, and when they do they will be unable to focus and care for their loved one the way they could when they were healthy. If the caregiver is able to ask for help at times when they need a break, then they will stay healthy for the long term and be able to tend their loved one to the best of their ability indefinitely.
The second way an imbalance in giving and receiving shows up involves feeling as if you are never offered or given what you need from others. We tend to expect that the people in our lives who are close to us should automatically know what we need from them. It's possible, though, that they don't know that you need anything from them. Many people are busy with their own internal world, and miss subtle clues from loved ones about what it is they are struggling with. The solution for this is clearly asking for what you need, and then remembering to savor the experience of receiving. Clearly asking for what you need will bring ease to both you and the other people in your life, as they most likely sense that you are unhappy but don't know why. To allow yourself to ask is also a gift for the other people in your life, as it allows them to be the giver, and that feels good for them. One example of this is a wife who does all the housework and wishes that her husband would pitch in. If she doesn't ask him for help and is simply grumpy, he may have no idea why she's unhappy. On the other hand, if she makes a clear request for him to help by doing a specific task or chore, he will know what she wants and be able to give it to her. Keep in mind that not all requests will be automatically accepted. This is where clear thinking and compromise come in, allowing counter-offers to be made until both people feel heard and have their needs met. Again, healthy Earth involves a balance between giving and receiving, and having this balance is central to your ability to be centered and stable.
Here is a list of correspondences associated with the Earth element:
On the physical level, the earth element is correlated with the digestion, appetite, the mouth, the muscles/flesh, the spleen, and the stomach. On the mental level, earth is correlated with nourishment, stability, security, mothering, centeredness, fulfillment, groundedness, empathy and caring. On the level of the spirit, the earth element is correlated with an easy balance between giving and receiving, comfort, belonging, and a sense of contentment.
To learn more about the Earth element, take a look at this beautiful essay on The Season of Earth from the Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
THE METAL ELEMENT
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Gifts: Grief → Inspiration
Lawlessness → Justice |
From a healthy Metal element comes the ability to see the value in all situations or people. Even if the situation is a ‘bad’ one, a healthy Metal element within us gives us the ability to see the good; to find the "gem in the rough"; such as in lessons learned or beauty experienced. Out of balance, this aspect of Metal can show up as harsh judgment of both self and others, where we see with a critical eye only the bad and not the good. In this instance, we fail to see what is of value. This imbalance may show up as a diminished sense of self worth or self esteem, or as having very high self esteem while looking critically at others. A healthy Metal element allows us to see clearly both the good and the bad in all things, appreciating the good and acknowledging the not-so-good.
On an emotional level, the Metal element is involved with grief. In balance, we respond to loss with rituals of appreciation, acknowledgment, and respect. We allow ourselves to let go, and hold on to that which is left that has value. Out of balance, we can only see the loss and fail to let go. Because we focus so intently on what has been lost, we may not be easily able to acknowledge the good side of what still is, such as the good things that are still part of our lives, or lessons learned that will always be with us. Creating rituals for letting go can be helpful at these times.
Grief can also manifest in a more general way as 'grieving the way life is'; one form of stress. The practice of replacing negative thoughts with thoughts of gratitude or appreciation for the good that exists in your life can be helpful at these times. One simple practice that can be useful is gratitude journaling. This involves choosing one time every day to write down three things that you're grateful for in your life. Cultivating appreciation and gratitude in daily life through specific practices is a wonderful way to foster a healthy Metal element.
On a more spiritual level, Metal is involved with inspiration and the sense of being part of something bigger than ourselves. A variety of different words and ideas are used to explain what this 'bigger' thing we're a part of is. Whatever the words we use, the experience is often the same; one of amazement, inspiration, and gratitude. A sense of purpose may also stem from this aspect of the Metal element, perhaps the sense that we are guided by divine will or that our actions have larger consequences beyond ourselves. Without this aspect of healthy Metal in place, one may feel a lack of worth in life itself. This tends to yield the out of balance Metal symptom of withdrawing from life or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, living dangerously without thought of consequence. To foster a healthy Metal element, many people use spiritual practices from a particular tradition. One might also use simple breathing meditations, such as "Breathing in, the universe exhales, Breathing out, the universe inhales". No matter what tradition or practice we make a part of our lives, spirituality is considered in the Five Element system to be a part of healthy living. From the perspective of healthy Metal, our walking through life is the fulfillment of something bigger than ourselves.
Here is a list of correspondences associated with the Metal element:
On the physical level, the metal element in correlated with the skin, immune system, nose and sinuses, and with the lungs and large intestine. On the mental level, the metal element is correlated with self-worth, letting go, inspiration, values, spirituality, meaningfulness, the capacity to grieve, resilience, strength, endurance, and purpose. On the level of the spirit, the metal element is correlated with values, self-worth, and accepting of death and impermanence.
To learn more about the Metal element, you can read this wonderful essay on The Season of Metal from the Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
On an emotional level, the Metal element is involved with grief. In balance, we respond to loss with rituals of appreciation, acknowledgment, and respect. We allow ourselves to let go, and hold on to that which is left that has value. Out of balance, we can only see the loss and fail to let go. Because we focus so intently on what has been lost, we may not be easily able to acknowledge the good side of what still is, such as the good things that are still part of our lives, or lessons learned that will always be with us. Creating rituals for letting go can be helpful at these times.
Grief can also manifest in a more general way as 'grieving the way life is'; one form of stress. The practice of replacing negative thoughts with thoughts of gratitude or appreciation for the good that exists in your life can be helpful at these times. One simple practice that can be useful is gratitude journaling. This involves choosing one time every day to write down three things that you're grateful for in your life. Cultivating appreciation and gratitude in daily life through specific practices is a wonderful way to foster a healthy Metal element.
On a more spiritual level, Metal is involved with inspiration and the sense of being part of something bigger than ourselves. A variety of different words and ideas are used to explain what this 'bigger' thing we're a part of is. Whatever the words we use, the experience is often the same; one of amazement, inspiration, and gratitude. A sense of purpose may also stem from this aspect of the Metal element, perhaps the sense that we are guided by divine will or that our actions have larger consequences beyond ourselves. Without this aspect of healthy Metal in place, one may feel a lack of worth in life itself. This tends to yield the out of balance Metal symptom of withdrawing from life or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, living dangerously without thought of consequence. To foster a healthy Metal element, many people use spiritual practices from a particular tradition. One might also use simple breathing meditations, such as "Breathing in, the universe exhales, Breathing out, the universe inhales". No matter what tradition or practice we make a part of our lives, spirituality is considered in the Five Element system to be a part of healthy living. From the perspective of healthy Metal, our walking through life is the fulfillment of something bigger than ourselves.
Here is a list of correspondences associated with the Metal element:
On the physical level, the metal element in correlated with the skin, immune system, nose and sinuses, and with the lungs and large intestine. On the mental level, the metal element is correlated with self-worth, letting go, inspiration, values, spirituality, meaningfulness, the capacity to grieve, resilience, strength, endurance, and purpose. On the level of the spirit, the metal element is correlated with values, self-worth, and accepting of death and impermanence.
To learn more about the Metal element, you can read this wonderful essay on The Season of Metal from the Institute of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
Please note that this is a only a small part of the complexity of the five element system. Each element has a very broad spectrum of correspondences associated with it, and the manifestations of these are expressed differently by each individual. In addition, it must be remembered that we each have all the elements within us. Whatever our individual constitution, we all will struggle with imbalances in each element at different times in our lives. This is part of the human experience. It is during these times of imbalance or struggle that acupuncture can play an important role in our well being. For more information, feel free to contact the author of this article, Marni Adhikari, through our Contact page.
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Learn about Acupuncture, read about Eastern Medicine or check out Our Philosophy.
Feel free to ask questions using our Contact Form.
To learn more about Marni Adhikari, L.Ac, take a look at her Bio.
Or Schedule an Appointment Online
