The Chinese Theory of The Five Elements

The Wood Element (Spring)

In nature, the Wood element is related to the spring, and to the young green buds, which have the will of youth: to live and to become. A person with a healthy wood element will naturally feel more enthusiastic with a spark to live and act.

The acupuncture meridians related to the wood element are the liver and gallbladder meridians. The wood element is responsible for maintaining a free flow of energy (qi) in the body. This function is also closely related to the harmonization of emotions and prevents emotional stagnation. It plays a major role in the detoxification process. The wood element governs the tendons, ligaments, nails, small muscles and nerves in the body. The wood element mind houses our drive to achieve and our ability to plan and take decisions. The wood element generates our will to grow. It is therefore the root to most our drives and desires.

According to Chinese medicine, the liver represents our ability for strategic planning, while the gallbladder influences our decisions and judgements, our visions and thoughts, and our mental and physical flexibility.

The Fire Element (Summer)

The Fire Element expresses itself through the warmth in our hearts and with those we love. This is the sun within and the spark of expression, which draws us into relationships with others. When our fire element is balanced we are able to embody unconditional feelings, compassion and love. Our lives are joyous, playful and mature. This is the place where our spirit resides, kept warm by the eternal flame of light and warmth.

The organ associations of the Fire Element are the heart, the small intestines, the pericardium (circulation, sex) and the triple warmer. Because blood carries nourishment and warmth throughout the system it is also associated with the fire element. Imbalance in the fire element may be seen in a person with no joy, the inability to form healthy relationships or have compassion.

There may be issues on a deeper level of depression and a lack of "spark" in the person. The fire may be completely out of control or barely burning like a smoldering ember. Issues of heat may arise in the body causing issues with the organs, digestion, and blood. The opposing issue can be lack of heat in which we will see issues with stagnation and cold. Any of these conditions can be seen in the body/mind/spirit.

The Earth Element (Late Summer)

Our greatest sense of nourishment and stability comes from the earth element. The earth is what provides us with all the life giving nourishment we need for each generation. It is in fact the “great mother.” A healthy earth element affects our ability to feel fed, sympathetic and nurtured. The seasonal time of the harvest represents this quality within us. When the harvest is bountiful we have confidence of our survival during the winter and then there is a great sense of security. If the harvest is weak then life will be a struggle.

The organ associations with the earth element are the stomach and spleen. It is now known that the majority of our immune system is in our digestive tract so the health of our stomach and spleen is of utmost importance towards our overall health. These organs process the nutritive qi from our food and then transport these nutrients to our body/mind/spirit.

Earth imbalance may appear as a muddled mind or the inability to literally digest thoughts and information. There may be feelings of insecurity and instability. This imbalance may include eating disorders and also issues with the organs. The quality of food we ingest is directly related to the health of these organs and our well-being.

The Metal Element (Autumn)

After the harvest we notice a shift in the amount of light as the days get shorter and the environment gets ready for a time of decrease and rest. The trees begin to let go of their leaves and the decay becomes minerals and nourishment for the forest again. The metal association is with the air (breath) and the importance of taking in and letting go.

Our lungs and colon give us the breath of life and the ability of eliminating what we don't need. Our connection with the cosmos and divinity is taken in by the lungs which have always been a source of increasing our conscious awareness through breathing. The health of the metal element means we are able to feel our heavenly connection with the great universal father. We are inspired and have quality of life. Like a precious gem that is refined and rare we find this quality within others and ourselves. When this element is unhealthy there may be feelings of grief or disconnected from our spirituality. We may feel constipated within our body/mind/spirit and there can be a complete lack of inspiration. Physically we may see issues with the lungs, skin and colon.

Water Element (Winter)

Our deepest sense of purpose comes from the Water Element. Our will to survive and strength of determination is seen within the water element. Water can take on many forms and is very creative in its movement. Water in our bodies is essential for the flow of fluids and ease at which our body, mind, and spirit have agility.

Like nature, when there is draught within us things dry up and there is little growth. Our bodies need the fluids for movement and cellular function. Think of the fear that is felt when there is draught and there is no hope of the crops growing or our ability to use water. If we stop for a minute and take note of the many uses of water it is unfathomable to think of how quickly life would cease to exist without it!

Water cleanses and purifies our bodies, minds and spirits through the process of filtration and our deepest reserves are held within the kidney’s and bladder. We may see headaches, fatigue, swelling, dryness, anxiety and a whole host of symptoms associated when the water element is imbalanced. It is essential to take care of our reserves by drinking enough water, taking the time to go inward and be retrospective.