5 Elements wood,fire,earth,water & Metal
My last blog touched on the possibility that returning to Ancient Chinese Medicine roots, may help us recover happiness. For those of us trapped in brutal war zones, those displaced and suffering in the aftermath. The Ancient Theory of 5 Elements eloquently combines the 5 earthy elements of Water, Fire, Wood, Earth and Metal to provide balance and long-term health.
The 5 element School of Theory links these elements together within the body and without in terms of the seasons, stating that each element cares and understands the other. Within the body this theory works when a sharing of energy occurs, between each element and each element nurtures/controls the other. How this works is each element is represented by an organ in the human body.
Water correlates to the Kidney, an organ which is deeper in the body. Water relates to cooling yin and interesting heating the body too, nurturing the earth, growing wood, sedating fire when needed and balances the metal element. Water is representative of will power.
Fire aligns with the Heart, part of the Zong -Qi of the chest. Fire relates to movement. The yang component of the body and its inner workings. Joy is the emotion associated with fire! Heart needs joy. Fire heats the earth, helps grow and keep wood in control. And helps nurture metal.
Wood links to the Liver, this organ is in charge of maintaining the free flow of blood in the body. Wood is likened to power, and gives to the Liver movement, such as a tree grows and moves, and nurtures the earth via its root system, the Liver moves the blood to nurture the other organs in the body. The earth also nurtures the tree, water is needed and fire to cleanse the earth and re generate growth.
Metal links to the lungs, metal and minerals are born in the earth and literally allow it to breathe and live. This is how it correlates to Lungs. Lungs provide life to the body. Via breath and oxygenate the blood.
Earth joins all elements together and is represented in the body by the Spleen and Stomach. The stomach rots and ripens the food, then passes the food in the form of what’s called Gu QI to the Spleen what has the job of transforming and transporting it around the body. Earth nurtures all elements. The earth is the centre. As is the stomach and Spleen they are the head-quarters for the GI tract which is digestive function.
5 Elements Theory is about balance, in the body and outside the body. Its about living life in balance with the seasons, each season is represented by an element. Winter-water, Spring-Wood, Summer-Fire, Autumn-Metal. Each season effects the earth as a whole, influences it in a unique way. Each organ does the same thing, and is affected by the season. This theory is fundamental in the Daoist way of life. Live by the seasons. Eat what each season produces, be active in the Summer, feel the fire of the sun, in the winter, hibernate, eat nourishing foods and save energy. Go deep, nurture the Kidney. It’s about going back to basics and respecting mother earth, each other and your body at a simple level. That is deeply spiritual and satisfying for many.
Could this balance provide the answer to happiness after war? Could it lead to happiness after such pain? Do we need to wipe the slate clean and start again? Or not fight fire with fire? Face our fears. I don’t know but would like to think bringing back balance after pain might be a good place to start.
