Many people have expressed an interest in learning more about the Five Element Theory, and how balancing the bodies internal energies can have an impact on their health and happiness. In these troubled times, it is more important than ever for human beings to live in Harmony and to engage in the creation of a peaceful world for ourselves and others. It is a good time to look at this law from the perspective of what it can teach us, to reflect on how we as a species have become disconnected from ourselves and our environment.

The History

The ancient sages had discussions about similar problems in their societies. They spoke of ancient times when the people lived in harmony with the Tao, the way of life, understanding the principles of balance and living their lives accordingly. The people had lived healthier, happier, and longer lives. They then saw how the people had fallen out of harmony with the natural world. They were overindulgent in drinking and eating, overworked, had irregular sleeping habits, and engaged in excessive sexual activity. They were using up their vital essence and not conserving or cultivating their energy. These practices caused them to look old at 50 and to die at a younger age. It is not hard for us today to understand these consequences, simply by looking around and seeing the results of overindulgences in ourselves and our society.

The progression of thought related to healing these societal ills lead to the study of nature. They began observing the flows of energy in nature, studying the seasonal changes, and how through this natural order of things the earth replenishes and renews itself. The ancients spoke of One energy that had many different expressions in nature. Everything has energy “Chi”; animate and inanimate objects, the Plant and Animal Kingdoms, and Human Beings. They saw a universal duality in this one energy, which they described as opposing forces or “Yin and Yang”. They then began to describe these transformational forces, noting how they moved continuously in these cyclic patterns. Some examples in nature would be the day/night cycle, the oceanic tides rhythmically building and receding, and the cycle of the seasons.

The Law of the Five Elements

The five elements in nature are: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. The elements relate to each other through two cyclic processes. The energy flows in a clockwise rotation, this is the creative cycle or Sheng Cycle. This cycle is a continuous unbroken, self-generating cycling of energy. All of the elements are equally involved in the creation of life, individually nourishing the next element and receiving nourishment from the previous element. The Elements work cooperatively when in balance, each giving to the other and sharing. It was observed that the law was a way of organizing the experience of life and space/time sequences. The second cyclic process within the law is the Control Cycle or Ke Cycle. This process is described as each element has control over one of the other elements, and in turn, that element controls a different element. In this way, it provides the balance between creation and destruction in nature.

The Seasonal associations and the Elements.

The Five Element Theory is best understood when studying the associations in nature that help to define the unique tasks and characteristics of each season. The Wood Element was associated with the Spring- a time of renewal, rising energy and new growth. The color associated is green. Wind being identified as the climate most associated with this season. The direction is the East. The Fire Element was associated with the Summer, a time of highest energy and warmth from the sun. In nature, we can observe continued growth to maturation of the plants and the animals born in the springtime. The flaring spontaneous movement upward of energy and the increased interactions in all of nature defines this season. The color is Red. The climate is Heat. The direction is the South. The Earth Element was associated with the Late Summer – a time of completion, a declining heavier energy, and life now beginning to slow down, with a feeling of fullness in the air. The energy feels less spontaneous and more grounded. There is a sweetness, a satisfaction, and gratitude for the garden harvest. The color is yellow. The direction is Center. The climate is Dampness.

 The Metal Element is associated with the Fall season- a time of decline as the energy in nature continues to descend down toward the earth in preparation for the winter. This energy is about taking in inspiration from the heavens and letting go of that which does not serve, on any level (body/mind/spirit). The leaves on the trees begin to turn color providing breathtaking beauty before they die, and fall to the ground. They will decompose and help to enrich the soil. Over time the compressed and decomposed earth will create precious minerals needed for the cycle of life to be reborn in the spring. The climate is Dryness. The color is white. The direction is the West. The Water Element is associated with the Winter season. The energy is now going deep into the earth, and trees are stripped down to their essential structure. The plants have either died or are dormant, animals have migrated to a warmer climate or are in hibernation. There is a stillness in the air, a sense of little or no activity. As if all of nature is resting to gain strength, to rebuild their reserve energy supply. The Sun is farthest away and so the climate is Cold, the direction is the North, and the color is black or blue.

As we think of the power of each season, we know it intimately because we are a part of this oneness and the returning cycles of life. The Ancients made many more associations. In terms of making sense of how this knowledge affects our health and happiness potential, we must look at how these cycles live in us every moment of every day influencing our lives, and ultimately our health, body/mind/spirit.

As above- so Below- How do we fit in?

The bodily functions and organs were also associated with the seasons and have tasks that must occur in accordance with this natural cycling to engender, renew, or maintain our health. Our environment has an influence on the ability to heal, we must have access to clean water, air, and soil. These factors are also vital to our ability to renew and heal ourselves. Just as a garden needs the proper conditions to ensure its growth, we also have to have the proper conditions in ourselves. Having said that one can appreciate the challenges of creating harmony and healing in the system when dealing with the environmental pollutants in our modern societies.

The Five Element associations with the body include the related organ and energy pathway/ meridian flow. Wood is associated with the Liver/Gallbladder, Fire with the Heart/Small Intestines also with the Pericardium/ Triple Warmer (the bodily function which has responsibility for temperature regulation in the body). The Earth is associated with the Spleen/Stomach, Metal with the Lung/Colon. The Water is associated with the Kidney/Urinary Bladder. The energy pathways associated with these organ systems allow for the flow of energy to nourish and to cycle continuously through all the organs, having the ability to rebalance and redistribute substances needed to create harmonious relationships and proper functioning between all the organs, cells, and vital fluids.

In the Classical Five Element Acupuncture style, the emphasis is on treating the whole person. The practitioner makes a diagnosis identifying which element is the causative factor of the imbalance that is manifesting. It can manifest as a functional problem with sleep, digestion, depression, elimination etc., or a diagnosed disease process involving one or more organ systems. The treatment is focused on assisting the body to rebalance, strengthening the relationship between the elements, and reestablishing order within. Thus, the symptoms will respond as the practitioner assists the body to build energy, and remove blockages along the energetic pathways. The results of these interventions will create an improvement in the flow of energy. The patient will experience feeling more centered, calmer, and report a reduction in their symptoms. The patient is an active participant in identifying ways in which he/she can assist the body by making adjustments in lifestyle, diet, and exercise, as well as keeping well hydrated. Natural healing is not a magic bullet, it takes time for the body to reboot and for the energetic cycles to right themselves. Patients can note the progress in healing as they go from season to season, and year to year following the natural laws related to sleep, diet, lifestyle, and exercise.