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“The interaction of the Five Elements brings harmony and everything is in
order. At the end of one year the sun has completed its course and
everything starts anew with the first season, which is the beginning of
Spring. This system is comparable to a ring which has neither beginning or
end.” -- Nei Jing: The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine
Chinese medicine developed thousands of years ago from the careful
observation of nature and the understanding that as humans, we are a part of
nature and are, therefore, subject to the same natural laws. At its very essence,
Five Element theory describes these natural laws that we see around us. The
image above represents the five elements in a circle that flows clockwise named
the generation, or sheng, cycle. From the circle, it can be seen that wood
generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, metal generates
water, and water generates wood. These “elements” are really metaphors for the
much larger systems and processes that they represent within nature and within
our bodies. All five of the elements are contained within each one of us, and
each element flows into the next creating a never-ending cycle of rising and
declining energy in our bodies as it is in nature. Each element also corresponds
to a certain season and a pair of organs in the human body.
Springtime is associated with the wood element and is the beginning of the
elemental cycle, when yang (our dynamic energy) is the strongest and begins to
burst forth from the winter’s slumbering time of rest and renewal. The rising yang
energy of this season carries with it all the hope and vision of new beginnings,
the determination and decision-making ability to effect real change in our lives
and in ourselves, and the creative energy to really take charge and get things
moving.
order. At the end of one year the sun has completed its course and
everything starts anew with the first season, which is the beginning of
Spring. This system is comparable to a ring which has neither beginning or
end.” -- Nei Jing: The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine
Chinese medicine developed thousands of years ago from the careful
observation of nature and the understanding that as humans, we are a part of
nature and are, therefore, subject to the same natural laws. At its very essence,
Five Element theory describes these natural laws that we see around us. The
image above represents the five elements in a circle that flows clockwise named
the generation, or sheng, cycle. From the circle, it can be seen that wood
generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, metal generates
water, and water generates wood. These “elements” are really metaphors for the
much larger systems and processes that they represent within nature and within
our bodies. All five of the elements are contained within each one of us, and
each element flows into the next creating a never-ending cycle of rising and
declining energy in our bodies as it is in nature. Each element also corresponds
to a certain season and a pair of organs in the human body.
Springtime is associated with the wood element and is the beginning of the
elemental cycle, when yang (our dynamic energy) is the strongest and begins to
burst forth from the winter’s slumbering time of rest and renewal. The rising yang
energy of this season carries with it all the hope and vision of new beginnings,
the determination and decision-making ability to effect real change in our lives
and in ourselves, and the creative energy to really take charge and get things
moving.
Welcome Spring! An Introduction to the Wood Element
Articles & Facts
From The Center: Natural Health Specialists
From The Center: Natural Health Specialists
*Article submitted by Jennifer Spain, Licensed Acupuncturist
with The Center: Natural Health Specialists.
with The Center: Natural Health Specialists.
vision, and creative expression; and it is very important to nurture these things
during this season of rising energy.
The wood element corresponds to the paired organs of the liver and gall bladder,
the color green, the seasonal influence of wind, and the emotions of anger and
frustration. The specific type of anger and frustration we most often encounter
this time of year is usually due to us, as individuals, not doing for ourselves the
things that are imperative to meet our needs in our constant progression through
life and as human beings. The element of wood is also associated with hope,
vision, and creative expression; and it is very important to nurture these things
during this season of rising energy.
Chinese medicine focuses on treating all three realms of our human experience –
physical, mental, and spiritual. During each season it becomes crucial for our
maintenance of optimal health that we nourish each aspect of our being. The
season of spring is the time to pay special attention to our liver and gall bladder,
and the energetic systems and processes in our body that these paired organs
represent.
On a physical level, this means supporting the proper functioning of the organs
themselves, which can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Try supplementing
your diet with seasonal foods such as sprouts and fresh leafy greens and taking
extra steps to detoxify and enrich your liver and gall bladder. There are some
wonderful Chinese herbal formulas that can assist you in this endeavor, as well
as very beneficial single herbs such as milk thistle. Exercising and stretching our
bodies are also of upmost importance, as the wood element governs our tendons,
sinews, and connective tissues. When these tissues get tight from underuse, we
often experience pain, achiness, and a general feeling of discomfort or tightness
in our bodies. So, enjoy the longer days and warmer temperatures of springtime
by getting outside and moving!
On a mental and spiritual level, we can support ourselves during this time of year
by nurturing our vision and hope for the future, and imagining all the possibilities
of new beginnings that arrive with the springtime. This is the time of year to
meditate creatively on our lives and our aspirations for the coming year, and to
be clear about what plans and decisions need to be made to put our vision on the
path to manifestation. Some good questions to ask ourselves are: “What ‘inner’
spring-cleaning needs to be accomplished? and What are our deepest hopes for
the direction in which our lives can be moving in the coming year?” Five Element
acupuncture focuses on addressing the mental and spiritual realms during
treatment, as well as the physical body, and can be of great support while
contemplating these types of questions.
Living in harmony with the seasons is easy and incredibly beneficial to your
overall health. Spring is the beginning of the cycle of the elements in nature and
with all aspects of your being. This time of year presents you with an excellent
opportunity to begin a more balanced, peaceful, and healthy life. The principles
of Five Elements Acupuncture can help you get there now.
during this season of rising energy.
The wood element corresponds to the paired organs of the liver and gall bladder,
the color green, the seasonal influence of wind, and the emotions of anger and
frustration. The specific type of anger and frustration we most often encounter
this time of year is usually due to us, as individuals, not doing for ourselves the
things that are imperative to meet our needs in our constant progression through
life and as human beings. The element of wood is also associated with hope,
vision, and creative expression; and it is very important to nurture these things
during this season of rising energy.
Chinese medicine focuses on treating all three realms of our human experience –
physical, mental, and spiritual. During each season it becomes crucial for our
maintenance of optimal health that we nourish each aspect of our being. The
season of spring is the time to pay special attention to our liver and gall bladder,
and the energetic systems and processes in our body that these paired organs
represent.
On a physical level, this means supporting the proper functioning of the organs
themselves, which can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Try supplementing
your diet with seasonal foods such as sprouts and fresh leafy greens and taking
extra steps to detoxify and enrich your liver and gall bladder. There are some
wonderful Chinese herbal formulas that can assist you in this endeavor, as well
as very beneficial single herbs such as milk thistle. Exercising and stretching our
bodies are also of upmost importance, as the wood element governs our tendons,
sinews, and connective tissues. When these tissues get tight from underuse, we
often experience pain, achiness, and a general feeling of discomfort or tightness
in our bodies. So, enjoy the longer days and warmer temperatures of springtime
by getting outside and moving!
On a mental and spiritual level, we can support ourselves during this time of year
by nurturing our vision and hope for the future, and imagining all the possibilities
of new beginnings that arrive with the springtime. This is the time of year to
meditate creatively on our lives and our aspirations for the coming year, and to
be clear about what plans and decisions need to be made to put our vision on the
path to manifestation. Some good questions to ask ourselves are: “What ‘inner’
spring-cleaning needs to be accomplished? and What are our deepest hopes for
the direction in which our lives can be moving in the coming year?” Five Element
acupuncture focuses on addressing the mental and spiritual realms during
treatment, as well as the physical body, and can be of great support while
contemplating these types of questions.
Living in harmony with the seasons is easy and incredibly beneficial to your
overall health. Spring is the beginning of the cycle of the elements in nature and
with all aspects of your being. This time of year presents you with an excellent
opportunity to begin a more balanced, peaceful, and healthy life. The principles
of Five Elements Acupuncture can help you get there now.
The wood element corresponds to the
paired organs of the liver and gall
bladder, the color green, the seasonal
influence of wind, and the emotions of
anger and frustration. The specific
type of anger and frustration we most
often encounter this time of year is
usually due to us, as individuals, not
doing for ourselves the things that are
imperative to meet our needs in our
constant progression through life and
as human beings. The element of
paired organs of the liver and gall
bladder, the color green, the seasonal
influence of wind, and the emotions of
anger and frustration. The specific
type of anger and frustration we most
often encounter this time of year is
usually due to us, as individuals, not
doing for ourselves the things that are
imperative to meet our needs in our
constant progression through life and
as human beings. The element of