After yin and yang, where we classify as light or dark, we can use the 5 elements are to classify different shades of light.  While we often use the word “elements”, they are not building blocks, but rather, vibrations or phases of energy.  

This knowledge was developed from a close observation of nature.  It adds depth to concepts of balance and harmony.  And it’s holistic, using observations of the outer world, as a metaphor for the inner.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”  

-Ecclesiastes 3:1

We see this most clearly in the example of the 4 seasons, each with its own energy.  (The 5th season is sometimes called late-summer, or other times, it refers to the transition period between seasons.)  We can study these phases, to learn more about ourselves.  In terms of health, why do we get certain illnesses?  What steps can we take to stay well?  

Phase Relationship Cycles

Besides each phase by itself, it’s also important to look at the relationship between them.  Two opposing cycles work to keep an ever shifting balance.  The Sheng, or creation cycle, is how one phase generates the next.  For example water generates wood, wood generates fire, etc.

The Ke, or controlling cycle, helps prevent the creation cycle from spiraling out of control.  We use metal to control excess wood, water to control fire…etc.

5 Elements and Health

In health, the 5 elements offer many useful insights.  One example is the use of 5 elements to determine your constitutional element, or your “type”.  This is useful in knowing yourself, and how to best adjust to stay healthy.  For example, are you nurturing, grounded and practical?  Do you like gardening, cooking or knitting?  Do you have a thick and curvy body?  Do you often have digestive problems, fatigue, or allergies?  All these signs point towards someone being an Earth type.  Choosing a diet and activities that nurture the “earth” energy would go a long way towards keeping you healthy.

Again, as we talk about these 5 phases being frequencies, there are things we can do or avoid to stay in harmony.  Acupuncture for example helps us get in tune with ourselves and our environments.

The 5 Elements Can Classify Many Things

5 elements also can be expressed as colors, the different senses of the body, our tone of voice, our odour, food flavors, and our emotions.  They correspond to internal organs as well, so we can talk about digestive problems being an earth imbalance.

Providing a Deeper Appreciation of the Natural World

Over the years, the theories of 5 elements have been developed in many different areas, but at its most basic, we can still learn the most.  What is your favorite season?  Your favorite colors?  What emotion do you tend to have more than others?  The answers to these questions will give you clues about your own constitution, or if you have an illness, the nature of that imbalance.  We can then choose activities, and diets that help maintain this constantly shifting balance between our health, and our environment.

Thanks,

Michael Savalli LAc

Reach out:

communityZenAcu@gmail.com

631-704-2648

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