The ancient Chinese monks had a fascinating way of observing the seasons in the year- and understanding the impact it had on humanity. The Taoist then produced a theory through contemplation and divided it into five periods.
It is a theory that originated from the ancient Chinese calendar. It led to five energies that were assigned to different years, months and days. These elements are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
These five components are unique and used by the massage modalities due to their reflective connection with the natural world. The five element theory recognizes that as humans, we are the microcosm and we tend to reflect the macrocosm in the world. We are purely made of the same five essential elements like the earth itself: wood, fire, water, metal, and earth.
The theory has deep roots in Chinese medicine, and it enables us to understand and explore ourselves in a compassionate yet impersonal way. The elements have both physical and natural correspondence related to it. They correspond to the emotions, body tissues, color, and sense organs.
Today, the theory is limited to the five element theory therapist or the acupuncturist. It is also substantial in unlocking the ancient mysteries of Chinese medicine. The components are applied to our modern daily health and well being.
Improving your Health with the Five Elements
By following the history of medicine, you will realize that we have been handed down some incredible treatments. For centuries, Chinese philosophy has upheld remarkable health as a result of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. The theory enabled martial artists in the designing of herbal medicines.
Paying attention to the elements may sound a bit like quackery at first. But over the years, it has arguably proven to be a remarkable way of finding out how our bodies work. Getting in touch with the five elements provides for us a feeling of a strong connection to the natural world. Let us see how the components work on our bodies.
- Wood - Spring
- Spring gets associated with the time of birth and a new beginning. Wood, on the other hand, is a representation of growing, like plants, trees, and the human body. It is time to pay attention to your joints, limbs and the spine. As wood provides the earth with strength, so does it to the flexibility of our ligaments and tendons.
- Fire - Summer
- Fire indicates warmth, dynamic and transformative movement. The season brings fire due to the sun's heat. It means that it is the stage of peak power. The fire sparks the body systems to function effectively. It gets things cooking - within and without. Summertime is the season that is characterized by joy, activity, warmth, growth, and communication. It makes the garden of our lives blossoms as we grow in the sun. Expanding consciousness represents fire, and the sun is the heat that is within us.
- Earth - Late Summer
- Earth is associated with late afternoon and with a decrease in activity. These are the dog days of summer where we start to wind down from the summer joy. This is the time that we start to think and contemplate. The two organs controlled by the earth element is the stomach and spleen.
- Metal - Autumn
- We all know that wintertime is the time to fill the granaries. The autumn season brings the harvest. It has short days, and it ushers in winter. The metal element indicates it is the process of refinement and it yields results. It is the perfect time to relax to enjoy the late afternoons. It is the moment to let go and prepare for sleep. It represents the network that is left when the leaves are shed - revealing our beauty. The lungs take in the new air as the large intestines let go of the old. It represents the intake and eliminations done by our bodily organs.
- Water - Winter
- Winter is cold. It is the season when we want to brace ourselves by the fireplace. It is the ideal time for rest, reflection, and restoration. It is associated with the water element since it offers smooth flow and tranquility. It indicates the circulation of blood, tears, and perspiration, which shows the fluid movement within us. It moistens, hydrates, bathes, and makes life possible. As the water sinks into the most profound places, our teeth, bones, and marrow correspond efficiently.