Five Element Theory
Five Element Theory is a Chinese philosophy used to describe how all things in nature and the world around us interact and relate to each other. The Five Elements of Earth, Metal (the rocks above), Water, Wood (the trees) and Fire (the sunshine) represent the characteristics of the different kinds of energy fields. The Chinese word for energy is “Chi” and the Chinese believe Chi flows through the body along energy channels or meridians. To understand the relationship between the elements and the meridians is one way of grasping the concept of different energetic vibrations. These elements are in constant movement and change, as are our thoughts and our emotions so using Bach Flower Remedies may be one way of helping us to balance the energy of the Five Elements.
The Element of Earth - In good health "I Am Grounded and Supported"
Organs: Stomach and Spleen Colour: Yellow Season: Late Summer Climate: Humidity/Dampness Sense Organ/Sense: Mouth - Taste Taste: Sweet Sound: Singing Body Areas Governed: General Tissues/Muscles Emotion: Empathy/Worry
These organs of this element are associated with ingestion and digestion, the ability to take nourishment from not only our food but also from thoughts, ideas and emotions. The Earth energy is about taking what we need, or think we need from the outside world and using it in the best way we know for our own survival. An imbalance, either too much or too little earth energy, can show up as worry and self-doubt, feeling overprotective, overextended or inert with lethargy, digestive problems, appetite and weight problems, muscle tenderness, and water retention.
The Element of Metal - In good health "I Am Spontaneous and Expressive"
Organs/Meridians: Lung and Large Intestine Colour: White Season: Autumn Climate: Dry Sense Organ/Sense: Nose - smell
Taste: Pungent/Spicy Sound: Weeping Body Areas Governed: Skin Emotion: Grief
The element of Metal is associated with the functions of exchange and elimination; the lungs are the first and last sign of the activity of life. The large intestine is responsible for the processing and elimination of substances that have are no longer necessary. Both are organs of exchange, our communication with the outside world creating boundaries between the external and the internal. The Metal energy is about differentiating between the world around us and our inner world, becoming aware of when we need to turn inward and when it is important to let go. Over or underactive metal energy can manifest as problems with boundaries in regards to connecting and relating to others, rigid thinking and perfectionism, skin problems, dryness in the body, digestive issues, respiratory disorders and breathing difficulties, as well as stiff joints and muscles.
The Element of Water - In good health "I Am Courageous and Energised"
Organs/Meridians: Bladder and Kidney Colour: Blue or Black Season: Winter Climate: Cold Sense Organ/Sense: Ears -hearing
Taste: Salty Sound: Groaning Body Areas Governed: Central Nervous System, Bones, Fluids Emotion: Fear
The Water element is associated with supplying vital energy to the body and purifying body fluids, it is about keeping things fluid or flowing. To keep the water energy in a steady flow we must choose a lifestyle that is moderate and free from abuse in any way. If we mistreat our bodies through eating the wrong foods, misuse of drugs, too much stress and not enough rest, the water energy can become unbalanced and we may become fatigued, lack stamina, suffer from backaches and premature ageing and have problems with our libido. Emotionally we may isolate ourselves and become withdrawn, distrustful, pessimistic and fearful.
The Element of Wood - In good health "I Am Patient and Flexible"
Organs/Meridians: Liver and Gallbladder Colour: Green Season: Spring Climate: Wind Sense Organ/Sense: Eyes - sight
Taste: Sour Sound: Shouting Body Areas Governed: Muscles, Tendons, Ligaments Emotion: Anger
The organs of the Wood element are associated with the functions of storage and distribution. They store, detox and distribute nutrients, securing the vital supply of energy required by the body to remain active. The wood energy is about organising, planning and decision making that leds to growth and change. Imbalances here can show as migraines, joint pain, muscle tension and spasms, and hormonal problems. Emotional symptoms may include being overly controlling with volatile emotions, frustration, irritability and easy anger. We may also feel the opposite of this lacking any anger or want of control, having trouble with planning or making decisions.
The Element of Fire - In good health "I Am Joyful and Confident"
Organs/Meridians: Heart and Small Intestine, Heart Constrictor and Triple Heater Colour: Red Season: Summer Climate: Hot
Sense Organ/Sense: Tongue - speech/Hands - touch Taste: Bitter Sound: Laughing
Body Areas Governed: Arteries/Veins Emotion: Joy
The heart and small intestine meridians of the Fire Element are associated with transformation and integration. As these meridians regulate the function of the entire body they have help from the supplementary Fire meridians, the Heart Constrictor and Triple Heater. The Fire element takes things from the world around us and makes them our own, helping to shape our identity or personality. It also asks us to accept and trust who we are, and how we see ourselves. Imbalances in our Fire energy can present as anxiety or agitation, lack of joy, or fluctuating moods flipping to overexcitement and over the top behaviour. Physical symptoms may include blood pressure, blood sugar and temperature fluctuations, heart palpitations and disturbed sleep patterns.
Five Element Theory is a Chinese philosophy used to describe how all things in nature and the world around us interact and relate to each other. The Five Elements of Earth, Metal (the rocks above), Water, Wood (the trees) and Fire (the sunshine) represent the characteristics of the different kinds of energy fields. The Chinese word for energy is “Chi” and the Chinese believe Chi flows through the body along energy channels or meridians. To understand the relationship between the elements and the meridians is one way of grasping the concept of different energetic vibrations. These elements are in constant movement and change, as are our thoughts and our emotions so using Bach Flower Remedies may be one way of helping us to balance the energy of the Five Elements.
The Element of Earth - In good health "I Am Grounded and Supported"
Organs: Stomach and Spleen Colour: Yellow Season: Late Summer Climate: Humidity/Dampness Sense Organ/Sense: Mouth - Taste Taste: Sweet Sound: Singing Body Areas Governed: General Tissues/Muscles Emotion: Empathy/Worry
These organs of this element are associated with ingestion and digestion, the ability to take nourishment from not only our food but also from thoughts, ideas and emotions. The Earth energy is about taking what we need, or think we need from the outside world and using it in the best way we know for our own survival. An imbalance, either too much or too little earth energy, can show up as worry and self-doubt, feeling overprotective, overextended or inert with lethargy, digestive problems, appetite and weight problems, muscle tenderness, and water retention.
The Element of Metal - In good health "I Am Spontaneous and Expressive"
Organs/Meridians: Lung and Large Intestine Colour: White Season: Autumn Climate: Dry Sense Organ/Sense: Nose - smell
Taste: Pungent/Spicy Sound: Weeping Body Areas Governed: Skin Emotion: Grief
The element of Metal is associated with the functions of exchange and elimination; the lungs are the first and last sign of the activity of life. The large intestine is responsible for the processing and elimination of substances that have are no longer necessary. Both are organs of exchange, our communication with the outside world creating boundaries between the external and the internal. The Metal energy is about differentiating between the world around us and our inner world, becoming aware of when we need to turn inward and when it is important to let go. Over or underactive metal energy can manifest as problems with boundaries in regards to connecting and relating to others, rigid thinking and perfectionism, skin problems, dryness in the body, digestive issues, respiratory disorders and breathing difficulties, as well as stiff joints and muscles.
The Element of Water - In good health "I Am Courageous and Energised"
Organs/Meridians: Bladder and Kidney Colour: Blue or Black Season: Winter Climate: Cold Sense Organ/Sense: Ears -hearing
Taste: Salty Sound: Groaning Body Areas Governed: Central Nervous System, Bones, Fluids Emotion: Fear
The Water element is associated with supplying vital energy to the body and purifying body fluids, it is about keeping things fluid or flowing. To keep the water energy in a steady flow we must choose a lifestyle that is moderate and free from abuse in any way. If we mistreat our bodies through eating the wrong foods, misuse of drugs, too much stress and not enough rest, the water energy can become unbalanced and we may become fatigued, lack stamina, suffer from backaches and premature ageing and have problems with our libido. Emotionally we may isolate ourselves and become withdrawn, distrustful, pessimistic and fearful.
The Element of Wood - In good health "I Am Patient and Flexible"
Organs/Meridians: Liver and Gallbladder Colour: Green Season: Spring Climate: Wind Sense Organ/Sense: Eyes - sight
Taste: Sour Sound: Shouting Body Areas Governed: Muscles, Tendons, Ligaments Emotion: Anger
The organs of the Wood element are associated with the functions of storage and distribution. They store, detox and distribute nutrients, securing the vital supply of energy required by the body to remain active. The wood energy is about organising, planning and decision making that leds to growth and change. Imbalances here can show as migraines, joint pain, muscle tension and spasms, and hormonal problems. Emotional symptoms may include being overly controlling with volatile emotions, frustration, irritability and easy anger. We may also feel the opposite of this lacking any anger or want of control, having trouble with planning or making decisions.
The Element of Fire - In good health "I Am Joyful and Confident"
Organs/Meridians: Heart and Small Intestine, Heart Constrictor and Triple Heater Colour: Red Season: Summer Climate: Hot
Sense Organ/Sense: Tongue - speech/Hands - touch Taste: Bitter Sound: Laughing
Body Areas Governed: Arteries/Veins Emotion: Joy
The heart and small intestine meridians of the Fire Element are associated with transformation and integration. As these meridians regulate the function of the entire body they have help from the supplementary Fire meridians, the Heart Constrictor and Triple Heater. The Fire element takes things from the world around us and makes them our own, helping to shape our identity or personality. It also asks us to accept and trust who we are, and how we see ourselves. Imbalances in our Fire energy can present as anxiety or agitation, lack of joy, or fluctuating moods flipping to overexcitement and over the top behaviour. Physical symptoms may include blood pressure, blood sugar and temperature fluctuations, heart palpitations and disturbed sleep patterns.
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