Before we break-down the five Elements we must be reminded that they are parts of a whole. They do not exist in isolation, but rather in relationship to one another. The elements are manifestations of energy transforming. Nothing is created nor destroyed: everything shifts into different forms of movement and expression.
We must always remind ourselves, however, of a starting point which it is very easy for us to forget, that there is only the One, not the Many. Putting it this way may sound unduly mystical and alien to the western ear but it is a truth to which we shall return over and over again. The ancient Chinese never saw the Elements as five distinct ‘things’ or ‘types of matter’ because ultimately there is only one Qi energy and one Dao. Qi energy, the vital life force, constitutes and shapes everything on the face of the earth. It is in a state of constant change and transformation, and the patterns of its movement create and sustain all living things.
The five Elements express and embody the aspects of this change and movement within Qi energy. Each Element describes a particular phase of its movement and the particular qualities which belong to that part of its changing patterns. Together the Elements help us to understand the process of dynamic harmony and balance in the whole system of energy. Through this they give us the insight which allows us to promote balance by our systems of medicine. When we look at individual Elements, therefore, we always have to keep in our minds that we are looking only at parts of a much larger picture. — J.R. Worsley
Five Element Theory identifies five elements with distinct properties that compose and represent the natural world. The elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. All of the elements exist within nature and all of the elements exist within us. These elements are in relationship to one another — they can feed, dampen and balance each other. An imbalance in one element will affect another and often our symptoms don’t simply point to one element but a root cause somewhere else in the system.
The best way to learn about the elements is to become intimate with them — looking, touching, listening, tasting and noticing how they behave.
What are the qualities of Wood?
What are the qualities of Fire?
What are the qualities of Earth?
What are the qualities of Metal?
What are the qualities of Water?
Ecosystems thrive when the elements are in balance with each other. Imbalance can be caused by depletion, interruptions of natural cycles, poisoning or overgrowth. Similarly, humans experience health issues from deficiency, stagnation, chaos or excess. In nature, balance is achieved through symbiosis, interdependence and controls. To restore a human system that has been suppressed in some way, we can look to the ways in which nature returns to balance and find a pathway back to internal harmony.
This may seem obvious: we absolutely need trees, fire, fertile earth, metal (minerals) and water to survive. J.R. Worsley’s reminder that there is only One, not Many, indicates that harm and destruction never just affects one element, rather it has a significant impact on the entire ecosystem.
Five element theory draws threads between the elements and other aspects of life. Each element is associated with a season, a direction, emotions (balanced & imbalanced), organs in the body, colors, tastes and more. See page 20 in Sarah Powers book Insight Yoga for a table expanding upon these connections.
Observing the elements with the congruent season is an especially powerful way to relearn about nature within and without.
Wood — Spring
Fire — Summer
Earth — Late Summer
Metal — Autumn
Water — Winter
Re-tuning into your senses, what do you see, smell, hear, touch, taste and feel during this season?