What is the Five Elements Theory?
The Five Elements Theory describes the relationship between the different elements in nature and our life force energy (or qi, pronounced chi) which flows through them.
In Chinese Medicine, the Five Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth Metal and Water are the basic elements of the material world.
What are the Five Elements?
The elements are continually evolving and changing within you, and some become stronger and more dominant and different stages of our lives. Everyone is born under a corresponding element, but the balance of the elements will continue to change and shift throughout that person’s life.
Each element has unique characteristics and each one is associated with a season, colour, personality type and area of the body.
The characteristics of each Element assist Chinese medicine practitioners to view each Element individually as well as their relationship with one another. They can then help their patients better balance their physical and mental health, thus supporting their entire mind, body, and soul.
Characteristics of the Five Elements
Wood
The Wood element holds the energy of Spring when nature is re-emerging from the slumber of winter. Its energy is gentle at first and then breaks through the earth with an exploding energy in a glory of creative growth.
Wood energy therefore corresponds to youth, energy, and growth. It makes us feel creative, inspired, and active. When Wood energy is out of balance, however, we become stuck. We find ourselves unable to move forward or to plan for the future. This can create a build up of frustration or irritability which can manifest itself as angry outbursts or mood swings.
Fire
Summer is the season associated with the Fire Element. The hottest months of the year, nature is at its peak of growth and plants are radiant with beautiful flowers. This is the phase of maturity, heat, love, and manifestation.
Our fire energy helps us to step into the limelight, showing off our gifts, beauty and truths. Fire energy is about passion and charisma, with Fire personalities often being the centre of attention.
When fire energy is out of balance, we can be impulsive and sometimes irritable. It can become hard to express ourselves, leading to agitation and anxiety.
Earth
Earth energy is the period in between each season where the energy is in transition from one season to the next. It is particularly prevalent at the end of the summer. It offers a sense of security and the feeling of being rooted, calm and focused.
Earth is the mother of life, always there to nurture, soothe and support us. Therefore, when in harmony, Earth energy helps us to feel confident and secure. We can cope with change and see it as an opportunity for growth.
When out of harmony, we find it easy to stagnate and don’t venture out of our comfort zone. Life’s uncertainty can become frightening, and we become averse to taking risks, becoming obsessive, striving for perfection. We can feel off balance, disconnected and confused.
Metal
The Metal element holds the energy of Autumn. This is the season of harvest, reaping what you have sown and sorting pure from impure. The weather cools and nature dim its lights. Plants get rid of what they no longer need, shedding their leaves.
When in balance, the Metal energy calls for soul searching and going within, finding your truth. It is a time to reflect and to face unresolved grief.
When out of balance we can be hyper critical, over disciplined, direct, and cold. We may wallow in grief, lose our self-worth or struggle with feelings of depression.
Water
The Water element holds the energy of Winter. The energy returns deep inside, plants become dormant, it is a time of rest. This is the time for us to become still and quiet, just to be.
Fearlessness and determination are signs of Water energy. Water personalities are old souls, and are wise, reflective, and private. It signifies a time to face your fears and vulnerabilities.
Out of balance, the Water element can create feelings of fear, paranoia, indecisiveness, and exhaustion. Burn out can be very common.
How Skincare Uses the Five Elements
Skincare and massage therapy can apply the theory of the Five Elements in treatments.
The products and treatments in our skincare range can be used to personalise to a clients element.
The client has the opportunity to choose their element. They have the option to choose it based on their birth year, emotion or skin type.
Our products work synergistically to create unique treatments that will balance out each element for the client. For example, a wood imbalance can be associated with acne. The specific treatment can then be selected using products from our wood range, to rebalance the wood energy.
To find out more about our TCM inspired skincare range please email contactus@ashmirabotanica.com or call 01823428588.
