The Five Elements, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, are Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. Fire promotes Earth; Earth promotes Metal; Metal promotes Water; Water promotes Wood. We see these interactions in the natural world. After a fire, many nutrients are returned to the earth thus making it very fertile again and ready to support abundant life once more and so we say that Fire promotes Earth. Metal is formed within the Earth, thusly we say that Earth promotes Metal. As water courses through the veins of the earth, it picks up minerals along the way which become part of the water. These minerals are metals. Most of the minerals picked up are required by living things in order to promote good growth. Because of this we say that Metal promotes Water. Water, being a fundamental requirement for life, supports all that grows and lives. Plant life takes the water and grows into a food source for animals. Water, then, promotes Wood. When plant material has reached its pinnacle of existence, conditions make for excessive fuel which, when sparked, becomes an inferno. Wood, in turn, promotes Fire and so the cycle continues. We call this the cycle of generation.
The elements have more than one job though. The cycle of generation is referred to as the "parenting" cycle because of the nurturing that is present while the cycle of control is referred to as the "grandparenting" cycle because of the disciplinary relationship. In this relationship, Fire controls Metal; Metal controls Wood; Wood controls Earth; Earth controls Water; Water controls Fire. Metal is not easily molded and shaped unless it has been heated by fire. Once forged into tools, metal is used to cut wood and shape wood. Roots of plants serve not only the plant that they are connected to but they also help to hold onto soil. In this regard, roots act as erosion control and thus control the earth. River banks are comprised of earth and prevent the water from going wherever it wants to. The earthen banks guide the flowing waters and so Earth controls Water. Fires that rage out of hand are controlled by water. Water extinguishes fire by cooling it and by depleting it of oxygen.
Each element is represented by many different characteristics and each element contains Yin and Yang. Emotions, flavors, smells, organs, body parts and foods are some of the many associations that can be made to the Elements. In future posts, I will describe each individual element and discuss its relationship to the other elements. I will discuss how Fire allows us joy while Earth brings worry. I will show you how Metal keeps us alive while Water gives us life. Wood will not be left out because without it, you would not be able to see this post.
The information contained herein is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition, nor to insult or demean anyone or any being. Please respect this boundary. Otherwise, anything goes.
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