What are The Five Elements?
The Five Element system evolved out of a need to understand and interpret the world around us. Through careful observation, the ancient Chinese were able to see various patterns.
The number Five was found to be particularly useful for describing natural cycles. In every cycle in life you can see the workings of these five fundamental movements of energy.
The names given to these five phases are:
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water.
In the cycle of the seasons, we can see the clearest manifestation of the five elements.
WOOD is associated with Spring and growth, with having a vision for our lives,
with planning and decision-making and the anger and frustration we feel when thwarted. It gives us the ability to set goals and be decisive,
but also to be flexible and adapt easily. We move forward in life, but are not overly driven.
FIRE goes with Summer, with the maturing of our lives, our plans and our visions. It is
associated with joy and our ability to have relationships, make friends, love and be loved, and have fun. It gives us the joy of a keen and lively
intelligence. We feel connected to life all around us.
Classical Five-Element Acupuncture
Classical Five-Element Acupuncture (CF-EA), as taught by Professor J.R. Worsley, is unique among the various types of traditional acupuncture. It doesn't
palliate your symptoms. It derives its remarkable effectiveness by treating the Causative Factor (CF) of your illness.
The Causative Factor is the name given to the element whose weakness is the key to all the patterns of disharmony within your body, mind and spirit.
This is the one you rely on most when you are ill or under stress.
The aim of diagnosis is to find out which element this is for you.
The treatment using natural laws will support this element in its role of maintaining your health and balance.
Take wood for example. Spring time is characterised by a powerful upward and outward movement. Young shoots burst through hard ground and seemingly dead branches spring back to life.
In us, this Wood energy manifests in the liver and gallbladder. The liver is actually the organ that is most capable of rejuvenation. Given the right conditions your liver can regrow itself fully even after it has sustained 60% damage.
Each element also manifests at the emotional level. Wood gives us the ability to be exuberant and assertive.
When this exuberance becomes blocked, we become frustrated and without hope.
For example, if your Causative Factor is in the Wood element, the focus of your treatment at my Five Element Acupuncture Dublin practice will be on strengthening the flow of energy in your liver and gallbladder meridians.
This in turn will bring balance and health to all parts of your body, mind and spirit. You will experience less frustration and a sense of exuberance. You
will also feel an increased sense of hope in the future and a greater clarity of vision.
EARTH is associated with Late Summer, (Harvest time), and with the reaping of the harvest of
our plans in our lives, in our work and in our families. Earth gives us the ability to take care of ourselves and others, and to feel sympathy for
the suffering of others. When we are well-nourished by healthy food, stimulating information and the loving care of others, we feel secure, grounded
and content.
METAL is represented by Autumn, when the trees let go of their leaves. Like the trees, we
need to be able to let go of old beliefs, old possessions, old relationships, the past. Metal also gives us the ability to take in, to be inspired,
to see the Divine within us and around us. Metal goes with the grief we feel when we don’t recognize our own value, can’t let go of the past, and
aren’t inspired. Metal gives value to our lives.
WATER is associated with Winter, when rain and snow replenish the reserves that spring will
draw upon. We also have reserves within us that give us the will and determination to move forward in life. Excessive demands on or squandering of
our reserves of energy, money or abilities can make us fear for our survival. We must relax and rest and replenish our reserves.
Just as the Five Elements all exist in nature they are also inside of us, as we are a microcosm of nature. If you consider the care required
to tend a garden, certain plants need more water, richer soil, and more sun than other plants. Some do better in the shade, need less water
and require fewer nutrients. We humans are the same way. Classical Five Element Acupuncture (CF-EA) brings all of this into focus. We need just the right balance of all the elements
in order to be healthy, in good balance, and to feel our best. Through acupucture treatment this can be achieved.
Relying on natural laws, CF-EA recognizes that the health of your entire body, mind and spirit must be taken into account in order to fully diagnose the
cause of your illness. Only then can the most effective help be offered to you so that you can regain your balance and health on all levels.
