The five elements
An important principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the doctrine of the five elements. The starting point here is that everything is in motion and influences each other. This can be seen in the rhythm of day and night, the seasons, and the functioning of humans. According to traditional Chinese thinking, there are five seasons. The fifth season is what we call late summer. Each season is associated with an element. The elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. The connection between the seasons and the elements is as follows:
- Spring belongs to Wood
Is Yang: nature awakens, energy is outward. - Summer belongs to the Fire element
Is Yang: nature is in full bloom, explosive energy. - Late summer is associated with Earth
Is both Yin and Yang: harvest time; nature experiences a final bloom but also prepares for the introspection of autumn, balancing energy. - Autumn belongs to Metal
Is Yin: nature turns inward, energy is inward. - Finally, winter is associated with Water
Is Yin: nature is at rest, concentrated energy.
Organs
In addition to corresponding with the seasons, the elements also correspond with the organs in the body.
Do you wear your heart on your sleeve?
Or maybe you have something on your mind?
Can you talk passionately about something?
These Dutch expressions seem to be directly borrowed from Chinese elemental theory. How do the organs fit into elemental theory? An example: someone with a morning mood has difficulty getting started in the morning and is quickly irritable. The energy of the morning belongs to the Wood element. The emotion associated with Wood is anger. The organ associated with this is the Liver. By stimulating the energy of the Liver, balance is restored and life energy increases. The morning mood disappears because getting up is no longer a struggle. It is likely that this will lead to a more cheerful outlook on life. Within Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver is an important organ because it regulates the flow and spread of life energy. It is responsible for planning and organization in the body. Disruptions in liver energy have a significant impact on our lives. Indeed, emotions such as anger and irritation greatly diminish our joy of life. Therefore, the acupuncturist will always carefully examine the functioning of the Liver.
Balance
Any change in the natural cycle inside or outside the body triggers a reaction. This reaction is intended to restore balance. Phenomena such as spring fatigue and winter depression are the result of disruptions in the natural cycle. We also see the five elements reflected in emotions, tastes, colors, climates, and so on. Understanding this connection is the basis from which the acupuncturist works.
