Within the philosophy of Chinese Medicine, there are various elements; Wood, Metal, Water, Fire and Earth. Each element has its own power and it is thought that who you are, how you react to things, how you relate to other people etc. is defined by one particular element. You may be a mixture of elements but it is likely that you will identify with one, more strongly than the others.
Sally Webb, our Chinese Acupuncturist at Courtyard likes to use well-known people to illustrate the characteristics of an element. In the case of Wood, she cites Jeremy Paxman and Anne Robinson. Like ‘em or loathe ‘em these are forceful, direct people with lots of focused energy.
The five elements are also used to define periods during the calendar year. Wood defines a period where there is a sense of powerful energy, new growth, green shoots coming up and bursts of directed activity. This can be a fantastic time if you are able to harness that energy, using it perhaps to make a big change in your life, get that job, get out of a situation that has been holding you back, lose weight, stop smoking, tell someone you love them.
Beware, however, there is a catch with the Wood season which coincides with early spring. Spring is considered a ‘transitional’ season, the bridge between winter, when there is stillness and a sense of retreat from the world, and summer when life is in full flow. A lot of energy is required to make that adjustment from a period of low to high activity, what if you’re not feeling up to that? Perhaps because of anxiety, worry, depression or illness, you’re not equipped for a big burst of activity? What if all this directed energy and enthusiasm is antagonistic or irritating to you? Interestingly, Wood is also a period associated with anger.
There is a tendency for us to fight the natural pattern of the seasons, to push ourselves through fatigue or to miss opportunities when energy is available to help us on our way.
Chinese Acupuncture can help by assisting you to ride a wave of positive energy and achieve your goals, but also by treating the vulnerabilities within an element. After identifying areas of weakness, acupuncture aims to provide support and nourishment, restoring balance and making you better able to take on life’s challenges.
Curious to know more?
If you’ve found these concepts interesting and feel that Chinese Acupuncture may be able to help you, please give us a call or email us and arrange a consultation with Sally Webb. She is a unique person and therapist. Your experience with her will be rich and unexpected.
01453 548119
info@courtyardclinic.com