The Air Element

(In Chinese Medicine, the element of air is known as Metal.  However in Wu Tao we  refer to it as the Air element.)  The key words for this element are release and letting go. We keep ourselves in balance by letting go of what no longer serves us. Physically this may involve shedding foods from our diet that build mucous and fat. Emotionally, we can release old grief and issues from the past.

Air is associated with:

  • Autumn
  • The colour white
  • The emotion of Grief
  • Sound of weeping.
  • Time of day 3-7 am

The Air element governs the Lung and Large Intestine organs.  The Lung control respiration, the taking in of oxygen and pure Qi and the exhalation of carbon dioxide and toxins or impure Qi.  They are also responsible for the distribution of Qi through the body, sending in down (from the lungs) and dispersing it through the body. The lung has a special relationship with the skin and its protective functions, helping the skin to work as part of our immune system, the lung circulates Qi to just under our skin.

The Large Intestine is responsible for absorbing water from food and fluids, storing the waste that is left and eliminating this from the body. It is our ability to let go of impurities, things we no longer need, in a physical way.  Imbalances in the Large Intestine can result in too much fluid being reabsorbed, or not enough, resulting in constipation or diarrhea.

The Water Element

Water is associated with:

  • Winter
  • The colour blue/black
  • The emotion of fear
  • The sound of groaning
  • Time of day is 3-7 pm.

The Water element in Oriental Medicine, is the source of all life. It governs the body’s deepest structures and tissues, including the bones, marrow, central nervous system, brain and spinal cord.  Water governs the Kidneys and Bladder organs and meridians.

The Kidneys store Qi passed on to us from our parents, (prenatal or constitutional Qi), as well as Qi we bring in through breathing and eating. We deplete our Qi reserves by over-work, stress, not enough sleep, deficient diet and too much sex or child-bearing.  Moderation is the key to conserving our energy and protecting our storehouse of Qi.

The Kidneys govern the bones, that which is deepest and densest in the body and this includes the teeth. Also the marrow and the central nervous system including the brain.

The Bladder transforms impure fluids from the Kidneys into urine, then stores and excretes. However, in TCM, its meridian function is far more important. The points of the Bladder meridian which lie on either side of the spine, directly influence the workings of all the bodily organs and functions. Thus any long-term imbalance in Bladder Qi will affect the back, and the energy in the Bladder meridian will influence posture, since it gives strength and support to the back.

The Wood Element

Wood energy is the strength and urge to grow and live. Wood energy expresses through a person as creativity and self-expression.  It is unique to each person and this movement and growth, when balanced and flowing, easily harmonises with the rest of life in all its expressions.

Wood energy corresponds with:

  • Spring
  • The colour green
  • The emotion of Anger
  • The sound of shouting
  • Time of Day 11 pm – 3 am

The Liver’s main job is to store blood and regulate the smooth flow of Qi.  Stagnation of Liver Chi occurs when the Liver is not able to maintain a smooth flow of Chi through the body and its meridians.  This can create a range of symptoms that include pain, PMT, mood swings, depression and digestive symptoms.

As the Wood energy is about self-expression, repression of emotions and feelings can affect the Wood organs.  Imbalances in Liver energy are often caused by the suppression of emotions, anger and resentment being most common.  Problems with the eyes and tendons can be related to the imbalances in Wood energy as both are associated with Wood.

The Gall Bladder’s function is to store and secrete bile (produced by surplus Qi in the Liver). By doing this it assists the Liver with the smooth distribution of Chi.  On a physical level, the Gall Bladder Meridian runs down the sides of the body.  It keeps the hips level, gives flexibility to the sides of the torso, strengthens the shoulders and neck and gives us coordination, flexibility and balance.

The Fire Element

The Fire element is associated with transformation, light, warmth, excitement and passion. Out of all the elements Fire, has immense power in that it can transform and effect change swiftly and irreversibly. Clay can become pottery, food can be cooked, yet, with too much heat all can be burned and destroyed.

The Fire element is associated with:

  • Summer
  • The colour is Red
  • The emotion of Joy
  • Sound of laughing
  • Time of Day 11 am-3 pm & 7 pm -11 pm

The Fire element governs the Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium and Triple Heater Meridians. The main function of the Heart is to house the Spirit (Shen in TCM). The Spirit, or ‘spark of consciousness’ is that which unifies Heaven and Earth in human beings. According to Taoist philosophy, the Heart must be tranquil and empty of disturbing emotions in order to house the spirit.

The Heart in perfect circumstances, embodies spacious, pure, unattached consciousness.  Emotions, though they come and go, do not disturb the Spirit. The Spirit is able to radiate out, with contentment and compassion.

The Heart transforms Food Qi into Blood and is responsible for the circulation of Blood and for the condition of the blood vessels.

The function of the Small Intestine is to separate the ‘pure from the impure’ both physically and psychologically.  Physically, it receives food and fluids, separates it into ‘pure’ which is taken to the organs and limbs (by the Spleen), and ‘impure’ which is sent down to the Large Intestine and Bladder for excretion.

On a psychological level, the Small Intestine receives and ‘digests’ all sensory impressions, and then decides what is appropriate (pure) for our needs and discards the rest (impure).  Accepting inappropriate information may lead to dysfunction in the body/mind causing emotional and mental confusion

The Pericardium and Triple Heater Meridians both have protective functions.  The Pericardium, which is the muscle around the Heart, physically protects the heart from being damaged by external influences, emotional trauma and shock. On an energetic level its main function is to protect the Spirit, where it acts as a barrier to energetic influences which may have a detrimental or unwanted effect.

The Triple Heater, which has no equivalent form in western medicine, has a number of functions, one of which is to regulate body temperature. The Triple Heater operates as Three Spaces in the body. Each one deals with a particular area of the body and governs certain organs. In simple terms, it keeps Qi flowing through each Burner which enables the other organs to perform their function correctly.

The Earth Element

The Earth element is associated with stability, support, and nourishment.  It is the mother of all life, is fertile and able to sustain and support life.   The Earth nourishes Herself in this way and us with it.

The Earth element is associated with:

  • Late Summer
  • The colour yellow
  • The emotion is Worry/over-thinking
  • The sound of singing
  • Time of day is 7-11 am

The Spleen and Stomach are the organs associated with the Earth element. The main function of the Spleen is to transform food and fluid into Qi, fluid and blood that the body can easily use. It also works with the Stomach in moving these substances through the body.

The Stomach is responsible for the downward movement of food and Food Qi through the digestive system.  When this function is weakened, food may stay in the stomach, giving a feeling of fullness or bloating, or the Qi may rise up causing nausea, vomiting or belching.

A healthy Spleen and Stomach energy give us a good appetite, digestion and abundant physical energy.  Symptoms of imbalance in this energy include physical fatigue, bloating, digestive problems, prolapse of organs and tiredness.