The Five Seasons of Chinese Medicine
The Five Seasons, also known as the Five Elements, are based on Nature's perennial cycles and explain different personality types as well as how to stay healthy throughout the year.
This philosophy was born in ancient China more than 2000 years ago. It is used in Chinese medicine to explain the practice of acupuncture, and it also applies to all aspects of our lives on earth. The seasons that we all know so well each have a different energy, and understanding each energy is key to the health of your body, mind, spirit, and relationships.
The Five Seasons and their associated Elements are:
- Winter - Water
- Spring - Wood
- Summer - Fire
- Late Summer - Earth
- Autumn - Metal
Read on to learn more about the energy of each season and discover which season(s) you resonate with most! Next, see if you can figure out the season(s) that are strongest in your loved ones.
Learning the season(s) that are dominant in yourself and in your loved ones is one of the keys to vibrant wellbeing and successful relationships.
The WATER Element is associated with the deep quiet of the season of Winter. It can be seen in a trickling brook, a tranquil lake, the deep, deep ocean, and a powerful tsunami. The Water Element embodies depth and power. It shows up in people as the ability to be very quiet inside and to deeply listen, or conversely, as someone who runs constantly on adrenaline and is unable to slow down.
In the body, the Water Element relates to the Kidneys and Bladder, and to the bones, the low back, and knees. The emotions and key words associated with the Water Element are fear, deep power, and courage.
The WOOD Element embodies the active energy of the season of Spring, when plants burst up out of the ground and reach eagerly for the sky. The Wood energy in people shows up as leadership, the ability to have vision for the future, and the wherewithal to achieve that vision.
The Wood mantra could be, Grow! Grow! Grow!
In the body, the Wood Element relates to the Liver and Gall Bladder, and to all symptoms resulting from stress, women's menstrual cycles, and the tendons.
The emotions and key words associated with the Wood Element are resentment, anger, and empowerment.
The FIRE Element has the sparkling, warm energy of the season of Summer. It manifests on the spectrum between glowing embers and a raging forest fire. Fire energy in people shows up as warmth, sociability, and laughter, or conversely, as an acute sensation of vulnerability and shyness.
In the body, the Fire Element relates to the Heart and Small Intestine as well as the sensations of warmth and coolness in the body.
The emotions and key words associated with the Fire Element are joy, sadness, fun and play.
The EARTH Element is all about balance and stability. It is often associated with the Late Summer time, when fruits and vegetables have reached perfect ripeness and are brought in for the harvest. People with strong Earth energy love taking care of others and tend to be peacemakers and loyal friends.
In the body, the Earth Element relates to the Stomach and Spleen, and the process of digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
The emotions and key words associated with the Earth Element are worry, obsessive thinking, groundedness, and thoughtfulness.
The METAL Element is associated with the season of Autumn, precious minerals such as diamonds and crystals, and the richness and value of life. The Metal Element reminds us to breathe in the preciousness of existence, and as the trees effortlessly drop their leaves in the Autumn, we are reminded to exhale and let go. People with strong Metal energy tend to appreciate rules, structure, organization, and discipline.
In the body, the Metal Element relates to the Lungs and Large Intestine.
The emotions and key words associated with the Metal Element are grief, honoring, and respect.