The Elements have been used as prescriptive and healing tools for thousands of years in Taoist and Vedic Traditions, and were the foundation of the Platonic understanding of the Universe. Using the Elements as archetypes, we can apply this wisdom to our selves, relationships and spaces to better understand the world and how we move within it.
TAOIST [Chinese Medicine, Feng Shui] : Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
PLATONIC/ VEDIC [Ayurveda, Wastu] : Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Ether/ Space
We are trained in both but here, focus on the Taoist system due to its connection with Feng Shui and building materials/ features. This system is called ‘Wu Xing,’ or ‘Five Phase Theory’ and understands the elements as part of a larger phase, or cycle. Each one has a relationship with every other, rather than being viewed as a static material. More on the cycles later, but follow the diagram clockwise to understand the Creative [or Nourishing] Cycle. Is there a point where one element ends and another begins?
- Wood nourishes Fire
- Fire creates Earth [ash]
- Earth creates Metal [minerals are also considered metal]
- Metal nourishes Water [mineral water, and water via condensation]
- Water nourishes Wood
The physical and metaphorical qualities of The Elements are used to help describe people, relationships, spaces and activities [anything, really…] :
- that activity was grounding [Earth]
- a person is fiery [Fire] or sharp [Metal]
- a space has flow or feels stagnant [Water]*
- their thinking is groundbreaking [Wood]**
*this gets into balanced and imbalanced aspects of an element [covered in a future post]
**this demonstrates a ‘controlling’ relationship between Wood and Earth [see arrows in the center]
PRACTICE
- observe the nature of the elements in nature : what are their qualities, in general? physical, action [or lack thereof], symbolic, etc
- observe your self and others : what are the physical qualities? personality? how do they move and speak? do these qualities align with an element?
- how do you respond to stressful situations?
- when stressed or over-stimulated, what activities are restorative and rejuvenating?