Five element acupuncture is a therapy that aims to balance the flow of Qi (chi) around the body to promote health. The acupuncture meridians are paired (Yin and Yang) and each pair is called an Element.
The energy system is only as strong as the weakest part of the system. Normally one element will be slightly more out of balance than the others giving each person their Causative Factor (CF). The CF gives itself away through our skin colouring, our voice pattern, our odour and the emotions we are prone to.
Look at the people around you and try to find their CF.
A typical Fire CF has a reddish complexion, a tendency to hide behind comedy (e.g. Billy Connoly). Laughter invades the voice pattern and is often used as a way of hiding vulnerability.
The "earth mother" type with the sing song voice is typical of the Earth CF person. Earth element complexion has yellowish tones. Their tendency to put on weight may be symptomatic of their need to be fed. Earth element consists of Stomach and Spleen meridians.
The metal CF person, typified by Queen Elizabeth II, is a person of quality (or total degradation when out of balance) whose thin drooping voice quality is symptomatic of a deficiency of energy in the lung meridian. Their skin often seems to have a whitish film over it.
The Water type is often a rather deep and secretive person whose overriding emotion is often fear of failure. They are prone to become obsessional and often have odd voices tones ranging from the thin end of the spectrum (a little brook) to the booming sonorous voice (a flooding river). Water colouring could show as bluish tinges here and there.
The Wood type is a visionary and creative person who loves to build and see their visions transformed into reality. They are often people who become involved in politics as their sense of fairness leads them to champion causes. Their complexion is often greenish and they are prone to become angry when their will is frustrated.
The five elements are the five types of energy within the system:
- Fire energy is warming and relates to the heart and emotions
- Earth energy is calming and helps one to feel grounded
- Metal energy relates to the spiritual aspect of the body that governs the quality of our life experience.
- Water energy governs our basic reserves of energy endowed through our genetic makeup and our stamina for life.
- Wood energy is strong and forceful and governs our energy, enthusiasm and vision for life.