How do Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water mirror the intricacies of human behavior and self-perception?

What insights can we unveil about life's journey through an exclusive composition that intertwines the Five Elements with the seasons?

Explore the profound connection between universal elements and personal growth. 

The Elemental Foundations

According to Taoist teachings, five dynamic forces exist throughout the universe — wood, fire, earth, metal and water. TCM drew upon this ancient wisdom and, through extensive experience, refined it into the concept of the Five Elements. These elements in us are observed and applied in various aspects, such as emotions, tastes, organ systems, pathological factors, as well as time periods and seasons. Their interrelation creates a unique existence that reflects the level of balance in every human being.

Understanding Our True Selves through the Five Elements

The elements represent different qualities and energies and in the clockwise order, they should follow each other in a state of balance.

Wood Element
The Wood element corresponds to childhood and youth, when we discover ourselves and the world, are excited and curious about everything, learn new things, and are creative, but the sense of system has not been developed yet. This can lead to a tendency to do multiple things at once. At this stage, we absorb information, experiences, emotional content, and behavioral patterns from our family and surroundings. The emotion of anger can manifest in case of failure or dissatisfaction.

Fire Element
The fire element manifests more strongly in early adulthood. Here, we develop our skills, express our qualities, are physically and mentally capable, can handle many things, and are expansive with peak self-confidence. We are able to live in joy, but this can also lead to self-centeredness, affected behavior, or hysteria. In pathological cases, manipulation can occur.

Earth Element
The earth element represents maturity and the need for harmony. In this phase, we harvest the first fruits by preserving and utilizing what is necessary and gradually shedding the excess. It develops the ability for self-criticism and empathy, as well as the need to take care of the next generation. However, excessive care can lead to overthinking.

Metal Element
The Metal element is a continuation of deeper self-reflection. We can perceive clear and substantial phenomena on the rational and perceptual level. Often, we give up material needs and value modesty and the discovery of a spiritual dimension. Morality and honor play an important role in our lives. We turn inward more, which, in excess, can lead to sadness and even grief.

Water Element
The Water element symbolizes “settling down”, getting accustomed to oneself, and the time of numerous experiences. If we haven’t discovered the “Yin spirituality” in the previous phase, it now comes into full effect. If we have maintained balance in the previous phases, we can experience old age qualitatively despite the declining energy through the gifts of knowledge, willpower, and good habits. Various forms of anxiety are the negative manifestations.

However, it does not end there. As it is a duality, the second cycle is also considered within the universal cycle. At around the age of 62, one reenters the Wood element and can according to TCM experience the transformative phases, which in the case of a fully harmonious life, may last until the age of 120 years :)

What Does It Mean When One Element Dominates Within Us?

When one element is said to "overweigh" or is predominant, it means that the characteristics and influences associated with that element are more pronounced in the person. For example, a predominance of the wood element might manifest as strong leadership qualities, creativity, and assertiveness, but could also lead to issues like stress, anger, or liver-related health problems if out of balance.

Is It Ideal To Have All Five Elements Balanced Within Ourselves?

The ideal in TCM is not necessarily to have all five elements equally present. In fact, it is impossible to achieve a harmonious balance among them. Hier it is important to mention, that each element supports and controls others in a dynamic equilibrium, known as the generating (Sheng) and controlling (Ke) cycles:

Generating Cycle
Each element acts as a "parent" to nourish and support the next element in the cycle (e.g., water nourishes wood, wood feeds fire, etc.).

Controlling Cycle
Each element also helps to keep the next but one element in check to prevent its overdominance (e.g., wood controls earth, earth dams water, etc.).
This interplay ensures that no element becomes excessively dominant or weak, promoting health and harmony within the body.

Knowing, which element is predominant in oneself, can provide insight into one's physical, emotional, and psychological tendencies, as well as susceptibilities to certain types of illnesses.