Awaken the Elements Within

Amanda Louise
May 22
3 min read

Updated: May 31

Most of us are familiar with the five elements from ancient and indigenous traditions:

air, fire, water, earth, and ether. These elements were used to understand both nature and the human experience — a map to the universe inside and out.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Qi-Gong, a similar yet distinct system is used: metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. These Five Elements are not just poetic symbols — they represent real energies within you, connected to your organs, emotions, seasons, and even the time of day.

As more of us begin to reconnect with nature, there’s a growing longing for harmony, rhythm, and vitality — something our ancestors embodied and understood. If you’ve felt an inner ache or found yourself tired of being tired, the Five Elements might help you come back into balance.

Let’s explore what they represent and how they show up in your life:

🪙 METAL

Season: Autumn 🍂
Organs: Lungs & Large Intestine
Emotion (in balance): Clarity, inspiration, presence
Emotion (out of balance): Grief, rigidity, self-criticism
Time of Day: 3am–7am

Metal teaches us the power of letting go. Just as trees release their leaves in fall, we’re invited to release old stories, grievances, what weighs us down, breathe deeply, and return to what truly matters.

🌊 WATER

Season: Winter ❄️
Organs: Kidneys & Bladder
Emotion (in balance): Trust, stillness, wisdom
Emotion (out of balance): Fear, anxiety, exhaustion
Time of Day: 3pm–7pm

Water asks us to rest, replenish, and trust the flow. When Water is weak, we can feel fearful, frozen, or overly withdrawn. When strong, it nourishes deep reserves of strength and intuition.

🌱 WOOD

Season: Spring 🌸
Organs: Liver & Gallbladder
Emotion (in balance): Motivation, vision, patience
Emotion (out of balance): Anger, frustration, control
Time of Day: 11pm–3am

Wood is growth and vision. When balanced, we move through life with purpose and flexibility. When imbalanced, we may feel stuck, easily angered, or overly controlling.

🔥 FIRE

Season: Summer ☀️
Organs: Heart & Small Intestine
Emotion (in balance): Joy, connection, love
Emotion (out of balance): Burnout, anxiety, mania
Time of Day: 11am–3pm

Fire brings warmth, expression, and joy. It's what helps us connect authentically. When Fire is out of balance, we may burn too hot—leading to overexcitement, restlessness, or even emotional disconnection.

🌾 EARTH

Season: Late Summer or Seasonal Transitions
Organs: Spleen & Stomach
Emotion (in balance): Groundedness, compassion, nourishment
Emotion (out of balance): Worry, overthinking, co-dependence
Time of Day: 7am–11am

Earth grounds and stabilizes. It offers support, nurtures the center, and helps us feel safe. Without it, we may feel lost, overextended, or disconnected from nourishment.

The Cycles of the Five Elements

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Five Elements aren’t static — they exist in dynamic relationship through two main cycles:

The Generating (Creation) Cycle — Nourishing Each Other

Each element supports the next, like a circle of life:

Wood feeds Fire (like kindling for a flame)
Fire creates Earth (ash returns to soil)
Earth produces Metal (minerals within the ground)
Metal enriches Water (minerals help water flow)
Water nourishes Wood (helping plants grow)

When this cycle is flowing, we feel vibrant, connected, and balanced.

The Controlling (Regulation) Cycle — Keeping Balance

This cycle helps prevent excess by keeping elements in check:

Wood controls Earth (roots breaking through soil)
Earth controls Water (dams and earth banks)
Water controls Fire (extinguishing flames)
Fire controls Metal (melting metal)
Metal controls Wood (axes cutting trees)

When one element becomes excessive or deficient, the regulating cycle steps in. But if these relationships become strained (e.g., Fire overpowering Water), disharmony can appear in the body or emotions.

🌀 Do These Patterns Feel Familiar?

Overwhelmed, anxious, or fearful? → You may have too much Water or a weak Earth to hold and ground you.
Frustrated, easily angered, or trying to control outcomes? → These may be Wood imbalances needing flexibility and expression.
Tired, burnt out, or disconnected? → Your Fire or Water may need replenishing.