The Five Element Wheel
What is The Five Element Wheel?
The Five Element Wheel is a diagram depicting the flow of energies within the natural world, the human body, and the entire Cosmos.
Each element (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal) reflects different energetic qualities and characteristics. The energy, or qi (pronounced chi), when in optimal balance and health, flows clockwise along the wheel. The model above describes this movement in two dimensions, moving from Water, to Wood, to Fire, to Earth, to Metal and so forth. Without exerting too much imagination, we can envision qi flowing and transforming its elemental energies in 3 dimensions in space like a sphere. As we gain further understanding of the dynamics of energy, we can start to comprehend energetic movement around an infinite number of dimensions, as would best be described utilizing quantum physics. For now, to gain a better understanding of what the wheel symbolizes and is trying to convey, we can consider the 5 element wheel in just 2 dimensions. But keep in mind, despite its apparent simplicity, the model has great potential in explaining the laws of the universe as observed in the natural world.
The Five Element Wheel and Organ Systems
Each of the 5 elements corresponds to at least two different organ systems; The kidney and bladder systems correspond to the water element, the liver and gallbladder systems correspond to the wood element. The heart, small intestine, pericardium and the triple burner (an organ system in Chinese medicine without a comparative organ system in Western medicine) are all associated with the Fire Element. The Spleen and Stomach organ systems are associated with the Earth element, while the Metal element corresponds the lungs system and the large intestines. Unlike the understanding of organ functions in western medicine, the organ systems in Chinese medicine do not correspond to just the organ itself, but rather to an pattern of energy flow and distribution throughout the body, along discreet channels or meridians. A 5-Element practitioner interprets signs within the body depicting changes in energy movement, such as qi stagnation or deficiency, and can then map the signs in the body to different organ systems corresponding to one or more of the elements on the 5-Element wheel. Knowledge of these flow patterns thus aids the 5-Element practitioner in diagnosis and treatment of the patient.
The Five Element Wheel and the Natural World
As mentioned, the 5 element wheel reflects not just the energetic patterns within the human body, but the energetic patterns throughout the natural world and cosmos. The area outside of the wheel depicts the movement of energies as seen in the seasons of the year. The seasons along the wheel move from winter (Water), to spring (Wood), to summer (Fire), to late summer (Earth) and then Fall (Metal). Inside the wheel, qi is reflected in our emotional states. Our emotions are affected by the degree of harmony and balance within the mind (our internal world), but also our emotional states are affected by the degree of harmony or disharmony existing within the body, and the degree of balance or imbalance existing externally, from the outside the wheel (our external environment) as well.
Emotions and the Five Element Wheel
For example, both fear and wisdom are associated with the Water element. The degree or intensity one experiences of fear and/or wisdom depends on one’s physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing at any given moment in time, as well as the influences and forces coming from the external world. Other emotion states and psychological perspectives are described and understood in the context of the 5 Element Wheel. I’ll provide the briefest description of confluences of emotional states as they resonate with their associated elements as follows:
Anger, creative initiative, and decision-making abilities are associated with the Wood element.
Joy and sorrow due to difficulties in relationships are associated with the Fire Element.
Worrying and ruminative thought as well as compassionate care of others are all associated with the Earth element.
The Metal element is associated with the emotions of grief and sorrow and also with righteousness, a keen appreciation for detail and the intricate beauty observed in the natural world.
In the center of the wheel is a single point of stillness; the North Star. It is around this point that all the heavens rotate. The North Star on the wheel symbolizes a point of stillness and unity within our inner universe, as our internal world is a reflection of our external universe.
The Promise of Renewal in the Water Element
As one moves through a process of healing from old wounds and trauma, one eventually reaches an opportunity for transformation. There is a point of transformation depicted on the lower aspect of the 5 Element Wheel, which represents qi moving from the Metal Element to the Water Element. The Metal element symbolically represents the season of Late Fall, a time when nature is ‘letting go’ and preparing for winter. Leaves fall from the trees and the days become shorter and colder. The Metal element corresponds to the organ systems of the Lung and the Large Intestine and the emotions of grief, loss, and sorrow. The Water element is represented in the season of winter, when the natural world exists in a relative coldness and darkness. But, even within the coldest and darkest of winter, there is always a promise of renewal once spring arrives. The Water element also corresponds the emotion of Fear, which can be paralyzing when out of balance within an individual. But, when the water element is in balance within the body of an individual and in connection to others, great wisdom can manifest. We depend on the promise of spring to make it through the darkness of winter. To use this promise metaphorically, we must also depend on the hope that spring will come again to make it through our Darkest Hour. It is this promise of hope that propels us forward, and pushes us beyond our fears and doubts.
Transformation occurs after we have let go of our sorrows, our past traumas, grief, and addictions, thus making room for new ways of being. We cross a threshold by first letting go of all that no longer serves us, just as fall prepares us for winter. Moving through this process can be difficult. It brings uncertainty and risks while traveling through a seemingly dark abyss. Yet, in the darkness, there is also possibility. The Point of Transformation is the moment in which something new is created from apparent nothing. It is understood symbolically as an ending giving rise to a new beginning, from death giving rise to rebirth. As one crosses the point of transformation, from Metal to Water, one can emerge reborn, with a life full of new possibilities and new beginnings.
