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Secrets of the Seasons and their Five Elements
Are You Seasonally Well?
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a body in balance does not have symptoms. Symptoms are signals that an imbalance exists somewhere. It’s as simple as that.
If you are running a low-grade fever, this is a warning sign for the body that something needs attention. If you have an upset stomach after every meal or when you eat a particular food, there is something in your digestive system that is out of whack. If you get headaches with certain triggers, have excess weight that you are carrying, get cramps with your menstrual cycle every month, or allergies with the change of the seasons–these things do not happen to a body that is in balance. A body in balance thinks clearly, digests efficiently, emotes healthily and is energized appropriately. Yet most of us have our share of either temporary or chronic health-related symptoms.
So what’s your body telling you?
The cool thing is, we can get clues and answers about how to better balance our internal systems by observing what’s going on in Nature. According to the principles of TCM and the teachings found in TCM’s Five Element Theory, our body systems are connected to the cycles of Nature and its seasons (in TCM, there’s a FIFTH season that I will tell you about!) Different aspects of the Five Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood, can guide us to what needs our attention, and how to reawaken our body’s innate ability to heal. Nature’s blueprint leads us to to the source of imbalances and provides us with options for improving our state of health. The more we know about our interconnection with Nature’s laws and the Five Elements, the better we can align our lifestyle choices with the rhythms of each season for optimal wellness.
When we work with these deeply ingrained, ancient patterns of Nature and not against them, we start to see symptoms fall away, almost effortlessly. Despite this information being around for thousands of years, most people are just learning about it for the first time. It’s never too late to benefit from this ancient wisdom. Familiarize yourself with the information here, and learn more about each season’s unique traits and the different ways you can improve your health naturally. Following the various aspects of each of the five seasons of traditional Chinese medicine can help correct the root cause of many of our health concerns, resulting in true healing and wholeness.
Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” – Henry David Thoreau