The Five Energy Needs

The Five Elements Philosophy is an observation of natural rhythms, cycles and energy flow. It is called the five ELEMENTs because it begins with the basic essences of nature, fire, earth, metal (mineral), water, and wood.

A basic nature observation is the shift of seasons. Fire is associated with summer, earth with late summer, the time of harvest, metal with fall, water with winter, and wood with spring.

Fire: The energy of acquisition

To acquire = to obtain an asset (useful, of value) for oneself.

This is the energy of me, my, and mine…to more fully indulge in your heart’s desires and passions. If you need this energy, you will feel unappreciated in your relationships. You will observe that people take you for granted, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to please them. They may even blame you for their own struggles and problems

Increasing this energy begins with honoring your preferences and opinions. You never “don’t know, or don’t care,” rather you always share what you prefer or think. Take a guess. (And while I use the words “think and guess” it actually forces you to rely on your heart desire to answer…your head is the location of “I don’t know”) What I mean is, when asked a question, such as, “where would you like to eat”…always give an answer. If you can’t think of anything, just clear your mind of thoughts, through focus on the topic and provide the first thing that comes to mind. I believe that first answer is

heart…gut…intuition. If you are willing to do this, you will begin to hear that message more loud and clear.

Fire energy includes acquiring time for your greatest passions and interests, which should include yourself (a massage or manicure), what you like to do (dance, sing, paint, play, read, write, etc.), what you like to see (waterfalls, castles, oceans), and what you like to hear (music, teachers, gurus, conversation, etc.) This energy is all about having fun, and enjoying life, through self indulgence (let’s rename that “self-responsibility to your heart”).

Fire energy wants it to be “your turn.” You are important enough to get what you want, at least some of the time.

If you have served other people a large percentage of your life, and aren’t sure what you would do with your acquired time, start looking around…in your personal space, what is the theme? Do you collect anything? What are the books you have read cover to cover about? When you surf the internet, what sites do you save to your favorites. Even the most watered down fire will have embers of desire and passion.

Fire energy is selfish indulgence. While we may have a negative view of both selfish and indulgent, your Fire desires both. Don’t worry, you won’t ever qualify for what truly is a “disconnecting selfishness” because you are wired to serve others….you need this energy.

Have you ever been at a gathering and one family or couple is laughing and joyfully playing in total heart desire. They are focused on their connections and their heart desire…and YOU want to be friends with them…or at least be more like them. This is the energy of BE-ing that person.

The five elements philosophy is practical. Without knowing anything about the history or studying the application, you can connect to the essence just through common knowledge. Fire and summer are hot, energetic, alive, colorful…it is easy to see the passion and desire attributes of fire. Water and winter are cold, still, and dark…it is easy to see the patience and flexibility attributes of water.

That is the beauty of the five elements…it is based on common observations, and then applied to all cycles of nature, using the same characteristics and attributes.

The development of an individual passes through these elements many times. An egg resting in the ovary is the essence of water…as it is released into a fallopian tube, it is sprouting from rest, the essence of wood….we won’t get into the fire essence to keep this G rated…and the earth essence is harvest…the birth…which is followed by the essence of metal…reflection, richness, and relaxation.

Once a child is born, the emotional needs become the primary goal. Here are the goals of each element emotionally, how it develops naturally, and what experiences impact the health of each energy (which associates with organ health also).

Fire element: A healthy fire energy allows a person to give and receive love in many relationships,

appropriately and confidently. This element is developed through inclusion and acceptance. Experiences of feeling rejected, abandoned or unloved create imbalance in this element and lead to challenges in developing and maintaining relationships.

Earth element: A healthy earth energy allows a person to give and receive emotional support and nurturing.

It is formed largely by the relationship to mother, or the primary caregiver. Experiences of a lack of bonding or lack of support or care lead to imbalances, resulting in a continued need to seek support or nourishment throughout their life (always looking for someone to take care of them).

Metal element: A healthy metal energy allows a person to take in the richness of life, feel that they have purpose and meaning, and process loss…

(grief/sadness) and move onward in life. This element is developed through validation (you are OK/normal) and the father relationship. Experiences of not receiving validation create imbalance and leave the person seeking recognition and approval in life.

Water element: A healthy water energy allows a person to assess risks and use good judgment in making decisions.

It is formed through reassurance in the face of fear as a child. Experiences of fear without acknowledgement or reassurance or projected fear (over-protection) lead to imbalances and a life of “bad decisions,” which can include a fear of worst case possibility in routine aspects of life.

Wood element: A healthy wood energy allows a person to have a clear vision of their path and the patience to allow it to unfold.

This element is developed by clear rules and structure as a child. Experiences of unclear boundaries leaves a person struggling with their own boundaries and a seeking of power and needing to be right or correct.

When emotional development has been affected with imbalance, there are characteristic observations that can be made in life experiences, particularly with relationships.

FIRE: You will know you need the energy of the fire essence when you observe a lack of appreciation for your efforts, being taken for granted, or being blamed for others problems. This experience indicates that this energy is weakened, and needs the energy described below.

EARTH: You will know you need the energy of the earth essence when you observe a “backing away” in your relationships, leaving you feeling alone and unsupported.

METAL: You know you need the energy of the metal essence when you observe immaturity or selfishness in the people around you.

WATER: You know you need the energy of water essence when you observe feeling disappointed or betrayed by others.

WOOD: You know you need the energy of wood essence when you observe bossiness, overbearing, disrespect, or abuse from others.