By Catherine Carlson
Author and teacher, Jean Haner, has carved out a unique niche for herself as an expert on Chinese spiritual methods, including: the art of Chinese face reading, the Nine-Star-Ki (a form of numerology), and Space Clearing. Her latest book, titled The Five Element Solution: Discover The Spiritual Side of Chinese Medicine to Release Stress, Clear Anxiety, and Reclaim Your Life was inspired by her clients who wanted more support after their sessions with her.
In the past, Chinese scientists looked at nature and realized that all life moves in a circle. They divided the circle into five stages and named them after the five elements present in Chinese medicine and culture. The cycle begins with water, which flows into wood, then fire, followed by earth, and finally metal. Wood and earth may sound like the same thing, but they are distinctly different elements in this system.
The book is divided into four parts, beginning with a survey to determine where you are within the five elements. Which are you strongest in? Which are weaker? I had a fun time going through the survey and felt like I saw myself in all the elements, although some seemed to stand out a little more, which was made clearer as I read further. Haner says that everyone carries each of the five elements within. The book then progresses through problem-solving and a list of health issues for each element, followed by simple remedies or full prescriptions for all five elements. All of the suggestions are things a person can easily do and do not require anything special. There is a natural flow cycle as well as a control cycle. For example, water controls fire, so one way to help with excess water is to stimulate fire.
The essence of the water element is slow, non-linear, and without agenda. Lower back pain and adrenal issues are symptoms of water imbalance. If water being out of balance is a consistent problem for you, wearing black can help, and so can drinking more water! There are wardrobe and food prescriptions for all the elements. Wood follows water in the cycle and is the vital energy of spring. Unlike water, wood is linear, has a plan (much like a tree), and is necessary to help us achieve our goals. If you are a wood element type, you may be prone to depression. Each element has a way to assist with the imbalance of every other element, and in this way they all work together. For example, a woman in an unhealthy relationship was unable to think clearly. Her “wood was exhausted, and so her ability to think, and plan, and to have confidence so she could begin anew was seriously depleted.” Saturating her life with the water element eventually gave her the courage to take steps for herself.
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Fire comes after wood and aligns with midlife and summertime. In Chinese medicine, it represents the heart, and it also falls in the “heart” (center) of the Five-Element cycle. Fire is connected to the place within us that feels joy, makes others feel loved, or has an intuitive sense about a person, so we know if we can trust them with our heart. The most common symptom of fire imbalance in our culture is “lack of joy.” This is due to being stuck in situations that are unfulfilling instead of heartfelt. If you are a fire element type, you may be an empath and easily react to others’ emotions. Rejection and heartbreak are also more painful for those with a strong fire element. One prescription to help if your fire is often out of balance is to add play and fun into your life.
Lastly are the elements of earth and metal, which align with the energies of Mother and Father, respectively. Like a mother, the earth element in balance would be one that is providing enough nurturing and comfort to themselves and others, but not so much that they are depleted. Weak boundaries are a common imbalance for this element. To help rebalance earth, one might include exercising with a friend instead of alone, as well as eating breakfast between 7-9 a.m. All the elements align with a different time of day. Metal element relates to gold and silver but also rocks and crystals, all of which are hard and inflexible. Metal has a refined quality and helps us be our best selves and focus on what is important, much like a father. Metal imbalances can include anxiety and financial worries. One man who was house-hunting agonized “over the prospect of buying the house and then having it lose value. Because he spent so much time on this hyper-analysis, other buyers took house after house before he could decide.” Healing metal imbalance allows you to recognize what is essential, and let go of what is not, as well as be able to say something is “good enough!”
The latter part of the book contains a five-week program which incorporates each element into your life. It’s a way of rebooting your system if you are stuck or you’re not sure which element you should focus on. This way you don’t need to figure it all out, just follow the plan and trust. The weeks are to be completed in cyclical order. There are dos, such as when in the water week: Do slow-flow exercise. There are also don’ts, such as in week five to encourage metal: Avoid crowded and noisy spaces.
The Chinese elemental cycle can be seen in the natural cycle of our day—having fun (fire) follows work (wood)— the life cycle—beginning with water—or throughout the decades with the free-spirited 60s following a time of rigid structure. “The five elements are the choreography we, and all of nature, are dancing to,” says Haner. Another way to view the cycle is with the words Be-Do-Love-Eat-Praise. Each of these naturally moves into the next one, and if we go with the flow of these elements, life has a natural balance and rhythm to it.
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