Welcome to the Big Tree Blog
An ancient perspective on the present moment. Whether you are wondering about world peace or inner peace, 5 Element theory has something to offer. Like any theory, the more you wonder, question and investigate each Element, the more they will reveal themselves to you. Elements are living “Spirit” – turn your attention toward them and…
Read More
Self-care redefined The 5 Elements of Chinese medicine express themselves in our body-mind-emotion-spirit. Imbalances within ourselves are eased by taking a little time to care for ourselves. Using the wisdom of the 5 Elements, we have access to innovative possibilities for self-care. Below is a short list to get you started: Earth -Nourishing, giving and receiving…
Read More
Four Meridians of the Fire Element Only the Fire Element has four meridians associated with it. The other Elements of Chinese medicine each have just two meridians. Every Element is associated with a season: Fire – Summer Earth – Late Summer Metal – Fall Water – Winter Wood – Spring 5 Elements of Chinese medicine:…
Read More
Emotions count in Chinese medicine! Chinese medicine approaches a human being from a truly holistic perspective. Emotions, thoughts, moods, and mindsets all impact the energetic system. Energy, called Qi (“chee”), is the focus of Classical Chinese medicine. The physical body is perceived as a manifestation of Qi. Since Qi is the basis of our physical body,…
Read More
Water is one of the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine The Water Element is associated with Winter. Each of the Five Elements is associated with a season: Water Element- Winter Wood Element – Spring Fire Element- Summer Earth Element – Late Summer Metal Element – Fall When first learning about the elements of Chinese medicine, I found it was…
Read More
From the seeds and roots held steady in winter, new growth emerges in spring. I’ve been around for decades and witnessed this event many times. However, it wasn’t until Khadro pointed out that the seeds we plant in our Water Element (which correspond to Winter) will grow in the Wood Element (which correspond to Spring), that I really…
Read More
Emotional “imbalance” is often the result of our attempt to block the expression of an emotion that we do not like, or to hold onto an emotion that pleases us.
Read More
A Quick Reference Guide to the 5 Elements: Fire – Extroversion, love, joy, warmth, heat Earth – Satisfaction, nourishment, center, abundance Metal – Courage of one’s convictions, inward, letting go, boundaries Water – Introversion, quiet, Life Force, creativity, cold Wood – Growth, birth, outward, expanding
Read More
Qi is energy. Our bodies, thoughts, and emotions are manifestations of energy. From this point of view, we can see that treating anything other than the Qi is treating symptoms rather than the root cause. Sometimes symptoms are so severe that obviously treating the symptom first makes the most sense. However, to alleviate further occurrences and…
Read More
Lost in translation – the 5 Elements, or is it the 5 Transformations? Chinese Medical Theory incorporates 5 principles of change, of transformation that are recognized as 5 different aspects of the natural world: Water Wood Fire Earth Metal These 5 are often translated into English as “5 Elements.” However, many authors go to great…
Read More