Wood Element and Liver Health
In my last blog, I explored how life is a journey through various transitions that can facilitate our personal evolution and move us closer to our true, authentic self. Self-actualisation, rewilding, and transformation are some other terms to describe this.
And what better time to talk about this than springtime! The surge of growth that we see around us is the energy of the Wood element (as per the Five Element theory) and just like the plants, the warming sunshine is enticing us to begin to grow!
We all have the Wood element within us; for some, this is a more dominant element, for others, less so. Spring is a time of renewal, regeneration, and new beginnings. The activity of Wood is to move, to grow.
We move from an inward, dreamy, contemplative Water element (‘WHY’/winter) YIN (feminine) energy to forward-moving (‘HOW’/Spring) YANG (masculine) energy.
This is reflected in our energy as a striving action, it comes with an urge to progress. You may already have connected to this energy as you’ve started sowing seeds, spring cleaning, planning a house move, starting a new project, or some kind.
The following properties signify your Wood Element being out of balance
Perhaps these are also some of the symptoms and qualities that you experience?
Are these the qualities you desire?
When your Wood Element is in balance, you will feel:
Connected and focused on true purpose
autonomous
energised and attentive
confident, assertive, dynamic
embracing change
kind and respectful of others
positive mindset
free in self expression
flexible and adaptive
accomplishing goals
loving activity
seeking challenges
grounded and still within
visionary
clear
imaginative
able to overcome obstacles
able to eliminate toxicity of any kind
able to move toward light
Do you find you get periods of balance followed by periods of imbalance?
If so, you sound perfectly human!
Linking it all up
When we can’t, or feel that we can’t move forward, we get frustrated.
When we experience other people or situations blocking the direction that we want to move towards, we are very likely to feel anger.
Frustration is the emotion held by the gall bladder.
Anger is the emotion held in the liver.
The gall bladder and Liver are the organs of the Wood Element. When they are vibrant and healthy they are the taskmasters behind our ability to plan and execute our intentions:
’The gall bladder has the ability to move forward in all circumstances and gives us a sense of hope, purpose and growth. It ensures we start each day with organisation and optimism. It is the ‘general‘ of the body making sure all of its troops are coordinated through the day, season, year, and life.
The liver on the other hand holds the plan of our lives. When we have a vision we can glimpse the future and what it will bring. When the vision is clear and fresh like the warm spring sunshine, then goals can be achieved with great dynamic energy and fresh insight. As the plan comes to fruition we then move on to the next and in such a way life develops.’ Debra Kaatz
Working with the Wood Element challenges
We live in a Wood element society. Our ‘To Do Lists’ never get ticked off. There is always more to do. The pressure to be continuously active is enormous and endless. Our current society has been designed for an industrious machine that can keep going 24/7. This is not human, yet we expect that of ourselves and others. We keep pushing the boundaries of what is helpful for us, and for our children.
There are things that we can and perhaps must do for our health to bring the Wood into balance, if we wish to remain healthy.
Understanding the interconnectedness between emotion, body, and the elements around us, gives me a greater perspective and a clearer approach to supporting my health and the health of those that I work with as we challenge the parameters of being ‘Human Doer’ to step a bit closer to a ‘Human Being’. I share a case study of this below and invite you to consider how you too can step closer to your natural, truer self.
Case Study HOMEOPATHY
This is an excerpt from my case notes with a client. PCOS, poor focus, and sensory processing issues (has ADHD) were some of the issues that we have been addressing. I have her permission to share what she experienced after she had a remedy:
Client: ’…Big change. It doesn’t matter if things don’t go my way. Life is not perfect. Pressure is removed. Every day is just a more gentler approach,’ Me: ‘What does that allow you to do?’
Client: ‘certain amount of slowing down. An amazing thing. River flow, the balance being the river but also creating the banks for the river. it’s just easier.’
Me: ‘How much easier?’
Client: ‘70%. It’s a bit crazy. Looking back to the past, a spur of magic happened across the day. In the past, I clung and used a muscular approach which was counter intuitive. I can let go, it’s a healthy detachment from any specific outcome.
Me: ‘How about productivity? Do you still get things done? a sense of achievement?’
Client: ‘It’s mastery. More sustained. It's just happening. If I start to get to a place of rushing I know I need to back off. Previously I pushed. I get to see my authentic value. Previously I questioned the value, I am able to connect to what is important, disconnecting from ideals, more into heart space, belly. It’s really kind of strange…. It’s pulling me away from things I’ve heavily identified myself with. Worried about consequences regularly.’
Me: ‘Now?’
Client: ‘I ask myself; What do I want? Towards, without urgency, rush, flowing where I want to go. Previously: I needed to be doing, all or nothing.’
We see the dynamics of the feminine - Water energy - the ‘being’ and flowing, and the masculine - Wood - the ‘doing’ and productivity in her expression. Helium remedy allowed her to resolve this conflict and be in life with great ease. Fully embodied, Present. Nowhere to go. Just being. Just beautiful.
Please note that any remedy has the potential to bring us to a balance. In homeopathy we seek what in nature has these qualities ‘like cures like’ (Law of Similia) and my prescription was based on this.
Self Coaching to balance wood element
I believe that a good balance and subsequent path to a more conscious living requires a holistic approach. I believe that if we start by making just ONE change, we can influence all other areas of our lives. Here are some suggestions:
Change begins with awareness. Notice. Get curious about your patterns, and styles. Change begins with awareness.
Allow that you have 4 seasons in your cycle, 5 seasons in each of your days. Each season has a prevailing element. Familiarise yourself with these.
Notice where you are stuck or blocked. Feel and express your anger and frustration.
Give yourself time to plan and complete tasks.
Assert your needs, and set your boundaries.
Communicate these with others.
The liver loves green veg! The liver loves to look at green colour - spending time outdoors gets us to rest our eyes (yes eyes are the ‘sensing’ organ of the liver. This means that much of our vision issues are related to the health of the liver.)
Gall bladder: an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Foods to cut out: fatty foods, eggs, poultry, pork, caffeine, onions, milk, oranges, corn, beans and nuts. Gallstone issues present as nausea and vomiting,
Movement. Tendons and ligaments are the tissues of Wood. When the Wood is out of balance the ligaments and tendons tend to be either too rigid or too flexible. Side spinal twists massage the internal organs. See Adriane for guidance on this. Balance this with:
Rest. Plenty of it. Good nights sleep. Rest nourishes the Kidneys. Kidneys govern the Water element. Wood needs water to grow!
Spring clean: your home; your habits, your organs.
Drink Water. The simplest way to detox and enhance the movement of your body. Move.
Work on your Mother's wound issues as this will give you a predisposition to imbalance to any element.
I am here if you need any help.
You may also wish to read:
Dopamine Loop