Summer, the Fire Element, Balancing Joy and Chinese Medicine

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Good Morning!

 

Summer, the Fire Element, Balancing Joy and

 

In Traditional , we have a healing methodology called

the 5 Phases (Elements). Summer is ruled by the Fire element and is

expressed in nature as well as in the body. Growth, joy and spiritual

awareness between the heart and mind are the focus during this

season. Summer-heat belongs to the element of fire and is predominant

during the summer season. Symptoms of summer heat are excess body

heat, profuse sweating, parched mouth and throat, constipation, and

heart palpitations. Overactive functioning of an organ system can

result in symptoms of thirst, aversion to heat and craving for cold,

infection, inflammation, dryness, red face, sweating, irritability,

dark yellow urine, restlessness, constipation and " hyper " conditions

such as hypertension.

 

Strengthening the immune system should be a part of any seasonal

ritual! Any tonic formula that strengthens the essence, nourishes the

Qi and regulates the heart is appropriate. Remember, the best form of

medicine, is preventative.

 

 

The Fire Element

 

The element, Fire is associated with the Summer season and with heat.

 

The element is associated with the heart, pericardium, small

intestines and related to the tongue.

 

Emotionally, this element is associated with the mind and it's

stability. The heart is the " seat " of the mind and therefore, its

highest expression is love. Enthusiasm, warmth in human relationships

and conscious awareness.

 

The heart Chakra is in the center of the Chakra system and is the

integrator of opposites in the psyche: mind and body, male and

female, persona and shadow, ego and unity.

 

When imbalanced, we may either lack joy (depression) or have an

excess of joy (maniac condition). Fire is symbolic of maximum

activity or greatest Yang; nature at its peak of growth, and the

motion is upward. Agitation, nervous exhaustion, heartburn and

insomnia are other indicators of imbalance in this area.

 

Physically, when the fire element is balanced, the heart properly

governs and circulates the blood and insures proper assimilation of

the beginning breakdown of food in the small intestines.

 

Emotionally, when the fire element is balanced, sensitivity and

expression, true fulfillment and the equilibrium between heart and

mind are our greatest rewards.

 

Joy

 

Finding joy in things we do can give great pleasure, satisfaction and

the ability to appreciate all that we are given in life! The

greatness of finding JOY in anything we do is an art, which

encompasses other feelings of appreciation, happiness and self

contentment. These wonderful emotions have a balancing counterpart

and are found with every emotion we feel. On one end of the spectrum

is Joy, on the other sadness. On one end of the spectrum there is

anger, on the other there is pensiveness. This balancing act we

experience all the time.

 

From a Western Science point of view, emotions arise from complex

chemical reactions deep inside our brain. We actually have different

classes of emotions that arise from different brain areas. We have

ancient, primitive emotions that we share with all animals that have

brains. These emotions are very powerful and drive what we think of

as instinctual behavior.

 

Traditional Chinese Medical Theory recognizes control of our body by

Five Elements: Earth, Wood, Fire, Water and Metal. Each of the Five

Elements is associated with a particular organ. The Ancients related

a variety of different characteristics with each element and

therefore with each organ. Traditional Chinese Medical practitioners

use such characteristics to help diagnose patients and to understand

the etiology of the symptoms. In Traditional , joy is

most prevelant in the Summer. It is considered the emotion of Summer.

Although we can and do experience joy at any time or season, it is

Summer when this emotion is most in excess. This is believed to be

due to the changes of light and great heat which vary the balance

within us.

 

For example:

Joy (Over-excitement or Manic behavior)

Affects the Heart and Fire Element

Slows the flow of Qi

then Fear controls Joy (Water controls Fire)

 

Common signs and symptoms include:

Palpitations

Insomnia

Unclear Thinking

Mania, Disturbed Shen (possibly manic, risk-taking)

Heart Attack

 

An example of this is:

Migraine headache caused by sudden joy from receiving good news.

 

 

Finding Balance in Joy

 

Joy, as the energy of love, is one of the highest vibrations on this

planet. According to the Universal Law of Attraction, as we think and

feel we vibrate. And as we vibrate, we attract. When we vibrate with

joy and love, we attract what is for our greater good.

 

Bring the joy, love and happiness that's already inside you to life!

Sages tell us that joy is realized when the personality and soul are

in harmony. Experience ways to go beyond conditional happiness to the

blissful state of joy and love. As you resonate with joy, love and

happiness you automatically draw to you a more meaningful, healthy,

loving life.

 

The experience of joy can:

*strengthen your immune system.

*regenerate your whole physical system.

*burn away the impurities in your emotional system.

*disperse worries, anxieties, grief, greed, irritation and other

negative emotions.

*sharpen your intellect and strengthen your memory.

*clarify and balance your mind.

*expand your consciousness and understanding.

*open you to receive higher impressions, inspirations, and

transforming energies.

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit