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The Metal Element
The
metal element is the ability to create bonds with others and yourself; as well
as letting go along with the courage to continue through the experience of loss. Letting go and letting come is the theme
of the Metal element. The organs that rule metal are Lung and Large Intestine.
The emotions are grief and courage, and the color is white. The season where it
is most active is late Fall. It also has an effect on the minerals within our
bodies and creates the energetic skeletal system where energy or Qi can travel.
Therefore, it has a great effect on the communication between our brain and
central nervous system. The metal element also has a direct effect with mental
clarity and compared with the physical minerals found in Earth’s metals and
gemstones. It will show itself with our thoughts and how they’re expressed. As
with the earth our thoughts can be impure, cloudy, or crystal clear, and shiny.
Metal is the connection between our inner and
outer world. Lung is the first place
where oxygen can enter the body on inspiration, while waste and toxin is let go
of on expiration. 30% of the toxins within our bodies are eliminated through the
lungs. So deep breathing is a wonderful way to activate and cleanse our systems
without really trying. Some suggestions are aerobic exercise, meditation with
the focus on our breath, and just getting outside and breathing deeply every
day. Deep breathing also helps activate our thoughts and ideas for those
spontaneous inspirations.
Mucus is the fluid of the metal element and
keeps the entire system lubricated and running smoothly
by protecting the linings of the lungs, sinuses and other mucus membranes as
well as absorbing and removing bacteria and other wastes. Smoking, pollution,
shallow breathing and stress can play havoc on the elimination of toxins from
the lungs on expiration. So what we breathe is just as important as how we
breathe. Too much mucus as with too much dryness, will cause the lungs to become
congested or irritated. With colder weather it’s easy to forget to keep you body
hydrated with fluids, this is important for both cleansing and replacing
moisture.
Large intestine, often called the great
eliminator is another area where stagnation of waste can cause disease.
General good bowel health is one meal in and one meal out. Stress, school or
work routines, can congest the large intestine. Many common health complaints
such as back ache, abdominal discomfort become noticeable with a sluggish colon
and eventually diseases such as diverticulitis, IBS, and constipation. A diet of
high fiber, fruits and vegetables, and small amounts of meat, dairy, unprocessed
food, sweets, breads, and yeast/gluten based foods generally clears the heady,
foggy thinking common with these heavy foods. Including Olive oil with your diet
is also important to lubricate the system.
Thurman Fleet suggests the following with the primary bulk of our daily
eating to be the cleansers;
Food Balance
Breakdown
Builders: animal proteins, and
beans.
Cleansers:
fruits, and vegetables.
Congestors:
sweets, cheese, and breads
Lubricators:
nuts, weeds, and their oils.
The skin is another organ ruled by metal and
quite often overlooked. This is the largest organ of our body. Many
people will experience skin inflammation when they are on medication or taking
other drugs on a daily basis. Many physicians these days are integrating natural
therapies and also allowing the body’s natural healing processes to run their
course choosing to use medication as a last resort.
Balanced eating of simple food (basically if it
rots it’s probably good for you) and healthy living habits are crucial for
personal well being and a sharp mind.
Clear thinking, open mindedness to new ideas,
and taking time to relax and slow down is the theme of the Metal element. Take
time to be well.
Earth
Water
Wood
Fire
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Jeannie is
a Registered Acupressure Therapist, Teacher, and member of good standing
with the BC Acupressure Therapist Association. She is also
a First Aid/CPR Instructor & BCRPA Fitness Leader of Aquatics, Third Age,
Adaptive, and Belly Dance. She has over thirty four years of teaching a
variety of groups and topics. She brings a empowering,
gentle, light-hearted, and humorous approach to her classes
and
clients.
