Experience Acupuncture with Julie Kelham to Strengthen Your Summer Energy
Fire element
At the core of Chinese Medicine lies the principle that nature is governed by Yin/Yang and the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
Each season is associated with a different element and with the energy system of different organs. Each element has a different colour, sound, emotion, and odour, time of day, season, and type of weather, taste and seasonal power linked to it.
With Summer now officially started – on the solstice, 21st June – we are now enjoying lighter mornings and evenings, vivid colours showing in flowers and shrubbery, and very warm days.
The Fire element and the dynamic energy of summer gives us the momentum to move forward to activate plans and decisions for expansion and growth. It provides us with the energy to promote activity, excitement, communication, connection, warmth and love.
Impact on emotions
The emotions associated with the Fire element are joy and sadness and our sense of self and identity in the world are also influenced by this element.
When the Fire element is out of balance, a person may feel an ongoing deep sadness, a lack of emotional warmth and connection to others.
A person may laugh when talking about painful events in their life or have no laughter or joy when talking about something pleasurable or joyful. At the other end of the spectrum, someone may feel excessive joy and elation causing disharmony. When our Fire element is in balance, we can experience joy and passion, our sense of self and confidence feels intact, we can express and receive warmth and love, we can feel sadness without feeling completely overwhelmed by the feeling or by the world around us.
Effects of imbalance in Fire element
Depletion or excess of the Fire element can manifest in different ways such as:
- poor circulation of blood
- cold extremities
- hot flushes
- heartburn
- anxiety
- depression
- palpitations
- agitation
- poor short-term memory
- mental restlessness and a racing mind
- insomnia
- excess laughter or no laughter
- over excitement
- dullness in the eyes (in Chinese Medicine, the Shen is the ‘spirit of the Heart’ and influences sleep, the mind and consciousness); a person with healthy Shen will have a ‘sparkle’ in their eyes.
Energy systems
The Fire element is also associated with the energetic systems of the Heart (Yin) and Small Intestine (Yang) along with two functions called the Heart Protector (Pericardium) and Triple Burner.
The Heart governs blood vessels and through constantly pumping blood around the body is providing us with this dynamic life force. The Heart is our centre and has a special connection to all the other organs in the body.
The Small Intestine energy gives us the ability to sort through ideas, thoughts or emotions and it also sorts out the waste from the much needed nutrients in the body.
The Triple Burner relates to the upper, middle and lower part of the body and is important in the transformative function of moving fluids and Qi in the body and regulating temperature and warmth.
The Heart Protector enables us to be open appropriately, to have boundaries and flexibility rather than leaving the Heart vulnerable and exposed or shut down and closed. It protects the Heart by shielding it from the blows and traumas in life and can be weakened by shock and hurt.
Many of us will have been through personal situations in life which have been shocking and traumatic or have ongoing emotional stress in our lives. Personal situations with a backdrop of a challenging and changing society, shocking global events – war, displacement of people, ongoing climate changes, political unrest and injustices – will ripple out and affect us all energetically on a heart level.
Ways to support and strengthen your Fire energy
- Mint tea or mint and cucumber in tepid water can be refreshing and helps maintain hydration and balance during the summer months.
- Excess alcohol heats up the Fire element causing more internal heat during the summer months so something to be extra mindful of!
- Choosing an exercise that you enjoy will support and strengthen your Fire element.
- Reflect on what brings you joy, passion and enjoyment in life:
- Activities that support your connection with yourself and others will support your Fire – connecting with others socially, politically or ethically, connecting with pets and animals and nature around us
- Activities that generate passion and enjoyment, maybe singing, dancing or sport.
- Meditation and yoga will also help calm the mind and ground and root the Shen.
- Send out love, kindnesss and compassion. A moment of connection and kindness will touch people in a powerful and healing way.
- Come and have or return to your acupuncture sessions, as this can support your Fire element by strengthening, harmonising and regulating your Heart Qi, cooling and clearing heat if needed, nourishing your Heart Blood, clearing shock and calming your Shen and Mind. Acupuncture can help strengthen your Heart protector and harmonise your Small Intestine and Triple Burner energy. It will also help balance the other elements which may need attention within your energetic system.
Acupuncture to rebalance
Some examples of acupuncture-point names on the Heart/Small Intestine and Pericardium/Triple Burner channels illustrate the essence of the Fire Element perfectly such as: Ji Quan (Supreme Spring), Shen Men, (Spirit Gate), Ting Gong (Listening Palace), Lao Gong (Palace of Weariness), Nei Guan (Inner Gate), Wai Guan (Outer Gate).
Acupuncture is a dynamic form of medicine that harmonises and supports your overall energy base as well as addressing particular element imbalances within your body that could be manifesting on a physical and/or emotional level.