The Season of Summer – The Fire Element – TCM Perspective

The five Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood are the Divine Elemental energies, being the foundation and spirit of all Nature.

Reflect on the profoundness of this statement! The Elements are alive! both around us and within us, and that is the foundation for our exploration in this apprenticeship.

They describe the movement of all life, all energy and embody all the qualities which we encounter in Nature. The Elements have been the foundation of all traditional healing systems, all of which recognise, imbalance of an Element within Nature causing imbalance to us, through our interconnectedness.

Imbalance within one Element causes imbalance throughout the cycle of energy flow between the Elements, due to their interdependence and relationship with one another. Imbalance in one part of the cycle effects energy flow and therefore the balance in another part of the cycle.

Imbalance of the Elements within us, causes dis-ease and disharmony, presenting as emotional imbalances and physical symptoms. Nature and human life are dynamic processes, an interconnected cycle.

Exploring the essential nature of the Elements and their expression within the cycles of Nature and within us, provides us with a doorway of communication with the plants.

This is the language of the plants, because they fully embody the Elemental energies and the key to understanding their healing gifts.

The Fire Element

Red, Scorched, Summer, Bitter, South, Laughing, Joy, Heat, Mature, Tongue, Blood Vessels, Circulation and Complexion

The Fire Element follows the Wood Element in the “cycle of creation”, just as summer naturally follows spring. The Fire Element following the hopes, plans and work of spring is rather that of the future becoming real, the stage of the cycle which sees our hopes and dreams fulfilled.

The Fire Element is about the present. Time stands still in the heat of summer. The sun rises high in the sky and everything reaches its peak of bloom and brilliance. When the spring has been successful we can see the crops in the soil and fruits ripening on the branch ready for the harvest time, and there is nothing more to be done than to relax and enjoy the warmth. After the hard work of the spring we feel a lightness of the spirit and a sense of freedom. Now we have the time to enjoy this wonderful feeling and share it with our friends.

Love and joy are an expression of the Fire Element, two of the greatest gifts it is possible to receive. Both are a manifestation in us of the highest point which Qi energy reaches in its ceaseless cycle. Each Element has a peak in the year when we re-charge our own batteries with its pure essence. The gifts of the Fire Element are the high point of the year’s own peak; the energy which we take from here will warm us for the whole of the year to come. Without this essence of Fire in the summer the rest of the year would be dark and spiritless.

The love which we receive from the Fire Element bathes every part of our lives. It fires our spirit and gives us an inner communion with God’s love, allowing us to share in the spirit which pervades everything in the universe. It flows through our relationships with our partners, our families and our friends, and it is the power by which we transform ourselves and one another.

Balance of the Fire in the body

When our Fire element is in good balance, we are lit up with passion and joy, it fires our minds and spirit wth enthusiasm, bringing a spark of brightness. There is a shared energetic exchange within relationships and connections of giving and receiving.

When out of balance, this is the opposite, we are dull, lack lustre, a lack of red in our complexion. There is a lack of joy, even the most exciting news can feel boring. Or on the opposite end of the spectrum, there is so much excitement, a racey, hysterical way of expression. Talking so fast, craving connection that it becomes a 1 sided conversation. This can be expressed as a selfish, attention seeking behaviour, driven by a desperate desire for connection. The face can be red, all the tissues dry causing constipation and a dry thirst.

Fire imbalances cause issues within the cardiovascular system effecting the heart, blood vessels and circulation.

The organs and officials of the Fire element – The heart is the supreme controller and is so important, requires 3 officials to protect and nurture her energy. The Small intestine is her coupled yang organ, and the heart protector and triple heater are also associated with the fire element and protect the heart.

Herbal Wisdom for Balancing the Fire Element

Medicines of the Heart

Motherwort – Leonurus cardiaca

This pungent, bitter herb is ruled by the Sun and Venus, associated with the Fire element and Leo. Her other names are Lion’s ear, Lion’s tail, Lion’s heart gifting us the courage to to heal ourselves. Motherwort helps us to connect with our own Mother energy to be the kind, nurturing inner parent, teaching us about boundaries and self love.

Motherwort is a classic heart tonic and beautiful female tonic herb. She supports the female reproductive system and has healing properties for both the physical and emotional heart.

A herb for Mothers – helping to bring on contractions in a delayed labour and to support healing during postpartum

Cycle regulator, bringing on a delayed bleed, supporting healthy balanced uterine contractions to relieve cramps and menstrual pain. Calms the nervous system for anxiety, irritability and PMS symptoms

Heart Healer – one of the best herbs I have ever worked with for palpitations….never fails to miraculously heal this symptom of heart distress. Hyperthyroid issues especially where the heart is affected. High blood pressure. Heals the emotional heart, strengthening the heart and bringing in courage.

Bitter – digestive tonic and liver herb – which clears heat and anger.

Menopausal herb – hormonal balancer and helps to reduce irritability and hot flushes.

Nervous system tonic – calming the nervous system and reducing anxiety

Such a powerful and potent women’s herb and heart medicine. love her

Nettle – Urticaria dioica

Stinging nettle

Nettle is a deeply restorative herb ruled by Mars and embodies the element of fire. Paradoxically a cooling herb with a sweet, salty taste, is also a drying and stimulating herb. Nettle reinforces your boundaries, awakens your inner strength, energy, vitality and passion. Stoking the inner fire in a person with deficiency and low vitality. Clearing the cold and dampness from the body.

Nettle balances excess fire and deficient fire.

A crucial ally for a hot temper. Building strength and vitality in the body for restoration and healing.

A highly nutritive plant and blood builder, being the number one source of iron amongst herbs and rich in nutrients and minerals.

The plant is a wonderful balancer, regulator and nourisher for a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Supporting lack of bleeding, heavy bleeding, painful bleeds.

Helping to remineralise the body after heavy blood loss making her a wonderful herb for postpartum or healing from a miscarriage.

She is tonifying and lifts up deficiency in the body within the blood, kidneys and spleen.

An overnight cold infusion is particularly recommended. It is best to prepare the infusion in the evening and let it sit for about 8 hours. In the morning simply strain it and enjoy.

Hawthorn – Crataegus spp.

This Sacred Celtic tree is under the protection of the fairy realm and thought to be a doorway to the underworld realms in Celtic Shamanism. Hawthorn is part of the Rose family, embodying sexuality and sensuality. fertility and fire, associated with the Mother archetype of being in our fullest creative expression of full bloom.

This wild and enchanted tree is a beautiful heart medicine, healing the physical, emotional and spiritual heart.

Physically, Hawthorn is a powerful cardiotonic and cardioprotective herb used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and angina.

On an emotional level, Hawthorn is a powerful ally in times of heartache and loss, healing a broken heart and soothing grief and loneliness.

From the Traditional Chinese Perspective (TCM) – Hawthorn is associated with Summer and the Fire element, a Sheng tonic to awaken the spiritual heart.

The heart houses the Sheng, the Spirit. When someones heart and Sheng is strong, this reflects through with compassion in their eyes, the spark of life force and Qi within them, it shines through in their presence and wisdom.

Hawthorn supports the heart the official and Supreme ruler within the body, the heart creates order, boundaries, and ignites the warmth and unconditional love of the fire element.

Journey with the powerful heart healer Hawthorn on our Roots of Remembrance Sacred Plant Apprenticeship……..MORE INFO