By The Green Parent
07th July 2017
Early summer is a delicious time of year, full of abundant growth and radiant light. The sun is high and bright in the sky and nature is in full, fragrant bloom. It’s a time for fun, relaxation and play, which in my home means seldom having the back door closed, a (tiny) garden full of flowers and vegetables, camping trips with friends and perhaps even a festival or two!
It’s a busy time, too, so it’s important to strike a balance between the active pursuits of working and socialising, and nurturing our inner fire by spending time relaxing and recharging. Summer is, after all, the time when our bodies rebuild the energy consumed during the winter and spring months.
The ancient Chinese philosophers believed in a five season year, associating each season with one of five elements: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. It was believed that all parts of the universe, from planets to seasons and the human body, were composed of these elements.
Five Element Theory is still used today by many practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, from acupuncturists to herbalists and Shiatsu practitioners. But there are many simple ways to consciously align and flow with the energies of the seasons and elements, bringing greater health and harmony to you and your family’s lives.
In the Chinese tradition, the element associated with early summer is Fire. Fire is the element of love and all affairs of the heart. A useful image for visualising Fire element might be a campfire or a barbeque on a sunny day, with friends and family gathered to chat and laugh together around the warm glow of the flames.
Fire element grants us our capacity for warmth and connection, and governs the wellbeing of our hearts. The expansive, “Yang” nature of Fire element provides joy, enthusiasm for life and creative spark; it ignites our hearts and illuminates our inner beings as well as the outside world. It is responsible for the passion and vibrancy we feel when we are following our true life’s calling.
When our Fire element is in balance, we are able to receive and share love freely. We can feel pleasure and enjoyment and laugh easily, and we feel trust, satisfaction and intimacy in our relationships.
You will know if your child has a well-developed Fire element because they will be spirited and charismatic, with a love of talking, socialising and commanding other people to action (this reminds me of my three-year-old through and through!). People with strong Fire element characteristics tend to be energetic, creative and excitable, often with a keen sense of playful mischief. They love adventure but bore easily. They are often also highly intuitive and are generally perceived by others to be dynamic, decisive and confident.
However, like all the elements, Fire must be balanced in order to be healthy. People with an excessive Fire element may be prone to restlessness, overdoing it and aggressive and impulsive behaviour. It’s vital for them to take time out for relaxation and stress management. A person with a depleted Fire element might seem like they have “lost their spark”; coldness, isolation, tiredness and depression can result. Other symptoms associated with Fire imbalance include heart trouble, apathy (“losing heart”), poor circulation, anxiety and insomnia.
Here are a few simple practices which will nourish and balance your Fire element this summer:
For the Body:
• Of the four organs attributed to Fire element, the heart is the most important. Chest- opening yoga postures such as cobra, tree and child’s pose are easy to teach to children and are great for bringing light and nourishment to the sacred heart space. “Shine from your heart and the rest will follow”.
• The animal associated with Fire element is the phoenix or dragon. Young children will love channelling their inner dragon by pretending that they have glowing eyes, sharp fangs, glistening scales and long talons. Raise one foot, and hold one arm up with claws down and the other arm down with claws up. This posture is said to bring equilibrium to the heart, blood vessels and small intestine, all of which are ruled by Fire element.
• The taste associated with Fire is bitter, so include some seasonal bitter greens like dandelion, rocket, watercress and kale in your diet. These nutritional powerhouses are packed with vitamins, they purify the blood and are fabulous for digestion.
For the Mind:
• Work on trusting your intuition, the deeper knowing of the heart. Meditation and dreamwork are great ways to access this, as is taking a walk (barefoot if possible) in nature and noticing all you can by engaging your senses with the abundance all around you. Immerse yourself in the colours, textures and smells. As well as being a great relaxation practice, being in nature helps us to reconnect with the natural intuition which we once relied on for survival.
• Fire up your creativity! The emotion of Fire element is joy, so create a joy mandala. Using paint, collage or natural objects like stones and flowers which make your heart feel joyful, start at the centre and work outwards in circles. Allow children (and yourself) the freedom and autonomy to explore and celebrate their uniqueness, innovation and creativity.
For the Home:
• According to feng shui, a beeswax or soya candle, images of a beautiful sunrise or sunset, or placing bright red, orange or pink objects in the southern side of your home will encourage the flow of positive Fire element energy.
For the Spirit:
• According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, Fire element presides over the bodymind as its ‘Divine Ruler’. To connect with the energy centres of the Fire element, close your eyes and place one hand on your heart and one hand on your belly and breathe. This is a simple, powerful exercise for children and adults alike which will bring comfort and cultivate self-compassion at any time.
Caroline is a mum, writer and holistic therapist based in East Sussex. You can connect with her at talesfromtheseed.wordpress.com or at facebook.com/carolinemellorwriter
