Fire Element Season of Summer! Let's Go!

June kicks off Summer in the Western Hemisphere and that marks the beginning of the Fire Element Season.

The Fire Element is a part of the Holistic Chinese Medicine system of the Five Elements.

As we move from the Spring which is the season of the wood element where things are just beginning to blossom and come to life again, the stage of “becoming”, we can remember that in the 5-Element system wood burns and creates fire, we move from full internal yin of winter to the start of yang rising in spring to full on yang of summer where things are in full bloom, peaking and that which has now “become”.

For me, it’s easy to find joy in the summer. The sun is shining and our bodies are being blessed with gobs of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential to our vitality and wellness. 

The fire element is one of the most fun elements to talk about. Why? Because the Fire Element represents passion, inspiration, heat, activity, joy and so much more. Can you see why this is a fun area to play with? It’s when our “Qi” energy is most exuberant.

As I mentioned above, the fire element’s season is summer. It’s the time of year when we are most active, when nature is at its peak. Flowers and plants are in full bloom and just bursting with color and fragrance!

On an emotional level, according to the theory of Chinese medicine, the fire element corresponds to joy and excitement, and opens to the heart organ and meridian system 

The highest expression of the emotional heart is love, to give and receive. I am sure there have been times in your life when you’ve felt and have expressed that your heart is filled with love. On the other hand, you may have also felt heartbroken. Perhaps too, you have felt very protective of your heart.

The color of the fire element is red.

The sound is laughter.

The taste is bitter. 

On an emotional level, the fire element corresponds to joy and excitement.

As it is said in Chinese medicine, the heart houses the spirit, therefore, the fire element also longs for a connection to spirit – whatever that means to you, whether that’s God, Buddha, nature, yoga, or meditation. 

Our heart’s desire is to make personal and intimate connections in our lives. We wish to have personal intimate connections with lovers and partners as well as close personal relationships in our friendships, workplace and community. 

Intimacy with a sexual loving partner is a powerful source of connection. This is where the fire element manifests in a passionate way, and an orgasm is the ultimate fiery peak. There can be so much joy when connecting with your partner in this way.

It is also said that the heart “houses the mind”. Have you ever heard anyone ever say, “Act from your heart and not your head.” A balanced fire element therefore also possesses keen mental acuity, focus, clarity, good memory and even consciousness.

In Chinese medicine, and frankly in our lives, internally and outwardly, we are always seeking balance. As the fire element is already the most yang, meaning the most active, and the most heat related element, and its natural movement is up, it naturally makes sense to balance this by remaining cool and grounded.

As you may have guessed, fire can have a way of flaring, and spreading, unfortunately we’ve experienced so much of that with all the California and west coast fires over the past several years.

In our bodies, excess heat or movement, can lead to too much yang energy and one may become too excitable, too hot, too fast! Because fire has a tendency to flare up and get out of control, this may lead to hyperactivity, anxiety, insomnia, scattered, unfocused thinking,  mania.

Here are the qualities of a balanced fire element 

• Passionate
• Joyful
• Connection
• Clarity
• Mental Acuity
• Focus
• Consciousness
• Optimistic
• Active
• Engaged
• Affectionate
• Vibrant

Acupuncture/Acupressure points to keep the fire element in balance: 

• Pericardium 6 - PC6
• Heart 7 - HT 7
• Conception Vessel 17 - CV 17

Essential oils that love the fire element:

• Jasmine
• Neroli
• Rose

In another post we will share ways to help balance out a potentially imbalanced fire element. 

For now, grab one of your favorite flower oils above and place it one one of those acupuncture points… maybe start with CV 17 over the heart.

Want to learn more about how to use Essential Oil on Acupuncture points and understand more about the energetics of essential oils? Then you will want to check this out now!