The Five Elements

The Five Elements Model The Five Elements Model comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine, and views everything as energy.  Energy is always moving.  Energy must move in a balanced way for there to be harmony, health, and happiness.  When energy is out of balance, there is disharmony, illness, and distress at all levels.  The Five Elements Model helps us understand how energy moves, and thus provides a way to bring it back into harmony when it is off balance. In ancient Chinese theory, it is said that the universe is run by the One, the Tao, or Supreme Ultimate.  The One is divided into two principles which oppose and balance one another in their actions.  These principles are called yin and yang.  All that is perceived in the universe can be reduced to one of these two dynamic forces.  They are constantly in motion; interacting and seeking balance.  They are also completely interrelated, in that all yin has some yang, and all yang has some yin.  Yin continuously creates yang, and yang continuously creates yin.  Yin continuously consumes yang, and yang continuously consumes yin.  This dance between yin and yang generates energy. "Every time I work with Vicki, I am totally blown away by how she is able to get right to the heart of what is going on with me.  The Five Elements have such a profound impact on how we view our lives, and nobody understands the Five Elements better than Vicki Matthews.  Learning to celebrate my Earth energy as well as learning when I am out of balance has been a gift.  Vicki has been a great guide on my journey of self discovery...Life is good!!!"  -V.L. Yin and yang are further differentiated into five material agents or elements which both produce one another and overcome one another.  These elements are named after forces in nature: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal.  The workings of yin and yang and the progress of the Five Elements can explain all phenomena: the workings of the body, the nature of foods, the qualities of music, the operations of government, the nature of historical change, the interaction of relationships.  Thus it can be said that the Supreme Ultimate arises from the void and generates the yin-yang duality.  Energy, or chi, is formed from the tension created by the yin and yang dynamic.  Creation results from the interaction between yin, yang, and chi.  The Five Elements are derived from this cosmic play, and an understanding of the Five Elements may be used to organize and impact reality.  The Five Elements do not focus on form and substance.  They focus on energy and transformations, cycles and relationships.  The Five Elements are a replica of the seasons of the Earth, and run through all energies, including human rhythms.  They leave a vibratory imprint on the physical attributes, health, and personality traits of us all.  Working with the Five Elements helps us to understand and heal our physical and emotional natures, as well as our relationships.