Metal element - transformation, shadow and reflection

“Metal brings us to the immediate and acute realization of the preciousness of the moment….and the understanding that our life is a gift we cannot hold on to” -Lorie Eve Dechar Kigo: Exploring the Spiritual Essence of Acupuncture points through the Changing  Seasons (2021)

Do you feel drawn to the core issues, essential structure and guiding principles of life?

Do you thrive on intellectual discussions?

Do you prefer quality over quantity?

You may resonate with the Metal element in Chinese Medicine. You are disciplined and precise, strong-willed yet flexible while searching for the higher truths of art and philosphy.

A majestic snow-capped mountain is the image that best captures the power of Metal. The mountain stands as a symbol of inner strength, endurance and tranquility.

Throughout the ages, Metal has held a fascination for humans; metals are hidden deep underground and contain the secrets of the stars. Autumn is related to the Metal element in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Metal has an amazing transformational potency and contains the following contrary properties:

•     A strong structure and durability, yet becomes soft and malleable when heated sufficiently

•     It has its own luster and shine, yet can reflect light

•     It can shield and protect, but can also attack and penetrate

Autumn represents the time of the year when life returns to the underworld. It’s a time for slowing down and retracting from the surface and turning inwards. The archetype for Metal is the Shadow self; our unconscious, the parts of ourselves that we repress, reject, and deny. But when we deny any part of ourselves, we are separated from our wholeness and cannot truly become our authentic self.

Autumn is the perfect time for

• reflection

• reviewing

These are important processes to gain wisdom by assessing, adapting and making changes. The acts of releasing, surrendering and exhaling provides you with space for receiving the new, inspiring and enlivening into your life.

 Autumn is related to the Lungs and Large intestine organs in TCM. The lungs and Large intestine are to do with:

•      Respiration – Breathing in and out

•     Excretion – healthy bowel movements; letting go of things no longer needed

•    Self-regulation of our internal rhythms in the face of change

• Balancing the abilities to yield and demand; to give and take; to hold on and let go

Strategies for strengthening your Metal element

Flexibility, adaptability and being prepared

• use the early morning hours for meditation, breathing practice or tai chi, ideally between the hours of 3am - 7am. These are the times where Lung and Large Intestine Qi is most active and the spiritual aspects of the metal element are most abundant and powerful according to the Chinese Medicine clock.

Get organised

• clear away clutter

• finish uncompleted projects

• prepare for the cooler months

As you work to organise your life, it’s best to focus on what you have accomplished rather fretting over what is still to do. Break down the tasks into smaller chunks, and allow yourself a set amount of time (eg an hour every day). This allows focussed attention while being productive, and allows you to slowly chip away at the mess.

Breathing exercises

Breathing practices strengthen the Lungs, as well as:

• increases energy

• stills the mind

• lifts the spirits

Make sure to focus on the out-breath and exhaling completely. When you exhale comletely, the inhale happens naturally and spontaneously.

Regular Acupuncture sessions

Regular Acupuncture allows you to take time for yourself, to relax, meditate and breath. There are a number of acupuncture points combinations that are helpful to

• open and relax the chest and side flanks allowing easier breathing

• regulate bowels

• help to ground you

• help to quieten a busy mind

Acupuncture is a lovely way to take time for yourself during a workday. It’s chance to re-group, relax, unwind and quieten your mind; so you are able to organise your work and life commitments.

Chinese herbs may be helpful to strengthen your metal element. Your registered acupuncturist will be able to advise you and to prescribe Chinese herbs are appropriate for your condition.

Questions to ponder (which helps to reveal the state of your Metal element):

” Am I capable of receiving inspiration, letting go and being in mystery?”

“What changes can I make to bring the new and inspiring energies into my life?”