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Summer and the Element of Fire

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Summer is the season of the Fire Element in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It represents heat, light and growth. Here is some information how the Fire Element influences health and wellness, and practices you can do if your Fire is out of balance.

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The main organ of the fire element is the heart with 3 others assisting it; the small intestine – separating the pure from the impure, the heart protector – the guardian of the heart and the triple heater – which is a function rather than an organ in the Western sense; representing the interconnected functions of respiration, digestion and elimination.

 

The movement of the Fire Element is outwards, think of a person with their arms outstretched, expanded, radiant and fully embracing life.

 

Or after the rapid growth of Spring, nature expands to fill as much space as she can with branches outstretched and full of leaves and flowers.

 

Summer is the peak of the year.  The sun is at its highest elevation and the days are at their longest.  We are likely to stay up longer and spend more time interacting. It is natural in this season to want to be social; to foster relationships and community. This ties in with the tongue being the sense organ, but in terms of communicating the words of the heart rather than taste, you will want to be chatting with loved ones and friends. The emotion is joy, the ability to give and receive warmth.

 

Think of the fire element as the sun’s energy within us.  It fuels our love, joy and happiness. But when this fire burns too brightly or too weakly it can lead to emotional disturbances.

 

Food suggestions to stoke your inner fire -

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Dark chocolate, coffee, kale, dandelion greens & grapefruit.

 

Bitter foods – Traditional Chinese Medicine believes bitter foods have a direct impact on heart health, they fuel your heart energy.  But don’t consume in excess as could push your fire energy out of balance and make you jittery.  Balance is key and eating seasonally.

 

Is your fire balanced?

 

Perhaps you feel your fire is out of balance, you are restless, overexcited, impulsive, have anxiety and suffer from insomnia. Shiatsu, movement – especially Qigong, dietary changes and meditation can help to restore harmony.

 

Shiatsu is great if your fire is in excess and needs sedating. Or feel you are lacking that spark of joy. Shiatsu can bring you back into balance.

 

Heart opening qigong practices are wonderful for the Fire Element. Expansive forms where the arms open to the sides like opening chest or parting clouds. Or more cooling and calming forms to sedate your fire if it is in excess like the water wheel.

 

If your fire energy is in sync, your body is more likely to be fertile.  Like water nourishing plants for growth, balanced fire energy nurtures our reproductive health.

 

A quote from The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine – The Neijing (2000 year old Chinese texts)

 

“In the three months of summer there is an abundance of sunshine and rain.  The heavenly energy descends, and the earthly energy rises.  When these energies merge there is an intercourse between heaven and earth.  As a result plants mature and animals, flowers and fruit appear abundantly.