Are your joints getting stiff and achy? Or do you sometimes experience feelings of insecurity or a lack of confidence? Although these two challenges may seem unrelated, they are both signs of a Water Element imbalance.
Did you know that The Five Elements also influence your personality? Like all of the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine, the Water Element is essential to your physical and emotional well-being. Once you understand the qualities of the Water Element, it becomes easier to receive the gifts it offers, and you may notice the sensations of peace and harmony flowing within you.
The Water Element is associated with the season of Winter, so for those of us in the northern hemisphere, right now is the perfect time to receive Water's potent restorative energy. In this post, you'll learn how the Water Element shows up in your life and how to cultivate its positive healing qualities to improve your health and longevity.
Organs Of The Water Element
The Water Element is associated with the Kidneys and Bladder. It also is related to the endocrine system, joints, and bones.
Jing is your physical essence, essential to your physical and sexual vitality. Your Kidneys are the primary organ where Jing energy lives in your body. Therefore, when Water is strong, it's easier to feel vigorous and full of life.
If your Water Element is out of balance, on the other hand, you may experience tiredness, fatigue, or reduced libido. Water imbalances can also lead to hormone imbalance and joint pain, especially in your lower back and knees.
Image Credit https://acupunctureforlife.co.uk/kidney-pericardium-block/
Emotions Of The Water Element
All five elements are connected to positive and negative emotional states. I like to say light and shadow emotions rather than positive or negative emotions. When your Water Element is balanced, it's easier to experience the light and pleasurable qualities it offers. When it is out of balance, the less pleasant qualities can seep up and cause unrest.
The pleasant emotional qualities of Water include tranquility, peace, and contentment. When the Water Element is balanced, you experience a relaxing feeling that everything is okay. You trust life as it comes, and you easily tap into the flow and enter into the flow state of consciousness when life feels effortless and full of grace. We all love that state of being.
When Water is out of balance, you may feel flooded by emotions such as fear or insecurity. Or you may feel stuck or frozen in fear. This can manifest as an underlying disease or a lack of confidence in work or relationships. People with a Water deficiency may also feel uncertain about their path and have difficulty making decisions. All of these feelings build on one another in ways that can be unpleasant and harmful.
Fortunately, it's possible to rebalance your Water Element. And when you do, these challenging emotional states flow right past you.
Personality Traits of the Water Element- "The Philosopher"
Similar to how the Water Element manifests in your emotional states, it also influences aspects of your overall personality in both positive and negative ways.
People who are rich in Water Element generally have a strong will and can find their way through significant challenges. They don't use brute force; instead, they gracefully navigate through, finding graceful paths to accomplish their goals. Imagine how water flows around boulders in a river, softening the sharp edges as it moves gracefully through the terrain.
People with a lot of Water are referred to as the archetype known as the Philosopher. The Philosopher tends to be more introverted and requires ample alone time. They can listen to their own truths and not become overwhelmed by what others tell them they should. They also prefer to spend time reading or reflecting as opposed to going out and socializing. For this reason, Water personalities often have a small group of close friends rather than a large community of acquaintances.
While being introverted has its gifts, Water personalities can sometimes lack confidence in social situations. This can make it challenging to find the motivation to connect with others, leading to a feeling of isolation and not belonging. To remedy this, Water personalities may need to push themselves a little to build the confidence to go out and meet new people and maintain meaningful relationships.
Winter Is The Season Of The Water Element
All the Elements are connected to different seasons, and Water is connected to Winter.
During the cold Winter, the world turns inward, which is precisely what the Water Element helps you to do. In nature, many animals find refuge in their Winter borrows, and plants draw inward until the following spring when the ice thaws and the Water flows again.
Winter's inwardness' is necessary for the earth to replenish itself. In your own life, you can harness this wisdom to digest your experiences to find new insights and inspiration. While this is a natural process, you can support this process by practicing Qigong to help you intentionally cultivate and balance the gifts each season and Element offers.
Hugs and deep bows of gratitude to you and your practice!
Maria💧
References: I bow to and acknowledge that I learned this information from Lee Holden at Holden Qi Gong.
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