Tag Archives: Wood Element

Gifts of the Wood Element

Decision Making, Gift, Planning, Vision, Wood Element, , ,

We take a break from the acupoints this time with a look at some of the Gifts of the Wood Element. When we are in harmony with an Element and the Element is in balance within us, then we have access to the positive qualities of that Element in our lives. There are many such qualities and here we examine three of them. As you read about these qualities, consider how easy it is for you to access them in your own life. Your answers will tell you much about the relative strength or deficiency of the Wood Element within you.

Vision

BinocularsThe ability to see the world in all its colours and shapes is indeed one of the greatest gifts of a human life. Of all the senses it is the one that most people say they would find hardest to lose.

But Wood’s gift of vision goes far beyond the ability to take in visual information through the eyes. It is also about the capacity to envisage, to see a future possibility with the mind’s eye.

People who have this gift most strongly are called visionaries. Their imagination and foresight help them to make creative leaps that see future possibilities projecting out from current circumstances.

In the modern era, Steve Jobs was repeatedly described as a visionary for his ability to see technological possibilities and pursue their production. Martin Luther King’s I have a dream speech is particularly illustrative of this quality of Wood. He had a vision of a world of racial equality which is slowly being realised.

• How is your vision for your own future?
• How clearly do you see the path before you in your own life?

Planning

26 PlanningOnce we have a vision for our future, we need to find a way to get there. We need a map, a plan, a flowchart, a series of connected steps that will allow us to follow a path. This quality of Wood is the province of the Liver Official who is sometimes personified as the General.

Imagine this General’s headquarters where the room is strewn with maps, plans, lists of troop units, transport, all the information that is needed to form the big picture. From this place, removed from the battles themselves, the General can formulate an overarching strategy, a grand plan.

In our individual lives, planning is incredibly important. Each day we need to plan what we are doing that day and what order we are going to do things. We need to prioritise, organise and strategise. Without these steps of pre-planning, our day can become chaotic, we might waste time and energy backtracking, and the day just doesn’t run smoothly.

We need to plan each day, but we also need to have a sense of where we are going in a longer time frame. What are our plans for the next month, the next year, the next stage of our life? At various points in our lives we pause and take stock, reassess our direction, make a new plan, draw a new map.

When the Wood is not strongly available to us, we might have difficulty making plans. We might have difficulty even knowing what it is that we want, so we can’t even begin to plan. Some of us get lost in details and have problems seeing the big picture. We can’t see the wood for the trees!

• How do you feel about the direction your life is taking?
• What are your plans for the next year, 5 years, 10 years?
• How flexible are you in changing plans when circumstances change?

Decision Making

Koala-SignpostOnce we have our plan and a map of where we are going, we set out on our journey. The journey begins with a first step and proceeds through a series of steps until we reach our destination. While the planning itself is the province of the Liver Official, the actual implementation of the plan on the ground is the function of the Gall Bladder Official, sometimes personified as the General’s Chief of Staff.

While the General holds the overall plan, the Chief of Staff makes the step by step decisions about how that plan is put into operation. The capacity to decide is a fundamental one for Wood. When the Wood is healthy, decisions are made easily and quickly because things are clear. The plan is clearly understood and the best way to carry out the plan is obvious. All the information is taken in and organised, and the way of action naturally arises.

Some of us are good planners but not so good at carrying out the plans. Others are good at managing details but not so good at seeing the big picture. When our Wood is in balance, we have access to both of these aspects.

• How bold are you at taking the first step?
• What stops you from making a decision?

This is an extract from my second book ‘Seasons of Life’ to be published in 2016. Meanwhile, the days tick down to the publication of ‘The Way of the Five Elements’  by Singing Dragon Press. Publication date November 21st, 2015. You can now pre-order this book at Fishpond, Book Depository and other online booksellers. (60 days to go!)

Tears of Frustration

Anger, Depression, Flexibilty, Gall Bladder pain, Headache, Insomnia, Neck pain, Shoulder pain, , , , , ,

Apologies for the delay in this post. I’ve been busy getting the manuscript of  a second book ‘Seasons of Life’ to the publishers, extracts of which will soon be appearing in this space.

Zulinqi – Foot Above Tears – Gall Bladder 41

3.11Most of us have had the experience of becoming so frustrated with something or someone that we burst into tears. Anger and frustration become so pent up that they find a release through crying. Such an emotional state is usually an indication of an imbalance in Wood which can be treated by the Gall Bladder point Zulinqi – Foot Above Tears.

Wood that is healthy and moving freely aids us in finding a clear path around the apparent obstacles that life presents, like the plant that pushes its way through the cracks in the footpath. When Wood is not healthy, there are two polarised responses to obstacles: a repeated pushing against an immovable impediment resulting in frustration; or a collapse into inaction, defeat and giving up.

Zulinqi helps to resolve such polarised attitudes by strengthening all the resonances of Wood. It supports new ventures and putting your best foot forward as you move into action; provides a clear perspective of where you are and where you are headed; and helps with making good judgements and taking bold decisions. It treats Gall Bladder timidity where a person is fearful of taking action, and relieves depression caused by collapsed Wood. It helps to settle the person who is continually angry, frustrated and resentful.

Zulinqi supports the Wood in two ways. Firstly it smooths and clears the Gall Bladder channel, the complex pathway that begins at the outer corner of the eye and traverses the head, neck, shoulders, ribcage, hip, side of the leg and foot. Clearing this channel supports flexibility of the mind and body in negotiating a smooth path through life. Secondly, the point strongly supports the smooth spreading of Liver Qi, allowing it to ascend to fuel action and promote free respiration.

As the exit point of Gall Bladder meridian, it drains congested Qi from the upper reaches of the channel, especially from the head. Holding this point is like taking the plug out of a bath to drain it. Thus it can treat headaches, especially at the back and top of the head, visual distortion, dizziness and tinnitus.

As the Wood point of a Wood meridian, Foot Above Tears has an energising effect on the Element. It shakes the tree, rouses the Wood: Wake up, let’s go, it’s time to move! Element of the Element points such as this also function as horary points (from the Latin hora meaning hour). According to the Chinese meridian clock, the high tide of the Qi flow passes through Gall Bladder meridian between 11pm and 1am. Therefore the point has a greater influence during this time. People who have difficulty falling asleep at this time of night may find the point conducive.

Zulinqi has another role as the master point of the Dai Mai (Girdling Vessel), one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, and the only one that does not have a longitudinal trajectory. It passes round the back at the waist, dropping lower towards the pelvis in front, like the low slung belts that were iconic fashion items in the 80s. This vessel binds the Penetrating and Conception Vessels, and the Liver, Spleen and Kidney meridians, all of which influence the menstrual cycle. This powerful master point therefore regulates menstruation and treats PMT which so often comes with tears. It also helps with infertility, vaginal discharge, abdominal fullness and lumbar pain. It relieves the low back and hip pain of pregnancy.

Locally, it treats pain and swelling on the top of the foot, and helps to heal the most common of foot fractures at the fifth metatarsal.

Some say that frustration is a motivating force that leads to success. I would suggest it is a sign that Wood is getting stuck. Zulinqi can help to unblock the logjam and free the energy for directed, purposeful action.

 

3.12Location of Gall Bladder 41

On the top of the foot, in the depression below the junction of the 4th and 5th metatarsals. Draw up between the fourth and fifth toes, cross over the tendon of extensor digitorum longus and drop into the hollow. Apply direct pressure. The point is often quite sensitive.

 

Cover

 

This is an extract from the forthcoming book ‘The Way of the Five Elements’ by John Kirkwood, Singing Dragon Press. Publication date November 21st, 2015. You can now pre-order this book at Fishpond, Book Depository and other online booksellers. (76 days to go!)