Within the ancient systems of Chinese medicine, the Five Element Theory refers to the elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. This theory can be used to describe the relationship between different elements in nature which engender/support or damage/destroy each other in a continuous cycle. These two cycles form the basis for a healthy balance or can lead to a destructive imbalance. To determine your type check the qualities that apply to you as you read through each archetype.

Personal Assessment Checklist

Wood
___feel confident, act assertively
___ambitious and enjoy being competitive
___openly discuss abilities and achievements
___comfortable with challenges, conflict, or pressure
___enjoy being first, best, unique, even outlandish
___tend to be pushy or provocative
___take pleasure in public recognition
___comfortable leading or directing others
___reject or argue with other’s opinions, especially of yourself

Fire
___enjoy the pleasure of the senses
___easily know what another thinks and feels
___enjoy physical contact and emotional intimacy
___easily share innermost feelings and desires
___tend to live in the here-and-now
___see the humorous side of life
___optimistic and hopeful despite what others may say
___enjoy being attractive and magnetic
___identify and sympathize with another’s joy and pain

Earth
___nurturing and supportive, putting other’s needs first
___enjoy frequent socializing with friends and family
___enjoy being relied upon for reassurance and help
___involved in other people’s lives
___like to create a relaxed and comfortable environment
___tend to be diplomatic and tactful, a consensus builder
___happy to rely on the skill and intelligence of others
___comfortable and open even with an unfamiliar person
___agreeable and accommodating

Metal
___prefer a neat and orderly lifestyle
___enjoy a convivial but undemanding social life
___committed to high moral principles and conduct
___enjoy tasks that require logical and systematic approaches
___self-contained, not overly-involved in the affairs of others
___willing to accept authority from those with more competence
___put virtue and principle before pleasure and fulfillment
___likes things to run calmly and smoothly
___work effectively in situations with well-defined goals and guidelines

Water
___cautious and sensible
___tend to keep feelings, thoughts, and opinions within
___content being anonymous, a “fly on the wall”
___doesn‘t mind being considered unusual or eccentric
___content figuring things out for yourself
___objective and fair, regardless of what other’s think
___cherishing privacy and a few good friends
___patient and persevering in spite of defeats
___particularly enjoy solitude

The section with the most checks is your primary archetype. A brief description of each follows:

Wood the pioneer, represents the liver
Live in their muscles and nerves - tense, agile, enjoy challenges, and thrive under pressure, and like to be on the move.

Keys to wood
Seeks challenge, push the limit
Does well under pressure
Loves adventure, movement
Likes to be first, best, and only

Typical problems
Intolerance and impatience
Volatile emotions, anger
Headaches, high blood pressure
Muscle spasms

Fire the wizard, represents the heart
Live on the surface through their senses organs - thrive on intensity, heat, and stimulation, and are permeable, sensitive and responsive.

Keys to fire
Loves excitement and intimacy
Intuitive and empathetic
Believes in power of charisma
Loves sensation and sentiment

Typical problems
Anxiety, agitation, and frenzy
Bizarre perceptions
Nervous exhaustion, insomnia
Palpitations, hypoglycemia

Earth the peacemaker, represents the spleen
Live in their cavities viscera - aware of the fullness and density of their interior, and thrive on interaction, contact, continuity, good at juggling and arranging their own and other people’s lives and activities.

Keys to earth
Wants to be involved, needed
Wants to be all things to all
Seeks harmony, togetherness
Insists on loyalty and security

Typical problems
Worry, obsession, self-doubt
Meddling and overprotective
Lethargy, water retention
Indigestion, muscle tenderness

Metal the alchemist, represents the lungs
Live in their skin – the covering that protects and defines all parts of the body, and thrive on order, reason, ritual, and regularity.

Keys to metal
Definition, structure, discipline
Respects virtue and discretion
Lives according to principle
Reveres beauty and refinement

Typical problems
Indifferent, formal, distant
Self-righteous and disillusioned
Stiff joints, dry skin and hair
Poor circulation, climate-sensitive

Water the philosopher, represents the kidney
Live in their deep structures – the brain, spinal cord, bones, and gonads, thriving on solitude, autonomy, and cognitive freedom.

Keys to water
Articulate, clever, introspective
Critical and scrutinizing
Seeks knowledge
Likes anonymity, to be hidden

Typical problems
Emotionally undemonstrative
Isolation, loneliness, suspicion, fearful
Deterioration of teeth, backache
Chilliness, loss of libido

From Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine,
by Harriet Bainfield, LAc and Efrem Korngold, LAc, OMD

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