5 Elements: Fire
What is dark clings to what is light and so enhances the brightness of the latter. A luminous thing giving out light must have within itself something that preserves; otherwise it will in time burn itself out. Everything that gives light is dependent on something to which it clings, in order that it may continue to shine. - The I Ching
Balanced FIRE: insightful, enthusiastic, articulate, passionate, spontaneous, witty, charismatic. Skilled at self-expression, playful, charming, loving, warm-hearted, interacts well with others. Vivacious speaking voice often sounds like laughter.
The FIRE element in us can be overstimulated (feeling unrooted, jittery, impatient, having tendency to manic speech and behaviors) or “burnt out” (lacking passion, joyless).
Health concerns can commonly involve insomnia, sweating disorders, inflammatory conditions, irritable bowel, speech impediments, attention deficits, memory problems, relationship problems, depression, anxiety, palpitations.
Restoring Harmony
Connect with others, engage socially
Be active - balancing exercise includes swimming, yoga, tai chi, ballroom dance; less “frenzied movement” exercises
Laugh, Sign, Play, Breathe
Set healthy boundaries in relationships
For Overstimulated Fire:
Seek calm, focused social interaction
Seek solitude and introspection
Take a lavender-scented bath
For Burnt Out Fire/Joylessness:
Play! Flirt! Be Silly!
Connect through social interaction
Incorporate vibrant colors & luxurious fabrics in your home and wardrobe
Get a massage
The Calming Breath
Exhale completely, then close your mouth and inhale through your nose to a count of five. As you breathe in, imagine that pure, clean air is entering your lungs.
Hold your breath for twenty counts, imagining that your cells are using this opportunity to empty their waste products into the bloodstream.
Exhale to ten counts, visualizing the waste products exiting your body.
Experiment with the ratio of counts that works for you.
Yoga Exercise
Stand on your mat in a wide stance. Press your feet lightly into the ground. Look straight ahead and take a full breath. Extend your arms out to the sides to shoulder height with palms facing down, fingers straight. Take five long, full breaths.
Bring arms down to sides and take five breaths. Look straight ahead and raise your arms up to shoulder heights with palms facing UP. Hold for five breaths.
Raise the arms straight up and touch the palms together. Hold for five breaths. Now bring the arms out slowly, halfway between the head and the shoulders with the palms facing forward. Hold for five breaths.
Bring arms down to the sides and take ten slow, relaxed breaths.
The entire series can be repeated two times. To counterstretch, place your hands on your hips, bend your knees a bit and fold yourself forward into a supported forward bend by placing your palms on the floor. Breathe into any tension in the lower back. Come up very slowly. Stand for five more breaths, then rest on your back for three minutes.
Diet
Bitter foods, beverages & herbs (green, green teas) Note: coffee is bitter, but the acids tend to produce heat; green tea is preferable
De-emphasize spicy foods, saturated fats, meats and dairy, avoid hydrogenated fats - olive oil is good!
Avoid red vegetables (tomatoes, red peppers, red chili peppers)
