Lightness of being
Wings of Joy is Metal element or the Element of Air, uplifting, opening up creative expression, throat and sacral chakras, relating in a playful way, flexibility with a strong sense of self.
Following the Sheng cycle of the Wuxing we now must explore the element of Metal, and begin to unlock the controlling cycle of these incredible diagnostic tools. As Metal comes out of the Earth; it is only natural to speak of this element next.
METAL is seen symbolically as a White tiger and sits on the right side (west side) of the Dantien as we are looking at it, the centre or the cauldron is Earth. In the natural order of the Sheng cycle the Lungs (Metal) are the vehicle for the kidneys (Water) to release their fear, therefore dampness in the lungs can be seen as water releasing out of the body. On the other hand if the lungs are not releasing this fear properly then the spleen (Earth) is overloaded to create anxiety.
This is where diagnosis becomes complicated especially when one is working with the use of opposites such as in herbal medicine. This is why at Monshah Healing we also like to work with vibrational essences. Through the creation of our essence WINGS OF JOY we simply introduce the Balanced Energy of the element METAL, and harmony naturally reintegrates throughout the system.
EMOTIONALLY
THE BALANCE
The balanced energy of Metal is to be strong and flexible, aesthetically inclined, a holder of deep wisdom and lover of true beauty. Accepting, disciplined, calm the balanced Metal type has a deep interest in searching for higher wisdom, philosophy and spirituality.
Metal is also ambitious, has strong ideas and is able to sustain prolonged effort to achieve goals even through hardships, drawbacks and failures. Preferring to sort things out on their own and often aloof, they are however a conduit for electricity which influences those around them to bring about the transformation they seek. With a desire for opulence, luxury and power they can achieve much in life.
THE IMBALANCE
Excess: Perfectionism, rigidity and dogmatism, order and discipline to the extreme. Unable to relax unless everything is perfect, deviation from the routine causes intense distress. The religious convert or political extremist Metal is self righteous, hardened, inflexible and unyielding. Anyone who differs or challenges ideas is judged and resented. Obsessed by physical possessions, power, people and relationships this creates a huge grief due to obsession with perceived loss and becomes envy, jealousy, greed and clinging possessively to all they own, unable to let go or grieve.
Deficiency: No boundaries, energy and power pour away. Need for approval, no self confidence and oversensitivity to criticism. Tendency to cling on to loved ones, giving too much and putting them on a pedestal leads to disappointment. No sense of inner wisdom. Surface behavior mean more than the inner quality and gross or coarse behavior brings feelings of repulsion.
PYSICALLY
The organs associated with Metal know when to take things in and to let them go.
LUNGS: The lungs provide the body with the ability to take advantage of the air that we breathe into the respiratory bronchioles, through cells enabling oxygen to be picked up by the bloodstream. Oxygen is a necessary ingredient for healthy functioning of the whole body. Lungs have a rhythm as they breathe in (inspiration) and breathe out (expiration) and relate to the concept of time (having enough of it) the ability to pick up and make use of opportunity, and the understanding that for every end there is a new beginning. The lungs oversee the relationship between heaven and earth, exterior and interior world. They are responsible for producing Jing qi(energy needed to supply organs) and Wei qi (defensive/immune energy). Wei chi protects from invasion by pathogens and prevents internal energy being lost through the skin (the third lung) whilst also allowing toxin elimination through perspiration, hence the relation of Metal to skin.
COLON: The Colon, or large intestine, is responsible for absorbing water from food and fluids and, through the action of peristalsis, for containing and moving out all the remains of our food that is considered to be of no further value to us. Known as the Drainer of Dregs it is able to distinguish between the harmless and the harmful to keep the clutter moving out and clear the way for new chi coming in from the lungs. The large intestines represent the ability to let go of what is no longer needed to allow the new to come in.
Excess
Rigidity, stiff muscle movement, clumsy, stiff posture.
Spine, neck and joint problems
Chronic sinus with headaches
Short breath, chronic dry cough, tight chest, asthma
Constipation, diarrhoea, colitis, IBS
Dry skin, hair, nails, lips, nasal passages and mucous membranes
Nasal polyps
Lack of perspiration
Deficiency
Environmental oversensitivity, i.e. allergies
Shallow breathing
Food allergies that disturb bowel and intestines: colitis, Chron’s disease
Congested nose, throat, sinuses
Asthma
Dry skin, hair, lips, and nasal passages
Moles and warts
Loss of body hair
Cracked, dry or soft nails (mineral deficiency)
Headaches due to loss or disappointment
Bowel problems: constipation, loose stools, IBS
Depleted immune function manifesting as persistent colds and flu, sinus congestion, postnasal drip, chronic fatigue, Lupus.
When dealing on an energetic level with a client who needs to balance the Metal element
Exercise
The nose is the orifice relating to the Metal Element. At the top of the nasal passage there is a group of hairs that are related to the pituitary gland. When stimulated these hairs activate the endocrine system. This only happens during very slow rhythmic or fast pulsing breath. The following breathing exercise done for 10 mins every morning charges and aids the circulation of Qi, releasing stagnation in the lungs which in turn helps to release regret, control and anger. This feeds your emotional state so that you feel energised and balanced. Qi, or universal life force energy, is a direct attribute of Metal. Qi needs to be stored in the sacral then excited and felt as a moving energy. If this doesn’t happen then rigidity and stagnation occur.
-Sit with spine straight, but not rigid, both feet on the floor, or stand with feet shoulder width apart in parallel, eyes may be closed if this helps you to focus.
-Start to feel the breath as it moves in and out of the nose, for 1-2 mins.
-Move deeper to experience how the breath moves in the lungs; focus first on the left lung then the right lung, then both together.
-Draw breath deeper into the left side of the colon (intestines),
-Then into the groin, the sexual organs, pelvis and hara (see article #1) feeling the breath moving in and out through the respiratory system down into these areas.
-Move the breath outward into the skin, expanding as if you are blowing up a balloon on the in breath and contracting (deflating) on the out breath.
Bring the awareness back up slowly and focus once more on the breath moving in and out of the nose before finishing.
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Henri Venturini is a Master practitioner, teacher and producer of Vibrational Medicines, energy healing and martial arts. He lives om the Whangaparaoa Peninsula in New Zealand where runs their Auckland based natural health and healing company Balanced Energy™. Copyright Balanced Energy Ltd 2005–