Understanding the energetics of emotions through the 5 phases

In 5 phases, often called 5 elements, there are emotional qualities and energies associated with each. Through understanding the energies and qualities, and if we are able to harness our sovereignty of inner independence as well as develop our discernment and conscious mind, we can develop our emotional intelligence and become our own inner alchemists turning the lead of our lives into gold.

The energies of the five elements are as follows

wood - expansive, new growth

fire - peak energy, spreading

earth - moderation, stabilization

metal - contraction, quieting

water - consolidation, storage

When these energies are out of balance they lend themselves the following emotional expressions :

wood - anger (frustration)

fire - excitability, shock, trauma, manic

earth - rigid thinking, obsessive thinking

metal - sadness & grief

water - fear

When these energies worked with from an emotionally developed and mature perspective these personal strengths bloom:

wood - Decisive, balanced control

fire - warmth, vitality

earth - Integration, stability

metal - strength, courage

water - willpower

Positive Emotions of the transformations:

wood - balanced assertiveness, kindness

fire - respectful, loving, joyful

earth - openness to others

metal - ability to discern, inspired

water - careful, gentle wisdom

If these energies are in excess, they may show up like:

wood - arrogant, compulsive, aggressive

fire - grandiose, manic

earth - domineering, conforming, stuck

metal - perfectionist, stoic, dogmatic

water - blunt, detached, demanding

When these energies are deficient, they may show up as:

wood - ineffectual, devious, picky

fire - sensitive, startle easily, panics

earth - clinging, enmeshed

metal - petty, resigned, depressed

water - paranoid, pessimistic, critical

So if we understand that wood is an expansive energy, likened to the new growth of a sprout with direction, a plan and confidence of growing toward the sun, we can see if we get stopped in an aspect of our being from actualizing, that it would cause stagnation. This could be through repressed emotions or experience memories, or not feeling heard, or not having appropriate boundaries or feeling powerless. If we are able to work with each emotion to discover what is behind it, our history with it, understand it’s energy and understand how to harness the power of its qualities, we can be in flow with life, working with our emotions as tools of transformation, rather than be controlled by our emotions. If we can see where we might be operating from a disempowered aspect of the energy, we can then take steps to move into balance.

For example if we feel like we are always grasping or clinging or attached in our relationships we might want to start exploring the earth phase. In the Alchemy of Emotions course, in the earth module we get into the explorations and practices the help up strengthen our own centre, nourishment, filling our cup so we are not giving from an empty cup, and work on self worth so that we can create co- creative relationships rather then co-dependant ones. We can evolve our perspectives and experiences in life from coping and feeling stuck, to living life to the fullest, being in flow with the constant transformations of life from a place of a warm an open heart.