METAL ELEMENT - Phase 4 Autumn

Metal symbolThe Metal Element is like a Quality Controller taking the value of the fruit or karmic return of the thought seeds planted, in the creative process of the earlier phases. What has been the value of the experience? Here the essential seeds of it are extracted to be stored away as resources to draw upon in the future.  Are they high quality seeds that will produce beautiful and healthy thoughts and ideas in another cycle, or are they diseased? 


This is the phase of increasing yin, when I take in the essence of my outer experiences, and in a healthy state, let go of that which is no longer of value to me. It is the time to receive what is valuable to me in the present, while letting go of the past, in order to allow newness in the future to enter. It is like the rhythm of breathing - taking in and letting go. Did plans and decisions of phase1 produce the kind of quality harvest that I wanted? Was the intent to unselfishly bring benefit to others, and myself or was I germinating seeds of selfishness and greed?  I cannot change it now. I have to experience the consequences whether it is of happiness or sorrow. The colour of the Metal Element is white which is  a symbol of purity.

In nature this Element comes in the form of metal ores, precious stones, crystals and minerals within the earth, giving it both richness and structural strength. Many of these have great beauty and are considered valuable. What we set out to do earlier is now reaping its reward, and we can appreciate the value of the experience.

Balanced state
There is respect for virtue in the self and others. There is purity and clarity in thoughts, words and actions. They have integrity - what is in their heart is expressed in their speech. They have an easy nature in attitude and vision. They have the ability to discriminate and judge accurately. There is value for the self and others. There is a rhythm of taking in and letting go of what has passed - absorbing and eliminating.  They do not keep for themselves anything that is unnecessarily.  They have the capability to crystallise everything into its essence.  There is a liking for discipline, method, analysis precision and structure. They have good organisational skills.

Key diagnostic signs of imbalanced state
Colour in face - white
Sound - weeping
Emotion - grief
Odour – rotten
Lungs and large intestine meridians organs

Over-active
There may be greed, envy and jealousy, stoicism and defensive pride.

Under-active
There may be feelings of grief, self-pity, dejection and despondency, hypersensitivity and oppression. With the Metal Element out of balance, there may be the experience of loss of quality in their life, an emptiness they may try to fill by acquiring possessions of value or in quantity to fill a need for self-esteem and respect from others.

They may be spiritual searchers. They want to be valued. They may become self-righteous, strict and autocratic, formal withdrawn and distant. They can experience excessive grief, sorrow and anguish coming from a sense of loss. They may be perfectionists and either obsessively clean or not caring about themselves or their environment depending on their level of self-respect.

There may be problems connected with the lungs (asthma, shallow breathing, etc.) and bowel problems including constipation coming from a difficulty in being able to ‘ let go’. This Element is also connected with our defence system against invading pathogens. There may be skin problems, as the skin is our barrier against infections and also the interface between us and the rest of the world.


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