We’re at an inflection point on the planet to where we must go beyond what we’ve been capable of creating in the past. For those called to play a role in the evolution of our consciousness on the planet, the time is now to step up to our full potential. At the same time, the desire for personal satisfaction is at an inflection point as Covid gave us all pause as to what we’re here to create. There’s no better time than now to return to the ancient wisdom of Taoism.
Taoism is an ancient Eastern philosophy dating back over five thousand years ago as shamans explored ways of living in accordance with the primordial energy that connects us with spirit and earth, known as the Tao. Taoism breaks through the false sense of duality between ourselves and nature to help connect us with the universal energy that runs through everything. Feng shui and acupuncture emerged from Taoism as a way to find harmony in balance in our mind, body, and living spaces. Inherent to these practices are the Five Elements.
The Five Elements consist of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal, and are the building blocks of everything on our planet, including you. We all embody all Five Elements and, in fact, each organ in our body is associated with one of the elements. Everything from our appearance to our personality are governed by the Five Elements. We are all dominant in at least one of the elements. It’s the element that comes most natural to you. It’s your primary element.
As life would have it, there’s also one of the elements that challenges us. It’s your weakest element, or what I call your missing element. Your missing element has likely tripped you up time after time and kept you from reaching the level of success of which you’re capable. Until now, you might have thought you didn’t have what it takes to achieve a certain goal, or that the timing was off, or something you wanted must not be “meant to be.” Instead of your missing element being your Achilles Heel in life, it can become your hidden strength. In the following descriptions, notice which elements jump out to you as your primary element and your missing element.
Water Element – The Water Element is the Philosopher. They are quiet and typically introverted, and yet so unassuming. They hold a quiet strength. They may seem fragile at times, but they are anything but weak. They are deeply creative, contemplative, and introspective. They will most likely be the ones to figure out the key to world peace or an invention that saves climate change. It will be up to the other elements however to implement it.
Wood Element – The Wood Element is the Pioneer. They are the leaders, inventors, seekers, and visionaries. They will take the lead in groups and take action steps to create movement in projects. They can easily vacillate between being introverted and extroverted depending on what a situation calls for. For example, they can work solo on creating a new business or work well with groups. Wood elements keep things in forward motion and their challenge is to know when to contract their energy or take a step back.
Fire Element – The Fire Element is the Manifestor. They are high energy and generally extroverted. They are often the life of the party and enjoy life. Like a flame, they create the highest expression of energy in the form of enthusiasm and passion. Fire elements provide the fuel in projects in order that they manifest in its highest and truest form. While the idea may have been born with the Water element, and the Wood element provided forward motion, it is the Fire element that brings something to full culmination.
Earth Element – The Earth Element is the Stabilizer. They are the grounding force that keeps the status quo maintained so that change doesn’t happen too quickly. The Earth element is the container or stage on which we all get to play. They are highly supportive people that bring harmony to groups and help maintain the peace. Think of the Earth element as the parent that keeps harmony among the children when bickering ensues. They go out of their way to not ruffle feathers. Worry is their default emotion, especially when something seems out of their control that could lead to possible change.
Metal Element – The Metal Element is the Organizer. They are natural organizers and keep things in check and on schedule. They make great accountants, engineers, scientists, editors, architects, personal assistants, and professional organizers. They are guaranteed to be detail-oriented, focused, and precise in anything they do. They tend to cut to the chase in conversation without the need for embellishments. They also love an orderly environment with even their storage items labeled appropriately.
For a deeper dive into identifying your primary element and your missing element, you can take the Five Elements Quiz in the book, Missing Element, Hidden Strength, or at www.tishamorris.com.
Instead of resisting your missing element, consider embracing those qualities. Additionally, we can collaborate with others whose primary element is our missing element. Whether through individual pursuits, collaboration, or in building harmonious teams, we’re able to create on a bigger level than ever before when we integrate all five elements. And when you turn your missing element into your hidden strength, you can break through your own ceiling of satisfaction and fulfillment in your life and that of the planet.
