WATER

Has a force and a power, a rhythm and a cycle. The human body is 78% water. Brittleness of joints; excess or deficiency of perspiration, thirst and urination; The lack of flow in thoughts and emotions; feelings and fears - being overwhelmed, worry and anxiety, depression, inability to cope and fear of change all indicate an imbalance in water.

Keywords in the water element - Fluidity and flow.

Colour: Blue and Black.

Season: Winter

Organs: Kidneys and Bladder. The Kidneys are the storehouse of the vital essence (life force) and the gateway to the stomach. Lethargy = lack of vital essence. The kidneys allow the stomach to do its job by providing the fluidity and passage of the vital essence. Problems with body fluids = imbalance. The bladder - flexible enough to contain a lot or a little fluid, it is therefore very adaptable.

Time: Kidney: 3PM - 5PM. Bladder: 5PM - 7PM. Feeling better or worse at these times may indicate an imbalance.

Taste: Salty

Orifice: Genitals, urethra and anus

Sense organ: Ears - sense of hearing rather that orifice (fire). Vertigo, dizziness, loss of equilibrium and balance, noises/tinnitus all indicate a water imbalance.

Fluid secretion: Saliva

Emotion: Fear

Sound: Groaning and moaning

Parts of Body Governed: Bones and Brain

External physical manifestation: Head hair.

Power: Capacity to create trembling

Taken from Traditional Acupuncture : Law of the 5 Elements by Dianne M Connelly Phd