Imagine discovering the user manual you were born with that explains to you how you actually work. What would you do with such a thing? Would it help you lead a better life of health and abundance, and find ways to build better boundaries?
Western culture did not really understand the memo that such a tool exists. Luckily, thanks to the spiders crawling between computers, weaving the web that connects us all, it’s easier than ever to access what others have known for generations.
Eastern Wisdom Beyond Western Astrology
People who want to expand, grow, evolve, and become more prosperous benefit immensely from understanding how they are put together. As corny as it sounds, when and where we were born really does matter. Many of us have had our Western Astrology Charts done. Eastern cultures offer something more useful. Their systems connect to our emotional, health, and spiritual needs. They help us discover our gifts, understand how energy flows within us, and explain why we struggle in some areas yet thrive in others. Many systems exist that serve as the “user manual” I mentioned before—guiding us to live more aligned and fulfilled lives.
This elegant set of systems draws on biology on several levels—ethereal, physical, and emotional—to provide deep insight. Among the most useful are the Five Element system (Wuxing) and BaZi. At its core, BaZi is an astrology chart applied to the human body, filtered through the Five Elements theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
My Introduction to the Five Elements and BaZi
When I discovered this thinking, I was recovering from a nightmare medical collapse. It introduced me to the Chinese elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Metal and Wood. Each element maps onto the body, emotions, foods we eat, and our thoughts. This system is explored through Traditional Chinese Medicine.
I was more amazed than when I learned I could burp on command as a kid in church. The implications were profound: emotions stored in the body? Certain foods negating high sugar foods, that, as a diabetic, I am not allowed to eat? (I did not believe it, THEN, but, hey my pancreas is now slowly recovering, despite all that Dr. Pepper competing for space with the blood in my veins.)
Experimenting with the unique balance of Five Elements in my chart helped me find a breakfast perfect for my stomach that let me eat that which SHOULD not be eaten. My endocrinologist was clueless, yet my pancreas began healing, and I went off insulin. Now I take an extremely low Ozempic dose weekly to gently reduce pancreatic fatigue.
I do not claim TCM or the Five Elements cure medical problems. I firmly believe this system offers practical understanding of flesh, nerves, and the ethereal blob of spirit that makes us human so we allow ourselves to heal as we are designed to. The body can heal superbly when supported with the right foundation of self-care practices as we abuse ourselves on the carnival ride through the third dimension.
How the Five Elements Work in Daily Life
The Five Element system is central to Eastern healing because it provides a simple yet powerful framework understanding body, mind, and spirit as they move as one organ. Many healing arts like acupuncture, herbalism, and nutrition use this model to diagnose and treat disease and imbalance by restoring element harmony. It explains why we often feel stuck or overwhelmed.
Its circular, relational nature makes it exceptionally effective—as one element shifts, others follow. This can work for us, or against us.
The Five Elements describe the dynamic balance of nature and human life. Each maps to specific organs, emotions, seasons, and energies—providing a holistic health map.
Practitioners identify imbalances causing physical or emotional issues and guide treatments restoring harmony. Because elements interconnect in cycles of generation and control, balancing one supports the whole system naturally.
When I say “Treatment” I do not mean anything clinical. I am referring to an action taken, a normal, non medical action, like going for a walk, putting peppers in your morning omelet or never meditating before bed. The version of the 5 Elements I follow are all about timing, and adding or subtraction foods, or actions from my normal life. I need fire themed foods in my diet, as I run cold. Due to the severe medical traumas I have endured, I burn through internal resources quickly, and run out of energy. Adding orange and red foods to my breakfast keeps me running warmer, so I do not burn out early on.
The Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water helps link the body, emotions, and nature’s rhythms in a dynamic, interconnected cycle.
- Wood governs the liver and gallbladder and relates to anger. When balanced, Wood channels passion and direction; unbalanced, it produces frustration. Sour foods like lemons and greens boost Wood’s cleansing energy. The liver’s role aligns with Wood’s function in detox and growth.
- Fire connects to the heart and small intestine and is tied to joy and vitality. Bitter greens nourish Fire, which is fueled by Wood’s energy. Fire transforms and supports Earth through renewal. When skewed, Fire brings emotional intensity or detachment.
- Earth rules the spleen and stomach, linked to worry and thoughtfulness. Sweet, grounding foods like root veggies bolster Earth, which nurtures Metal and supports physical strength and digestion. Weak Earth shows a lack of foundation and energy.
- Metal governs lungs and the large intestine; it relates to grief and clarity. Pungent foods strengthen Metal, which prunes Wood to keep growth in check. Metal’s balance helps release old emotions and purifies body and spirit.
- Water connects with kidneys and bladder, tied to fear and resilience. Salty foods like seaweed feed Water, which nurtures Wood. Balanced Water brings calm and wisdom; imbalance causes anxiety.
What My BaZi Chart Revealed
My BaZi chart elemental balance revealed key health insights: Water 34%, Wood 29%, Earth 13%, Metal 13%, Fire 11%. Dominant Water and Wood meant these energies were strong and sometimes excessive, while Earth, Metal and Fire were weaker. Earth governs digestion and muscle strength—explaining my below-knee amputation. Weak Earth means poor grounding and physical weakness. The weak fire meant I exhausted myself quickly, and need to grow my endurance.
Water governs kidneys and pancreas. Too much Water suppressed Fire, which manages metabolic energy and warmth, leading to pancreatic dysfunction and diabetes. Low Fire caused vitality and sugar regulation issues.
I adapted a balanced elemental diet to strengthen weak Fire and Earth—root veggies, grains, warming spices—while avoiding foods overstimulating Water and Wood. This helped pancreatic regeneration and insulin independence.
When I had MRSA infections with nine marrow cysts in my bad leg, my chart showed a need for “high heat.” Herbs and acupuncture boosting Fire and clearing stagnant Water helped me heal. (I also went though all of the doctor recommended procedures I was ordered to do. This way of healing is not a substitution for medical help!)
This example illustrates how understanding BaZi’s elemental balance guides targeted diet, lifestyle, and therapeutic choices restoring harmony, health, and growth.
Restoring Balance Through Small Choices
My BaZi’s strong Water and Wood but weak Fire, Metal and Earth showed these patterns. Pancreatic struggles reflected Fire suppressed by Water; Losing my lower right leg related to Earth overwhelmed by Wood.
Physically, these imbalances lead to:
- Metabolic/endocrine disorders (Fire-Water imbalance)
- Digestive weak spots (low Earth)
- Respiratory or structural challenges (weak Metal)
- Emotional swings (anger, anxiety, grief, fear)
Knowing your BaZi chart’s patterns allows precise actions restoring balance through diet, lifestyle, and traditional therapies. When elements are unbalanced, one may overpower another, upsetting delicate balances. For example:
- Wood excess: Support Earth with sweet grounding foods (carrots, sweet potatoes), whole grains, warming spices. Calm Wood’s emotional anger with meditation and gentle movement (yoga, tai chi).
- Fire excess: Nourish Metal with cooling, pungent foods (garlic, onions, white radish). Use relaxation and breathing exercises for anxious Fire.
- Earth excess: Support Water with salty, hydrating foods (seaweed, kelp, cucumbers). Gentle water activities and rest replenish Water’s energy.
- Metal excess: Support Wood with sour greens (spinach, kale, lemon). Engage in creative outlets to reduce Metal’s grief.
- Water excess: Strengthen Fire with warming foods (ginger, chili, cinnamon), sunlight, and movement to reduce Water’s dampness.
These habits harness Five Elements cycles to restore balance, enhancing health and emotional wellbeing.
(Important: Consult your medical professional for health or dietary advice. I’m not certified in medicine or nutrition. This info helps understand your energetic manual for self-care.)
Applying Your Manual Before Things Break
There is much more about the Five Elements; I offer a glimpse of how this thinking affects emotions and biology. Better balance aligns you with your true self, resetting you like pressing a hidden reset button behind your neck.
What happens when we start applying the USER MANUAL before we start falling apart?
When I see holistic practitioners, seekers, or healers improve, I wonder why we don’t map who and what we are clearly. When something breaks, it’s signaling imbalance. People tend to fix the thing that broke, but often fail to reinforce the systems that support that weakened part. The Bazi and the 5 Element system gives us a practical filter that lets us see what is going on, so we can make easy adjustments as needed.
By following this school of thought, I gained enough time for my body to come to terms with my severe MRSA and medical nightmare and start healing before I went past the point of recovery. Three months ago, I ruptured a blood vessel in the back of my eye because of a medicine conflict. I readjusted my diet, adding in cooling foods, because I had added too much of the wrong kind of fire to my diet. The blood mostly drained out of the eye in a week, and I am recovering better than expected. I am starting laser eye surgery to fix the problem, several months sooner than the doctor thinks should be possible.
Your Next Steps
Imagine achieving more, with less effort and investment of time. Download the free PDF and join the Rise and Thrive Collective, my community for wellness and intuition development.
Inside, you’ll find the exact BaZi chart calculator I use to help people uncover their unique elemental makeup. The BaZi Chart empowers you to make better choices in diet, lifestyle, and self-care,all aligned with the Five Elements for improved health, emotional balance, and personal growth. For the first step, all you need is the chart breakdown of your 5 elements, and compare them to the 5 element chart. 15 to 25% percent per element is fairly blanched. You may also gain insight into your spiritual gifts and life patterns, encouraging deeper self-awareness as you learn how to interpret the rest of the information. Reach out (rise@withthefluff.com or 831-201-2380) if you would like to book a session to help gain that understanding.
About the Author
Jason Hottel (withthefluff.com) believes in an integrated approach to healing and success, focusing on biology first, emotional health second, and free will third. He prefers not to introduce new tools unnecessarily, choosing instead to identify what already works for each person and build on their strengths. By using the Five Element system, Jason helps individuals recognize their natural talents and challenges, creating a practical roadmap to greater health, wealth, and joy. He applies intuition throughout his process, helping people move past current blockages and achieve their goals in a way that truly fits their lives.
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