THE WOOD ELEMENT PERSONALITY: A CHINESE MEDICINE NOTE
In Classical Chinese Medicine, your personality can be linked or classified according to the five-element theory. This includes all aspects of your physical structure, emotional tendencies, behaviors and propensity to certain illnesses. Since we are all part of nature and cycle through the seasons, we are a manifestation of all of the elements but we have a more dominant element in relation to the others. Each element can manifest in both positive and negative tendencies, depending upon the state of health and balance in the person at the time.
TAKE OUR QUIZ TO FIND YOUR DOMINANT ELEMENT
SO YOU'RE A WOOD ELEMENT 木
If you've take the quiz and you've been classified as a dominant Wood Element, according to Classical Chinese Medicine, you possess the following personality traits, constitution and facial structure:
—It is your life's mission to find adventure. Energized by the journey of learning in life, you won't stop until you drop to achieve your dreams.
YOUR INTENTION: EXUBERANCE
Your strength comes from an easy unforced clarity of direction and action, an exuberance of imagination and certainty of vision.
YOUR SEASON: SPRING
The Wood Element represents the Yang energy and springtime. Just like the new growth that emerges from the soil and on trees and bushes in the Spring, the Wood Element gets its energy from birth or rebirth growing stronger as it progresses getting its energy from the sun and rain.
After having spent a period of time in introspection during the season of Winter and the Water Element, the Wood Element evokes vision and empowered action to forage ahead and bring those reflections to the surface to become manifested in the wider world.
YOUR PERSONALITY: THE VISIONARY, PIONEER, AND DOER
Wood types fearless warriors and are driven, assertive and charismatic. They are goal oriented and often seek new was of doing things. As natural leaders, they feel comfortable taking on huge responsibility, mentoring others and collaborating with others to make things happen.
Wood Element types favor organization and structure in order to reduce risk, properly execute their plans and to gain the confidence of others. With an insatiable appetite for intellectual growth, they are always acquiring new skills to be relevant, admired by others and to maintain their position of authority.
They are strong operationally and prefer to dive deep into the inner workings of things. They learn by doing so that they can easily solve problems and adjust the trajectory of the goal at hand. With this warrior mentality, they have a strong sense of justice and fairness and often look to give back and improve the lives of the less fortunate and oppressed. The Wood Element are positive thinkers and have a faith that they can impact the world in positive ways. They prefer mornings to afternoons or evening.
When out of balance, Wood types find it hard to relax and let go. In fact, they work themselves into exhaustion as a way to rest comfortably. Believing that a positive mindset combined with an empowered action can lead to any goal no matter how lofty can easily result in frustration with themselves and others and can be unsympathetic to others' plight.
APPEARANCE: RECTANGULAR FACE, ENERGY IN NOSE, BROWS + CHIN, WIDER SHOULDERS
Wood Element types have a greenish complexion, small hands and long face with a pointed chin and wide shoulders. They are seldom overweight due to their fast-working metabolism.
MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES: ANGER + FRUSTRATION
The Wood Element strongest emotion is anger and they can easily become upset with obstacles and unable to appropriately restrain their feelings resulting in shouting. When in this unstable emotional state, Qi (energy) and Blood circulation is interrupted creating tension and stress.vBecause they are self-disciplined, they can maintain high levels of self control and composure even when out of balance.
DIET & EXERCISE PREFERENCES: SOUR
The liver is associated with the sour taste so adding foods such as lemons, apple cider vinegar can support your Liver. It is best not avoid bread or crackers for a quick energy boost but instead incorporate complex carbohydrates like legumes, brown rice, quinoa, and high protein snack (nuts, yogurt, cheese) for a slow sustained energy release. When Qi stagnates, over time it generates heat. When that happens, add small amounts of raw food or cooling foods (grapefruit, pineapple, asparagus, peas) adding small amounts of raw food or cooling property food (green bean, chrysanthemum tea) to clear the heat and prevent heat build-up.
Try stretching and softening the muscles and tendons to prevent spasms and cramps. At the same time, the movement will cool your head and encourage blood circulation. Wood elements love a fast-paced life. Try to take some time to slow down and balance your work so that you do not need to go all-out all the time.
HEALING PRACTICES: CARDIO + STRETCHING + VISION BOARDS
The Wood Element type requires adequate movement of their body being prone to stiffness and inflexibility. Although any form of movement achieves this, choose something that gets your hear rate going to the point of sweating so that your muscles are warm and adequately moving. Do what honors you and your body on a daily basis but don't over-rely on your athletic ability and competitive nature to avoid injury.
Finally, any type of activity that channels your imagination and goal setting such as painting, drawing or vision boarding to further express yourself. Ask yourself why you're choosing to express yourself in any given way to add clarity and wisdom to your life.
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