According to the Chinese calendar of seasons, summer in Southern Hemisphere begins November 7. We definitely already experience the joy of warmer and longer days, when we can be out and about, mingling with our friends, without worrying about the cold or rain. The trees show off their leaves, and some have incredibly beautiful and fragrant flowers. We cannot miss the blooming Jacarandas everywhere! They remind me of the cherry blossoms that carpet Japanese gardens in their time in Japan. Every year, families meet under the cheery trees for picnics to have the blossoms fall on them like snow. If you go to Hyde Park in Perth, you can observe the same thing; carpets of jacaranda flowers, and friends and families enjoying a picnic under the shade of the trees. This is totally in the spirit of the Fire Element that resonates with fun and sociability.

The Fire Element is associated to four organs; the Heart, the Heart protector, the Triple Heater, and the Small Intestine. The physical role of each organ has repercussions on the spirit as well, as most organs in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).

The Heart is the organ of relationship. Its spirit is called the Shen and it represents who we are at our deepest level. It is that light we see in someone’s eye. It is our spirit; our consciousness. Just like a fire, it needs air and space to burn bright and strong. This is a major role it plays in keeping healthy boundaries.

The Heart Protector or Pericardium is an actual sac that protects the heart organ. In TCM it is given the role of “Official Ambassador” and it discerns if relationships are appropriate and a suitable level of connection.

The Triple Heater (or Burner or Warmer) is not a visible organ, but it is responsible for fluid and heat transportation. It regulates our body temperature. Energetically, it is the organ that opens the passage and determine how we engage with the outside world authentically. How much do I engage? What do I allow to come in and out?

The Small Intestine is responsible for triage. Its role is to filter the pure from the impure. It keeps the nutrients from our food and sends away what we don’t need to be eliminated. Energetically, the Small Intestine helps us discern what is good or bad for us.

When our Fire is out of balance, we may be overly sociable with a lack of boundaries and excessive joyfulness, or conversely, feel a lack of joy and difficulty letting anyone in our circle. On the topic of joy, it is not seen as a positive emotion in Chinese medicine if it is excessive. If it doesn’t sustain and it is expressed in elation or excitement, it would be considered a sign of imbalance. True balanced joy is regarded as being expansive and grounded. It is felt by others as a sense of profound presence and connection and is supportive of one’s mental health. Too much excitement is detrimental to our Heart’s spirit, the Shen, as are too much stress and anxiety.

The Fire Element is represented by the colour red. Practitioners therefore encourage to wear red clothes, eat red food such as capsicums, tomatoes, watermelons, strawberries etc… most of which are in season during the summer. Bitter foods are also recommended, as it is the taste of the fire element.

How can you balance your Fire? You can book an Acupressure appointment, have a regular Qi Gong practice that focuses on fire, wear and eat the colour red.

More lifestyle tips:

• Spend time in silence – listen to your intuition
• Create space in your life – a good fire needs air
• Don’t be afraid to create boundaries – make sure you align with your truth
• Exercise moderately – get your heart pumping, always within reason
• Make sure you hydrate with water, especially if you consume alcohol and/or sugar which bring excess heat to the body – bitter foods like kale and spinach cool the energy down

For more information or to book an appointment, email or call 0452628810.