Everyday aromatherapy - Living everyday mindful of the principles of TCM to healthily express fear, anger, joy, reflection, grief and develop wisdom, compassion, love, empathy, reverence

At night I spend six hours of the day in a dormant state asleep usually between 12pm to 6am. If this isn’t enough sleep and the time permits I have a nap in the afternoon between 2pm-4pm.

In TCM Five Element terms this time is Water, Water dampens Fire, condensed yin, the season is winter, the bodily organs are the kidney and bladder, the root emotion is fear, the highest expression is wisdom. In terms of the spirit this accords to the Will (Zhi). (1)

In the morning I attend first to the family, hygiene, ailments, breakfast myself and feed children and animals.  I attend to my post. When in Warwick I drive to my workplaces an office and a factory. When in London that can involve going to patron and client premises, the library or coffee house. This is when I connect with people staff and customers, ensure everyone has the resources they need, something to do (and the will to do it!)

In TCM Five Elements terms this time is Wood. Wood raises water. Wood roots penetrate the Earth.  Wood is rising Yang. The season is spring, the bodily organs are the liver and gall bladder, the root emotion is anger and highest expression Compassion. In terms of the spirit this accords with the ethereal soul (Hun). (1)

Midday. The Sun is at its Zenith and so am I! Very mindful.  At 1 I go for a coffee and biscuit and lunch lightly.

In TCM Five Element terms this time is Fire, Fire smelts metal, radiant yang, the season is summer (sometimes very brief in England!), the bodily organs are the heart, pericardium, small intestines and triple heater. The root emotion is Joy and expression is Love. In terms of the spirit this accords with the Mind (Shen). (1)

Afternoon. A time of despatch and order fulfilment. A time of intellect.  The results of the day are finalised, interpreted and reported. I let myself and others know how we have got on.

In TCM Five Element terms this time is Earth, Earth absorbs the ashes of Fire, Earth contains (channels) Water, descending yin, the season is late summer, the bodily organs are the stomach and spleen-pancreas. The root emotion is reflection and highest expression empathy. In terms of the spirit this is the time of the Intellect (Yi) (1)

Evening. The journey home. I listen to music.  A light evening meal and catch up with the family.  A soulful time.  And so to bed.

In TCM Five Element terms this time is Metal, Metal concentrates Earth, Metal melts to liquid, gathering yin, season is autumn, bodily organs lungs and large intestines. The root emotion is grief and highest expression reverence. In terms of the spirit this is the time of the bodily soul (P’o). (1)

Essential Oils and the Five Elements (2)

Wood Excess:  Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon, Spikenard

Wood deficiency:  Carrot seed, Chamomile, Rose, Vetiver

Fire Excess:  Lemon Verbena, Sweet Marjoram, Neroli, Orange, Valerian

Fire deficiency:  Frankincense, Sage, Sandalwood

Earth excess:  Cardamon, Patchouli, Pettigrain

Earth deficiency:  Caraway, Coriander

Metal excess:  Citronella, Eucalyptus, Myrtle, Ravintsara

Metal deficiency:  Fir, Hyssop linalool, Niaouli, Pine, Thyme linalool

Water excess:  Cedarwood, Juniper

Water deficiency:  Basil, Clary Sage, Geranium


References

1. Mojay G, Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit p31

2.  Jeffrey.C.Yuen cited in Schaubelt



Ian Brealey