The 5 Element Theory states that everything in nature is made up of five basic elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether.
Each of the five elements represents a state of matter.
- Earth is everything in nature that is solid
- Water is everything that is liquid
- Air is everything that is a gas
- Fire is transformative
- Ether is the experience of space, emptiness
Each of the main 7 chakras or energy centres relates to an element.
Qualities of the 7 main chakras are listed in the table below:
Name | Location | Represents | Colour | Element |
Muladhara | Base of the Spine | Stability and being grounded | Red | Earth |
Swadishtha | Pubic Bone | Creativity and Sensuality | Orange | Water |
Manipura | Solar Plexus | Emotional Body | Yellow | Fire |
Anahata | Heart | Compassion | Green | Air |
Vishuddha | Throat | Communication | Blue | Ether |
Ajna | Middle of the Forehead | Intuition | Indigo | Ether |
Sahasrara | Above the top of the head | Connection to all | Violet | Ether |
A Meditation to balance the Elements
Ever noticed how we often feel better, calmer and more vibrant after a trip to the beach. The beach is one of the places where all 5 elements are in the one place.
Image yourself sitting on the sand at the beach (or find a quiet spot on the beach to sit)
Settle into a comfortable position and if it feels OK for you, close the eyes, or gaze softly in front of you.
Take a deep breath in and as you exhale, exhale with a sigh letting go of the day. Repeat this twice more.
Move your awareness to the sand, to the earth beneath you. Feel the stability and grounding that comes by focusing on the earth element. When the earth element is in balance your foundations become strong. You feel able to handle all of life’s challenges.
Move your awareness to the ocean. Notice the waves as they flow in and back out. Feel yourself in the natural flow of nature removing all resistance and allowing yourself to flow wherever life takes you. When the water element is in balance, we are able to flow around all of life’s obstacles. We move around them with ease and grace.
Move your awareness to the warmth of the sun. Feel the warmth of the sun penetrate through your skin and energise every cell in your body, bringing warmth and healing to every cell. When the fire element is in balance, you are able to tap into your creative energy and use this energy to transform your life.
Move your awareness to the gentle breeze on your skin. As you breathe in the fresh air imagine you are filling your body with the life-force that comes in with the breath. See this life-force transported to every part of your body. When the air element is in balance, you can feel your heart open, allowing you to feel gratitude and compassion towards yourself and those around you.
Move your awareness to the space around you and the space in your mind’s eye. Notice the expansive quality of the space around you. When the ether element is in balance you feel peace in knowing we are all connected in some way.
Sit as long as you like, allowing the feelings of peace, harmony and balance with nature to expand and grow.
Come out of the practice when you feel ready.
Mudras
If you would like to amplify the potency of this meditation you can incorporate hasta mudras (hand gestures). When you move to each element, place your hands in the appropriate gesture. Your hands can rest on your lap as you move through the elements.
