The ancient Chinese belief system identified five natural elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and air. Many other belief systems describe four elements, leaving out metal. Others had five elements but some use ether or the void as the fifth one. Metal includes the metals with which we are familiar, such as copper, gold, and silver; but, the category also includes gemstones and crystals. Reiki practitioners may use gemstones and crystals in their sessions, but most of us are less aware of other metals, and their energies, in our lives. Because most of us are more familiar with the energies of the multitude of gemstones and crystals on earth, this article will focus on metal materials.
Many of the metals that surround us in our lives are hybrids of metals or metals with additional components. We may have iron railings next to our outdoor steps, or next to indoor staircases. We have metal in our kitchen appliances, washers and dryers and household tools. We drive in cars, and ride buses, trains, and airplanes – all these transportation vehicles contain much metal. We wear gold and silver rings and other jewelry.
While contemplating metal energies, I visualized our Reiki treatment room and identified many objects with metal components. Here are some things I found that are probably in most treatment rooms – the legs and framing of the massage table; the main column of a floor lamp; candle holders; certificate frames. We also have metal in a water fountain, an electric heater, and curtain rods, just to name a few.
Image by the3cats
There are several emotional and physical areas associated with the natural element metal. One description refers to the “letting in and letting go” rhythm within our lives. All of us can find examples in our own lives when we struggled with this reality. Letting in may refer to difficult ideas, deeper understanding, or relationships with people different than us. If we find ourselves in situations when we have refused to let something in, healing may be needed.
Letting go can be just as difficult. We may have feelings of guilt, shame, disappointment, or failure. Or, we may have painful memories, of hurts we have received, and hurts we have imparted upon others. Holding onto these negative energies will result in blockages in our energetic systems and can eventually cause physical and/or emotional harm.
Grief is one of the most common forms where we have difficulty in letting go. Metal energies can facilitate the process of grief by helping us to move forward and get out of “being stuck.” When loved ones die or disappear from our lives through estrangement or other distancing, we can find comfort and healing through these energies.
Like all the natural elements, a balanced use of metal energies is necessary to enhance healing. Although metal may not be the first element we think of – many of us, including myself, may be more drawn to wood or water elements – we also cannot ignore its energetic impact on us individually, or all of us collectively. Finding the balance is the essential component. If you have a job where you are in a car most of the day, or work in an environment of steel or iron, make the time to go outdoors every day. Or, use gemstones and crystals to rebalance your energies. Awareness of all the natural elements, and their presence in our daily lives, will aid us in our healing paths.
Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master
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Deborah Lloyd is a Usui and Karuna Reiki® Master and certified holistic therapy practitioner, providing Distant Reiki sessions and training in Asheville, NC. Deborah is the author of two books, 22 Messages from the Archangels; and, Believe and it is True: A Story of Healing and Life Lessons. She is also one of the co-authors of Reiki 101: 101 Answers for Your Reiki Questions. Reach Deborah at [email protected] and on Facebook at Deb Lloyd Healing.
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