Hello, 5E community! We want to start by diving into the concept of the "five element lens." What exactly is it? How has it transformed our lives? How can it help others? And why are we so passionate about sharing it? Let’s begin at the start of this journey—back when Neva was in acupuncture school.
A Personal Awakening
Picture this: The year is 2008. Neva, at 29 years old, has just undergone a profound period of self-reflection during her Saturn return, prompting her to completely shift her life’s trajectory and enroll in acupuncture school. Up until this point, she had spent the last decade burning the candle at both ends—earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science, working tirelessly at a restaurant, immersing herself in the extreme sports scene in Bozeman, Montana, and adhering to the early 2000s version of a "healthy" diet (think low-fat, low-calorie).
Her fire was completely depleted. Despite seeing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners for years, she continued to struggle with fatigue, depression, irritability, and debilitating monthly menstrual pain. She was running on empty, and nothing seemed to help.
Discovering Five Element Acupuncture
Then came Five Element acupuncture. Initially, her practitioner treated her as a Water constitution—her adrenal exhaustion was so pronounced that it overshadowed everything else. She spoke with a deep, groaning voice, and the dark circles under her eyes told the story of deep depletion.
After six months of treatment, something incredible happened. Her fire element began to reawaken. Her practitioner adjusted course, treating her as a Fire constitution, and that’s when everything changed.
Her energy surged, irritability melted away, depression lifted, and even her so-called "sciatica" disappeared. But beyond the physical relief, Neva experienced a profound emotional awakening. Understanding that she was a Fire constitution reshaped the way she saw herself and her purpose. She realized that her deepest calling was to connect with others, to share joy and love. And when her fire was low or burned out, those feelings of joy and love would diminish, often manifesting as depression.
The knowledge was life-changing. Even more empowering was realizing that not everyone is built the same way—that only about 20% of people are wired like her. Recognizing this freed her from frustration and misunderstanding. Each element has its own unique needs and desires, and understanding them has allowed her to build deeper, more meaningful relationships.
A New Perspective on Relationships
Armed with this new understanding, Neva began to see the world differently:
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Her wife, a Wood constitution, reacts to stress with anger or irritability—and that’s okay. It’s just how Wood people process the world.
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Many professionals—doctors, lawyers, CPAs—are Metal constitutions. They tend to be serious, direct, and uninterested in small talk. What might seem "cutting" or even rude is simply their nature.
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Her Earth patients often come in with complaints of aches and pains, but what they truly crave is nurturing and sympathy. A simple, heartfelt validation (“That must be really hard for you, Jim. I’m so sorry your ankle is bothering you”) is deeply healing for them.
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Her Water clients need reassurance and security. They seek a sense of safety and protection above all else.
The Power of the Five Element Lens
This is the transformative power of the five element lens—a framework for understanding yourself and others, free from unrealistic expectations. When we learn to see the world through this perspective, we unlock greater compassion, acceptance, and ease in our relationships. Imagine a world where we could embrace these differences rather than resist them—where we could support each other instead of feeling misunderstood.
If we all took this knowledge and applied it to our daily interactions, our communities—and the world—might just find a little more harmony.
So, what’s your element? Take our quiz to find out! And how has this lens shifted your perspective? We’d love to hear your thoughts!