Alchemize Thoughts into Things Using the Five Elements
Tisha Morris
A human being is quite extraordinary if you think about it. We are able to simultaneously be on Earth while also connected to the spirit world. Because we in essence have a foot in each dimension, we are uniquely able to create things from thoughts with intention and action. I can have the desire to have a coffee and just like that I can produce a cup of coffee from my kitchen. Even if I didn’t have a coffee maker, I could go to the store and buy one or invent one with makeshift filters and a pour-over container. Humans have obviously thought about coffee in hundreds of different ways. But what about something completely unique to you—a book, a painting, a recipe, a textile, or a song?
The process of creating something out of nothing is the alchemical process that we ourselves are all by-products of and therefore embody within us. To create is to participate in the essence of being alive. This is what nature is busy doing all day too. All beings on earth are part of the creative process, which Taoism refers to as the Five Elements Cycle. The Five Elements Cycle is the interplay of the Five Elements-Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal-to create and sustain life on earth.
Taoism is an ancient Eastern philosophy that sees the interrelationship of plants, animals, nature, human beings, and even inanimate objects as one, with each being a microcosm of the universe. The glue, so to speak, that ties all things together is the Five Elements. Everything consists of some combination of the Five Elements, including ourselves. Simultaneously, when the Five Elements work together in a cycle, they produce the creative cycle, or the alchemical process of turning thoughts into things.
What Are the Five Elements?
When the Five Elements work together, they create a dynamic energy that is the creative process. To understand the process better, It’s important to understand the role of each element individually. You can think of each element literally, metaphorically, or symbolIcally. For example, the Wood element includes what you would think of as wood, such as a tree, but it can also be represented energetically in a variety of ways, including a season, color, shape, and through our personality.
Let’s look at how each element presents itself through our own personal energy and personality. As you read the following descriptions, notice if you recognize yourself in one or more of them. We all contain the energy of all Five Elements, but we are usually dominant in one or two of them. Also notice if there is one of the descriptions that is definitely not you. It may hold the key to unlocking the alchemical process for yourself.
Water Element
The Water element is the Philosopher. They are quiet and typically introverted, and yet so unassuming. They hold a quiet strength. They may seem fragile at times, but they are anything but. They are deeply creative, contemplative, and introspective. They will most likely be the ones to figure out the key to world peace or an invention that saves climate change. It will be up to the other elements, however, to implement it. When out of balance, Water elements can become withdrawn and aloof. They tend to keep their emotions close to them and process slowly before taking action. In Tao-ism, the Water Element is associated with winter.
Wood Element
The Wood element is the Pioneer. They are the leaders, inventors, seekers, and visionaries. They will take the lead in groups and take action steps to create movement in projects. They can easily vacillate between being introverted and extroverted depending on what a situation calls for. For example, they can work solo on creating a new business or work well with groups. When movement in projects or relationships stalls, the Wood element is quick to become frustrated. Wood elements keep things in forward motion, and their challenge is to know when to contract their energy or take a step back. In Tao-ism, the Wood element is associated with spring.
Fire Element
The Fire element is the Manifestor. They are high energy and generally extroverted. They are often the life of the party and enjoy life. Similar to a flame, they create the highest expression of energy in the form of enthusiasm and passion. Fire elements provide the fuel in projects in order that they manifest in their highest and truest form. While the idea may have been born with the Water element and the Wood clement provided forward motion, it is the Fire element that brings something to full culmination. When out of balance, the Fire element can become burnt out. Its energy can easily scatter in too many areas without proper focus, which can lead to anxiety. In Tao-lam, the Fire element is associated with summer.
Earth Element
The Earth element is the Stabilizer. They are the grounding force that keeps the status quo maintained so that change doesn’t happen too quickly. The Earth element is the container or stage on which we all get to play. They are highly supportive people that bring harmony to groups and help maintain the peace. Think of the Earth element as the parent that keeps harmony among the children when bickering ensues. They go out of their way to not ruffle feathers. They do not like change and can become controlling if taken to the extreme. Worry is their default emotion, especially when something seems out of their control that could lead to possible change. In Taoism, the Earth element is associated with the equinox points.
Metal Element
The Metal element is the Organizer. They are natural organizers and keep things in check and on schedule. They make great accountants, engineers, scientists, editors, architects, personal assistants, and proflessional organizers. They are guaranteed to be detail-oriented, focused, and precise in anything they do. They tend to cut to the chase in conversation without the need for embellishments. They also love an orderly environment with even their storage items labeled appropriately. Their imbalance can show up as being obsessive, perfectionist, or overly rigid in their mindsets. They tend to have tunnel vision without the ability to see a bigger picture. In Taoism, the Metal element is associated with autumn.
Did one or more of the elements sound like you? Chances are one of them jumped out and you were able to recognize yourself. Did one of the descriptions not sound like you at all? Our dominant element is usually where we thrive in the creative process, whereas our weak element causes us to stumble, get frustrated, or give up altogether. In the next section, you will learn to utilize all Five Elements to successtully alchemize your ideas into a tangible form. {For a thorough examination of your dominant element and missing element, check out my book Missing Element, Hidden Strength (Llewel-lyn Publications, 2022).}
The Five Elements in the Creative Process
Before we had clocks or calendars, humans had a sense of time by watching the Sun rise and set each day, the Moon cycles each month, and the movement of the planets throughout the year. The passage of time via nature-daily, monthly, annually, along with our own life cycle—is in essence the Five Elements Cycle. We use the Five Elements Cycle in every area of our life, from daily activities, such as exercising and cooking, to major events in our life, including starting a relationship or creating a business. Once you recognize the cycle, you’ll see it in everything you do.
As a writer, I use the Five Elements as the template for completing a book. Going from idea to completion of a manuscript is the perfect example of the Five Elements Cycle and can be helpful in not getting overwhelmed with what is a monumental undertaking. As I take you step-by-step through the writing process using the Five Elements as my guide, know that this same process can be used for completing anything you set your mind to.
Like all things creative, a book starts with an idea. The idea phase is the Water phase, where thoughts and ideas drop in seemingly out of thin air. It’s the phase in which the veils are the thinnest and you can be a channel from Spirit. Everyone’s process for how this happens differs. For example, some people get ideas through meditation, walking in nature, or during dreaming at night. Our best ideas often come when we’re not trying to think about them because they come from beyond our physical brain.
The Water phase is also associated with knowing your why. In other words, what’s driving you to write about or explore a certain topic or story? Your why becomes the river that quietly flows underneath your project and takes you to the end. Your why will get you past the doubts and fears along the way. It may feel like your mission or purpose, or something bigger than yourself, because it’s the element that’s most closely linked to the spirit world.
When you’re ready to put your idea onto paper or into your computer, you’ve officially entered the Wood phase. The Wood phase is when we take the nophysical idea into some physical form. In Taoism, it’s represented by the first buds of spring making themselves visible in the natural world. You can think of it as the beginning of your idea blooming. This can take the form of an outline, the first pages, or simply jotting your ideas down in your Journal. The Wood phase helps put structure to the otherwise invisible idea. You can think of it as a map that helps you plot your Journey going forward. Once you’ve worked enough of your idea out on paper, then it’s time to enter the Fire phase.
The Fire phase of any creative project is the phase in which you put in most of the work. In terms of writing a book, it’s the bulk of the time it takes to actually write the book, or at least write the first draft. The Fire phase is represented by the summer season when the planting season is in full growth. It is in essence the highest point of energy output, which precedes harvest when the energy slows down. You can think of this as the completion of the first daft, at which time you take a break from it. This is the Earth phase. It’s the point of the creative process where you take an objective step back to reassess what you’ve created thus far.
After you’ve taken a break from your manuscript, it’s time to start the editing phase. This is the Metal phase of the creative process, where you go back to make any refinements needed. The energy of the Metal element is such that it cuts back or takes away any excess that may have occurred during the Fire phase. This phase is pertinent to any creative endeavor to fine-tune the final product. Whether creating a book, a product, or a new business, we are alchemists turning thoughts into things through the creative process of the Five Elements.
How You Can Use the Five Elements to Complete Projects
If you’ve had difficulty getting started with projects, finishing projects, or staying committed to projects, it’s likely you’ve skipped over one of the elements. Now you have the formula for success that you can apply to any creative project. I invite you to use the following worksheet as a step-by-step guide for using the Five Elements to complete your next creative endeavor.
Five Elements Worksheet
Project Title:
Step 1: Water-The Idea
What’s your why? What’s the internal motivation behind what you want to do?
I want to create ____________________________________________________________________________
because I feel passionate about ______________________________________________________________
because of my personal experience with ______________________________________________________
Additional notes for Water phase:_____________________________________________________________
Step 2: Wood-The Plan
What’s your plan (e.g., business plan, book outline, blueprint, prototype)?
I will create a plan that includes ______________________________________________________________
followed by _______________________________________________________________________________
with a goal of completion by _________________________________________________________________
Additional notes for Wood phase: ____________________________________________________________
Step 3: Fire-The Execution
How much time and energy are you willing to put into it?
I commit to working on______________________________________________________________________
for __________ hours/ week for __________ months/years in order to finish _________________________. (Repeat for each phase of project.)
Additional notes for Fire phase: ______________________________________________________________
Step 4: Earth-The Market
Whose problem am I solving and how will I let them know I have a solution?
My target audience or customer is ____________________________________________________________
because it meets their need of _______________________________________________________________
I will reach them through the marketing channels of _____________________________________________
by sharing my _____________________________________________________________________________
personal story of __________________________________________________________________________
Additional notes for Earth phase: ____________________________________________________________
Step 5: Metal-The Adjustments
What changes do I need to make from my original idea, if any?
I need to eliminate or change ________________________________________________________________
I can improve upon _________________________________________________________________________
if I take out/change/add ____________________________________________________________________
I need to go back to the ____________________________________________________________________
phase in order to __________________________________________________________________________
Additional notes for Metal phase: _____________________________________________________________