From 7 August to 20 October, the Metal element takes centre stage within the PHYTO 5 seasonal rhythm. Following the exuberance of summer, energy gradually withdraws. Nature gathers what is valuable and lets go of what is no longer needed.
It is precisely that connection between season, energetic movement, emotion and skin condition that makes the five-element philosophy so special to me. However, working holistically does not mean that we simply follow a calendar. It means that we bring together various signals and continue to look at the individual and the skin that are before us.
The energetic movement of Metal
Within Chinese philosophy, the five elements are not separate substances, but successive phases of movement and change.[1][2] Metal is associated with autumn, the skin, and the organ pair of the Lung and Large Intestine.
The energy of Metal moves inwards and downwards. It represents the gathering of experiences, separating the essential from the non-essential, setting boundaries and letting go of what is no longer needed.
The energetic value of Metal is simple to remember:
Record
Within this philosophy, the Long represents the absorption and distribution of life energy. Symbolically, this is also about daring to take up space and receiving what truly nourishes.
Tidy up
Metal brings structure, clarity and boundary. What is valuable and what can receive less attention?
Letting go
The large intestine represents the elimination of what is no longer needed. On an emotional level, this is connected with processing, saying goodbye and letting go.
The Emotion of Metal
The emotion traditionally associated with Metal is sadness or melancholy.[3] PHYTO 5 translates the balanced counterpart to satisfaction: being aware of what is, feeling your own worth and feeling good in your skin.
When the Metal energy is in balance, this can be experienced as clarity, inner peace and healthy boundaries. During a temporary disruption, melancholy, difficulty letting go, a need for control or the feeling that nothing is ever enough may come more to the fore.
These are not psychological diagnoses, but focal points that within a holistic treatment can give space to awareness and a more personal ritual.
The biorhythm of Metal
The five elements have both an annual rhythm and a daily rhythm. According to the traditional Chinese organ clock, the energetic peak of the Lung is between 03:00 and 05:00 and that of the Large Intestine between 05:00 and 07:00.[3]
The season and the organ clock can provide direction, but on their own do not constitute a pure individual assessment. Furthermore, the year of birth alone does not tell enough about a person's personal balance of elements.
For me, that is an important starting point. The season is a compass, not an automatic diagnosis. The professional always brings together four layers:
Season, energy, emotion and skin
The translation into practice
Start the treatment by observing and listening. A few simple questions can already provide a lot of insight:
How does your energy feel right now?
Is there a need for more peace, space or structure?
Are you able to let go of what no longer suits you?
Does your skin feel different since the end of summer?
Next, look at the skin. During the transition into autumn, we more often see dryness, a dull complexion, surface roughness, fine dehydration lines, and less suppleness.
Seasonal changes can demonstrably affect skin moisture levels, transepidermal water loss and skin barrier function.[4] Sun exposure, air conditioning, temperature fluctuations and changing humidity can also play a role.
Not a single isolated signal, but the overall picture determines the advice.
The professional ritual
At the beginning of the treatment, have the client take a few conscious and calm breaths in and out. This creates a natural moment to bring their attention inwards.
Apply one to three drops of the chosen Phyt’éther to the backs of the hands and gently rub them together. Have the client consciously experience the scent. The scent preference is an additional signal and not a diagnosis in itself.
Then, translate the intake and skin analysis into the treatment that best suits the moment. If the skin condition, scent preference, and energetic or emotional signals point mainly towards Metal, choose a Metal treatment and the corresponding products.
Should another element come to the fore, tailor the treatment and product choice accordingly. The current season provides direction, but the individual needs of the client always remain paramount.
During the treatment, work with calm, fluid movements from the centre of the face outwards. This also makes the movement of creating space and letting go physically tangible.
Easy to remember
Ask three questions with every treatment:
What may be recorded?
What needs sorting out?
What is allowed to be let go?
Thus, the Metal Season does not become a fixed rule, but a deepening starting point. The season provides direction, the energetic value gives meaning, the emotion creates awareness, and the skin condition determines what is truly needed.
That for me is the essence of holistic skincare.
Love,
Sandra
Note: The energetic connections belong to the traditional five elements theory and are not intended as a medical or psychological diagnosis. The professional skin analysis remains leading.
Sources
Chantal says:
This description is lovely!
Brigitte Robert says:
Thanks 💙
Yolanda says:
Dank je wel Sandra 🙏