The Organs of the Metal Element – Lungs and Large Intestine

​The Metal Element is associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine. In Chinese medicine, these organs work together to regulate the rhythm of intake and release throughout both body and mind. Physically, the Lungs take in oxygen to nourish the blood and support vitality, while the Large Intestine eliminates waste and toxins from the body and maintains healthy bowel function. Energetically, the Lungs help us take in inspiration, purpose, and a sense of value, while the Large Intestine supports our ability to let go of emotional heaviness and create space for renewal. Together, they guide two essential processes: receiving what is pure and meaningful, and releasing what is no longer needed, both physically and emotionally.

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The Season of the Metal Element – Fall

The Metal Element corresponds to Fall, a season of letting go and turning inward. After the fullness of Late Summer, nature begins to shed what is no longer essential — leaves fall, daylight decreases, and the world prepares for Winter’s rest. The fallen leaves decompose, enriching the soil and creating nourishment for the seasons ahead.

Fall mirrors Metal’s inward and downward movement of energy. It invites us to pause, reflect, and release what we no longer need so that we can move into Winter with clarity and simplicity. This season reminds us that letting go is not loss, but a part of the natural rhythm that allows space for renewal.

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The Emotions of the Metal Element – Grief

The Metal Element is associated with grief — the body’s natural response to endings, change, and loss. Physiologically, grief affects the chest and breath, often creating a sense of tightness or constriction in the Lungs. Healthy grief allows us to honour what has been lost and gradually release it with tenderness and respect.

When Metal energy is balanced, we can feel and move through our sorrow without being overwhelmed by it. We’re able to let go of what no longer serves us while staying connected to the meaning and value it held.

When Metal is imbalanced, grief may linger or become suppressed. We may feel emotionally numb, stuck in sadness, overly rigid, or unable to release past hurts, patterns, or attachments. Balanced Metal helps us experience grief without collapsing into it, and supports the natural process of letting go so we can create space for what is new.

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The Spirit of Metal – Po – Instinct & Embodiment

Each Element carries a spirit that shapes how we think, feel, and move through the world. In Chinese medicine, the organs are not only physical systems; they are also homes for these spirits. For the Metal Element, that spirit is the Po.

The Po resides in the Lungs and is often described as our instinctual or embodied spirit — the part of us that experiences life directly through sensation and breath. It is said to be “borrowed” from the earth, entering the body with our first breath at birth and returning to the earth when life completes. The Po represents our body’s unconscious and instinctive drives. It stores early childhood memories and helps protect us through innate survival responses such as fight, flight, or freeze. When the Po is strong, we feel rooted in our bodies and present in the moment. There is a natural ability to sense what we need, let go of what no longer supports us, and appreciate the meaning and value of what remains. When the Po is unsettled, that embodied presence becomes harder to access. We may feel emotionally numb or overly sensitive, unable to release old hurts or attachments. Grief can feel stuck or unprocessed, and we may become disconnected from our own sense of worth and inner clarity.​

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Signs of Stress or Imbalance

When grief or unresolved sadness persists, Metal energy can become disrupted, causing Qi to deplete and weaken in the Lungs and Large Intestine. This may manifest through emotional, physical symptoms and energetic symptoms.

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Emotional:

Grief, sadness, perfectionism, self-criticism, isolation, rigidity, cold, stoic, feeling blah, sensitive to criticism, fragile, jealous.

Physical:

Respiratory issues (asthma, coughs, allergies), skin problems (eczema, rashes, dryness, acne), constipation, irregular elimination, immune weakness, frequent colds and flu, pneumonia, chronic tension in the chest or upper back, voice/throat issues.

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Energetically:

Feeling disconnected or shut down, difficulty letting go, resistance to change, or clinging to “shoulds.”

Balancing the Metal Element can help: Strengthen the lungs, immune system, digestion, and skin health, support healthy boundaries, release grief and stagnation, and restore clarity, openness, and inspiration.

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Ways to Cultivate Balance in the Metal Element

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• Connect with your breath. Slow, steady breathing practices help calm the mind, strengthen the Lungs, and anchor you in the present moment.

• Spend time outdoors in the crisp fall air. Gentle walks support Lung function, emotional clarity, and connection to the season of the Metal Element.

• Let go of what feels heavy or outdated. Declutter your home, simplify your space, or journal unresolved emotions to create room for clarity and renewal.

• Nourish the Lungs with moistening foods. Include pears, apples, white mushrooms, radishes, almonds, ginger, and warm soups or broths to counter seasonal dryness.

• Hydrate and moisturize. Drink warm fluids and use natural oils to support the Lungs and skin, which are both sensitive to dryness.

• Externalize the internal grief you are experiencing. Give yourself space to feel and express grief through journaling or reflective practices. Share your feelings with a friend, let a song move through you and evoke tears.

• Engage your body. Gentle movement, such as walking, stretching, yoga, or qigong helps release tension, regulate the nervous system, and support the Po.

• Practice integrity and authenticity. The Metal Element strengthens when your words, feelings, and actions align.

• ​Receive regular acupressure treatments. Acupressure is an excellent way to support the Wood element, especially during the transition into Fall. Seasonal sessions or ongoing care help regulate the flow of Qi, support emotional balance, and prevent stagnation before it manifests as symptoms.​​​