The ancient Taoists realised that life as form can be confusing, and so searched for a map of this reality. Looking to Nature they observed the flow of energy or chi, and began to notice a recurring pattern. Chi moves in a spiral, trancing the same circle path in many different ways.

The ancient Taoists realised that life as form can be confusing, and so searched for a map of this reality. Looking to Nature they observed the flow of energy or chi, and began to notice a recurring pattern. Chi moves in a spiral, trancing the same circle path in many different ways.

The Taoist Medicine Wheel
Chi flows in cycles in Nature: we can see it illustrated every day in the daily cycle of day and night, in the monthly moon cycle and in the yearly seasonal cycle. Though these cycles are very different durations, the actual flow is the same.

Daily Cycle
As ths sun rises, the world awakens. The birds sing, the creatures arise and nature emerges.
As the sun peaks, the day moves into its fullness. Creatures are going about their daily tasks and nature is expansive.
As the sun sets, the world retreats. There is a sense of winding down, going home and nature gathers.
As the sun rests, the world lies in the stillness of night. The world rests. Nature is contractive.

Monthly Cycle
As the moon waxes, there is an energy of excitement and anticipation. Nature emerges.
As we reach full moon, energy peaks. It is a time of parties, gatherings and communion. Nature is expansive.
As the moon wanes, the energy sinks gently down and we sink into the afterglow. Nature is gathering.
As we reach dark moon, we withdraw. It is a time to be alone, to be quiet, to rest. Nature is contracted.

Yearly Cycle
As Spring comes, plants come into life, animals are born, life enters rebirth. Nature is emerging.
As we move into Summer, life is in fullness. Plants and trees are full and abundant. Nature is expansive.
As Autumn comes, plants withdraw, trees shed their leaves retaining only what is essential. Nature is gathering.
As we move into Winter, many plants have sunk into dormancy, trees are bare, some animals even hibernate. Life has sunk deep beneath the surface. Nature is contractive.

Energy Cycle
Energy emerges into being
Energy rises until it peaks at expansiveness
Energy begins to withdraw and gather
Energy sinks deep within into contractiveness

These are four of the element of the Tao.

The Centre
Amidst all of this change, there is always stillness. Just as the centre of a wheel has a point that never moves. This stillpoint is the witness of the change. It is the calm at the centre of a storm, the stillpoint of the whilrpool.

This is the fifth element of the Tao.

These flows of chi were taken and formed into a map, known as the Five Elements. As within, so without....therefore flows observed in Nature outside of the body can thus be found within the body. This may can therefore be used to understand the body, health and illness. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses this very map. It can also be used to understand emotions, relationships, spirituality.....in fact there is no limit!

Tao Spiral is a system of healing using the Five Element Medicine Wheel as its guide.