Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) embraces a fivefold concept known as the Five Element/Five Phase Theory to explain a wide variety of phenomena from cosmic cycles to the interaction between the body’s internal organs to personality types. The five elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water and we all tend to be one predominant “type” from among the five elements however no one is one hundred percent one type alone.
The season for Metal runs from August 7 to October 20. It is called energetic Fall. Below, we’ll discuss the Metal type of person and his or her personality traits. Describing this or any other type is not all black and white. Sometimes we are out of balance in our type. What we outline below is the basic personality of the Metal type in perfect balance. The opposite of any characteristic discussed here would demonstrate an out-of-balance Metal type.
Metal types are like the Eiffel Tower rising stately into the sky, reaching toward the heavens, magnificent, graceful and elegant. Metals have a lithe energy about them.
Metal yearns for refinement. They spend energy toward perfectionism and purity like unceasingly chipping away at a rock to reveal a precious gem within. They are orderly and stoic, regulated and resolved. Metal does not tend to express feelings like most other people. They get excited, yes, and feel emotion, but feelings like joy and happiness are held mostly within and expressed in solitude. Often when emotions are expressed outwardly, they may be expressed merely as a smile or a nod of the head.
You may be a Metal type if solitude, serenity, and reverence are front and center in your life. Metals are highly spiritual and their persona gives others to feel that they are more enlightened than the rest of us. Metals constantly work to keep their consciousness pure. They need and want to connect to the present moment. They must have and will work to secure their freedom to be alone, work, and connect with the Divine.
Metals often find themselves in a great deal of aloneness, yet they tend not to feel lonely for they feel companionship with nature and the non-physical realm. Their energy pulls in. They live in the mystical spaces in-between much like walking a labyrinth and they are easily able to find a zen space within themselves. They enjoy their journey to be one with and flow with change. Metal has high values and is very honorable. How can they live with themselves otherwise?
Metals are not known for being funny but when they express humor it’s always quite dry, brilliant and sophisticated.
They are masters at meeting life right where it is and rising above it. In fact, they get motivated by the challenge of what they must rise above. With this inspiration, Metal can weather life’s ups and downs without getting too upset. They do get distressed, but their upset seems more stoic because they don’t generously express it. When Metals are in balance, they don’t fret over losing things like a job, marriage, or a friendship because they see the big picture and know better days are ahead.
Metals have a knack for letting go of what is no longer needed in their lives: earthly possessions, distractions, toxic thoughts. For this reason, they will detach from other human beings when others’ challenges seem too much or too heavy to deal with or when something feels off or feels like drama. Metal will actually move away — physically and/or emotionally — from relationships that they feel will not enhance their own journey. For this reason, Metals can seem indifferent when relating to people. They do understand that long-term detachment like this can be unhealthy and after a period of time will seek to reconnect if they feel it deeply.
Metals do want to connect with people, just not in large groups or social circles. They prefer one-on-one encounters, and they are deeply grateful for every encounter they experience.
Metal types don’t like trite conversation. They like conversation to be deep otherwise why engage in them? They themselves are long winded in communication and always about meaningful dialogue and expression. Metals would rather be alone than participate in a shallow relationship, but when Metals do make friends with you allowing you to express your feelings without their judgment or detachment from you, Metal’s heart opens beautifully. Without Metal’s consistently opening the heart, he or she will show a lack of flexibility in relationships.
Metals are after a cosmic connection to other people with complete mindfulness. They illuminate the parts of the relationship that really matter and if you are Metal’s companion you become a better human being.
Metal thrives by serving a group of people — it’s where they feel at home. Their generous kindness becomes quite apparent once you get to know them.
The Metal type has an uncanny ability to simplify life in order to focus on what’s most important for personal evolution. In business, Metal is able to distill the most complex concepts to drilling down to what’s most essential. If Metal is a teacher or leader, he or she intently listens to others and extracts the most vital information in its purest and most meaningful form.
Metal prefers to finish a project completely before they take a dinner break nibbling on small snacks in the meantime. Metal types believe they are here for a purpose, and they diligently work to finish everything they came to Earth to accomplish. For this reason, Metal tends not to think of others while they are immersed in completion although they are some of the most altruistic people you will meet.
