Seasons of the Five Element Archetypes – The Wood Element

By Elizabeth Anne Johnson.

Here in the northern hemisphere, we have just moved into our long-awaited Spring season.

Daffodils are blooming, birds are pairing up and singing loudly while flashing bright colors, bumble bees are bumbling about, and a fresh lively buzz is in the air. Leaves are bursting everywhere as a green and alive vibrancy surrounds us, once again moving us into the “Season of Potential”.

It’s Wood Element season. The Wood element is all about potential and growth. From humble quietness to flashy beginnings, growth surrounds us and beckons us now. Our dogs, living closer to nature than us, feel that beckoning and quickening more than we do, especially our primary, or secondary Wood element dogs. They are literally bursting with potential. They are expansive, more curious, leaning solidly into athleticism, looking for anything that involves movement and growth to fill their potential. When we think about nature and how fast things are growing at this time of year, we can notice this similar trait in our Wood Dogs. They crave movement and mental/physical stimulation. Like a tree growing its central leader (its tallest main branch is called a leader) Wood dogs will look for a leader to take them higher into their physicality, learning, and their overall connection with the world.

We humans need to be that central leader.

This has nothing to do with “pack dynamics” but everything to do with relationship.

Positioning yourself as the teacher, the guide, the facilitator of fun, work, and play allows these Wood dogs to grow and let loose their potential in mind, body, and spirit. It also greatly enhances your relationship with them – something we all want! Having a human leader allows them “to be who they are” while they expand themselves. This leadership we create helps meet the Wood element’s wants and needs making them a more balanced, happy and healthy dog.

At this time of the year their energy is bursting out of their fur and they need us to help channel that energy for them. They want to move more, get better at what they know, and learn what they don’t know. They can be a steady solid partner when you are a steady solid leader.

On the flip side if we humans don’t step up to the plate, we can have a restless, powerful animal that has aberrant energy that they don’t know how to focus or what to do with. They will become the leader, the fierce protector, the escape artist, or the destructor. All that amazing Wood energy and potential has to go somewhere. Remember – the root word for “potential” is POTENT! You may not be very happy with an impatient, unruly, aggressive, frustrated, over-protective Wood dog. It is not always a pretty picture. And it doesn’t have to be that way…

Channeling this “potent” potential with movement, multiple daily walks in new surroundings, long hikes, athletic and competitive instruction, teaching new requests or tricks to stimulate their brilliant minds, is the most positive support you can give them. The Wood dog is an intelligent fast learner that is very athletic, needs movement, and needs a partner that will lead them to lots of fun, work, play, learning, and exposure to life.

Think vibrant potential! Think springtime in nature. Think growth, change, challenge, movement, devotion, partnership.

When we have a balanced Wood dog, we see all these same gifts come alive. We see them grow to be the partner we always wanted to have.

Take honest heed of your own element too – where does your Wood Element place itself in your life?

Are you competitive, athletic, driven, fast learner? Do you take charge when no one else does? Is your emotional default impatience, grumpiness, anger?

If there is a strong “YES” to any of these questions, this may be your strongest elemental season – you may be a Wood Element – take the quizzes in Know Your Dog’s True Nature – you will learn so much about your dog, yourself, your fun, and your relationship! Want to learn your dog’s archetype? Check out the quizzes in Know Your Dog’s True Nature. Find your own element too! Available in paperback, audiobook and eBook at booksellers around the world.

Check out the free gifts on my website – the Good Morning Spinal Wakeup is a must for every dog! https://www.elizabethannejohnson.com/