Winter, Water, and the Dance Between Fear and Excitement
In Acupuncture theory, Winter is linked to the element of Water. Together, they are associated with the Kidneys, Bladder, ears, brain, and our will or drive for action. Water represents both the depths of our unconscious fears and the potential for wisdom and trust.
Like all elements in this system, Water has an emotional continuum—from fear to fearlessness. When we examine our emotions, we often find they point to an unmet need. In the case of Water, that need is trust. We long to believe that if we are fearless—if we follow our calling and act in alignment with our truth—the world will support us.
This is the teaching of the Tao, or “The Way.” In ancient China, the Tao was considered the path to happiness: the route of least resistance, where we act with effortless effort, leaning back into the flow of life like water itself. But trust does not come easily.
The Roots of Fear: A Survival Mechanism
Humans have an evolutionary negativity bias, a survival mechanism that kept our ancestors alive. Imagine a twig mistaken for a snake versus a snake mistaken for a twig. Those who reacted with caution—even to harmless objects—were more likely to survive and pass on their genes.
This means we were selectively bred to look out for risk. We are wired to prioritise security overtrust. Rather than flowing with life, we build structures to feel safe. We settle. We conform. We do what others expect instead of standing out. Over time, this becomes our norm, making deviation feel even riskier.
Water, Winter, and the Deep Nervous System Response
Winter intensifies this challenge. With long nights, harsh conditions, and fewer resources, it is a time of heightened vigilance. Our primitive nervous system responds in much the same way as it did when we were reptiles. Interestingly, scientists have recently discovered that fight, flight and fawn are learned responses, for animals, instinctively we freeze when we are afraid. *
Except when we don’t. There is another fascinating thing about fear and lack of fear that took me a long time to understand. Lack of fear also has another name: excitement. And the two ends of the spectrum share the same physiological state.
Fear and Excitement: The Same Physiology, Different Mindset
The rush of adrenaline, the heightened senses, the quickened breath—these bodily responses are identical whether we are terrified or exhilarated. The only difference is our interpretation.
This is where the Brahma Viharas—the Noble Qualities of Buddhism—come into play, particularly Wisdom and Equanimity, associated with Water. Noble qualities are traits the Buddha recommends we cultivate in order to move away from misery and towards freedom.
Wisdom allows us to discern the difference between sticks and snakes, and to appreciate the true value of this short human life. It helps us accept that though we won’t always be safe, in a world full of risk, we must still push against boundaries, to stop them from coming in and to grow. Wisdom, helps us to determine when to break free, when to take risks and when to trust.
Equanimity gives us the capacity to stay balanced, to remain in equilibrium through the choppy waters of life. It is sometimes described as the mental equivalent of the keel of a ship. It allows us to get knocked and buffeted by the storms of life without damage, and it helps us to pop up again, enjoying the forces of nature and using them to propel us in whatever direction we choose. You can practice equanimity in this guided mediation:
https://dharmaseed.org/talks/86465/
Acupuncture and the Water Element: Finding Balance
One of the most profound aspects of Acupuncture theory is how it reflects the depths of human experience. When our Water element is out of balance, we may experience anxiety, hypervigilance, and even PTSD, but also physical symptoms such as hearing issues, back pain, fatigue, and feeling perpetually cold.
Acupuncture works by restoring harmony in the body, helping us move from paralysis to flow, from hypervigilance to trust, from fear to excitement. If you are curious about how acupuncture can support you, feel free to book a session through the link below.
If you are interested in learning more about Five Element Theory, Buddhism, and how to cultivate trust and resilience, sign up for my mailing list to stay updated on upcoming courses.
Further Reading & References:
* Fanselow, M. S. (1994). Neural organization of the defensive behaviour system responsible for fear. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 1(4), 429-438.
Hanson, R. (2009). Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom. New Harbinger Publications.
Sapolsky, R. (2017). Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Press.
Van Der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking Press.
