Chinese Medicine Notes

Books About Five Elements and Shen

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Yael

Almost all the books about Chinese Medicine are on important subjects.
Sometimes, it seems as though some subjects don’t have enough written work about them. When we find a book on one of the subjects, it seems as though we found a treasure, which immediately makes the book and the subject important.

Five Elements and the Shen are two examples to very important subjects.
There’s very little information about these subjects, and in some books, the price tag is enough to cause some kind of disturbance in one’s mind.
One of two courses I am taking this year is about the Five Elements and the Shen. We got a list of recommended books, and I will go over some of the books, hoping to share some new books with you, or at least remind you of the books you forgot about:

Grasping the Wind- A. Ellis et al
The book was introduced to us on the first year, most of our teachers think that this is one of the most important books out there for understanding the acupuncture points.
The book discuss the names of the points and offers translations and thoughts regarding the names.

Way of Heaven- C. Larre
One of the most basic books to read about the SuWen.
Generally speaking, every book by Father Larre and Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallee is worthy of reading.

Archetypal Acunpuncture: Healing With the Five Elements- G. Dolowich
The book contains information about the five elements with quotes of poetry, study cases, I-Ching and examples from the modern culture in which we live.

Five Spirits: Alchemical Acupuncture for Psychological And Spiritual Healing- L. Dechar
The book takes a look at the emotional and psychological aspects from the alchemy of Chinese Medicine.

Nourishing Destiny: The Inner Tradition of Chinese Medicine- L. Jarrett
A very thick book with many ideas by Lonny Jarrett, based on his years of experience.

Shen: Psycho-Emotional Aspects of Chinese Medicine- E. Rossi
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Shen and you never knew who to ask- this is the book for you.

Classical Five-Element Acupuncture: The Five Elements and the Officials- J.R.W
The late J.R. Worsley was a friend of Dr. Van Buren, two teachers who influenced a generation of teachers in Israel and the world.
While Dr. Van Buren took up the road of the Stems and Branches, Worsley turned to the five elements and wrote many books and articles. No list about five elements books is complete without mentioning J.R Worsley.

Traditional Acupuncture: The Law of the Five Elements- D. Connelly
One of the most basic books to read when looking for information about five elements.

I hope you’ll enjoy these books (or at least one of them), and I would love hear your thoughts about these books.
Also, if you think of more books that are important to mention- leave your comments, I’d love to read it.