Host: Jason Rigby

 

Guest: Elizabeth Anne Johnson, Animal Healer and Author

Book: Know Your Dog’s True Nature: Understanding Canine Personality through the Five Elements (Findhorn Press/Inner Traditions

Episode Overview

 

In this enlightening episode of the HDL Podcast, host Jason Rigby welcomes Elizabeth Anne Johnson, an animal healer with nearly 40 years of experience and the author of Know Your Dog’s True Nature. Together, they explore the ancient Five Element Theory from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a sacred map to understanding canine personalities and the profound spiritual bond between humans and dogs. From the soul-level pact forged centuries ago to the karmic mirroring of rescue dogs, this conversation unveils how our furry companions guide us toward healing, self-discovery, and a deeper connection to nature.

 

 

Key Segments and Highlights   Introduction (00:00 - 01:06)

• Jason’s Welcome: Jason introduces the episode with enthusiasm, highlighting Elizabeth’s book and its promise to decode the soul of dogs through the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. He frames dogs as more than pets—sacred guides reconnecting us to our wild hearts.
• Elizabeth’s Greeting: Elizabeth expresses her excitement to join Jason and dive into this fun, spiritual exploration.

  The Ancient Soul Pact Between Humans and Dogs (01:06 - 04:47)

• Question: Jason references a poetic line from the book—“Dogs too have endured and thrived beside us as we have beside them”—and asks about the soul-level pact humans made with dogs centuries ago.
• Elizabeth’s Insight:
  • She describes this pact as rooted in “kindred respect” between two natural beings—humans and dogs—meeting with curiosity and a sense of safety.
  • Historically, dogs helped humans hunt and find food, while humans offered warmth, companionship, and protection. This 50-50 exchange has evolved into a modern pact where humans strive to hear dogs’ voices and honor their wild essence.
  • Practical Tip: Elizabeth encourages letting dogs spend time outdoors to stimulate their senses, a nod to their feral roots, enhancing the bond and their happiness.

  The Five Elements: An Elemental Awakening (04:47 - 05:13)

• Jason’s Prompt: Quoting the book’s line about the Five Elements providing “X-ray vision” into a dog’s personality, Jason sets the stage for a deep dive into Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, noting their dual role in understanding dogs and ourselves.
• Elizabeth’s Macro View:
  • She frames the Five Element Theory as a 5,000-year-old, nature-based “mindful guidance system” fostering compassion, empathy, and understanding across species.
  • Rooted in her personal journey—finding solace in nature amid a challenging childhood—the theory connects behaviors to natural cycles, offering a lens beyond mere archetypes.

  Exploring the Five Elements (05:13 - 39:09)

1. Wood Element: Spring and Growth (07:46 - 14:22)

• Overview: Associated with spring, Wood dogs are determined, purposeful “army sergeants” (e.g., Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, Rottweilers) excelling as working dogs in military or police roles.
• Traits: Athletic, fearless, competitive, with a need for movement and direction. Their emotional default is anger, manifesting as aggression or frustration in dogs.
• Spiritual Angle: Jason probes the interplay of energies when Wood dogs’ growth isn’t guided. Elizabeth explains their energy seeks movement; without clear boundaries, they take over, reflecting a need for humans to lead with presence and heart-centered direction rather than force.
• Practical Tip: Set consistent boundaries and offer gentle praise (“good dog”) to channel their potential, avoiding overstimulation with excessive rewards.

 

2. Fire Element: Summer and Joy (14:22 - 22:32)

• Overview: Fire dogs embody summer’s joy, acting as magnetic “divas” (e.g., Golden Retrievers, Border Collies with red hues) who thrive on social connection and adoration.
• Traits: Charismatic, playful, prone to separation anxiety, with barking and licking as their sense expressions (tongue). Their emotional default is “disturbance of the Shen” (panic, anxiety) when overstimulated.
• Spiritual Angle: Fire’s heart-centric nature leaves lasting impressions, reflecting humanity’s draw to fire for warmth and memory-making. Elizabeth shares how these dogs linger in people’s hearts long after they’re gone.
• Practical Tip: Ground yourself and use the Yin Tang acupoint (between the eyebrows) to calm their heart fire, restoring balance during anxiety spikes.

 

3. Earth Element: Late Summer and Nurturing (22:32 - 24:50)

• Overview: Earth dogs, tied to late summer, are quintessential caregivers (e.g., Labs) who love family, kids, and routine, offering gentle, nurturing energy.
• Traits: Kind, generous, slow-moving, with a knack for service roles like Reading with Rover or disease detection. Their emotional default is worry or obsession.
• Spiritual Angle: Mirroring Earth’s role in sustaining life, these dogs caretake unconditionally, teaching humans reciprocity with nature.
• Practical Tip: Maintain a peaceful, routine-based home to meet their need for stability and comfort.

 

4. Metal Element: Autumn and Purpose (24:50 - 28:22)

• Overview: Metal dogs, autumn’s purposeful “librarians” (e.g., Jack Russells), are intelligent, driven, and inflexible, excelling in search and rescue with their strong noses.
• Traits: Methodical, reserved, with a deep need for purpose and trust. Their emotional default is grief, especially after loss.
• Spiritual Angle: Reflecting metal’s mined rigidity, they teach precision and loyalty, challenging humans to earn trust through consistency.
• Practical Tip: Provide quiet recovery spaces and purposeful tasks (e.g., hiking, scent work) to honor their drive.

 

5. Water Element: Winter and Wisdom (28:22 - 39:09)

• Overview: Water dogs, winter’s empathic shapeshifters, embody wisdom and sensitivity, often rehomed due to visceral fear (e.g., Labs in a broader sense, but defined by behavior, not breed).
• Traits: Deep, quirky, reflective, with hearing as their sense and a tendency to mirror human fears. Many, like Elizabeth’s Pretzel, have traumatic starts.
• Spiritual Angle: Jason asks about fear and wisdom’s alchemy. Elizabeth shares how water dogs’ fear drives growth, reflecting karmic wounds (e.g., her own fearlessness turned off, now relearned). They push humans to face inner fears for mutual healing.
• Practical Tip: Offer patience, quiet presence, and trust-building to help them adapt, recognizing their role as spiritual teachers.

  Preparing for a Soul Bond with a Dog (39:09 - 44:18)

• Question: Jason asks how to spiritually prepare for meeting a dog and ensure a soul bond beyond superficial attraction.
• Elizabeth’s Advice:
  • Be Present and Grounded: Quiet the mind, feel your feet, and breathe to let your heart—not brain—lead.
  • Heart as Voice: Process through the heart first, then let the mind follow

 

Links:

• Purchase the book: ElizabethAnneJohnson.com/books
• Watch Elizabeth’s TEDx Talk: Four Life Lessons from Our Old Dogs
• Websites: ElizabethAnneJohnson.com | 4LeggedWellness.com
• Instagram: @5elementdogs
• Facebook: ElizabethJohnson4Leggeds | Profile
• LinkedIn: 4LeggedWellness