Five Elements in Sound
by Tara Semple

My favourite place to be, is deep in the Sound Field.

I often wake up in the morning and find myself sitting in the quiet of my sound studio. Slowly waking up, while softly letting the sounds out of the instruments that are before me, I listen deeply into each sound and wonder what wisdom it has for me.  Can I listen to a sound, until my ear has to reach to grasp the end of it?  What happens to a pitch when I stack sounds on it like a multi-layer cake?  Does the speed of beats of one sound change in response to the other vibrations?  When I sing a note, which of my instruments vibrate and join in the resonance of my voice?  What qualities in this sound catch my ear?  Where do I feel this frequency in my body?  Does this sound engage me… Quiet my mind… Or simply wash over me…? There are more questions than answers when I am quiet in my listening.

My curiosity always has me exploring different ways to alchemize sound experiences. I do seem to come back to working within the natural cycles of nature.  In my past studies, I was deeply intrigued with Traditional Chinese 5 Element Theory: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth.  I loved learning about all of the subtleties of each element: the season, the colour, related organs, emotions, time of day, sounds, and so much more. Recently the elements have come to my attention again.  Drawing from this inspiration I am now deep in the creation of a new sound series called  Elements in Sound.

I am now sitting with each Element and finding the qualities that resonate in the sound field:  alchemizing mixtures of sounds that support the energetic and emotional qualities of each element.  Emphasizing the movement in the generative cycle; working with the flow of energy, with the support of elemental wisdom; exploring the yin and yang expressions of the elements, with specific pentatonic scales and intervals, using musical instruments that amplify the elements to follow these energies. This is the stuff that makes up the fabric of my daily musings lately. 

Spending much time in the Sound Field has taught me about balance and flow. Sound Bathing  often reveals to participants where they hold blockages in their bodies. A sounding may bring attention to an old injury in the physical body, or blocked feelings in the emotional body.  The variety of textures in a sound bath supports the movement of energies through their bodies while being held in sound. As there is duality in life, duality is also echoed in the sound field: shadow vs  light, consonance vs  dissonance, loud vs quiet.  Each energy has its opposite ready to set balance in motion. Join us as we explore the wisdom of the elements in sound. 

The Sun Series next offering is on the March Equinox (March 20, 2025).  Concert, Inspired Word, and Sound Bathing.  A practice that holds the mind in sound, inviting participants to get quiet and listen deeply.  The concert is music inspired from the heart.  Dr. Julie Zepp is a masterful speaker with her unique ability to dive deep on her own inward journey and inspire us in our healing journey.  The Sound Bath at this offering is a beautiful array of sounds, ready to support your inner journey, your gift to self.

Tara Semple—Life of exploration in sound, professional flutist with Regina Symphony, and Sound Alchemist offering Sound Baths in the Sound Field.  Creator of the Sun Series with offerings on the Solstice and Equinox. All events found on Eventbrite (please follow me for emails to offerings www.shunyatasoundstudio.com).

Upcoming Events

• Five Elements (dates TBA) Eventbrite
  
• Sun Series Equinox (March 20th, 7–8:30 pm, Knox Met gym) Eventbrite
• Sacred Source Medicine Retreat (Manitou Beach) May 30, 31, June 1
• Sacred Woman Festival (Porcupine Plain, SK) July 11–13
• Manitou Waters TBA