The Secret Your Dogās Been Hiding ā Decode Their Soul in 5 Minutes!
Host: Jason Rigby Ā Guest: Elizabeth Anne Johnson, Animal Healer and Author Book: Know Your Dogās True Nature: Understanding Canine Personality through the Five Elements (Findhorn Press/Inner Traditions Episode Overview Ā 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 Dogās 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. Ā Ā Key Segments and Highlights Ā Introduction (00:00 - 01:06) Jasonās Welcome: Jason introduces the episode with enthusiasm, highlighting Elizabethās 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 petsāsacred guides reconnecting us to our wild hearts. Elizabethās Greeting: Elizabeth expresses her excitement to join Jason and dive into this fun, spiritual exploration. Ā The Ancient Soul Pact Between Humans and Dogs (01:06 - 04:47) Question: Jason references a poetic line from the bookāāDogs too have endured and thrived beside us as we have beside themāāand asks about the soul-level pact humans made with dogs centuries ago. Elizabethās Insight: She describes this pact as rooted in ākindred respectā between two natural beingsāhumans and dogsāmeeting 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 dogsā 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. Ā The Five Elements: An Elemental Awakening (04:47 - 05:13) Jasonās Prompt: Quoting the bookās line about the Five Elements providing āX-ray visionā into a dogās 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. Elizabethās Macro View: She frames the Five Element Theory as a 5,000-year-old, nature-based āmindful guidance systemā fostering compassion, empathy, and understanding across species. Rooted in her personal journeyāfinding solace in nature amid a challenging childhoodāthe theory connects behaviors to natural cycles, offering a lens beyond mere archetypes. Ā 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 āarmy sergeantsā (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 dogsā growth isnāt 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 (āgood dogā) to channel their potential, avoiding overstimulation with excessive rewards. Ā 2. Fire Element: Summer and Joy (14:22 - 22:32) Overview: Fire dogs embody summerās joy, acting as magnetic ādivasā (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 ādisturbance of the Shenā (panic, anxiety) when overstimulated. Spiritual Angle: Fireās heart-centric nature leaves lasting impressions, reflecting humanityās draw to fire for warmth and memory-making. Elizabeth shares how these dogs linger in peopleās hearts long after theyāre gone. Practical Tip: Ground yourself and use the Yin Tang acupoint (between the eyebrows) to calm their heart fire, restoring balance during anxiety spikes. Ā 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 Earthās 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. Ā 4. Metal Element: Autumn and Purpose (24:50 - 28:22) Overview: Metal dogs, autumnās purposeful ālibrariansā (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 metalās 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. Ā 5. Water Element: Winter and Wisdom (28:22 - 39:09) Overview: Water dogs, winterās 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 Elizabethās Pretzel, have traumatic starts. Spiritual Angle: Jason asks about fear and wisdomās alchemy. Elizabeth shares how water dogsā 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. Ā 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. Elizabethās Advice: Be Present and Grounded: Quiet the mind, feel your feet, and breathe to let your heartānot brainālead. Heart as Voice: Process through the heart first, then let the mind follow Ā Links: Purchase the book: ElizabethAnneJohnson.com/books Watch Elizabethās TEDx Talk: Four Life Lessons from Our Old Dogs Websites: ElizabethAnneJohnson.com | 4LeggedWellness.com Instagram: @5elementdogs Facebook: ElizabethJohnson4Leggeds | Profile LinkedIn: 4LeggedWellness Ā Ā