Five elements (Wu Xing)

Element Water Wood Fire Earth Metal

Parent Metal Water Wood Fire Earth

Sibling, same Water Wood Fire Earth Metal

Child, offspring Wood Fire Earth Metal Water

Grandchild Fire Earth Metal Water Woof

Grandparent, controller Earth Metal Water Wood Fire

Waters parent is metal Waters sibling is water Waters child is wood Waters grandchild is fire Waters controller is earth From these five relations we see five key interactions.

1. Each element gives to another element, the parent 2. Each element controls another element, the grandparent or controller 3. Each element is controlled by another element, the grandchild 4. Each element receives from another element, the child 5. Each element is supported by another element, the same element, or sibling.

These relationships are expressed in the actions of giving, receiving, controlling and being controlled. Living a natural, healthy life depends on find balance within these five interactions. One action is not better than another; there is only meaning when compared to a given situation. Some situations need nourishment, others control, and still others need to give; what is beneficial is relative to the condition of all elements. These five elements are applied in unique ways in Feng Shui and other Chinese Metaphysics. The following chart summarizes these relationships.

Situation First action

Weakness Nourish 1. Add the same or sibling element 2. Add the parent element

Too strong or excessive 1. Add the child

The following diagrams illustrate how each element is affected by all elements. Familiarize yourself with these relationships they are integral in the application of Chinese Metaphysics. Practice selecting which elements are needed in condition of excessiveness or deficiency.

Parent Earth

Metal

Controller Grandparent

Fire

Child Water

Grandchild Wood

Parent Water

Wood

Controller Grandparent

Metal

Child Fire

Grandchild Earth

Parent Metal

Water

Controller Grandparent

Earth

Child Wood

Grandchild Fire

Parent Wood

Fire

Controller Grandparent

Water

Child Earth

Grandchild Metal

Parent Fire

Earth

Controller Grandparent

Wood

Child Metal

Grandchild Water

Five element corrections Element Corrections for excess Corrections for weakness

Water Wood Water, Metal

Wood Fire Wood, Water

Fire Water Fire, Wood

Earth Metal Earth, Fire

Metal Water Metal, Earth

Five element cycles The five elements interact in a variety of ways, or cycles. The three major cycles are promotion, controlling and reduction and they are the basis for many applications in Flying Stars Feng Shui. The following diagrams explain each cycle.

Promotion cycle The promotion cycle is the parent-to-child relationship. It is a cycle that nourishes, supplements or strenghtens its child element. Its influence can be favourable or unfavourable depending on the condition of the elements. The following diagram illustrates the promotion cycle.

1. Water placed on wood promotes growth water is the mother of wood 2. Wood placed in fire promotes growth wood is the mother of fire 3. Fire transforms substances into ashes fire is the mother of earth 4. Metal is found within earth earth is the mother of metal 5. Metal can be liquefied into water metal is the mother of water

Fire

Earth

Metal Water

Wood

Controlling cycle The controlling cycle is the grandparent-to-grandchild relationship, or the controlling cycle. Its influence can be favourable or unfavourable depending on the conditions of the elements. The following diagram illustrates the controlling cycle.

1. Fire melts metal or controls metal grandparent relationship. 2. Metal cuts wood or controls wood grandparent relationship. 3. Wood absorbs nutrients from the earth and controls earth grandparent relationship. 4. Earth absorbs water or controls water grandparent relationship. 5. Water puts out fire or controls fire grandparent relationship.

Fire

Earth

Metal Water

Wood

Reduction Cycle

The controlling cycle controls, dominates or weakens and when it overacts; when it is too strong it creates an imbalance, the reduction cycle is used to harmonise this condition. The promotion and reduction cycles are arranged identically, the only difference being the flow of energy the promotional cycle flows clockwise and the reduction cycle flows counter-clockwise.

1. Water is the child of metal water takes from metal, reducing its influence 2. Metal is the child of earth metal takes from earth, reducing its influence 3. Earth is the child of fire earth takes from fire, reducing its influence 4. Fire is the child of wood fire takes from wood, reducing its influence 5. Wood is the child of water wood takes from water, reducing its influence

The parent wants to give to the child and the child wants to take from the parent. This dynamic results in a decrease in the potency or magnitude of the parent.

Metal Water

Wood

Fire

Earth