Wu Xing

Wu Xing

The 5 Elements and their dynamic relationships are the primary tool for understanding the working of the world and effecting change within it.

Wu Xing
The 5 Elements and 3 Interactions

Controlling Cycle

Diminishing Cycle

Increasing Cycle

Here we see an example of the Wu Xing in action. Notice how the Controlling flow always takes first from the Diminishing yin motion and adds next to the growing yang motion. This is created when the yin cycles 3 times backward for every 2 the yang cycles forward.

The top point of the pentagram is the element Wood. The next two points down are Water to the left and Fire to the right. The two points at the base are Metal and Earth. When the elements progress in this productive order, the effect is to grow and become stronger. When they progress in the opposite, reductive way, they diminish and weaken. Much like the game Rock, Paper, Scissors the controlling flow demonstrates the interdependent relationship between the elements as they each in turn manage and are managed by their counterparts.

Of particular interest is the elemental qualities of the Ba Gua, the 8 trigrams. The Eldest Children, Thunder and Wind are Wood. The Youngest Daughter, the Lake, and Father Sky are Metal. The Mother Earth and Youngest Son Mountain are Earth, (as is the center). The Middle Children, Fire and Water, each have their element. The 4 familial pairs, indicative of the 4 phenomena, Si Xiang, are inverse, or yin yang pairs. And so, in this fashion, Wood is it's own opposite, Metal and Earth sometimes oppose each other, and Fire and Water are always at odds.

Those with a background in western esoteric studies must take care not to be mislead by the classical 4 elements Earth, Air, Fire and Water when approaching the Wu Xing. In many ways they are similar but it is not so simple as Wood=Air and Metal=Spirit. Contemplation of the Early and Late arrangements of the Ba Gua in relation to the 2 common occidental quarter systems, the Northern and the Hermetic or so called Eastern systems, respectively, will be very enlightening in this regard. What is common to each are the positional qualities as projected on to the seasons of the year and times of day.