There are two Elemental Cycles in the Five Elements Theory. The Birth Cycle and the Destructive Cycle
BIRTH CYCLE
In the Birth Cycle, one element nourishes, grows, or leads to the next Element. Remember that there is both a literal and a spiritual flow of these five elements.
- Earth is generally at the center of all Elements and all phases lead back to Earth. Earth supports all of us, and all things lead back to Earth. From Earth, we get Metal.
- Metal often represents the harvesting of agriculture, and the creation of belongings and generation of money. In classic China, Metal is melted, leading to Water. But on a more general level, the Metal Phase (Element) proceeds & brings about the Water Phase (Element).
- Water helps to start the growth of Wood. Most of the Water is used up when it nourishes Wood, but not all. There is always a little left over. At this stage of the Five Elements Theory, the rising of Yang begins.
- Wood grows because of its supply of Water, and Wood then brings about Fire.
- Fire is at the height of Yang, representing the building up of energy and growth. After Fire, the Yin, or relaxing of energy begins. Fire results in Earth.
At least half of each element’s energy goes into the next element in the Birth Cycle. The cycle continues over and over in an endless circle. The cycle can represent one’s day to day life, a company, a community, a nation, or the environment in general.
This image shows the path in which the elements flow into each other, creating harmony. Inside of the earth are minerals and metals. Metal enriches water. Water nourishes plants and trees. Wood fuels fire. Fire burns combustibles into ash which returns to the earth.
This image shows the conflict between elements and how they overcome each other. The soil is parted by tree roots. Earth turns water to mud and creates dams. Water extinguishes fire. Fire, if hot enough, can melt metal. Metal can chop down trees.
DESTRUCTIVE CYCLE
In the Destructive Cycle, each element is diminished by another element.
- Earth absorbs water, therefore Earth “controls” water.
- Water extinguishes fire.
- Fire can melt Metal, so Fire limits Metal.
- Metal cuts Wood, therefore Metal “destroys” Wood in the Destructive Cycle.
- Wood “breaks” Earth, therefore limiting the soil.
One of the ways to establish a better balance between all five elements is to use this concept of a Destructive Cycle to inhibit an element that has too much energy in a person. Earth will create Metal in the Birth Cycle, so to limit itself it acts upon Water negatively in order to slow down the Birth Cycle. If a person has far too much Water, there are several steps to take to fix the imbalance. This could include changing the color of his or her clothing to yellow or tan (representing the Earth element). At the same time the person would take steps to limit the influence of the Water element, such as avoiding the color blue. Other steps may include feng shui, certain exercises, or relationships with other people that represent certain Element types.
INTERACTION, BALANCE, AND HARMONY
In Chinese astrology, if a person is considered having too much of one element’s energy (unbalanced), it is not necessary to balance them with the next element in the sequence, even if there is none of the next element within the person. This is because much of the over-represented element will naturally move into the next element.
For example, if a person has no Water, but 40% of their energy is Metal, this is considered acceptable. Metal leads to Water anyway, and the percentages will balance out. However if the same person also has no Earth energy, then there is an imbalance. All the elements need to be evaluated in the context of the individual, their career, their family, and their home in order to strike the right balance. When there is an imbalance steps can be taken to increase one’s elemental energy in one or more areas.
Interaction Between The Five Elements
A balance of the five elements in your person and surroundings is ideal for a harmonious life. Dominating or lacking elemental energies is what causes imbalance in your life which will lead to difficulties. To create balance, you not only need to be able to understand and interpret the sources of the energies but also the cycles in which they interact. The Zeus Sensor incorporates the Five Elements Theory, allowing you to combine this knowledge when interpreting your charts.
