The 5 elemental phases consist of physical elements in nature- fire, earth, metal, water and wood- that represent the movements of chi. The operative word here is phases. 'The movement, transformation, and interaction of each phase are what is studied, not the element itself' (Moran & Biktashev, 1999, p.58).
There are three phase cycles of the elements- The Productive Cycle, The Domination Cycle and the Reductive Cycle. The cycles represent the movement and interaction of the chi within each element.
The 5 elements
are combined with the Bagua map to determine the areas of your environment
where each phase exists. Each element relates to a direction ( North,
North East, South, South East etc). This is explained further in 'The
Bagua Map' section.
|
Element
|
Symbolises
|
Associations
|
| Wood | Postively-Growth Negatively-Destruction |
Trees
& Plants Wooden Furniture Paper Green Landscape pictures |
| Fire | Positively- Honour & Fairness Negatively - Aggression and War | Candles,
lights Triangles Red, Purple, Dark Orange, Pink Man-made materials Sun or fire pictures. |
| Earth | Positively
- Denotes Fairness, wisdom and instinct. Negatively - can represent the nervous anticipation of non-existent problems. |
Clay,
brick, terracotta Cement & Stone Squares Yellow, orange & Brown |
| Metal | Postively
- represents communication, brilliant ideas and justice. Negatively - it can suggest destruction, danger and sadness. |
Round
Shapes Domes Metal Objects White, grey, silver and gold Clocks |
| Water | Positively
- nurtures & supports with understanding. Negatively - it can wear down and exhaust. |
Rivers,
streams & lakes Blue and Black |
The Productive Cycle
This cycle 'is one of balance and creation. Each phase produces or enhances, the succeeding phase.
The Domination Cycle
This is a
cycle of imbalance. It creates weakened and depleted chi which stagnates
the environment (Moran & Biktashev, 1999, p.60).
The Reductive Cycle
This is the
cycle that aims to reduce the force of the domination cycle and restores
the productive cycle. For example, if you have a fire area dominated by
water, fire's power is weakened. To solve this domination, you would add
an element of wood. Wood absorbs water's power and fuels (productive cycle)
the weakened fire element. By adding wood, the productive cycle is restored
(Moran & Biktashev, 1999, p.61).
Bibliography
Hale, G. 1999, The Practical Encyclopedia of Feng Shui, Sebastian Kelly,
London. Moran,
E. & Biktashev, V. 1999 The Complete Idiot's Guide to Feng Shui, Alpha
Books, New York.
Too,
L. 1993, Feng Shui, Oriental Publications, Australia.
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