The Five Elements

The Productive Sequence

The Productive sequence is as follows: Wood creates Fire and Fire in turns burns substance into ash producing Earth. From the Earth comes Metal in the form of minerals. Metal being melted to liquid form produces Water, which in turn, nourishes Wood. This is known as the producing cycle.

Controlling Sequence

The Controlling Sequence on the other hand is when the Element destroys or clashes with another. This of course causes disharmony. Water puts out Fire. Fire melts Metal and Metal cuts Wood. Wood in the form of plants' roots can break the Earth while Earth can be big enough to hold Water. This is called the cycle of control.

Weakening Sequence

The Weakening Sequence is perhaps the most important sequence to understand, should you wish to DISSOLVE Sha-Chi or bad energies. The weakening sequence is as follows: WOOD is nourished by Water, thus Wood weakens Water. Metal produces Water, thus it is weakened by the process of the production. Earth breaks up to produce minerals (Metal), thus in the process it is weaken. Thus Metal weakens Earth. Fire makes earth, but too much Earth will put out the Fire. The Wood is burnt to make Fire thus Fire weakens Wood.

What does the sequences got to do with Feng Shui?

Why, this IS the soul of Feng Shui! Feng Shui is based on the understanding of Chi. And Chi is classified into Five different elements, Wood - Fire - Earth - Metal - Water. By understanding HOW these forces move and interact in the environment, you can attune yourself or balance your living quarters thereby empowering YOURSELF. Herein lies the Art of Feng Shui. Every direction, location, substance and matter is of one or more of these Five Elements. Understand how they work, you will know HOW TO DO FENG SHUI!

<<Previous Article | Next: Fundamentals of Feng Shui:The Bagua>>