Basics of the 5 Elements
In the world of metaphysics, the universe is believed to be made up of five matters, namely, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. These five matters are also referred to as the Five Elements.
Everything surrounding us, whether tangible or intangible, can be classified using any of the five elements; From shapes, sounds, colours to a person's attitude, character, body organs, sickness, living environment, family background, relationship with family members, romance, career, wealth, reputation etc. The list is endless. Everything, yes everything, is solely the product of the magnetic forces created when these five elements interacts.
These five elements are very closely related to each other and their relationship can be explained using the Cycle of Birth and Cycle of Destruction.
 |
|
| Cycle of Birth
|
Cycle of Destruction
|
Cycle of Birth
Metal produces water - Metal is a solid matter. When melted, metal turns into liquid form. This is why we say metal produces water.
Water produces wood - All plants rely on water for nourishment. Without water, plants cannot survive. This is why we say water produces wood (in the form of plants).
Wood produces fire - In the ancient time, wood is the fuel required to keep a fire burning. This is why we say wood produces fire.
Fire produces earth - Wood, after being burnt, transformed into ashes which becomes earth. This is why we say that fire produces earth.
Earth produces metal - Most, if not all metal and minerals are digged and retrieved from the earth. This is why we say that earth produces metal.
Therefore the cycle of birth has the metal producing water, water producing wood, wood producing fire, fire producing earth, and in turn, earth producing metal. Every element played two role in this cycle - producing another element, and in return, get produced by another element. I often refer this as producer and producee. The producer of water is metal and the producee of water is wood.
Cycle of Destruction
Metal destroys wood - Traditionally, to cut wood, we need to use weapons like knives and axes. These weapons are made of metal. This is why we say metal destroys wood.
Wood destroys earth - Plants penetrates their roots deeply into the earth, absorbing nutrients from the earth in order to grow. This process steals nutrients from earth and weakens the firmness of earth. This is why we say that wood destroys earth.
Earth destroys water - When sprayed into earth, water disappears almost immediately, fully absorbed by the earth. In the ancient days, whenever there's a flood, bags of soil (earth) are being placed to form walls to stop the strong flow. This is why we say earth destroys water.
Water destroys fire - Traditionally, to put off a fire, water is commonly used. This is why we say that water destroys fire.
Fire destroys metal - To transform metal into useful tools (for example, a knife), high temperature (using fire) is required. This is why we say that fire destroys metal.
Therefore the cycle of destruction has the metal destroying wood, wood destroying earth, earth destroying water, water destroying fire, and in turn, fire destroying metal. Every element played two roles in this cycle - destroying another element, and in return, get destroyed by another element. I often refer this as destroyer and destroyee. The destroyer of fire is water and the destroyee of fire is metal.
Practice: Cycle of Birth & Destruction
The cycle of birth and cycle of destruction form the basics of the art of destiny analysis. To learn this art requires not only memorising work but also lively applications. Many beginners find it easy to memorise the two cycles but experience difficulties when being questioned. Take the following questions for example:
1. What is the relationship between water and fire?
2. What is the relationship between earth and metal?
3. What is the relationship between water and metal?
4. What is the relationship between earth and wood?
The questions above seemed simple. Water destroys fire while earth produces metal. Water is being produced by metal while earth is being destroyed by wood. Some of you might get the answers wrong if you only think in one direction. Question 3 and 4 is being phrased in the passive way instead of the active way.
Cycle of Birth (Active/produce) - Metal -> Water -> Wood -> Fire -> Earth
Cycle of Birth (Passive/produced by) - Metal -> Earth -> Fire -> Wood -> Water
Cycle of Destruction (Active/destroy) - Metal -> Wood -> Earth -> Water -> Fire
Cycle of Destruction (Passive/destroyed by) - Metal -> Fire -> Water -> Earth -> Wood
The above gets more complex when we involves the third party. Try the following question:
What is the relationship between water, fire and earth?
Water is like a young gangster trying to bully (destroy) fire. Threatened by water, the weak fire (like a young school kid) turns to the gangster boss (earth) for help. With the help of earth, water dare not attack fire (earth destroys water, like the gangster boss dealing with the young gangster). However, in return of the favour, fire (the young school) must agree to whatever the gangster boss say (fire produces earth).
Of course I am just trying to illustrate the relationship in an interesting way (well, ok, if you find it irritating, I apologise :P). The actual story is that water destroy fire but in return get destroyed by earth. Fire is being destroyed by water and at the same time must produces earth. Earth destroys water and get produced by fire. The big winner here is earth, which gets nourished by fire although exhausted a bit of its energy, trying to destroy water. The loser here would be fire, for it is not only being destroyed by water but also loses its energy, trying to produce earth.
Do not restrict yourself to think about "how can fire produces earth since it is already destroyed by water?" and stuffs like that. Remember my analogy of the gangster, the school boy and the gangster boss earlier? Picture the poor school boy as fire. He gets bullied by the gangster (played by Water). Although he get protected by the gangster boss (played by Earth), but he has also 'sell' himself to the gangster boss. Sad case isn't it? Sigh~ Hey! That's not the main focus! Come back! You get my point? You do, don't you?
