Short course 1 Understanding the Elements By Sherry Merchant

Understanding the elements For those enthusiasts who want to scratch a bit deeper, this is a concise lesson in Understanding the Elements, a very important aspect of all, that helps one understand and appreciate the relationship between one Gua and another, as well as forms a basis for better understanding of Chinese Metaphysics.

There are two aspects: 1.Understanding what each Gua, trigram or number is all about (study the article on “What Gua are you?” first) 2. Understanding how each Gua or trigram reacts to another. (see the chart “Relationship Meter”)

The 8 Guas There are 8 Guas in all. Each of the 8 Guas have an element that determines their character. Yin wood 4 Yin fire 9 Yin earth 2 Yang wood 3 5 earth Yin metal 7 Yang earth 8 Yang water 1 Yang metal 6

The 5 Elements There are 5 elements and two polarities. Based on their element & polarity each one has a quality of its own and behaves differently with another. Yin wood 4 Yin fire 9 Yin earth 2 Yang wood 3 5 earth Yin metal 7 Yang earth 8 Yang water 1 Yang metal 6

The Three Cycles The reactions referred to are based on the 3 cycles of 1. Production 2.Weakening 3.Controlling.

WOOD WATER METAL EARTH FIRE Production Cycle Earth produces metal Metal produces Water Water produces Wood Wood produces Fire Fire produces earth

WOOD WATER METAL EARTH FIRE Weakening Cycle Earth weakens fire Metal weakens earth Water weakens metal Wood weakens water Fire weakens wood

Controlling Cycle Earth controls water Metal controls wood Water controls fire Wood controls earth Fire controls metal METAL WATER WOOD EARTH FIRE

1. Friend When another Gua is the same element as you, we see it as a friend. 1 is a friend of 1 (water) 2 is a friend of 2,5&8 (all are earth) 3 is a friend of 3&4 (both are wood) 6 is a friend of 6&7 (both are metal) 9 is a friend of 9 (fire)

2. Produces You The element that produces you is good for you. It nurtures you and gives you health and confidence. 6&7 metal produce 1 water 9 fire produces 2,5&8 earth 1 water produces 3&4 wood 2,5&8 produce 6&7 metal 3&4 produce 9 fire

3. Controls You The element that controls you is the husband for a woman. It represents your focus and power. 2,5&8 earth controls 1 water 3&4 wood control 2,5&8 earth 6&7 control 3&4 wood 9 fire controls 6&7 metal 1 water controls 9 fire

4. You Control The element that you control is the wife for a man. It represents your wealth and what is your grasp.. 1 is a friend of 1 (water) 2 is a friend of 2,5&8 (all are earth) 3 is a friend of 3&4 (both are wood) 6 is a friend of 6&7 (both are metal) 9 is a friend of 9 (fire)

5. You Produce The element that you produce represents ones output, speech, expression and talent. It is what one nurtures and looks after. 6 & 7 metal produces 1 (water) 9 fire produces 2,5&8 (earth) 1 water produces 3&4 (wood) 2,5&8 earth produces 6&7 (metal) 3&4 produce 9 (fire)

Summary of Relationships GUAELEMENTFriendProduces you Controls you You Control You produce 1water16,72,5,893,4 2,5,8earth2,5,893,416,7 3,4wood3,416,72,5,89 6,7metal6,72,5,893,41 9fire93,416,72,5,8

If you enjoyed this course and want some more… This is just one little aspect of Feng Shui studies. This information forms a miniscule part of Mastery Academy’s power packed Feng Shui Module 1. If this interests you and you want more information there are many ways to obtain this: Books ; Make sure you read accurate material. Remember, Confucious Say: Before you drink the water, you must know the source. The safest bet is to read books by Joey Yap available on Other books I have found reliable are by Eva Wong, published by Shambhala.

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