The Five Elements & Feng Shui

The Five Elements are simply a deeper appreciation of yin and yang. If we were to look at the cycle of change, then the left hand part of the cycle would represent the rising energy of yin. As energy begins to "fall" and return to earth, this is symbolic of the yang side of the cycle.

A slightly deeper look at this simple cycle will reveal that there are essentially 4 stages or transformational phases that are occurring within this cycle. Primarily these are the rising (yin), descending (yang) and the other two phases are the "turning points" of the cycle - indicated at the top and the bottom of this cycle. This is where energy transforms itself from rising into descending and vice versa. Traditionally, the rising energy on the left hand side of the cycle was given to the energy wood - this represents the dawn and the new energy of spring. The peak and turning point of this rising energy, blossoming into full expression while at the same time being plasmic in its quality, was given the element fire. As energy slows down, calms, settles and consolidates itself on the right hand side of the cycle, this quality was given the element metal. Finally, the contracting, focusing and intense energy reaches its peak and dissolves, melts and its plasmic, changing quality was given the element water.

The element earth is seen as both pivotal and central to the theory of the five elements. Originally, its place within this cycle existed between each stage or element.
In terms of applying these elements to the seasons of the year, then naturally the fire element would represent the summer, the gathering energy of autumn would be represented by metal, the reflective still period of winter represented by water and finally the rousing energy of spring depicted by the element wood. Earth originally was represented seasonally as that final few weeks at the end of one season and at the beginning of the following season. We can all relate to this time of the year where for example the transition from winter to spring seems to last up to a month. One day we are convinced that spring has finally arrived and the next morning, we are disorientated as we are met by flurries of snow or frost on the footpath outside! It is as if the element earth acts as a buffer between the seasons and this can be borne out in other examples of the element earth when applied to astrology and spatial Feng Shui.

Nowadays, the element earth has its own distinct place within this cycle of the five elements, located between fire and metal. Whilst fire continues to represent the summer, the earth element is regarded as late summer and the element metal is still represented by the Autumn season.
A practical way of identifying with this particular cycle is to look at a typical 24 hour period in our lives. The deep, restful period of night which is the most yin time within the 24 hour period, is represented by water. Rather like in winter, it is the time that we hibernate, re-charge and dream. The deeper the sleep, the more energy, vitality and power we are likely to have the following day. For some individuals, they prefer this time to activate their minds. Authors, poets and composers often feel particularly inspired during this water phase. The dawn and early morning is represented by the element wood when our energy is fresh, alive, hungry and inquisitive. This is a powerful time of day to energise ourselves, to do exercise, planning or freshening up our environment. By sleeping too late and missing this vital part of the day, we can lose out on potentially a very productive part of this cycle. In the time-pressured 1980's and 90's, it is not uncommon to have early morning brain storming meetings at 7.00 a.m. prior to going to the office! Naturally the fire element kicks in before noon, peaking at midday and diminishing by 2.00 p.m. This gives us this possibility to be the most active both physically and mentally. Whether this is rushing about, communicating new ideas and themes to colleagues or feeling our most inspired, then the element of fire represents these physical and mental activities. As with the fire in the hearth, it begins to die down, mellow and eventually return to ashes. These ashes are often very rich in minerals and provide good sources of nutrition for the earth. The element earth is at its strongest between 2.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. This is often the time when we feel more settled, calmer and in some cases, very sleepy! The pace of the day has slowed and we tend to be mellower. This time of day is best for tying up those loose ends, completing the projects of the morning or putting to paper your proposals. Where the wood and fire time of day can provide initiative and inspiration, the soil stage provides us with a "stabilising" quality. As we gather our energy toward ourselves even further we enter the phase of metal element. This is represented by the evening. Traditionally, the imagery here would be that we would return home, be with our family, focus in on domestic issues, prepare our food or return with what we had hunted or gathered. This contracting quality of metal implies a time of focus and reflection. In this day and age, it is not unusual for many of us to "gather" our thoughts at this time of day. This usually involves studying or reading or attending an evening class. Another interpretation of metal's nature could be isolation - where we crave space and time to be alone. Eventually, a couple of hours before midnight, the element water takes over and so the whole cycle begins again.

The dynamics of the Five Elements
Whatever style of Feng Shui you choose to study or practise in the future, it is essential to have a good grounding in the dynamics of the 5 Elements.

a) The supportive cycle. As you look around the cycle of the 5 Elements, you will notice that each element is supported by or mothered by the preceding element. The element Water is nourishment and support to Wood - Water is vital for all plant life. The symbolism Wood is an element that can be represented as any kind of plant life from new shoots, bamboo, oak, houseplants and massive pine trees. The element Wood in turn is the mother of Fire. Without the fuel of mature wood, we do not have a fire. The element Fire is represented by candles, flames, hearths and electric lighting. If the fire dies down, it becomes ashes. Fire is the creator of Earth. Earth or soil is stable, nourishing and rich. Given more time and pressure, it will consolidate and settle further from ashes through compost, to soil, to hard rocks and eventually minerals. Earth is the mother of the element Metal. Any mineral that is mined, metallic objects or money can represent the element Metal. At this stage of the 5 Elements cycle, energy is at its most contracted. One of the principles of Yin and Yang is that one transforms into the other at its extreme. This is what occurs at this next stage of the cycle when Metal supports or creates Water/fluid. As pressure or heat or time is brought to bear upon minerals, they will eventually melt. This liquid phase or stage is known as Water. Water can be represented by ponds, waterfalls, fish tanks or water utilities within the home.

b) The Control Cycle. You can see the internal dynamism of the 5 Element theory where each element has the potential to be overridden or controlled by its opposite. Rather like in acupuncture, this really only occurs if one element becomes far too powerful and therefore imbalanced. In reality, it means that the individual element concerned fails to support or mother the next element but rather dashes across the cycle and controls or suppressed the opposite. In the natural world, we can see this so called destructive cycle displayed in the following manner.

Wood Controls Soil
The roots of plants break up soil.
Earth Controls Water
Earth can dam the flow of water. Earth can absorb water.
Water Controls Fire
Water extinguishes Fire.
Fire Controls Metal
Fire melts Metal.
Metal Controls Wood
Metal can cut Wood e.g. an axe or a saw taken to a tree trunk.

Example
Let us imagine that your study or office has an emphasis of the element Metal. This could include white walls and white ceiling. Other decor or soft furnishings that are in the Metal spectrum e.g. grey or silver. Plenty of "metal" pieces of furniture - desks filing cabinets etc. The space is small and cramped. There are many mechanical/electrical pieces of office equipment such as computers, fax machines and photocopiers. Taken as an extreme example, this overload of the Metal energy will suppress the Wood energy of your space. Wood energy can best be described as our creativity, our ideas and our capacity to initiate action. In this kind of environment the Metal is controlling or stagnating your creative potential. You may feel uninspired.

The Attributes of the 5 Elements