Nature Five Elements

Five elements is one of the principles of feng shui.
By
Feng Shui Practitioner

Nature five elements is one of the basic principles of feng shui philosophy.

Understanding: Nature Five Elements

This principle states that all life has chi, which is the driving life force or energy. Chi is divided into two distinct forms, yin (female) which is earth and yang (male) heaven. It's the interaction of yin and yang that creates life and becomes the five expressions. Chi goes through a transformation when it moves through these five expressions and manifests into five physical elements.

  • Water
  • Wood
  • Fire
  • Earth
  • Metal

Chi begins its transformation and goes through a cycle so it can interact with each of the physical elements.

Cycle of Five Elements

The first transformation occurs under the movement of water. Water falls from the sky to fill lakes, ponds, oceans, rivers and streams. Water soaks into the ground and from this nourishing energy springs plantlife in the form of grasses, bamboo, trees and all kinds of plants. Wood then fuels fire that transforms the wood energy into earth (ash) energy. Earth is composed of soil and rocks that eventually form mountains. During this final phase of transformation earth creates metal. The cycle then starts all over again as metal attracts water through the condensation of moisture that was created during the formation of the metal.

Chi And Cycles

Feng shui principles acknowledge the correct cycle of the five elements and teaches you how to apply them in your home and life for a balanced life so chi energy can thrive. In feng shui the five elements can also create three distinct energy cycles:

  • First - This is the creative creative cycle and is the ideal because it produces the next element in the circle of creation.
  • Second - This controlling cycle also becomes destructive.
  • Third - The third cycle weakens the elements so the chi energy no longer nourishes but weakens the other elements.

Creative Cycle

The Sheng (birth) or creative cycle is when chi energy flows in the natural progression of order from one element to the next. Each element's chi gives birth to the next element found in the cycle.

  • Water creates wood (nourishes)
  • Wood births fire (fuels)
  • Fire gives earth (ash)
  • Earth creates metal (mineral deposits)
  • Metal draws water (condensation of heated moisture)

In feng shui applications, you want to take advantage of the Sheng chi cycle and use it to help enhance your home.

Controlling Cycle

The Ke (destruction or controlling) cycle simply means the elements also have the capability to control or destroy each other. This is the yin and yang of cycles. It becomes nature's checks and balance system by allowing the elements to either control or be controlled by each other.

  • Water destroys fire (extinguishes)
  • Wood destroys earth (covers)
  • Fire destroys metal (melts)
  • Earth destroys water (blocks)
  • Metal destroys wood (cuts/chops)

Weakening Cycle

This cycle is the opposite of the creative cycle with the elements being inverted in order.

  • Water weakens metal
  • Wood weakens water
  • Fire weakens wood
  • Earth weakens fire
  • Metal weakens earth

Sheng Chi and Sha Chi

Sheng chi is the positive life force that helps everything to grow and flourish. Sha chi is the negative force that stops life and destroys the nourishing energy. Yin and yang are the two energies that determine whether the chi is Sheng or Sha. That's why it's important to maintain a constant balancing act between yin and yang energy. Without balance, Sheng ch'i becomes Sha chi. In feng shui applications, yin and yang are balanced by adhering to certain principles found in form and compass schools. With these two feng shui schools, you can determine the facing and sitting directions of your home and apply any feng shui cures needed to resolve possible Sha chi and enhance Sheng chi.

How Elements Weaken Your Home's Chi

By way of example, if too much metal is present in the southern section of your property it can weaken the natural element of fire. The same principle is applied to all five elements and how the natural element cycle can be interrupted and weakened.

Living With The Elements

You can balance the yin and yang energies of the nature five elements inside and outside your home by following feng shui principles.