The Elements in Chinese Divination - with comparisons to the Western System
The 5 element Chinese divinatory system is of value in informing the Western 4 element system
The Chinese system is WOOD FIRE EARTH METAL WATER
The Western system is FIRE EARTH AIR WATER
In terms of natural energies:
The Chinese Wood is growth energies such as revealed by trees plants
Fire is heat dryness and the literal fire element
Earth is landforms the soil and its condition
Metal is minerals and metallic elements found within Earth
Water is literally all types of water.
Large and highly energised examples are designated Yang.
Small gentle energies are designated Yin
Yang water is a vigorous rushing torrent of water or turbulent sea
Yin water is a small pond or gentle stream.
Yang fire is the Summer Sun. Yin fire is a small campfire.
Yin Wood is a small plant. Yang Wood is a large tree.
Gold dust is Yin Metal. A large area of copper deposits demonstrates Yang Metal .
The Chinese seasonal points relate to 15 degree divisions.
The 4 main seasons in Chinese thought each begin at the midpoint of the 4 Fixed signs in Western Astrology
The midpoints between the Chinese four seasons are the Western equinox and solstice points which are all the 4 Cardinal signs.
See TABLE A below for the full system
Example:
[Between 15 Aquarius to 15 Taurus = 90 degrees. The midpoint of this is 45 degrees. Add 45 to 15 Aquarius = 0 Aries]
15 degrees in Western astrology is 24th harmonic [24x15=360] and multiples of 15 is the logic to identify angles by eg 2x15 3x15 4x15 6x15 9x15 10x15 such as the sextiles [30 & 60] semisquare [45] square [90] sesquiquadrate [135] quincunx [150]
In Chinese divination this significance of 15 in dividing the circle is also demonstratedby the daily influence of 12 zodiac energies during a 24 hour period. [See GRAPHIC A below]
The Beginning points of Seasonal energy in Chinese system when matched to Western Astrology are tabled below showing both Northern and Southern Hemisphere polar opposite positions
It is proposed that the Chinese elements are linked to the seasonal energies in both hemispheres
TABLE A
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NORTHERN
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SOUTHERN
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Chinese element
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SPRING Young Yang
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15 AQUARIUS
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15 LEO
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WOOD JUPITER
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EQUINOX Yang Earth
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0 ARIES
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0 LIBRA
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EARTH SATURN
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SUMMER Mature Yang
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15 TAURUS
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15 SCORPIO
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FIRE MARS
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SOLSTICE Yin Earth
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0 CANCER
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0 CAPRICORN
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EARTH SATURN
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AUTUMN Young Yin
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15 LEO
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15 AQUARIUS
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METAL VENUS
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EQUINOX Yang Earth
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0 LIBRA
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0 ARIES
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EARTH SATURN
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WINTER Mature Yin
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15 SCORPIO
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15 TAURUS
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WATER - ? ?
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SOLSTICE Yin Earth
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0 CAPRICORN
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0 CANCER
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EARTH SATURN
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WATER is the only unclear correlation. The Chinese assigned planet Mercury to Water most likely for ithe element’s famed flowing energy [and Mercury is assigned to 2 mutable signs Gemini and Virgo in Western Astrology]
but in contemporary terms planet Neptune is the ideal fit.
In the Chinese system EARTH [Saturn] is viewed as the central stabilising force managing the dynamic flow of Yin Yang forces.
The Hot Yang periods cover Spring Equinox Summer and Solstice and include early or Young Yang energy rising through Wood [trees plants growth] in Spring and extending to Summer peak Yang while Yang or Hot/Dry Earth provides support.
The Cold or Yin periods also include Yin Wet Earth.
Though the 4 main seasonal energies are clearly assigned the exact assignment of the Yin and Yang Earth periods is a personal hypothesis.
For example does the Earth energy alternate to Yin between Summer and Autumn? It seems logical if we consider the central regulating role played by the Earth interseasonal energies.
It is known that below 1 metre depth in Winter that soil temperatures are always warmer than surface soil and air temperatures - so while Yin conditions operate at the surface the deeper layers become increasingly warmer.
The reverse applies in Summer with cooler temperatures at beyond 1 metre depth to around 8 metres being subject to seasonal variability.
[far deep temperatures beyond 20 metres show a pattern of increasing substantially]
Seasonal factors of air wind rain sun snow vegetation or bare soil only have an effect to a soil depth of 1 metre.
Drilling down further into Seasonal energy periods related to the Chinese 5 elements another table of interactions within elements can be compiled based upon the classic 5 Element system which recognises phases of Dormancy Production Depletion and Restraint in addition to the inherent phase when each element is emphasised or Prospers.
There are two activated or promoting energies in operation while there are two in low activity and one energy is in a neutral or transition phase.
The main seasons are interspersed with middle periods which begin at the Cardinal zero degree points 4 times a year.
In the Northern seasonal example the period between beginning points such as Main and Mid Season calculate at between 6-7 weeks.
This shows the periodicity of energy changes.
For example beginning Spring 15 Aquarius and beginning middle point towards Summer [0 Aries] is 6.5 weeks and this as a general guide is useful knowing monthly variations will make it 6 weeks plus 3,4 or 5 days in different months.
TABLE B CHINESE 5 Element processes -seen and unseen
These are subject to cyclic variation
Earth = soil processes Water = water processes Wood = growth processes
Fire = heat/dryness processes Metal = mineral & metallic element processes
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SPRING WOOD
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TRANSITION
EARTH
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DEPLETED
WATER
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STRONG
FIRE
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PROSPERING
WOOD
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RESTRAINED
METAL
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MID EARTH
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WATER
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FIRE
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METAL
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EARTH
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WOOD
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SUMMER FIRE
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METAL
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WOOD
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EARTH
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FIRE
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WATER
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MID
EARTH
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WATER
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FIRE
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METAL
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EARTH
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WOOD
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AUTUMN METAL
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WOOD
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EARTH
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WATER
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METAL
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FIRE
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MID
EARTH
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WATER
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FIRE
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METAL
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EARTH
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WOOD
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WINTER WATER
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FIRE
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METAL
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WOOD
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WATER
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EARTH
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MID
EARTH
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WATER
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FIRE
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METAL
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EARTH
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WOOD
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It is clear that according to the Chinese system that Autumn is the main transition period in terms of processes and reflected in this Western view:
Trees during the approach of winter try to conserve water and nutrients by shedding their leaves to prevent evaporation of water and nutrients through sunlight.
At the start of this abscission process, trees reabsorb valuable nutrients from their leaves and store them for later use in their roots.
[quora.com]
And that Winter rain prepares vegetation for Spring growth - so Wood is strongly active on internal levels in Winter and in Spring the surge of Wood energy depletes Water.
Historically these energy balances shown in the Chinese system have held for the most part of our observation of seasons. The degree to which the pattern has shifted - or not - will be known to those in specialist related fields.
It is documented that soils showed a warming trend in depths up to one metre in the US especially in northern States [1967-2002] so that trend is likely sustained.
Earth or Soil energy has seasonal temperature changes.
Surface temperatures are high in Spring and Summer relative to deeper levels beyond 80cms.
The reverse happens in Autumn and Winter - where soil temperatures are lowest at the surface and increase with depth.
These reasons suggest congruence with the Yang soil qualities of heat and dryness to occur at the surface level in the aftermath of Spring and Summer energies which impacts shallow rooted plants - but with Yin cooler moister qualities at depths suiting deep rooted trees.
The warmer temperatures at depth in Winter also suit trees while surface soil is cold.
Clearly the regulating Earth midseasons are performing this Yin-Yang balancing for the remaining elements through the soil itself.
Energy from the inner core of Earth will also be a factor generating Yang force from within which reduces towards deep surface layers.
As a general guide we can see why plants have the green light literally to grow in the Wood element season Spring - then get relatively depleted of their energy by the Fire of Summer heat then are restrained in the first Earth energy at mid season, transitional in Autumn, still restrained in the second mid season then get an essential boost from winter rain then quiet again after winter before the cycle returns in Spring.
Another table of energy mixtures that are noted in Chinese divination shows which pairs of energies harmonize or find balance
TABLE C - Yin Yang harmonies
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YANG WOOD
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HARMONIZES WITH
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YIN EARTH
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YIN WOOD
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YANG METAL
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YANG FIRE
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YIN METAL
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YIN FIRE
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YANG WATER
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YANG EARTH
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YIN WATER
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YIN EARTH
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YANG WOOD
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YANG METAL
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YIN WOOD
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YIN METAL
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YANG FIRE
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YANG WATER
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YIN FIRE
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YIN WATER
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YANG EARTH
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In the first example when Growth is very prolific the soil energy of Earth serves that growth and is very directed to that support role.
Then when growth is quiet or subdued a strong force from mineral processes is in effect.
When heat is strong mineral processes are quietened.
Both polarities of the Yin and Yang aspect are needed involving two particular elemental forces in a proportional balance - like in any recipe - so that the two together create processes that produce outcomes.
The Yang element harmonizes by overcoming or dominating the Yin element.
The Yin element harmonizes by being overcome.
Such is the nature of Yin Yang and such processes will be occurring witnessed and unwitnessed throughout the natural world
CHINESE ANIMALS ELEMENTS & THE DAILY HOURS
The 12 Animals are spread around the 360 degree wheel of a 24 hour period as well as their commonly known year by year influence
This sketch from my notebook has RAT at the top related to the degrees 0-30 corresponding to the time of 11pm-1am.
Consistent with the emphasis on centred energy - the RAT energy peaks at 12 midnight which is the 15 degree position - and so this pattern of 15 degree peak energies flows around the wheel - also with RAT being YANG this begins a Yang-Yin alternation clockwise around the wheel.
The Element arrangment is clear here as well. The 24 hour period is actually formed as 12x2 hour periods of effect.
The day is said to begin with RAT
The Element pattern for WATER begins with PIG at 9 pm-11pm followed by RAT 11pm-1am and it is clear that 4 elements dominate the 4 arms of the wheel.
WATER is followed by WOOD at the first arm - 3am-7am
WATER is opposite FIRE - 9am-1pm
METAL is the fourth arm. 3pm-7pm
And we see that EARTH here too fills in the mid spaces
1am-3am 7am-9am 1pm-3pm 7pm-9pm
This element system applied to the 24 hour period of a day is likely to apply to all natural including human processes.
Looking at some specific angles known in Western astrology the equivalent element energy of those angles can be contemplated:
0 degrees and 30 degrees either side of that have a Water energy
30-45 -60 =EARTH -solid stable
75-90-105 = WOOD - growthful expanding
120-135-150 = EARTH - solid stable
150-180-210 = FIRE - dynamic hi-energy
And so on around the wheel.
In effect the Animal symbolism is ultimately subservient to the elemental energy that prevails at any time, day, month or year.
An extended knowledge of the element correspondences allows for a fuller insight into the way the element cycle unfolds in human and natural cycles on the larger scale.
The annual influence for 2021 like 2020 comes under the influence of METAL due to the association of numbers 0 and 1 at the end. 0 is Yang and 1 is Yin
The Animal symbol OX brings in Yin Earth energy with Yin Metal.
Yin is cold season energy. Yin Metal is also emotional coldness.
Double Yin influence with no Yang is unbalanced and weakening for the
Earth element - leading to collapses landslides etc
Metal can signify forms of transport
In the 1961 Metal Ox year a major train accident in Paris.
Look at 1961 and any prior Metal Ox year for correspondences.
In 2021 a major train disaster in Mexico due to collapse of structure [Earth].
My favourite Feng Shui forecaster Raymond Lo identified Trump and Bill Gates as having problems such as legal/relationships/illness/accidents in 2021 Gates is facing divorce. Trump likely has legal battles looming.
Others to come include Angela Merkel Julia Roberts JK Rowling and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Globally the lack of Fire is subduing for economies.
Lack of fire is not good for heart and circulation and general vitality. Also no Fire means no support for Earth in the element system [stomach digestion]
Lack of Fire to melt the Metal energy brings effects to the lungs nose and skin, the respiratory system which is problematic in the Covid context.
Autumn is the season of Metal influence with flow-on effects into Winter.
2022 and 2023 are WATER years Yang then Yin -
Yang Water with Yang Wood in 2022 then Yin Water with Yin Wood in 2023
Try to increase Fire energy in 2021 - Sun light candles the home fireplace the colour red during the Autumn to provide some protection against the imbalance and try to activate the heart and circulation.
It is clear that there are very intriguing aspects to Chinese divination involving their conception of the elements and what role they play in natural and human life processes.
Allowance for both systems to work in co-operation would be a useful approach
