Elements in Chinese Divination compared with the Western System

 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

	NORTHERN	SOUTHERN	Chinese element
SPRING  Young Yang	15 AQUARIUS	15 LEO	WOOD   JUPITER
EQUINOX  Yang Earth	0 ARIES	0 LIBRA	EARTH   SATURN
SUMMER  Mature Yang	15 TAURUS	15 SCORPIO	FIRE    MARS
SOLSTICE Yin Earth	0 CANCER	0 CAPRICORN	EARTH   SATURN
AUTUMN Young Yin	15 LEO	15 AQUARIUS	METAL    VENUS
EQUINOX  Yang Earth	0 LIBRA	0 ARIES	EARTH   SATURN
WINTER  Mature Yin	15 SCORPIO	15 TAURUS	WATER - ? ?
SOLSTICE  Yin Earth	0 CAPRICORN	0 CANCER	EARTH   SATURN

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

SPRING   WOOD	TRANSITION EARTH	DEPLETED  WATER	STRONG     FIRE	PROSPERING WOOD	RESTRAINED     METAL
MID       EARTH	WATER	FIRE	METAL	EARTH	WOOD
SUMMER   FIRE	METAL	WOOD	EARTH	FIRE	WATER
MID EARTH	WATER	FIRE	METAL	EARTH	WOOD
AUTUMN   METAL	WOOD	EARTH	WATER	METAL	FIRE
MID     EARTH	WATER	FIRE	METAL	EARTH	WOOD
WINTER  WATER	FIRE	METAL	WOOD	WATER	EARTH
MID EARTH	WATER	FIRE	METAL	EARTH	WOOD

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

YANG WOOD	HARMONIZES WITH	YIN EARTH
YIN WOOD		YANG METAL
YANG FIRE		YIN METAL
YIN FIRE		YANG WATER
YANG EARTH		YIN WATER
YIN EARTH		YANG WOOD
YANG METAL		YIN WOOD
YIN METAL		YANG FIRE
YANG WATER		YIN FIRE
YIN WATER		YANG EARTH

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

Lessons in Relating -Dissolving Fixed Patterns July 2018 eclipse

Humanity's biggest challenge lies in the territory of relating: all of the Cardinal signs - Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn have this as their core essence and these signs being structural markers of the four seasons show how intrinsic in nature this balancing of forces is, of necessity

the four seasons corresponding to the 4 Cardinal signs

July 2018 at mid-month New Moon features firstly a potent cardinal sign solar eclipse with Sun Moon in Cancer directly opposite Pluto in Capricorn.

Saturn in Capricorn and Chiron in Aries lock in a strongly overriding theme of relating through the 6 month period of effect.

As typical with eclipses pre-triggers reveal the theme in advance

"significant events cast their shadow before them" 

US 2018: children separated from immigrant parents

In America the nation [echoed by the observing world] arose in mass protest over the hardline Trump policy of separating and placing children in cages & in internment camps as highly punitive method of dealing with illegal immigration.

The Cancer-Capricorn themes stand out immediately - families, parents, housing - as people outside of the US southern border seek to relocate for better opportunities to raise their families. The hardline energy arises under Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. Chiron in Aries shows how wounded people feel by being treated inhumanely.

So with this theme highly profiled in America -and being played out wherever in the world that people are desperate to exit their dire circumstances for the promised land -it looks set to continue to be clear that major changes in how relating energy is used, how we treat other humans [as well as any other species] is high on the agenda.

Bearing in mind that energy is a highly mutable phenomenon and when multiple energies synergise the product of those combined forces can express anywhere along the spectrum of very positive to very negative - depending upon the response of the person or group or environment that the energy is affecting - under that same array of forces some of those affected will rise and progress toward greater goodness while others will regress, decline and become more debased.

The relating factors reflect the cardinal sign prominence at this eclipse - but the key changes required involve the mutable sign dissolving energy [courtesy of Neptune & linked in factors] to overcome fixed patterns [Taurus, Scorpio Leo and Aquarius feature significantly and are being urged to be expressed differently due to Uranus, Jupiter, the lunar nodes]

This summarising interpretation of prominent forces 

being expressed at this eclipse applies to all of us.

When considering potentials of an event such as an eclipse [eclipses have collective significance] the most alarming aspects are importantly raised as an advisory against being pulled back further into degraded patterns of behaviour. At the same time as that risk occurs great opportunity arises to resist worsening the collective problem - in this context it is how we treat other people - this critical juncture is a point at which each of us can say I am no longer part of the problem I am part of the solution. 

July 2018 at the mid-month eclipse the balancing force in play in an effort to moderate the hardline approach of Trump comes courtesy of Neptune and the relevant contributions from Jupiter Uranus and Mercury . 

These 4 factors occupy 13-17 degrees  -either directly [JUP MERC, NEP] or by semisquare - Uranus - and Chiron can be seen to tag along with a 17 degree semisquare -showing that the woundedness people feel in mirroring the separation trauma [SAT squ CHI] drives a passionate belief [Jupiter in Scorpio] in empathy, compassion, humanitarianism [Neptune in Pisces] 

The stress, confusion and insecurity generated [Uranus in Taurus semisquare Neptune] by witnessing or experiencing such a primal loss as the tearing apart of families, of parents from children [Pluto in Capricorn = the state as an abusive parent, acting as a destructive force, an overreach of power [Pluto-Saturn = Jupiter midpoint] ...the collective pain is a transformational opportunity. 

That is the level of consciousness needed to counter the destruction unleashed. People need to find their goodness through this type of calamity. The energy forces of Jupiter and Neptune are working to offset the disempowerment and terror.

Fundamentally this eclipse meaning is about relating in every context -from the Self to the Other to the familial , local  and global: valuing the self in a self nurturing way, valuing others as fellow humans, demonstrating true parenting and valuing that role as a provider and nurturer, showing collective leadership in mentoring fellow citizens towards emotionally healthier communities.

Families and homes are so intertwined -both in life and in astrology [Moon and Cancer] that this energy of force promoted in the eclipse period also places homes housing and shelter under threat [update: July 4 Israel plans to demolish a Bedouin village in the occupied West Bank. A land confiscation notice was left by military, bulldozers brought onsite in preparation ]
[update July 7 -allegations of historic sexual abuse in New Zealand involving pedophilia and a pedophile network show the push back against the excesses and control mechanisms of patriarchal power [Capricorn and Pluto energies]

All these levels need to be effectively functionally in place for the four cardinal energies to provide the structure in human life as they do in the cycle of the seasons. We are not distinct from nature. We are nature.

Having said that...the disturbed energies amongst the human collective are fed back into the natural environment, perpetrating sustained turbulence in the energy currents.

The level of effect of human consciousness has far more of a role to play than pollution does - though that behaviour reveals the impact of collective disturbances of mind.

Our current state of shared thought consciousness is unbalancing natural forces and resulting in extreme environmental events. The worse we become so too will the consequences escalate and this eclipse of July 2018 continues to indicate the effects of excess water and the consequences upon the land, structures, dwellings and shelter with consequences for people and lifestyles.
Whether extreme water prevails or hazardous fire dominates a local landscape is related to localised resonance with the elements in play.

[updates July 6 - the high northern hemisphere temperatures with associated fatalities correspond to the destructive power of Jupiter in Scorpio mass deaths theme. Canada stands out with 33 heatwave-induced deaths in Quebec.  Other locations on other northern land masses declaring record high temps. In this context Jupiter increases Neptune energy & is very weakening to the point of life-threatening. Mars [heat/fire] attached to the lunar lodes is a general indicator of the combustibility potential - and human anger in a rising tide as the month of July unfolds ] 

[update July 6 -Tourist boat sinks July 5 evening off Phuket Thailand - another big water event with mass fatalities ]

[update July 8 The New York times headline for July 7 is 

Japan Reels From Heavy Rains; Dozens Killed and Millions Evacuated -this being an expected outcome of prevailing forces particularly Jupiter in Scorpio joining with Neptune in Pisces - mass deaths from extreme water is a worst case scenario of this combination in whatever global locations have the relevant energies in place for this outcome ]

The meaning is clear in human affairs that have human as well as environmental consequences: the fundamentals have to be restored. 

further additions and updates from July 2 onwards

The Thai cave rescue story is highly relevant to the eclipse themes. The story has evolved to the extent that a dedicated post has been created including content shown below with further analysis & updates:

Adverse Conditions Challenge Thailand Cave Rescue

Detailed timeline of the cave entrapment & rescue phase

The boys entered the cave system with their coach on Saturday  23 June after football practice.
A rescue operations base has been set up in the system's third chamber which is 1.7kms inside.
It is believed that none of the boys can swim.

           

Children in foil blankets
US-Mexico immigration crisis and Thai cave rescue both involve children and confinement in the June to July period.
Saturn is the main signifier of confinement and restriction
Leo is the energy of children and Aquarius is group energy.
During June 2018 Saturn was aligned with the lunar nodes in Leo-Aquarius, locking in place the challenges seen to unfold for both groups -including the long slow progress in resolving their plight -aggravated by the involvement of Saturn energy but worsened by Mars [action] being retrograde in Aquarius - late June to late August.
Fast resolutions are increasingly looking unlikely in both situations