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STUDY GUIDE

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For Modern Living

MODULE 5

The

五行原理

5 Element Theory

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5

The

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Element Theory Element Symbols

Water

Metal

Wood

Earth

Productive cycle

Fire

Destructive cycle

Exhaustive cycle

A core concept in feng shui practice is the theory of the five elements. If you thoroughly understand this concept, you will become adept in feng shui and also gain a firm grounding in the fundamental philosophy of feng shui. The five element theory is the foundation of all these esoteric skills. In feng shui, knowledge of the five elements theory and its three cycles – productive, exhaustive and destructive – offers invaluable insights into the cures, remedies and energizers recommendation by feng shui masters. It is thus an extremely good idea to commit the three cycles of the five elements to memory. To use the theory of the five elements in feng shui, you will need to understand the relationships of each of the elements – fire, wood, water, metal and earth – to each other. There are three relationships and these give rise to the three cycles. These are illustrated in the diagram here. To energize or enhance corners of the pa kua, use the productive cycle of the 5 elements to strengthen. To install remedies and cures for afflicted chi in the corners of the pa kua, use the exhaustive cycle. To completely overcome and control killing chi, use the destructive cycle.

Each of the five elements can be represented by features and symbols that can add to the beauty and sense of harmony of the home as well as enhancing and energizing the luck sectors.

Water feature for water energy

The best enhancer for the north and to attract prosperity luck is to activate the east and southeast with a water feature. In feng shui, distinction is made between yin water, which is quiet and still with neither fish nor plants in it, and yang water, which is moving and filled with life chi.

Plants for wood energy

An excellent way to represent the wood element in the east and southeast, and to activate the fire element in the south, is with plants. Live young plants are symbolic of growth upwards and outwards. It is very important that the plants look lush and healthy, so you need to make sure you keep them well-watered and fed. Dead or dying plants will not create auspicious chi. Young broad-leaved plants are ideal, and flowering plants will represent the blossoming of your projects.

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Windchimes for metal energy

Coins are an excellent way to represent metal energy in the west and northwest and to energize the water element in the north. Three gold Chinese coins tied together with red string or ribbon to represent energizing metal energy are perfect. You can also use all-metal windchimes, metal vases or bowls, or even place your metal stereo equipment in these sectors to activity the metal energy.

Crystals for earth energy

The best way to enhance earth energy is with crystals that are truly from the earth and the most powerful manifestation of earth energy. These are particularly appropriate in the southwest for romance. The northeast is also an earth element sector and a clear quartz crystal globe will attract scholarship luck and greatly enhance your children’s academic achievements.

Lights for fire energy

Lighting is one of the most powerful feng shui tools – few others can match its potency. In sectors of the home that benefit from fire energy (south, northeast and southwest) it is a good idea to keep the lights turned on all through the day and night. - Bright lights in the south bring fame and recognition - Bright lights in the southwest bring love, romance and family joyous occasions. - Bright lights in the northeast bring the luck of scholarship - Candles are also excellent for representing the fire element

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Multiple Choice Questions: 1) What element exhausts Wood? a. Metal b. Fire c. Water 2) How to enhance the earth element? a. Fire b. Metal c. Wood 3) Which of the following elements will destroy the water element? a. Fire b. Wood c. Earth 4) Is light a powerful tool for fire energy? a. Yes b. No 5) Which of the following is a correct representation of the productive cycle? a. Water – wood – fire – earth – metal b. Earth – wood – metal – fire – water c. Fire – wood – water – metal – earth

Exercise:

1) Find out the element of your main door.

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ANSWERS: Question 1: b Question 2: a Question 3: c Question 4: a Question 5: a

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