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Um, how about basics to this subject?

Hi everyone, Onyx here. The first post was a basic insight into what the basic elements in Chinese Elemental Metaphysics are. Now I'm going to explain in detail of the elemental differences between them all, as well as the minor elements that are part and parcel of the elemental study and insight.

As with the last post, I have explained the basic five elements and their relation to each other. Unlike most other elemental studies, the Chinese elemental study focuses on the concept of WuXing, or Five Forms. The western elemental studies can be split into the primary four which are Earth, Air, Fire and Water. As with all Oriental metaphysics, the key to the elements are not to banish or counteract against one another, but it lies in perfect harmony and balance. Reasoning is also part of the study, so bear with me as I further explain the minor details regarding each elements.

Before I talk about the Five Elements in detail, I'll touch upon the I-ching, a book that we use to deepen our understanding of the primordial forces that governs this system. While it is beyond all details of my knowledge, any Bazi practitioner or student would have a minor grasp of the knowledge. The I-Ching deals with the balancing forces of the Eight Gods and the Eight Cardinals, with each directions in balance with the opposing faction. The easiest way one can see an example of the I-Ching's balance in act around us are:

The Sun rises from the East and sets in the West.
Light and Shadow coexists.
The see-saw can maintain a perfectly balanced axis if the fulcrum is placed at the proper point.
The North and South Pole are opposite each other on the axis.
Heat vaporizes water, while cold condenses water.

With each action we perform, we act against the natural order, and hence in another side of the world, someone else receives the other end of the action's consequences. It goes vice versa, the circular cycle of forces. Each actions are balanced with a Yin and Yang. Positive and Negative. Light and Darkness. Good and Evil. North and South. Black and White. Male and Female. You get the idea.

From that, we return to the Elements. Why? Because like all things, even within the elements themselves are both Yin and Yang oppositions of the elements, and each of them are characterized with their own symbolic representatives and properties. I'll explain further as we move along in this class.

It is also important to note that we are not talking about the Elements as in merely physical aspects of it, but of the Qi, or the life-force energy in each and everything in the world. Beforehand, we talked abit about Yin and Yang. All the Five Elements are products of harmonious interaction of Yin and Yang. Think of it as a father and mother producing five offsprings. That is the conception of the Five Elements.

First we look at Wood. Wood symbolizes growth, enduring and outwardness, characterized with the color green and the shapes of rectangles. Wood is the most sourced after in Feng Shui, due to its financial-growth aid in households, but I am not here to talk about Feng Shui.

Yang Wood, or known as Jia, is tall, solid and grounded. If used to characterize a person, it describes a person who aims high, is firm in his thoughts and has very solid grounding in whatever he does. Picture an oak tree or anything woody. Yang Wood people tend to be stubborn, however, and would not sway or bend to words without a solid ground to back the claims.

Yin Wood, known as Yi, is the soft-stemmed plants that comprise of the other half of the flora life-forces. Yi is depicted as soft and yielding, easily wavering and cowardly, but on a positive side, surprisingly resilient and hardy. While Yi people are defined to be soft-spoken, they are the ones that makes one's day a living hell (if a weed), or a paradise (if flowers). They are prone to being overshadowed by other, more outspoken people, and are easily swayed by actions and words.

Notice the difference of both of them, even though they are both of the Wood element? The Yin and Yang factor determines the properties, and from that we get a basic insight into them. Though the examples are just to give a general idea, it is by no means a way to understand the elements in detail.

We now look at Fire, the so-called most destructive element. Fire burns, scorches, incinerates and destroys, but it is also the element of passion, reformation and rebirth, like a pheonix that is reborn from ashes at the end of its cycle of life. And from that, we split into the oppositions.

Yang Fire, known as Bing, is the most outwardly active and sociable person you would ever know. The best way to describe Bing is the Sun. Always full of energy, radiant and bright, they are always the ones who would bring fun and joy into others. However, like the unforgiving heat of the Sun, they can be judgemental, unforgiving and harsh at times. And if left out of control, causes forest fires.

Yin Fire, identified as Ting, is the small candlefire that will be in everyone's life somehow. While prone to be easily extinguished with a blow of the wind, their will is easily swayed. But they are also the ones who would bring the light in someone's darkness. The kinship of a small flame can be easily outshadowed by the Yang Fire, but it is always the Yin Fire that lights one's path.

Leaving behind the realm of Fire, we approach the domains of Earth. Earth is characterized as stable, solid and attractive. Many cultures refers to Earth as Mother Earth for its life-giving properties, and that is just an understatement.

Yang Earth, Wei, resembles the stony mountains and solid rocks, unyielding and stable. Being the yang side of Earth, they have a strong sense of direction and are the type of people that would not lose their sense of purpose in life. However, as tough as rocks, they are pretty stubborn, and would sometimes stay in one job after another even though they are aware that the job is not beneficial. They find it very hard to move from their job, believing that perseverance is everything, which may or may not be true.

Yin Earth, Ji, is characterized by the soil that nourishes the plants. Nurturing, warm and loving gives Yin Earth the title of Mother Earth for a reason. But with all the nourishment that they give, they sacrifice whatever they have left for themselves, draining them in the end. They are zealots of self-sacrifice, adamant in providing for others and putting others in front of themselves. A characteristic adjective for Ji is a mother's love.

I'll stop for now to allow breathing space between lessons. Class dismissed.

---End of Part 1: Description of Elements---

Not necessary. In BaZi, we do not use the Year Pillar as the basis of your Master element. We look at your Day Pillar for it. And besides, if the Year Pillar determines your master element, then everyone born in that year would be a Yi, and everyone would be waver-easy. That'll be chaotic.

To know about your personal element, you need all the elements including time of birth, day of birth, month of birth, and year of birth. All the four factors will determine your personal element. I'll elaborate more on that, because until the lessons on Elements are done, the Pillars come next.

If you don't mind, you can PM me your details of your birthday and I will analyze your elements and give you a simple chart of your BaZi :3

How do we find out what our Chinese elemental alignments are?

Is that something you might cover after you write up a bit more about each element?