The two main cycles
The productive cycle (相生) runs round the circle: Wood feeds Fire, Fire leaves Earth (ash), Earth bears Metal, Metal carries Water (condensation), Water nourishes Wood.
The controlling cycle (相克) jumps across it, making a star: Wood parts Earth (roots), Earth dams Water, Water puts out Fire, Fire melts Metal, Metal cuts Wood.
Two more relationships follow from these. In the weakening cycle (相泄) an element is drained by the one it produces — Water is used up growing Wood. In the insulting cycle (相侮) an element that is too strong turns the controlling cycle back on its controller — enough Water dissolves the Earth that should dam it.
Using the cycles in feng shui
Feng shui uses the cycles to adjust the balance of a space without fighting it. To support an element, add the element that produces it. To calm an element gently, add the element it produces, which draws on it. The controlling element calms it too, but more forcefully — so that is usually kept for strong problems, such as the annual Five Yellow (Earth), which is traditionally weakened with Metal rather than attacked with Wood.
Correspondences
| Element | Colours | Shapes | Materials | Directions | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | Green, teal | Tall, columnar, stripes | Wood, plants, paper, cotton | East, Southeast | Spring |
| Fire | Red, orange, pink, purple | Triangles, points, stars | Candles, lighting, leather, animal motifs | South | Summer |
| Earth | Yellow, beige, terracotta | Squares, flat and low forms | Ceramics, stone, clay, brick | Centre, Southwest, Northeast | Late summer |
| Metal | White, grey, gold, silver | Circles, ovals, domes | Metal, rock crystal, marble | West, Northwest | Autumn |
| Water | Black, navy, dark blue | Waves, irregular, curved | Glass, mirrors, water features | North | Winter |
Questions
Why is it "elements" if they're processes?
Wu xing (五行) literally means "five movements" or "five phases". "Elements" is the conventional English translation, but the idea is closer to five stages of change than five substances.
How do I know which element my home needs?
Feng shui usually starts from direction: each bagua area has an element. Personal approaches start from a BaZi chart and look for the element that's missing.