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Chinese Physiology
Wu-Xing: the Five Phases: Cycles
diagnoses
definition
The Five Phase Pentagram
used to diagram relationships among the phases
two patterns describe normal healthy relations
The clockwise circle of the Sheng Cycle
shows creative, productive, interpromoting relationships. Beginning with Wood . . .
Wood - Fire - Earth - Metal - Water
called the Sheng cycle or mother/son, parent/child relationship
a poem to remember their order goes:
Wood burns to generate Fire
the ashes of Fire create Earth
within the Earth Metal ores are formed
Metal sweats (causes Water vapor to condense) to form Water
Water nourishes plantlife, producing Wood
The clockwise star of the Ke Cycle
illustrates restraining, inhibiting, or controlling relations, again beginning with Wood . . .
Wood - Earth - Water - Fire - Metal
called the Ke cycle or grandparent/grandchild relationship
the poem to remember their order goes:
Wood penetrates the Earth (roots hold the soil and prevent erosion, they also
aerate and break soil apart, if it is too compacted)
Earth dams Water (Earth is an effective dam, but more importantly it forms the
natural boundaries to rivers, lakes, etc.)
Water extinguishes Fire
Fire melts Metal
Metal cuts/fells Wood
all this happens simultaneously to effect a balanced and harmonious order: "time is merely a device to keep everything from happening at once"
within each phase/element are Yin and Yang aspects, sometimes referred to as the husband-wife relationship
footnotes