The Primal arrangement also expresses the forces of nature in terms of “pairs of opposites.” Thus thunder, an electrically-charged force, has wind as its opposite. Rain, which moistens the seeds and enables them to germinate, has the sun, which supplies warmth, as its opposite. This example further demonstrates the contention that “water and fire do not combat each other.” In comprehending opposite moving forces, consider the trigram Ken, Keeping Still, whose situation describes the termination of any extra expansion and growth. Its “opposite,” the Joyous, brings forth “the harvest.” Consider also the directing forces of the Creative and the Receptive, which together represent the great laws of existence; these two also comprise a pairing of opposites.
The above expositions of the Primal arrangement seem to suggest ascending and descending forces. Understanding these forces supposedly reveals the “secrets of the future” because the Primal arrangement is supposed to express heaven’s view of existence. Such understanding, however, was frequently beyond the modest faculties of most people.
The Later Heaven arrangement
Fortunately, after Fu Hsi came King Wen, who re-formulated the sequence of the trigrams to offer an “inner world” view of mankind that takes a less profound view of the trigrams. Thus came about the Later Heaven arrangement of the trigrams, which bears closer resemblance to the worldly aspects, aspirations, and relationships of mankind.
In the Later Heaven arrangement of the trigrams – also known as the Inner World arrangement – the trigrams are taken out of their groupings in pairs of opposites and are placed instead in a circular temporal progression of their manifestations in the physical realm. Under the new arrangement the cardinal points and the seasons are related. There is a clear perception of cycles, and seasonal, monthly, and daily influences. The arrangement of the trigrams around the Pa Kua was thus drastically altered.
The description of the Later Heaven arrangement of the trigrams in the Yang Pa Kua shows the creative activity of God in the trigram Chen, the Arousing, which stands in the east and signifies Spring (the beginning). All living things come forth in the sign of the Arousing. They come to completion in the sign of the Gentle (Sun), which stands in the southeast. Completion means that all creatures become pure and perfect. The Clinging (Li) is the brightness in which all creatures perceive one another. It is the trigram of the south. Thus the sages turn to the south (i.e. to the light) whenever they listen to the meaning of the universe. Next comes the Receptive, which means the earth. The earth ensures that all creatures are nourished. Tui, or Joyous, comes in mid-autumn, followed by Chien the Creative in the northwest, and Kan the Abysmal in the north. In the sign of the Abysmal all creatures work. Lastly comes the sign of Ken, Keeping Still, in the northeast where the beginning and the end find completion. Thus the cycle ends.
Inner World Arrangement
The sequence of the trigrams also reflects harmony and balance in the year. What is narrated in the above description is the cycle of seasons, the cycle of nature. Trigrams are allotted to the seasons and to points of the compass to reflect the harmony of nature.
One can also extend the annual cycle to that of an ordinary day, so for instance the trigram Chen, while signifying spring, is also representative of morning, the start of the day. The next trigram, Sun, represents the wind, which melts the ice of winter, and wood, which germinates and grows. This takes us to Li, midsummer or noon time. And so on … The remaining trigrams show the way round the cycle, all the while stressing harmony and balance. The Later Heaven arrangement of the Yang Pa Kua is more easily understood than the early Yin version. It is also more applicable to Yang houses as its basic premise reflects life in the earth realm. In view of this, all latter-day practices of Chinese feng shui use this sequential representation of the Pa Kua to unlock the meanings of the Luo Pan’s compass directions when analyzing the chi of Yang dwellings.
The Chinese calendar system of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches also relates to the Later Heaven arrangement of the Pa Kua, as do much of Compass feng shui’s formulas. For this reason, all feng shui Luo Pans contain this arrangement of the trigrams in one of its inner rings.
9. THE FIVE ELEMENTS AND THEIR CYCLES
The theory of the five elements is a major foundation stone of Compass feng shui. In Chinese this is known as Wu Xing, which conveniently translates as five elements. However, it actually means more: the word wu means five but the word xing is a way of saying “five types of chi dominating at different times.” This has been shortened to the word “elements” which seems to have become conventionally accepted into the language of Chinese feng shui and divinition. The five elements are water, wood, fire, earth, and metal.
Water dominates in winter, wood in spring, fire in summer, and metal in autumn. The intersection between two seasons, the transitional period, is dominated by earth. The names of the elements refer to substances whose properties resemble the respective element and help us understand the different properties of the five types of chi.
The properties of the five types of chi are summarized as follows:
Water runs downwards. Water always signifies wealth and success related with money but there is always a danger of overflow. The element of water can therefore bring enormous wealth luck or it can cause great misfortune. Water is a powerful element that cuts both ways. In the Compass formulas water is extremely important and special attention must be paid to it if you want extra income or to improve your monetary lifestyle. Water thus is always symbolic of a money flow. The key is to get the direction of money flow correct!
Wood grows upwards and is an excellent representation of life and growth – so wood always suggests growth and expansion. Think of a seed growing into a tall and luxuriant tree, filled with blossoms and flowers. The chi of wood is pushing upwards. So if success and expansion is what you need and want, look at the best ways to activate the wood element. For this reason a luxuriant growth of plants in the east and southeast is always beneficial.
Fire spreads in all directions. It is radiant and hot, and needs to be controlled. Fire has the potential to suddenly become so big and hot that it can get out of control. Fire brings fame, recognition, and luminosity, the kind of success that can become a double-edged sword; the kind of success that can also burn itself out. Think of it brightening the sky with its flashing red and yellow, but also make sure it keeps burning. Make sure the fire is controlled.
Fire, like water, is powerful and is a double-edged sword. It can be so hot that it burns chi to ashes. Fire is for success, recognition, and popularity.
Metal pierces inwards, is sharp and pointing. It can be deadly and powerful but metal is also the easiest element to control. This is because as an element it is deemed to be unbending and true to type. Metal does not surprise anyone. It is a cold type of chi which, when properly harnessed, brings enormous power. So metal chi stands for power and authority. The danger with metal lies in its unbending nature. The metal element, when energized, can be relentless in its strength. Always have fire energy ready nearby to ensure that metal is always under your control.
Earth The chi of the earth is very warm and embracing. It nurtures and nourishes. Earth energy is protective energy – it embraces and takes care of the home when it is properly energized and balanced. Of the five elements