Yin YangStemExercise

The Relationships of the Yin and Yang Aspects of the Stems The Ten Heavenly Stems are comprised of the five elements wood, fire, earth, metal and water, each in a yin and yang aspect: Jia: Yang Wood Yi: Yin Wood Bing: Yang Fire Ding: Yin Fire Wu: Yang earth Ji: Yin Earth Geng: Yang Metal Xin: Yin Metal Ren: Yang Water Gui: Yin Water

The relationships of all five elements are illustrated in the productive and domination cycles. The reductive cycle is generally used to remedy the Flying Star chart. These are the three most commonly discussed cycles. Each element has a yin and a yang aspect. Yang water (Ren) is different from yin water (Gui). The symbolic representations of each stem can be found in the file document “Paint Pillars”. Ren is an ocean, large body of water, or a downpour; Gui is clouds, gentle rain or a puddle. Isolating each pair of stems and analyzing the interaction between the yin and yang aspects can further the understanding of the dynamics at the heart of all Chinese metaphysics. This consciousness can be applied in the practice of Four Pillars and Feng Shui as discussed on this list.

Exercise Consider each pair of stems. Refer to the list of symbolic associations contained in the document “Paint Pillars”. Determine the relationship between the yin and yang aspects of each element by asking the following questions: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Is one stem beneficial to the other? Are the stems mutually beneficial? Is one stem harmful to the other? Would the inclusion of a second element enhance the relationship between the two aspects?

To get started, we will examine Jia and Yi.

Jia and Yi will compete for water. A small plant (Yi) can do nothing for a large tree (Jia). However, Jia can provide shade for Yi from the hot sun. The nature of Jia is upright and steadfast. What can harm a tree? An axe can chop it down. Only Geng - refined, hard metal - can damage Jia. Xin - soft, unrefined metal, or metal ore - is useless. (Too many trees will harm Geng metal – damage or dull the blade of the axe.) The nature of Yi is soft and yielding, much like grass that moves gently in a breeze. Geng cannot hurt Yi. Grass cannot be cut with a knife unless it is held in a bundle. Left in its natural free state of motion, Yi is impervious to Geng. Jia (yang – male) is the big brother to Yi (yin – female). Yi can be beneficial to Jia if Geng is present. Jia will marry off his little sister to Geng: Yi + Geng = Metal Geng, as a brother-in-law, will not harm Jia, as he is too busy combining with Yi. From this example, it is clear why the stem combinations are often referred to as “marriages”: Yi + Geng = Metal Jia + Ji = Earth Bing + Xin = Water Ding + Ren = Wood Wu + Gui = Fire The yin sister combines with the yang stem of the element that dominates she and her brother. All five pairs above (without transforming element) represent domination cycles. With the combinations, the result could be thought of as “blended families”. Result: Jia can be beneficial to Jia. Jia can help Yi. Yi cannot be too helpful to Jia, except when Geng is present.

“Assignment” (Not Required!) Using this first analysis as a guideline, explore the remaining four element pairs. I would like to encourage the list members to post their thoughts and comments for discussion. I completed this exercise myself, as “homework” assigned by Peter Leung several months ago, and found it to be a fascinating study. I am sure Peter will provide his insight as we work through the exercise. Once again, logic and imagination are required to complete this task. Have fun! Nina