One of the relationships is called the “Generating Cycle” and it connects the five elements together in a circle. In this model,
- Wood is the fuel of Fire
- Fire creates ashes that become Earth
- Earth yields metal ore
- From the refinement of metal (water boiling) we get steam
- Water becomes wood which grows
At a workshop, Dr. Suzanne Friendman explained the history of where this concept originated:
“In ancient days, water was thought to come from metal. Now days we know this is not true, but long ago people would see condensation forming on their swords or metal cups and believe that water could come from metal”.
Ah hah!
It wasn’t until after she explained the roots of how this concept originated that it made sense to me how metal fit into this generating cycle; condensation appearing on metal.
