10 Master Elements and their ideal natural conditions
To read the chart one has to apply basic natural laws and use images of nature to understand what is going on between all those different Elements. Each Master Element requires unique conditions to strive.
We will cover each of them here, shortly outlining their basic requirements.
Master Element is the central point of every analysis; it represents the very person we analyze, therefore it is of extreme importance for the Master Element to have supportive conditions in the surrounding chart. If the rest of the chart is hostile towards the Master Element, the person might not perform well in life. A Master Element is positioned at the top of day pillar.
YANG WOOD
Yang Wood represents a tree or large plants. A tree needs a lot of Earth, Water (preferably Yin Water) and Yang Fire, to provide warmth. If Yang Metal and Yin Fire are present, in that case, the Wood is being chopped to create Fire, which is also a positive dynamic and highly effective. They might get annoyed by Yin Wood, which tends to use trees to creep up and grow on top of them. Yang Woods are very sensitive, and they need a lot of conditions. An excessive Yang Metal can cut Yang Wood out completely, so it is a challenging combination.
YIN WOOD
Yin Wood represents small plants, flowers, and creepers. They need mostly Yin Earth and Water, although some of them could function well only on Water, preferably Yin Water. Plants need constant trimming, especially if strong and healthy; therefore Yang Metal is required, while Yin Metal might annoy them with small cuts.
Yin Fire is a bit too aggressive form of Fire for them; Yin Wood doesn’t like overly dry conditions.; they prefer more the gentle warmth of the Yang Fire. Yin Wood, being of gentle nature, is not so effective on its own, so it needs more Wood, to climb up and grow. If Water is too strong, and there is no Earth, Yin Wood might get washed away, creating general instability.
YANG FIRE
Yang Fire represents the sun in the sky; it’s the only Element which is not from the planet Earth. Yang Fire enjoys Yang Water the most, which represents a vast ocean. When the sun shines on the sea, it produces light, one of the essential substances for life in general. This dance of light between Yang Fire and Yang Water is one of the most powerful special effects in the Five Element environment.
Another Element which Yang Fire likes is Yin Metal; once they combine, they produce precious, pure Water, and it is a powerful combination, which we described in our blog post.
Yang Fire, being far from planet Earth, can’t produce Earth Element, but it can provide warmth, which is very important if Earth is cold or frozen. It also can’t receive any support from Wood, but instead, Yang Fire provides warmth to plants and trees. In its essence, Yang Fire is selfless, it doesn’t need much from other Elements, and it loves to provide. What they do need is an occasional appreciation for their efforts.
The only Element which Yang Fire might find annoying is Yin Water, which represents clouds, and it stops them from shining. If Yin Water is excessive, the power of Yang Fire will diminish, and the person might struggle with the purpose and energy levels.
YIN FIRE
Yin Fire represents a fire in different shapes and strengths, like fireplace, open bonfire, or candle fire. The crucial Element for them is Yang Wood, which provides fuel to Yin Fire. Yin Wood burns too quickly, so it is not a substantial source of energy for them. The Yang Wood should be relatively dry, so Water Element needs to be at a minimum. Yin Fire can handle Yang Water quite well, but not Yin Water, which is its biggest enemy. If the chart has too much Earth Element, the Yin Fire might suffocate, because the ashes extinguish the Fire.
When Yin Fire is solid, with a good supply of Wood, they enjoy spending that energy on molding Yang Metal Element and turning it into a useful tool. Yin Fire needs to stay bright; if they lack Wood and Water is excessive, they will be pretty much useless.
YANG EARTH
Yang Earth represents a mountain, rock or a large boulder. For Yang Earth, it’s vital that they are firm and large. It likes Yang Water; it provides boundaries and direction to the oceans and rivers. It also likes any type of Wood, but if Yang Earth is excessive, it prefers Yang Wood, with its powerful roots.
If born in the winter Yang Earth will also need some Yang Fire, to warm things up. Metal Element represents precious metals which can be found within the earth; therefore it brings value to the Yang Earth.
YIN EARTH
Yin Earth represents a soil, garden, farmland or desert, depending on the conditions. The primary purpose of Yin Earth is to support the growth of the plants; therefore it needs both types of Wood. Yin Water is needed to keep Earth moist. Yin Earth needs to be substantial, thick; if weak, might get washed away by excessive Yang Water or dissolved by Yang Wood’s roots. If Yin Earth is born in the winter, it needs Yang Fire to warm things up. The Metal Element represents minerals which are essential for Yin Earth’s nurturing quality.
YANG METAL
Yang Metal represents ax, knife or any sharp, metal tools. In its original form, Yang Metal is raw; therefore it needs Yin Fire and Yang Wood to create enough heat to be molded into a useful tool. When these two elements are present, it creates perfect conditions for Yang Metal Master Element. Yang Metal generally needs pressure, and Yin Fire is the best Element to provide it. Yang Fire doesn’t offer much pressure, only warmth.
Yang Metal is not very good at producing Water, but Water makes the chart cooler when Fire and Wood are intense, so it is helpful. Water shouldn’t be too deep though; otherwise Yang Metal sinks to the bottom, it becomes useless. Yang Metal doesn’t like Yin Earth in combination with Water; it makes it muddy, dirty. A combination of Fire and Hot Earth makes Yang Metal shiny, but the heat shouldn’t be too intense; otherwise Metal can break. Generally, Earth Element needs to be low; Metal generally doesn’t need Earth to be healthy and strong.
YIN METAL
Yin Metal represents jewelry and precious metals; therefore it needs Yang Fire the most, to provide light to it so that they can shine. This combination also produces Water which keeps Yin Metal clean and is generally a very favorable combination. Yin Metal dislikes Yin Earth combined with Water, it makes it dirty, and that’s something they hate the most. Pure, clean Water Element is what Yin Metal likes the most; it makes it sparkle. It doesn’t mix with Yang Earth very well.
Yin Metal is not good at cutting, it can’t control Yang Wood, but to a certain extent, it can trim Yin Wood. Yin Metal in combination with Wood produces a so-called Christmas tree effect, beautiful to see, but not very productive. Yin Fire puts pressure on Yin Metal, and if too strong, can break it.
YANG WATER
Yang Water represents large surfaces of water, lakes, rivers, and oceans. It needs Yang Earth, to create boundaries. If Yang Water is excessive, and without Yang Earth, it becomes directionless, which might lead the person to break laws.
If born in winter, Yang Water needs Yang Fire to warm things up, and produce light. The Wood Element of any kind is very useful because of its purification properties. If Yang Water gets dirty because of Yin Earth, it can create legal problems; therefore it needs Wood to filter the dirt out. Metal Element doesn’t have much effect on Yang Water.
YIN WATER
Yin Water represents rain, fog, snow and other types of falling water. Yin Water provides moisture to the Earth and helps Wood grow. When the chart is too hot, Yin Water is perfect for regulating the temperature, because Earth and Wood absorb it, and can cool off Metal. Too much Fire would evaporate Yin Water. Yin Metal can provide support to weak Yin Water though.
Also published on Medium.
