 |
| |
Qi Properties
Qi and Their Properties
by Judy Adler-Morris
Qi in the form of the Five Elements take their names from the physical manifestations but are not the thing itself. For example, Wood Qi may act like grass, flowering shrubs, or trees, but the qi is not the grass, flowering shrubs, or trees. The trees may contain wood qi but the trees are not wood qi. Just like we are not our bodies but our bodies can contain who we are. The study of qi is quite revealing in all areas of life.
The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine (second century bc), says it powerfully: "The Five Elemental Energies of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water encompass all the myriad phenomena of nature. It is a paradigm that applies equally to humans."
As we study Yin and Yang in their never-ending cycles we see how these seasons of qi impact how we live on this great planet earth. The qi experiences 12 stages of strength over a year's time. Therefore qi is constantly transforming. We are looking at the qi as energy and how it transforms. This qi may result in form and substance, and it may not.
Looking at the taiji we can see that the cycle of yang beginning to yin beginning will show increments of transformation occurring moment by moment. Although the properties of the five types of qi will remain the same, their strength and impact will vary according to the transformation from yang to yin and back to yang occurs.
Let us look at the way the different types of qi demonstrate their functions and personalities.
The cycle starts with Wood arising from Water and in full strength in the spring. Wood qi is forever upwardly mobile, vibrant, and striving with determination. In it's yin form in addition to being upwardly mobile while tacktful but unyielding. This wood qi can yield to the wind and attack and restore it's position unhurt. Wood is born in November, is at its peak in March, then goes into storage in July. Wood qi gives rise to:
Fire in summer. Fire is born in February, is at its peak in June, then goes into storage in October.Fire is giving, radiant and hot. It is powerful, vigorous and generous. In its Yang form it is like a forest fire. In its Yin form it is like a furnace. Fire is full Yang qi when it is in its prime phase. Then as summer wanes so does the intensity of the fire which burns down to ash or here we say:
Earth. Earth is stable, steady, and attracting. Here you find luxurious vegetation as well as storage of all things. You can count on this qi for stability. Earth is between the seasons and is made up of the types of qi on either side of the season. Earth gives rise to:
Metal in the autumn. Metal is born in June, is at its peak in October, then goes into storage in February. The vegetation again begins to compact, condense, contract, and draw inward for accumulation and storage. The water is retained. In the beginning of the season the metal qi is yang but the yin qi is now growing and making things become more compact. Then in the Winter Metal gives birth to:
Water which is liberal and flowing by nature, yet in Winter the qi is condensed and stored. It contains great power. When Spring comes the power is released and gives rise to wood. Water is born in August, is at its peak in December, then goes into storage in April.
About the Author
Judy Adler is the first American designated Feng Shui Master by Master
Joseph Yu, founder of the Feng Shui Research Center in Ontario. She has been
practicing and teaching Feng Shui professionally since 1993. Although she
resides in the Austin, Texas area, she provides services for clients
internationally. She can be reached at Judy@FSRC.net
|
|
