Earth, Yin and Water

Looking at the diagram for earth as the centre of the circle we see that the water element (the season of winter) is extreme Yin having arrived from the descending yin of metal.

The 7th hexagram in the I Ching is Earth above and Water below and the image is of the army. The power of the hidden forces where water resides in the earth, waiting to rush forth with unstoppable power.

In the I Ching the 8th hexagram is water above and earth below and the image is of water coming together as in the rivers descending to the ocean. Water always seeks the lowest place where it can rest and become still, being held by the container of earth (so that in fact we could say that Earth is the lowest energy).

Always remembering that the five element diagram is one of energetic flow and not of five stations or places that we arrive at. We are always in flux, moving on a journey through the flavours of the elements. Thus the power of water in the waterfall, the flow in the river and the stillness of the lake all require earth as a guiding influence in order to "come together".

The relationship of Earth and Water in the standard model shows that Earth controls water which is in line earth being in the centre, holding the safety while water flows and receiving it when it comes together.