Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
The second category of characteristics pertains to the natural cycles of time and space
such as season, weather, and direction
The season associated with the wood element is the spring
Much like in nature, spring is the season when plants grow and develop
For plants, and the wood element overall
their most energetically strong and expressive period of time is the spring
The Weather or climatic characteristic associated with wood is wind
In accordance with the seasons of the year
the spring time is often accompanied by windy weather
It is a time when the weather is no longer wintery and cold
but not quite summery and hot
The direction associated with the wood element is the east
The ancient Chinese, along with the rest of us
associated the rise of the sun to signify the birth of a new day
Since the sun performs this act in the east
and the energy of birth is characteristic of the wood element
the east was associated with Wood
As we know from The Basics of Chinese Philosophy
the same characteristics used to describe occurrences on a macro level
can also be used to describe occurrences on a micro level
We also said that what occurs in nature
occurs in everything, including within ourselves
Thus, what we have said about the wood element
can also apply to us
For example: the colour of wood, as we know, is green
Thus, people who’s composure lacks wood
often feel an urge to wear the colour green
On the other hand, people who’s composure contains an excess of wood
often feel a sense of repulsion towards the colour green
The same goes for taste, smell, and even preference of season
Basically, it will be our urge to either increase or decrease
the amount of a given element- in this case wood, in our lives
that will effect the way we choose to express said element