The 5
element Theory can be traced back for countless centuries. It influences many
cultures but seems to have derived from China. It can be incorporated in nearly
everything from divination, medicinal, and spiritual aspects.
The 5 elements
sometimes vary but always include a destructive and creative path. The elements
can be fire, wind, thunder, water, wood, air, metal, earth, and many more. The
elements that were passed on to me were fire, earth, air (metal), water, and
wood.
Their
creative cycle would include:
Fire
creates Earth by ashing, Earth creates Air (metal) by releasing gases, Air
creates Water by condensation, Water creates Wood by nourishing, and Wood
creates Fire by burning.
Their
destructive cycle would include:
Fire
destroys Air by consuming, Air (metal) destroys Wood by cutting, Wood destroys
Earth by covering, Earth destroys Water by retribution, and Water destroys Fire
by extinguishing.
Here are
some links on the 5 element theory based in Chinese medicine:
http://www.biom.net/5_element_theory.htm
http://www.compassionatedragon.com/five_elements.html
http://www.chinaadviser.com/5_elements.html
http://www.dragonyoga.com/chinese5.html
http://www.chinesemedicinesampler.com/theory5elements.html