The SHENG / Creation or Nourishing Cycle is where each element nourishes or creates the next cycle (element) e.g. Fire creates Earth. The sequence can be rationalised as follows
WOOD creates FIRE (the wood is burnt to create the fire). FIRE creates EARTH (Fire expends it's self and what is left is ashes which become Earth).
EARTH creates METAL (the element Metal is found by digging in the Earth)
METAL creates WATER (by melting-- solid metals melt to form a liquid). Metal also corresponds to AIR (in Western astrology) and air condenses to form a liquid.
WATER creates WOOD (by nourishing growth)
If each element is fed and strengthened it will feed the next element in the cycle like a mother feeds a son or daughter, thus it is termed the cycle of creation and it gives birth to the Mother / son theory used in treatment of disharmonies.
The KO / inhibiting / repressive or controlling cycle is where each element inhibits or controls the element two steps ahead in the sequence e.g.. WOOD controls EARTH. This is like a Grandparent exerting control over a Grandchild, in T.C.M. called Grandmother / Grandson cycle. It works as follows---
FIRE controls METAL (by melting it).
METAL controls WOOD (by cutting it).
WOOD controls EARTH (by covering it).
EARTH controls WATER (by damming it).
WATER controls FIRE by extinguishing it).
DIAGRAM NO. W 2
Organ element relationship.
ST = STOMACH, HT = HEART, LV = LIVER, BL = BLADDER, KD = KIDNEYS, CO = COLON OR LARGE INTESTINE, PC = PERICARDIUM, TH = TRIPLE HEATER, LU = LUNGS, SP = SPLEEN, SI = SMALL INTESTINE, GB = GALL BLADDER.
The harmonious balance of the SHENG and KO cycles represents the mutual support and control of the 5 elements. The SHENG (creative) Cycle ensures that there is continual growth and generation. The KO Cycle ensures that there is growth within limits, that growth dose not continue unchecked. Thus the two cycles represent the balance of the 5 elements. Both cycles are natural and positive, unless an imbalance or blockage occurs in the flow resulting in the generation of a destructive cycle.
The SHENG Cycle is predominant during the day and the KO Cycle is predominant during the night. Each element has it's corresponding colour, smell, body organ / channel, etc. that can form the basis of diagnosis. If any concordance tends to predominate or is lacking, a practitioner will be able to diagnose which part of the sequence is disturbed and treat the energies accordingly to open the natural flows.
Another way of using this system is as follows:
An inflammatory condition occurring in an organ or tissue can be seen as a FIRE type symptom (feels hot and will cause irritation, etc.) so using the WATER Pt to reduce this FIRE (inflammation) can have a dramatic and immediate effect on the inflammation. If the inflammation is not completely relived by the WATER PT then add a METAL PT to nourish the WATER and increase the affect of the action of WATER.
As a Martial Artist one could do a primary strike on the EARTH Pt of the Pericardium Channel and then do the next strike on the Front MU Pt of the HEART (PC 7 & CV 14), t increase the damaging effect of the strike to the HEART MU Pt. This is using the SHENG Cycle's Mother Son theory where the Son is used to drain QI from the Mother. The HEART is the YIN or half the YIN of the Fire element (PERICARDIUM is the other half of the YIN of the Fire element. The PERICARDIUM is also seen as the protector of the HEART so damage here could increase damage to the HEART. Using an example from the KO cycle, one could strike to the Metal Pt of the PERICARDIUM Channel (PC 5), then follow with a strike to Front MU Pt of the LIVER (LIV 14). Here Metal is acting to control the Wood and the further strike to a major Pt affecting the YIN organ of the YIN Element adds insult to injury and results in dramatic results (perhaps LIVER shut down). These are just examples of how these cycles might be used martially; there are lots of different combinations that could be used.
There is also a cycle called the reverse KO Cycle (or counteracting or rebellious cycle), this is where one element rebels against its natural controller. This is an abnormal cycle and is a symbolic of defiance. The format follows ------
Wood counteracts Metal (by blunting it).
Metal counteracts Fire (by extinguishing it--cutting off its supply of oxygen)
Fire counteracts Water (by boiling it away if the Fire is too vigorous).
Water counteracts Earth (by washing it away if the Water is dammed to excess).
Earth counteracts Wood (by providing no foundation for its roots).
It may well be that at death the reverse KO cycle comes into play.
