Wu Earth Chapter · Ditiansui and Fate Analysis

1) Original Text of Ditiansui

Wu Earth is solid and heavy, centered and upright.
In stillness and motion, it governs all things.
Water nourishes and promotes growth; fire dries things and causes illness.
If located in Gen or Kun, clashes should be avoided; remain still.

2) Annotations

Original Note: Wu Earth is not the name of city walls or embankments; it is comparatively higher, thicker, and drier than Ji Earth, and is the source from which Ji Earth arises; with proper middle qi, it is indeed central and grand.
In spring and summer the qi expands to generate all things; in autumn and winter the qi contracts to form all things, hence it is the governor of all things.
Its qi belongs to yang; it prefers moisture and dislikes dryness; seated in Yin, it fears Shen; seated in Shen, it fears Yin.
A clash disturbs the roots and is not the proper earth path, therefore it should be kept still.

3) Ren's Yi Book Explanation

Ren says: Wu is Yang Earth; its qi is solid and heavy, residing in the center and thus proper.
Spring and summer qi moves and expands, thus giving rise to all things; autumn and winter qi quiets and collects, thus storing, hence it is the governor of all things.
Its qi is lofty and thick, born in spring and summer; when fire is strong, moisture is needed to moisten it, so all things arise; dryness causes things to wither;
Born in autumn and winter, when there is ample water, warmth from fire is needed; all things transform, and dampness causes illness.

Gen and Kun are the months of Yin and Shen. In spring, they are subjected to restraint; qi is weak and stillness is beneficial; in autumn there is more leakage; the body is thin and fears clashes.
Sometimes those born on Yin or Shen days also favor stillness and avoid clashes.
Also those born in the seasonal months most favor the metals of Geng-Shen and Xin-You; refined aura flows, and it is surely a noble pattern; Ji Earth does the same. There, if the pillar encounters Wood or Fire, or in travel it meets them, it will be broken.

4) Modern Fate Analysis

Wu Earth is solid and heavy, centered and upright.

Wu Earth is Yang Earth, symbolizing the earth, plateau, and thick soil; its nature is steady, centered, and not biased, able to bear all things, hence it is described as “centered and upright.”
It is not a man-made city wall or embankment, but a naturally formed, thick and expansive land, the root of Ji Earth.

Quiet and motion govern all things:
In spring and summer, Wu Earth's qi outwardly expands (moves and opens), coordinating with the growth of all things;
In autumn and winter, Wu Earth's qi inwardly contracts (stills and gathers), promoting storage and maturity.
Because it can govern birth and growth, it is therefore the “governor of all things.”

Water nourishes growth; Fire dries and causes illness:
Wu Earth loves water to nourish; when moistened, the earth thrives and all things prosper;
avoid excessive dryness from fire, as dryness cracks the earth and harms all things. In spring and summer when fire is旺, water is especially needed; in autumn and winter when water is abundant, warmth from fire is needed; seek balance.

If located in Gen or Kun, clashes should be avoided; remain still:
Wu Earth placed in Yin or Shen positions (Gen/Kun) most fears clashes. A clash moves the roots, unbalances the earth, and weakens its bearing power; thus stillness is preferable to movement.

Overall, the value of Wu Earth lies in “centrality, uprightness, stillness, and moisture.”
When aided by Metal to refine its qi and by Water to enliven its body, while avoiding excessive Wood and Fire, it can form the noble, thick-bearing configuration.