土
토(土)
the earth breath — holding
What it means
土 is the breath of holding and staying.
In the seasons it is the turn of seasons; in the directions, the centre.
It receives the bearing of 火 and bears 金; it receives the control of 木 and controls 水.
What the document says
The holding breath runs over.
It is careful and heavy.
Past measure, stubbornness and worry come first and change is feared.
A new attempt loosens what is stifled.
The holding breath is right.
Steadiness and generosity are even.
It keeps the centre and gives way when it must.
The holding breath is shallow.
The force to hold the centre and endure is short, so it is easily shaken.
Rule and unchanging habit fill that breath.
The holding breath holds the balance.
Steadiness, constancy and credit lift the fortune.
Yellow light and loam, rule, and keeping to one thing long are of use.
A record born in the cold season.
It needs a thick foundation to bear what has frozen hard.
Do not hurry; firm first the ground to stand on.
A record born in a season that does not lean.
Nothing is urgent, so time spent levelling the foundation is not time lost.
Where it stands
- 第二卷 五氣the Five Breaths88% legible