Earth
Earth is the third, central element of Wu Xing. Years ending in 8 and 9: 1978, 1979, 1988, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2018, 2019, 2028, 2029.
Personality of the Element
Earth stands for stability and the center. An Earth person is reliable, practical and inclined to bring everything into balance. They don't rush, but they don't abandon what they've started either.
Strengths: common sense, loyalty, the ability to carry a heavy load for a long time and to care for others without making a show of it.
Weak spot: inertia and a tendency to ruminate anxiously. Earth deliberates for a long time and can miss the moment.
Four signs belong to Earth at once: the Ox, the Dragon, the Goat and the Dog. They stand at the junctions between seasons.
Colors, Directions, Time
Colors: yellow, ochre, brown. Direction: the center, as well as southwest and northeast. Time: the transitions between seasons, the last month of each season. Planet: Saturn. Organs in Chinese medicine: the spleen and stomach.
In feng shui earth governs the southwest sector of relationships and the northeast sector of knowledge: they are strengthened with ceramics, stone and crystals.
Relationships with Other Elements
Produces Metal (ore is born in the earth). Is produced by Fire.
Controls Water (earth absorbs and dams the flow). Is controlled by Wood.
Practical conclusion: Fire years are good for an Earth person, while Wood years take more effort because they drain resources.