Wu Xing

The four elements in Greek cosmology are fixed. Earth, air, fire, and water may interact, but they do not change. Together they form the whole of the phenomenal world.

The elements in Chinese cosmology are a bit different. First, there are five and not four. The five elements, or Wu Xing, consist of metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. The Chinese refer to them as the five walkings as they are not fixed. Each element flows into the next. Each is supported by an other element. One element destroys or is destroyed by another one. The relationship is quite complex and influences much of Daoist thought. In traditional Chinese medicine and internal alchemy, the major organs are related to one of each element. In taijiquan, advance and retreat, left and right, and keeping to the center reflect one element or another. The five walkings play an integral part in feng shui and divination. Also, just like the Greeks, the elements influence the zodiac. Each of the 12 heavenly animals is flavored by one of the elements depending on the year the person was born.

The elements follow the rise, fall, and transition of yin and yang.

METAL (Jin)

Like gold and silver, the symbols of this element, metal represents purity and firmness. Metal also reflects the sword and the shield. The sword is advancing and penetrating, suggesting courage and strength. The shield suggests protection, associated with the mucus membranes in the lungs and intestines. The metal personality combines these traits, being at times bold and controlling, yet emotionally guarded. The metal person is orderly and minimalistic. This person tends to have sharp, angular features. Metal nurtures water and is nurtured by earth. Metal overpowers wood and is overpowered by fire.

Color: White

Season: Autumn

Direction: West

Animals: Monkey and hen

Energy: Creation

WATER (Shui)

Water shapes itself to fit any container whether tank, cup, pool, tub, bucket, or glass. Water suggests flexibility, subtlety, and influence. Water people are cunning yet unobtrusive, making them good businessmen or thieves. Water governs the bladder and the kidneys. Water people should avoid stress, especially fear. This is ironic as water embodies darkness, the moon, night, danger, crime, destruction, and sin. However, as long as water people keep to their naturally laid back nature they should do just fine. Water is deep and constant. It supports wood and is supported by metal. Water overpowers fire and is overpowered by earth.

Color: Black and blue

Season: Winter

Direction: North

Animals: Rat and pig

Energy: Influence

WOOD (Mu)

Wood embodies not only trees, but the wind that blows so noticeably through their limbs. Wind travels long distances and touches nearly everything, suggesting interaction. Meanwhile, trees are firmly rooted to the earth and stand tall, suggesting a strong moral center and self-confidence. The wood person is open and honest. Furthermore, he or she is quick to offer support. Yet, however charitable the person may be, he or she retains an innate talent for making money. Wood governs the liver so this personality should avoid fits of anger.

Color: Green

Season: Spring

Direction: East

Animals: Tiger and rabbit

Energy: Interaction

FIRE (Huo)

Fire attaches and consumes. Furthermore, it exudes warmth and light. Fire represents intelligence. The scholar searches for knowledge, clings to it. The fire personality makes a good scientist. He or she also makes a natural leader. Fire is aggressive and dynamic. Fire is also passionate. Exploration, innovation, and adventure are its goals. Fire governs the heart, making the personality prone to drama and romance. Although forceful in aspect, fire personalities are generally happy and outgoing. Fire supports earth and is supported by wood. Fire overpowers metal and is overpowered by water.

Color: Red

Season: Summer

Direction: South

Animals: Horse and snake

Energy: Attraction

EARTH (Tu)

Earth embodies the dark, soft, and feminine aspects of yin. Earth is yielding and patient. It is also nurturing. These combined traits not only suggest motherhood but hard work as well. Earth is workmanlike, the image that of a farmer tilling the soil. Earth governs the spleen. Earth personalities are prone to digestive problems. Physical strength and endurance are other aspects of earth. Overall this element represents stability. The earth is walked upon, spat upon, you name it. However, it does not complain. It simply continues to support us. Earth supports metal and is supported by fire. Earth overpowers water and is overpowered by wood.

Color: Yellow and brown

Season: Transitional

Direction: Central

Animals: Dog and ox

Energy: Stillness

Support in the five walkings refers to the generation or transfer of energy. Qi flows from one to another in a transitional capacity. Metal when left out over night forms dew in the morning. Droplets of water dot the surface chain link fence in your yard. Water is absorbed by the roots of a plant giving it sustenance. Wood, when dried, fuels a campfire. Fire, in turn, turns to ash. Fire replenishes the earth.

Overpowering in the five walkings refers to how qi is obstructed or destroyed. A metal ax chops down the tree. Wood draws nutrients from the earth. Growing into a tree, wood splits stone. Earth shapes the banks of a river. Sandbags prevent flooding, thus limiting the flow of water. Water, when poured over a fire, extinguishes the flame. Fire, in turn, is used to melt iron in order to refine and shape it into steel.

These relationships apply within personalities as well. Earth is stubborn and thus overwhelms the influence of a water personality. Fire is a natural leader and provides much needed guidance for the industrious earth personality. Honest and open wood conflicts with the guarded and private metal personality.

The five element theory applies to all manner of situations, illustrating the fluctuating, yet constant, nature of qi. It is the interaction of yin and yang that forms the five elements. The five elements form the eight directions. The eight directions dictate the 64 situations of the Yi Jing. The 64 situations divine the myriad of changes. When yin shifts to yang or yang to yin, one's fortune may be auspicious or inauspicious. Familiarity with the five walkings will aid one in one's travels to know when and when not to cross great rivers.

Feminism and Pornograhy

There exists a misapprehension of feminism even among so called feminists that every woman should emulate masculine behavior in order to succeed. Women should be more aggressive, concentrate more fully on their career, and be less open emotionally. Contrarily, some feminists hold onto the classical feminine ideals of patience, compassion, and emotional openness. One camp thinks women who emulate men have turned their backs on the principles that define womanhood. On the other hand, the other camp blames women who hold to feminine qualities as just maintaining the status quo, thereby keeping women in an inferior role.

The truth is women should be allowed either option as well as anything in between. Feminism is about giving women the choice to pursue their own goals. The two camps illustrated above hurt the feminist movement by limiting or determining the role women should play. This is the very thing feminism seeks to eliminate. If a woman wants to concentrate on her career, she should be given the opportunity to do so. If this requires breaking away from traditional feminine traits, so be it. Furthermore, if a woman actively chooses to stay home and raise her family, she should be permitted to do so without being judged as anti-feminist. This is, after all, the role she decided for herself.

This is the crux of feminism, personal choice as a woman. There remains many obstacles for women. Many jobs offer unequal pay and benefits between men and women. Also, the ratio of men to women declines sharply the further one goes up the corporate ladder. Fortunately the trend seems to include more women. Women are finding positions as publishers, producers, directors, and the like.

With more women being accepted in high profile positions, roles that are regarded as antifeminist are under greater attack. The adult entertainment industry is largely blamed for objectifying women. In many cases, this is true. Desperate women are exploited. However, what of those women who actively pursue this career? Take for example the adult film star, Julie Ashton. She has appeared in over four score adult movies. She has written, produced, edited, or directed one adult film or another. She has hosted on Playboy television and is a lobbyist for the pornographic industry. There is no doubt Ashton looks at pornography as her career.

She is not the only feminist in porn. Various cam girls, actresses, models, strippers, and burlesque dancers hold similar views as Ashton. For some, it is a way to celebrate sexuality while making money. Others view pornography as education for adults, a means of introducing sexual possibilities to a consenting adult audience. Still others regard exotic dancing or modeling as an art. I believe it was Ashton that mentioned how she found greater respect from the men on a porn set than on that of a television of film studio, suggesting sexual harassment as being more prominent outside the close knit porn community.

Of course there are exploited men and women in pornography. The stories of Linda Lovelace and John Holmes are just two of many tragic examples. As with anything, the good or the bad depends on the circumstances of the individual. The best one can do is respect the choice that individual makes. After all, feminism is all about individual choice.

On Satire

Satire is a means for making the ridiculous stand out, often by carrying an argument or opinion to the extreme. Although used primarily for comedic effect, the goal of satire is to expose some perceived evil, often that of an opposing viewpoint. Thus, satire often takes the form of a polemic. In some instances the satirist will assume the position of his or her opponent in the form of a parody. Parody proves effective if performed straight or as pantomime. However, although playing it straight adds gravitas, there is a danger of being take too seriously. Straight parody often goes over the heads of the more ignorant.

SATIRE ON THE STAGE

The pen of the playwright is often the tool for insurrection. Aristophanes, author of many of Ancient Greece's famed comedies, is regarded as one of the best satirists. In The Clouds Aristophanes turns his critical eye to philosophy. The plot involves an indebted father who enrolls his son in The Thinkery that he may learn rhetoric and defeat their accusers in court. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, however. The boy learns instead to turn his back on social customs and moral behavior. Following an argument, the boy batters his father. Outraged, the father burns The Thinkery to the ground. Aristophanes portrayal of philosophers, Socrates in particular, was pointed out by Plato as one of the leading causes of Socrates' subsequent trial and death. Socrates indictment was that of corrupting the youth, an accusation that mirrors his character in the play.

SATIRE IN POETRY

Roman poets Horace and Juvenal are to satire what Plato and Aristotle are to philosophy. Horatian satire is light hearted, often poking fun at one's own vices. The goal is to provide insight in dealing with social problems. Juvenalian satire is often bitter. It is caustic in the way it shines a spotlight on some social ill. It seeks to ridicule. Satirical poetry had a considerable run during the 18th century with such poets as Dryden and Pope at the quill. John Dryden is famous for his mock-heroic satires, particularly MacFlecknoe, an attack on the poor literary sensibilities of his contemporary and rival, Thomas Shadwell. In a word, Dryden paints him as dull. Sadly, libel laws have nearly put an end to the polemic poem in England.

SATIRE IN ESSAY FORM

The direct and formal nature of the essay makes for a good polemic. Yet, because of the serious tone in most essays, satire in essay form is easily misconstrued. Take for instance Jonathan Swift's famous essay, A Modest Proposal. In it Swift suggests that to end poverty and starvation in Ireland you need to introduce but one policy, eat babies. In this regard, you cut down on the population, feed the starving, and cut costs of raising children. The number of complaints from people who took this seriously is staggering. In his essay, Swift meant only to bring attention to social ills. When writing a satirical essay it is perhaps best not to overestimate one's readers.

SATIRE IN FICTION

The novel and the short story present ways an author can introduce satire in narrative form. Children's literature, strangely, serves as one of the best options. Carrol's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass contain several elements of satire. If one looks as the red and white chess pieces as political figures, the satire comes through. The Red King and Red Queen represent conservatives. They are combative and accusatory, the Red Queen often shouting, "Off with her head!" This iron grip and war like attitude is typical of republicans. Then you have the White King and White Queen that represent liberals. The White Queen is anxious and flighty. She means well, but is utterly incompetent.

SATIRE IN SONG

For those who could not read or write, the song proved a welcome tool for satire. As such, satirical songs were prominent in the Middle Ages. However, even the literate lace songs with acerbic wit. Voltaire (the musician, not the philosopher) has written and performed many satirical songs. One of the most blatant and scathing is "Bomb New Jersey." Voltaire grew up in New Jersey and suffered the abuse of the many, ignorant people there. Being goth and having a hot girlfriend did not help matters. Voltaire takes revenge in this anthem. "God Thinks" addresses the hypocrisy of those who claim to know the wishes of God. "Mr. Irresponsible" is an attack on those who live with little regard for the environment.

SATIRE IN FILM

Parody plays well on film. The Marx Brothers and Charley Chaplin have used the Silver Screen to knock the legs out from under the haughty-taughty. The latter also displayed the life of the unemployed during the depression, characterized by his lovable, yet hapless tramp. The Great Dictator is Chaplin's attack on Hitler and Mussolini. When the film was made, they had no idea of the atrocities that had been committed against the Jews. In retrospect the tone of the film seems a bit light and frivolous.

SATIRE ON TELEVISION

The immediacy and the regularity of television makes it a good source for satire. From very early on the sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live, offered comedy writers a timely shot at bad politics. Spoofing presidents has been a long standing tradition. SNL also features a fake news segment called "Weekend Update." The fake news banner has been taken up by Comedy Central in The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report. In the Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert takes on a conservative persona, a construct of Fox News reporters Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and Glenn Beck. As parody, Stephen emulates their "journalistic" style, only going the next step into the ridiculous. Often he has no need to as whatever the originals may say need only be repeated, as it is already ridiculous.

The Suit of Swords

So Saturday was a bit crap for me. Today less so. So what better way to commemorate a dark mood than a dark theme? In episode 30 of the InsideOutcast I touched briefly on the suit of swords in the tarot. The suit of swords in divination contain many of the least auspicious cards outside the major arcana. The minor arcana reflect several castes within society. The swords represent, of course, the military class. Less obviously, the suit of swords identify royalty. Conflict is the central theme of the suit. Each suit corresponds to on of the four elements, the swords corresponding to air. Each suit also corresponds to some aspect of human nature. Swords reflect cognition. The appearance of a sword card in a reading could indicate some mental process. In the Osho Zen Tarot, swords are replaced with clouds. Clouds, like thoughts, are fleeting. They may darken your day, but will blow away over time. In the WIlliam Blake Tarot, swords are swapped for the suit of science. Science uncompromisingly displays the thought process. And with the general information now out of the way, let us consider the individual cards.

THE ACE OF SWORDS

By far the most positive of the sword cards is the ace. The ace of swords suggests action and initiative, like the drawing of a sword. Other meanings include mental acumen, a resolution to a problem, fairness in dealings, and uncovering the truth.

TWO OF SWORDS

When two swords cross, you have a stalemate. Evenly matched, neither dares make the first move. When progress is blocked so, too, is the path to truth. When faced with an opponent on equal terms, one shows no emotion lest it belie one's true intent.

THREE OF SWORDS

Three is a crowd. When three gather, surely two will engage in conversation leaving out the third. As such, this card embodies loneliness, heartbreak, and betrayal. The betrayal aspect can go either way, suggesting the subject of the reading may be a traitor.

FOUR OF SWORDS

Four is a lovely and sound, Greek number. It is uniform and solid as a square. This mathematical harmony finds its way into the meaning of this card. The four of swords is one of the few positive meanings, a period of repose. In U.S. Military terms, the four of swords suggests a period of R and R, rest and relaxation. It also reflects a time of quiet reflection and preparation.

FIVE OF SWORDS

The fifth in the series is like the second, only more complicated. The card suggests discord. In a military sense, the card reflects dishonor. In a more general sense, the five of swords suggests the very worst of acting in one's own self-interest.

SIX OF SWORDS

The sixth card usually has a neutral meaning, one of travel. If there is a negative connotation, it is one of the sadness at departure. In a positive sense, the six of swords can mean a recovery, particularly from injury, illness, or some other trauma. The meaning of this card depends greatly on the nature of the reading and the influence of the other cards.

SEVEN OF SWORDS

The seventh card is another that reflects the military nature of the suit. Seven of swords suggests cowardice, more specifically that of abandoning one's post. In a broader sense, the card illustrates the shirking of responsibility or the abandonment of a project. Other meanings include independence and isolation or acts of deception.

EIGHT OF SWORDS

The eighth card suggests impotence. The general meaning is one of powerlessness, a feeling of being restricted or oppressed. Often the card depicts a damsel blindfolded and tied to a mast or a stake, surrounded by eight swords.

NINE OF SWORDS

The ninth card illustrates the mental aspect of the suit. Doubt, worry, anguish, and guilt are the grim phantoms of the mind. The mind can be the greatest enemy, a host for anxiety and depression. In truth, mental stress only adds insult to injury.

TEN OF SWORDS

The tenth card is by far the least auspicious, suggesting desolation. Loss it total, defeat absolute. In this situation it is only natural that one feel sorry for oneself, that one feel victimized. However, there is one positive spin of the ten of swords, when you have lost everything there is nothing left to lose. Any change will be an improvement.

The royalty cards generally reflect actual people in a reading. The suit of swords indicate people of fair hair and light colored eyes. In a sense, caucasians with with blonde hair and blue eyes. As always, the suggested meaning does not always fit, so one must use judgement in determining the correct divination. There are four royal cards in each suit, each illustrating different characteristics. Multiple royal cards form pairs, illustrating relationships or doubling the influence of a certain aspect.

THE PAGE OF SWORDS

The page is often a young child or someone less experienced. Frequently the page is viewed as feminine. The page of swords represents a messenger, an envoy. Like the pages of old, she brings word of a challenge. The page is honest, analytical, forthright, and dependent. Just beware as news of any kind rarely bodes well.

THE KNIGHT OF SWORDS

The knight most often reflects a young, adult male - a teenager. The knight of swords represents direction, movement, and penetration. Depicted as a knight atop a charging horse, the card suggests sense of purpose and progression. This knight embodies the aspects of the sword. He is unfeeling, directed, uncompromising, adept, and precise.

THE QUEEN OF SWORDS

The queen is a woman of maturity. The queen of swords is usually depicted as a widow. She holds the truth above all else. As such, she has no patience for lies and no tolerance for deceivers. This queen has a sharp wit, a bright mind, and a clarity of judgement. She has a way of rooting out fools and cutting through the flak.

THE KING OF SWORDS

The king is a man of experience. The royal aspect of the suit is clear. This king reflects positive and broad sweeping influence. He is wise, fair, and eloquent. The king of swords brings order to chaos and makes sense of nonsense. He embodies those elements we regard as kingly.