Fire destroys metal by melting it. Earth destroys Water by blocking it. Each element in this cycle destroys the succeeding element. The reduction cycle - Wood reduces Water because it used up water for its growth. Water reduces Metal because metal is used up to produce water-like liquid.
Metal reduces Earth because earth is exhausted in the process of producing metal.
Earth reduces Fire because it is used up to produce earth. Fire reduces Wood because the burning process used up wood. A productive relationship between time, space and individual is good. A destructive relationship between time, space and individual is not good. The reduction relationship is used to reduce the strength of any destructive relationship.