Again, we suggest a way of remembering these relationships. Fire diminishes Metal . The rising and warming force of fire counters the contracting and compressing movement of Metal. Metal diminishes Wood . The contracting movement of Metal counters the expanding movement of Wood.
Wood diminishes Earth .
The expanding movement of Earth prevents the spinning movement of Earth from slowing or closing in on itself. Earth diminishes Water . The centrifugal pull of Earth counters the sinking pull of Water. Water diminishes Fire . The downward pull of Water counters the upward thrust of Fire.