Appearance and Emptiness

Earth Element (sa)

• One of the five elements according to the system of elemental divination. Earth is symbolised by a yellow square, numerically represented by the number two, and located in the intermediate directions of the turtle divination chart, along with the trigrams Khon, Khen, Gin, and Zon, the ox, sheep, dog, and dragon signs, Saturn and the four intermediate constellations. Earth is described as static, and its function is one of heaviness and solidity, inherent in a diet of bread and the flesh of an animal's limbs, while within the body it is represented by the muscle tissue and the spleen. Socially, earth relates to the ruling class, to Buddhist monks, and to maternal ancestors or matters concerning land and houses. If the hour of a person's birth is governed by the earth destiny element, it is predicted that he or she will be of a mantrin or nun's family, but the locality will be afflicted by spirit lords of the soil. Vocally, earth causes nasal sounds to be articulated. Physically, those with a preponderance of earth may characteristically have fringed hair or a decrepit posture; and in cases of ill-health an imbalance of earth is indicated by the presence of spirit lords of the soil and demons of the countryside (yul 'dre), as well as by lethargy and asphyxia. GD (from the Glossary to Tibetan Elemental Divination Paintings)