Water is the element of depth, intuition, and adaptability. It rules the north, the deep stillness of winter, and the energy of the underground river that nourishes everything above without being seen. People shaped by Water years are perceptive, imaginative, and quietly powerful. They follow the contours of a situation rather than fighting it, which can look like passivity until you notice that they have, in fact, gotten exactly where they wanted to go. Water's shadow is fearfulness and isolation — water cut off from movement becomes stagnant. Water is born of Metal and feeds Wood, and is controlled by Earth. The Water person at peace is wise; the Water person under stress retreats.