The Generative Sequence or Mutual Production Cycle (principle of "masking") applies to biology and ecology. It has a very long history as part of Chinese science because it is the only cycle where humans can intervene.

It forms the principal process used by authentic feng shui practitioners to interact with the world around us.

Its conclusions depend upon speed, rate, and quantity of a given process. Using this cycle much like a chemist uses compounds (for Daoists who devised some feng shui techniques also devised alchemy and the foundations of modern chemistry), a feng shui practitioner can induce environmental change by adding or detracting from a process (one of the "Five Elements") that creates or diminishes another process (another of the "Five Elements").

In other words, this cycle enables humans to carry fire with them on journeys by knowing how much fuel to give or withhold in order to control it.