Everything is energy.
Water----Tree/Wood----Fire----Earth----Metal----Water----Tree/Wood--Fire--- Earth--Metal... The "elements" show us how energy moves and behaves with each other. We all know this, we just have to have it explained again.
The Ancients who developed the science of Feng Shui watched how energy moved and used Nature’s guidance.
We all understand this:
Water flows, seeks its deepest level, is soft but powerful, makes things darker. It’s movement is down and deep, can be still or can be bubbly. A puddle is reflective, mirroring the sky above, but unknown depth can prove to be dangerous. Such is the energy of the ‘Element’ of Water.
From Water grows life, shooting upward, plants that comprise Tree/Wood energy. Tree/Wood energy is . From the shoots to the tops of the trees we have two energies of Tree/Wood: the early shoots of spring are forceful, independent, sensual, upward moving, boldly green and alive. The leaves at the tops of the tree show the blue sky, capture the Wind, allow vision and hope. Look at a forest and you’ll see that the trees look like vertical stripes or columns.
Tree/Wood and Wind are necessary for Fire to burn. We know Fire is red, sometimes orange, and that flames take on a triangular shape or conical or pyamidal…look at the Campfire Girl’s logo. We need the light of Fire which ‘shines’ brightly, is expansive, needs to be contained, is brilliant, clears the underbrush: clarifying. Activity, exercise, talking, networking, animals, the written or spoken word can all set our hearts on fire. Fire can also be the soft, glowing embers that bring warmth and comfort. We know Fire. Fire can transform what it burns.
When Fire has exhausted itself, we are left with ashes: Earth. Feel that downward gathering energy as the Earth takes on and gathers the ashes. We know what it feels like to be ‘down to Earth’ or ‘grounded’: that is the energy of Earth as an Element. From the Earth comes all nourishment and support. We are familiar with the rich browns of loamy soil, the bright yellows of sulfur and everything in between: terra cotta, brick, beige and tan. Those colors hold the Energy of Earth; the most stable, unmoving shape is the square or rectangle, like a brick. As that gathering, grounding, Earth-ward energy continues to move inward toward the center, it becomes compressed and creates Metal, found deep inside the Earth.
Metal element is heavy, accountable, coins as money are used in the community as representation of conditional support (this for that). Metal coins are round, shapes associated with metal are ovals (think of geodes), and any portion of those shapes which would be an arch. When we think of metal we think grey; Feng Shui adds to that White and pastel colors. We know metal is sharp, swords are double-edged and signify honor and duty. We know Metal energy, too.
We also know that Metal, when under pressure or highly compressed becomes liquid, thereby completing the cycle by turning into the energy of Water.
There: you probably didn’t know you actually KNEW so much about Feng Shui, but you do. The next step is to notice how energy moves around you, learn a little more about Feng Shui, like how to use the Bagua, and then you’ll understand that each element is associated with a part of your life, a part of your home and office, and can be used to bring your energy into balance.
Steps to take:
Look at the bagua and learn how to use it.
Clear your clutter from all aspects of your life. If you don’t love it or use it, move it out. Where your clutter is located will show you where in your life you are blocked. Remove your clutter and your life will change! Important step: be grateful for everything you have and are getting rid of: it’s a sign of abundance and your ability to create.
Notice if what is around you brings your energy up or takes your energy down. If up, yay! If down, move it out.
Learn YOUR Feng Shui element. I use Nine Star Ki because I believe it most easily associates time to place and to person. We discover 3 specific elements that make up your character, and this information tells us how to use the energy of the Elements (color, shape and behavior) to bring you back into balance with your life and with your family and co-workers.
After that, it’s a matter of making the changes and being happy. Gratitude is the key to creation, intention is the key to creating what you want! Setting up your spaces intentionally with the use of Feng Shui allows you to anchor the feeling of being powerful and happy, and after that there are no limits to what you can create in your life, for yourself.
Email me if you’d like help with your own spaces or if you’d like a workshop or talk in your area. fawn@fawnchang.com
