Feng Shui Elements

The 5 Feng Shui elements are the core of this ancient practice and are an integral part of Feng Shui design. The elements are wood, earth, fire, water and metal and each has certain characteristics and colors associated with it.

Wood is the element associated with spring and the east and southeast.  It’s colors are blues, browns  and greens and it’s shape is the column.  Wood works to diffuse energy so if you have a spot where too much energy is directory focused put a plant there for a cure. In Feng Shui wood enhances the element of fire and diminishes the element of earth.  Use wood for more creativity, imaginations and determination.

Fire is the most passionate of the Feng Shui elements and is associated with summer and the south.  The colors of this element are red, purple and pink and it’s shape is the triangle.   Fire enhances earth and diminishes metal.  This element can spark a lot of energy but if there is too much of it, it can be destructive so if you have a room that is abundant in the color red, you might want to include a water feature in the room (a fountain or aquarium) since water diminished fire.  Fire can cause inspiration, passion and awareness.

Earth is associate with stability and the center of “things”  it is associated with the southwest and northeast.  The colors of the earth element are yellow and brown and the shape is square.  Earth enhances the element metal and diminishes the element water.  It can be patient or if used in excess overbearing.  Earth represents stability, thoughtfulness, generosity and practicality.

Metal indicates a harvest of sorts - sometimes this means financial success or in the negative it can mean destructive violence.  It’s season is fall and it’s shape is the circle.  Metal is associated with the West and Northwest and the colors are white, gray and silver but also sometimes gold.  Metal enhances water and diminishes wood.  Metals energies are discipline and solidity.

Water can be refreshing and renewing or bring a sense of loss and depression.  It is associated with winter and a free form shape.  It is an element of learning, communication and travel.  Water is associated with the North and it’s colors are black and purple-blue.  Water enhances wood and diminishes fire.  Waters energies are sensitivity, wisdom and will power.

Feng Shui elements can be used for many purposes either alone or together.  Many times they are employed as a cure for a certain type or flow of energy.  Other times, they can be used to soften or strengthen another element of the elements.  If you have too much of one element in a room, you can add some of the element that diminishes it to offset that abundance.  Learning the aspects of each element is critical to proper Feng Shui placement.

Feng Shui Crystals

In the ancient tradition of Feng Shui, crystals are often used for cures and , in fact, crystals have been used for healing purposes for centuries in many cultures.  The sparkling minerals are a joy to look at and seem to have mystical properties,  which our current body of knowledge can only begin to understand.  Indeed, crystals emit their own vibrations and can transmit or absorb energy so they are a perfect accessory for Feng Shui which is all about having “good” energy or chi.

Different types of crystals are set to make different vibrations, but for the purposes of Feng Shui the type of crystal is not as important as how you use it.  Different colored crystals can be used to manage the five main elements.  When you buy crystals, you want to cleanse them first and get rid of any old vibrations they might be holding from previous places or owners.  You can do this by burying them in Earth for a few days.  As the crystals get used, you might want to repeat this cleansing process once or twice a year.

There were a few common cures that Feng Shui crystals are used for.  One of them is to remove the harm that a corner sticking into your room might cause.  This is called a poison arrow and happens when you have an odd shaped room that has the corner actually pointing in.  You might have this in a dormer and it can cause a lot of energy to be directed right at you especially if the corner is pointing at your bed or place where you sit frequently.  For the cure use a crystal that is about 40 mm and hang it from the ceiling right in front of the corner on a red string.  This will cause the crystal to defuse the Chi and keep it from all coming directly at you.

Another cure that crystals are commonly used for is when you have the door directly in front of your bed, or if it is your office, in front of your desk.  This open doorway directly in front of you causes all the energy to come right in directly at you.  Hanging a crystal in between the doorway and your desk or bed will help disperse the Chi throughout the room instead of having it aimed directly at you.

You can use Feng Shui crystals for a variety of other cures as well.  For example you might use them to disperse energy in the hallway that is very long with a lot of doors or where two doors open up right directly across from each other.  They are also great for homes that have a stairway that comes down directly to the front door.  Hanging crystal between the door and the last step will help save all your energy from rushing out of the house.  Basically anywhere that you want to defuse or redirect energy, you can use the crystal quite effectively.

Feng Shui Colors

Feng shui colors are often misunderstood but can be a powerful way to balance energy in your home if used properly.  The one thing to remember about color is that your own personal preference is of the utmost importance so don’t paint your new living room read just because you think it is the “Feng Shui” thing to do.  On the other hand if you love the color red than go ahead!  Here are some general ideas on what color means in Feng Shui and how to use it.

Each of the five Feng Shui elements has certain colors associated with it.  In addition, certain colors are more effective when used facing certain directions.  Not only that, but one color can be used to balance out another to create a harmonious flow of energy.

The fire element is often associated with passion and energy in its colors are bright yellow, red, orange, pink and purple.  Since fire is associated with the south, painting the southwest to northeast areas of your home with these colors can help with your career and recognition.  Orange can be used to inspire creativity, yellow creates warmth and cheerfulness and purple is good for healing both physically and mentally.

Water is a powerful Feng Shui cure and as one of the five elements it represents tranquility, purity, and freshness.  Water is associated with the North so you want to use the Feng Shui colors in the east and southeast areas of your home or room.  The Feng Shui colors associated with water are black and blue.  Blue is the color of peace, calming and soothing and reflects love, it can also be associated with adventure.  Black symbolizes income, money and power.

The element earth represents protection, nourishment and stability and is also the element associated with the center of your home.  To gain more stability and protection especially in the relationship area, use the earth colors of the beige and light yellow.

If you want to live with clarity and sharpness, you’ll want to utilize the Feng Shui colors of the metal element which are gray and white.  This element is really good to use in the northern areas of your home.  Be careful with white because you don’t want to have too much of it in one room - be sure to add some accent colors if you are using on all white scheme.

The Feng Shui wood element governs growth health and vitality and also is an expression of abundance.  Using the Feng Shui colors of wood in the south part of your home, office or room is the best place.  These colors are brown and green.