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By Alison
Marks Earth-centered
cultures throughout time have understood that everything exists as part of
an infinite web of interconnectedness, a system of interrelationships. As
such, they think more associatively than our western minds are trained to,
and tend to relate to the world metaphorically, knowing that there’s a lot
going on behind the things that are apparent. Indigenous cultures
have observed patterns to everything in life, and relate them to the
natural phenomena they experience in the world around them. The Taoists in ancient China
understood that there are five basic energies in the world – up, down,
out, in and floating. These
energies are associated with the five elements -- water, wood, fire, earth and metal. Each element has
its own personality of sorts, a vast array of associations, including
feelings, thoughts and activities.
Physical things that are evocative of the elements – colors,
shapes, certain kinds of objects, as well as (sometimes but not always)
the materials themselves – are one of the main “parts of speech” in the
“language” of feng shui. A
feng shui consultant can read the obvious and subtle energies in an
environment to determine the current and ideal elemental balance for that
space, and then increase and decrease various elements for the desired
effect. Each element has a
relationship with every other element (see the diagram). Some of these relationships are
productive, while others are destructive or reducing. For example, fire is fed by wood,
creates earth, destroys metal, and is destroyed by water.
The best way to understand the beautiful interplay of the elements is to relate it to your own experience. Start to pay attention to what’s going on around you at any given moment, and see if you can determine which energies are at play in the decoration, weather, mood, events, personalities, etc. Anything and everything we know or experience in the world can be characterized within this elemental system! You can start to experiment with feng shui by playing with the elements in your space. For example, what happens if you make sure that all the elements are represented in your outdoor patio or garden? (You’ll probably be very happy there!)
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WOOD
Wood cures
include colors and
shape above; plants and flowers, real or fake (real, of course, is
preferred); wooden furniture and accessories, paneling, decks; floral
print upholstery, wall coverings, drapes, linens; art depicting
landscapes, gardens, plants and flowers. △
FIRE
Fire cures
include colors and
shape above; any lighting, lamps, candles, fireplaces; things made from,
or that appear to made from animals, such as leather, faux fur, bone
feathers, wools; pets and wildlife; art that depicts animals, people,
sunshine, light or fire. □ EARTH
Earth cures
include colors and
shape above; brick and tile; earthenware pots; art depictions of gardens;
crystals; heavy furniture. Ο
METAL
Metal cures
include colors and
shapes above; metal furniture and statues; metal windchimes (especially
with 6 or 7 chimes); rocks and stones of all kinds. ≈
WATER
Water cures include colors and shapes above; water features such as fish tanks or fountains; reflective surfaces such as glass and mirrors.
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