Whether you are familiar with feng shui or not, we all feel
a natural sense of renewal as spring rolls around. A newness fills the air as
we come out of the stillness and introspection of winter. The trees awaken and
come to life again, the days become lighter, longer and Mother nature begins
another cycle. According to the five elements, springtime is associated with
the element of wood, expansion, vitality. The color green fills our senses and
the direction is the east. The archetype
is one of initiation, leadership, creativity as well as a sense of family,
ancestors and community.
The cycles we see in nature also occur to some degree within
ourselves. The liver/gallbladder are governed by wood energy and have a role in
detoxification and the smooth movement of energy and emotion throughout the
body. Suddenly we feel the initiative to eat lighter, have more greens, to cleanse,
and lightening the spirit through practices, creative initiatives, or even entrepreneurial
start ups! The liver/gallbladder are also associated with decision making and
clarity when in balance. Have you ever
had the experience of thinking the house is quite clean and suddenly when you
slow down long enough, you notice cobwebs everywhere? Sometimes things have
been around for so long that they are no longer picked up in our vision. Allow
yourself to slow down, take a clear look at any lingering emotions or grudges
you may be carrying and let them go! This allows you to lighten your spirit and
live more fully in the present. According
to the chakra system, green is related to the heart. Be compassionate with
yourself and others.
In our environment, we feel the drive to open up the windows
to allow fresh air in, recycling or donating any clutter or items we no longer use
or have long since forgotten about. This editing process allows us to find what
we actually already have. Release and enjoy the feeling of abundance, clarity
and balance that simplicity brings!
To enhance the wood
element in the home, first establish which area or room is situated in the
east. Keeping the purpose of the room in
mind, you can then add the enhancements as you feel appropriate. The actual element itself carries the purest energy,
so plants, bamboo or wood furnishings could be added. Another way to achieve
this is through color or visual representations. Tones of green or soft blues,
either in the way of paint color or decorative touches can be explored or art
pieces that depict this element. The number associated according to the
trigram/bagua is 3. This represents harmony, expansion, union, enthusiasm and
birth. Any collections in sets of 3 can be another way of representing this
energy. As the east also pertains to family, it’s a great area to hang family
photos, heirlooms or things that remind you of your history, tribe or
community. A family room or great room would be a good consideration for this
area.
Wishing you a happy spring and enjoy the cycle of rebirth
the season brings!
*This is a general overview of the wood element. If you
would like an analysis specific to you and your home, please don’t hesitate to
contact me.*
