Spring and the wood element

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.*