The 5 elements underpin all traditional Chinese shamanism and healing practices. Feng Shui is one of the Eight Branches of Traditional Chinese Medecine. The Five Elements sequence is an analytical tool that we use to interpret the natural energies around and within us. In observing the interplay of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal we can forecast their likely influence on us. Each element has many associations (time of day, season, taste, physiological and psychological function to name but a few) and for feng shui purposes we are mainly concerned with the colour, design shape, physiological & psychological function, bodily organ, taste and time of day.Feng Shui London
It is the art and science of Feng Shui to balance any element that is out of control or missing in a building or external space and we do this through draining, controlling or feeding the element with one of the other four. The following diagram illustrates the creative and controlling sequence of these elements and associated colours and design shapes.
Control and Creation sequence diagram
WATER - think of the way in which water meanders and flows either as a gentle stream or a raging river. It is an unpredictable force and can be dangerously destructive (Tsunami) as well as ultimately serving all life. Do you explore unchartered waters and flow with life or do you become stuck and stagnant? Imbalance in water energy will manifest itself as fearfulness and insecurity. In good balance there is a sense of flow and rhythm and we neither work nor play too hard.
Energy is attracted to the surface tension of water, which is why it is so popular as a feng shui cure and great emphasis is placed on the location of rivers, lakes and roads (virtual water) in relation to your property. Its design shape is irregular and fluid, and water colours are black, blue and turquoise.
Water can also become dirty and stagnant, and this type of water attracts sick energy such as excessive or abusive sexual energies, alcoholism, workaholism and drug abuse. When placed problematically a stagnant pond or even a swimming pool can create health problems and also cause debt and financial difficulty.
Water nourishes wood:
WOOD - from tiny acorns great oak trees grow; this energy is also known as tree energy and is associated with growth, persistence and flexibility. Whereas water represents the seed or germ of an idea, wood will help sprout and push the idea forward into manifestation. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) it is associated not only with the vision through our eyes but also with inner vision, our imagination and our sense of direction in life. Healthy wood energy is flexible enough to either circumnavigate obstacles or push through them.Feng Shui London
Woodland needs to be managed in order for it to thrive – usually a diverse wildlife would naturally manage the habitat, but due to a decline in ecosystems the woods rely on people to keep them clear and thriving. If woodland is allowed to grow too wild and out of control it starts to invade the earth and smother new life. Regular trimming and weeding of your garden allows new life to emerge and energy to circulate.
In Feng Shui, trees are very important, especially large or obstructive ones that cast shadows over a property. It is common sense not to want a tree too close to the building so that its roots don’t damage the foundations, but our analysis goes one step further than common sense to assess the impact of the tree being in a certain direction. Placed in the South for instance someone in the house might be prone to heart trouble (particularly the father or eldest male), because the South is associated with the heart.
Placed in the NW the imposing tree could be blocking Leadership energy and affecting the head of any occupant as NW is related to the head and neck area.
The colour associated with wood is green and the design shape is tall and slim.
Wood fuels fire:
FIRE - similar to water in that this is another extreme element, one that can either burn quietly or erupt and boil like a volcano. This beautiful element governs the relationships between self and spirit. Healthy fire energy emerges as spirited and warm-hearted and conveys empathy towards others and ourselves. It also influences our self-expression.
The design shape of fire is triangular or diamond shaped, so an electricity pylon is not only fire-shaped but also has a fire action (electricity). If such a shape were to be found in the area outside associated with the Feng Shui Imperial Heaven Star “Burning Sun” we would want to shield the view of this feature from the property.
Fire colours are red, pink, purple and deep sky blue (the purpley blue similar to that of a gas flame and the colour of sky at midday – hence it’s association with fire element).
Fire creates ash, which fertilises the Earth:
EARTH - relates to reliability and being grounded. Unbalanced Earth energy is expressed in excessive worry, hurry, physical clumsiness and food fads. Although the Earth provides us with nourishment it is our own responsibility to ensure our physical world is supportive and we take action to support our creative hungers. Earth is the phase of manifestation bringing our ideas (water) through the planning stage (wood) and active, expressive phase (fire) through to completion (earth).
Earth represents the stomach, so when our calculations reveal earth being invaded by wood, we suspect stomach or intestine problems might be hampering the occupants. If the horoscope of the occupant also reveals earth to be a weak element in their chart and they are in a wood phase, then this is even more likely to manifest in stomach (womb, stomach, intestines) problems.Feng Shui London
The earth shape is low, stable and square or rectangular. A good example of this shape would be Ayer’s Rock (or Uluru) in Australia. Earth colours are terracotta, brown, yellow, burnt orange, slate grey and sand.
Earth ore compresses into precious metals:
METAL – Metal energy concerns itself with boundaries, communication, business acumen and objectivity. Metal cuts through the extraneous and encourages us to let go of anything unhealthy or outmoded in our lives be it behaviours, thought patterns, people or work situations. Healthy metal energy is seen in people who have a bright countenance and who are expressive and communicative and fully present in the here and now.
The metal shape is circular or domed, and a good example is the shape of a mosque or the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. The dome shape encourages spiritual thinking because it is harnessing heaven’s chi. The round shape is reminiscent of coins (metal). Where our calculations reveal metal to be in excess, a room can feel unproductive, excessively still and cool and can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Introducing some warmth in the form of soft yin fire colours or even some warm rugs or tapestry hangings can really help soften the metal.
Metal colours are white, gold, silver and most metallic materials such as aluminium, zinc, brass and copper, but the brass and copper are also influenced by the earth element because of their colour.
In the heat of the earth, metal eventually melts to flow like water and so the cycle continues.Feng Shui London
