Feng Shui-Yin and Yang-Wood and Earth

Wood is the only living element in the Five Elements of Feng Shui.  Its energy (Qi) radiates growth and expansion and brings new life.  What is it that nurtures that life?  Earth.  It is the sustaining element of life.  Its Qi expands outward to embrace all living things. 

Earth is one of the trinity of Heaven, Earth and Mankind each of which influences one-third of our life on this planet we call home.  Within Earth is the practice of Feng Shui; it is where we live in the world; how we use what is available in the natural environment to allow us to live in harmony.  Earth is a storehouse of riches; it hides crystals, minerals and metals until man finds a way to harvest and use them to improve life in a multitude of ways.

In the Controlling Cycle of the Five Elements Wood is said to control Earth.  How does the Wood element 'control' the Earth element?  How do the Yin and Yang characteristics determine the effectiveness of this control?

Yang Wood are the trees that grow straight and tall; they seek the warmth and light of the sun.  This would not be possible without a base that allows it to send roots deep down and outward.   Do these trees grow on Yang Earth?  Yang Wood sends its roots deep to give it the strength and stability to grow strong and true.  Can it do this in Yang Earth? 

Yang Earth represents mountains and large rocks; it is unyielding, unmoving and protective.  It is not without reason that the Earth is also known as Mother Earth, Gaia, who nurtures and sustains us.  In the Eight Mansions formula of Feng Shui the Southwest is an Earth element location and it is also the location of Kun, the ultimate Yin, the nurturing mother figure of the family.

Like Kun, Yin Earth is the soft and yielding soil and the sand beneath our feet.  It is the Yin Earth that gives life to our trees.  Yang Wood relies on Yin Earth to give it life.  By providing this life Yin Earth becomes weakened when the roots of the trees push their way down and out; it makes the Earth prone to sinking and movement.  Even in an urban setting the roots of trees will find a way to expand and grow.

Yin Wood is flowers, vines and plants grown to feed us.  They are flexible and will bend with the wind; they 'go with the flow.'  Like Yang Wood, does Yin Wood rely on Yin Earth?  Mostly it does, but seeds carried by the wind and by birds and animals are often dropped into the crevices between Yang Earth rocks and boulders and somehow they find the means to root and grow, bringing life and colour to a harsh environment.  This also feeds birds and animals who choose to live in such inaccessible places.  Succulents, both large and small, find a way to thrive in the heat and dryness of the Yin Earth of a desert.  Plants will always find a way of living in apparently harsh and inaccessible situations, whether it is Yang or Yin Earth.

Earth is both a support and a provider.  Without it life as we know it would not exist.  Its Qi spreads sideways  allowing the growing and expanding Qi of the Wood element to thrive, whatever the circumstances.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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Feng Shui and the Lo-Shu Grid 1-3

The nine numbers of the original Lo-Shu Grid from the north following a clockwise cycle are 1, 8, 3, 4, 9, 2, 7 and 6.  The numbers opposite one another around the grid always add up to 10 and with the number 5 residing in the centre any row up, down or diagonally will add up to 15.

Each of these numbers and their associated direction has an element, colour, shape, family member, aspiration as well as more intangible aspects such as body parts or musical notes.  We will look at the fundamental parts of each number and how they affect us all.

All odd numbers represent yang energies and all even numbers represent yin energies even when the area itself may be the opposite. 

Number One (1) – This is the number of the north. It is one of the auspicious white stars of Feng Shui and is synonymous with career luck. One represents new beginnings, creativity, independence and self.  The north represents water; the colours blue and black; its shape is wavy. The middle son (Kan) has his home in the north and it signifies dark, winter, an excess of yin energy.  Water and the number 1 are both yang.  If the north represents the back of your home avoid placing a water feature here, especially a pond, pool, waterfall or swimming pool.  Water at the back can suggest lack of support in your endeavours. 

Number Two (2) – This is the number of the southwest.  It is a yin number which represents the yin energy of big earth and its shape is the even-sided square which represents a solid base; loving and nurturing energy.  Two represents a couple, balance, yin and yang; it signifies co-dependence, partnerships and co-operation; it invites choice. It is a number representing interaction with others, and unity.  Its colours are earth colours such as ochre.  The southwest is a vital area to care for as it represents the female, the mother, caring and nurturing, love and relationships in its many and varied forms.  Love and relationships between a couple, between family members and between friends.  This is predominantly a yin area (Kun) the receptive, the yielding.  

Number Three (3) – Three is the big wood area of the east and it signifies communication.  The number three is a yang number that signifies the trinity; in this instance father, mother and child and also time represented by past, present and future.  It also represents Heaven, Earth and Man which are the basis for Feng Shui practice.  It indicates pleasure achieved through creativity. The shape of the east is rectangular. 

This location represents the eldest son of the family (Chen) and signifies new life and upward growth.  Its colours are the darker olive or emerald greens.  Sons are known as the Dragons of the family and east is the location of the mighty Green Dragon.  If you choose symbolism an image of this celestial creature is auspicious here together with large round leaved lush plants. The east also represents health and longevity.  Growing bamboo, which is one of the many symbols of longevity, in the east of your garden is auspicious, however take care of the variety you choose as they grow fast and can take over if not controlled.  Other symbols of longevity are the pine tree, peach and the long-legged Crane.  These are often represented together in oriental paintings. This is the place to house your larger pieces of wooden furniture. 

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

We hope enjoy our blogs and leave any comments below or email: crystal@abundance-chi.com visit: www.abundance-chi.com LynC

FENG SHUI and the Southwest

The Southwest of your home is the universal area relating to the female, to the mother of the home and to Love and Relationships.

Regardless of your Kua number and whether you are an East or a West Group person, if you are the matriarch of the home this area is important.  If you are single and looking for love this area can be enhanced to positively invite love into your life.

If you are a West group person this area will naturally be one of your auspicious locations.  If you are an East group person it will be one of your inauspicious locations however as the mother of the home you can still enhance it to your positive benefit.

It is important that this area is not missing or houses inauspicious elements such as the kitchen or the bathroom.  One solution to this issue is to enhance the Southwest of the living area and/or, in the case of seeking love, the master bedroom. 

Enhancing the Southwest of your home as a whole is enhancing the ‘Big Tai Chi’ and enhancing individual rooms is the ‘Small Tai Chi.’ The small tai chi can be enhanced when you have a missing corner, when you have a ‘poison arrow’ pointing directly towards the area you want to enhance or when there is a kitchen, toilet or storeroom in the way.  None of these areas should be enhanced in any way as it will cause more negative than positive results.

The Southwest is an Earth element area and benefits from the presence of crystals, pebbles and light.  Having a window in the Southwest with a faceted crystal displayed is a wonderful way of inviting positive Yang Chi Energy into the space. 

Fire creates Earth in the Five Elements and it is for this reason that light in the form of lamps, candles and the natural sunlight is so important.  The ultimate element to display in this corner is a crystal chandelier which incorporates the best of Fire (light) and Earth (crystals.)  The chandelier can be traditional or modern, large or small the important thing is to ensure it is the right size for the space.  Too large and it will ‘burn’ any good fortune created, too small and it will be ineffective.

Decorating the area in the fire colours of red, orange or bright yellow is also auspicious.  One thing to remember is to enhance any area in keeping with your likes, if you are displaying something you do not have an affinity with it will be fruitless because it is not who you are.

A fundamental requirement in Feng Shui is to keep all areas clean, bright and clutter-free.  If you are enhancing an area for a specific result this becomes even more important.  It allows positive, fresh Chi to permeate the area bringing with it positive results.

Next time – T-Turtles

We hope enjoy our blogs and leave any comments below or email: crystal@abundance-chi.com visit: www.abundance-chi.com LynC

Aspirations and Auspicious Feng Shui

What is an Aspiration?
One dictionary definition of ‘Aspiration’ is ‘A strong desire for high achievement, an ambition.’

What does ‘Auspicious’ mean?
One dictionary definition of ‘Auspicious’ is ‘Suggesting a positive and successful future.’


These definitions are very apt in describing the Aspirations identified in the practice of Auspicious Feng Shui.


The Eight Aspirations Formula of Feng Shui recognises eight categories of good fortune; categories said to encompass all areas of life, and when captured allow you to experience a fulfilled and happy existence, free from negative or inauspicious energies (Chi.)  

This Formula is not one of the traditional formulas of Feng Shui however it is a popular formula in the West particularly.

The ‘Eight Aspirations’:	Direction	Enhance with:
Career Luck	North	Water; a Turtle
Education and Study Luck (personal development)	Northeast	Crystal Globe; Light
Family and Health Luck	East	Round leaf plants; Water
Wealth Luck	Southeast	Flowers; Water
Fame and Recognition Luck	South	Fire; the Horse
Love and Relationships Luck	Southwest	Crystals; Fire
Children and Descendants Luck	West	Family pictures; Crystals
Mentor Luck	Northwest	Wind chimes; Crystals

To awaken any of these ‘aspirations’symbolic Feng Shui is used.  Each of the four primary and four secondary locations around the compass are enhanced and activated by objects, images, symbols, pictures, paintings, crystals, water and plants to invite the Luck associated with each area.


This is a basic description of a few of the symbolic enhancers used in Feng Shui. 


Light, sound and movement are also necessary to create active Yang Energy in your home and workplace.


The beauty of this particular practice is that you can activate as few, or as many, of the areas as you desire.


Be greedy, go for all eight! You have much more to gain than to lose.


Not everybody will want all of these, so you get to decide which of the Aspirations is important to you.


If you already have a successful career you may not feel it necessary to activate the North.
If you are finished studying you may not feel it necessary to activate the Northeast.
If you have your family and are currently healthy you may not feel it necessary to activate the East.
If you have wealth you may not feel it necessary to activate the Southeast.
If you have fame and recognition you may not feel it necessary to activate the South.
If you have the perfect Love Relationship you may not feel it necessary to activate the Southwest.
If you have a happy family unit you may not feel it necessary to activate the West.
If you have a mentor, someone who supports you through life, you may not feel it necessary to activate the Northwest.


If you think it isn’t necessary “why not?”


The practice of Feng Shui focuses initially on prevention rather than cure, so by activating the various areas in this way you are protecting what you already have and enhancing for further success in the future.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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