Refreshing Your Home's Energy with Colour and Intention

The painters have been gone for ten days and I've only hung one picture.

There is that vibe about a freshly painted wall, with no knicks or mars that I'm simply appreciating.  That and the fact that I want to hammer the nail only once, so I'm allowing myself the time.

I'm so grateful for the Interior Designer's eye and guidance when it came to choosing the colour for our main floor.  The following pictures below do not do the real life feeling justice.

If I were to look at the bagua just for this room it may appear as though I've not considered Feng Shui at all.  However, as I mentioned in the Refreshing Your Home's Energy with Colour, there is definitely room for interpretation, and in my opinion room for Intention.

The bold Spanish style Red (Fire) , the deep, dark Grey (Water), the contrast neutral Smoky Taupe (Metal) make this space feel warm and inviting.

I'm not afraid of bold colours, and during our initial consultation with the designer I had in my mind's eye a blue where the red now resides.  I wanted to draw from the blue in a picture I had and felt it would be most perfect.  Up until a week before the painters arrived, every time I looked at that wall I saw the blue, I was on the verge of calling and changing colours.

Wood Elements:
Hardwood Floor (literal wood)
Hardwood Floor (striped, linear pattern)
Maple Cabinets
Maple Door
Maple built in shelves
Lots of Plants
Faux logs in Fireplace

Fire Elements:
South Facing Windows
Lighting fixtures
Fireplace
Gas Stove
Artwork depicting the sun

Earth Elements:
Brown fabric Couch
Square Slate back splash
Square slate tiles fireplace surround
Square shaped wall unit
Square design on area rug
Room screen with gold

Metal Elements:
Stainless Steel appliances
White sheers
Circular plant stands

Water Elements:
Sink
Dishwasher
Large Windows
Diffuser
Black book case

The addition of our colours helps to balance out the elements in the space.

The Red wall (fire) helps to control the wood dominance; while the addition of the Grey (water)  helps to nourish Wood energy overall.  To keep everything in balance.

Back to intention.  Red is also the colour of communication, as this is our kitchen and dining room, and I love to entertain I see the red as a support of warm and lively conversations with whomever gathers here.  The Grey light banks above add that water vibeage to keep the communication from getting to "fiery" :)

Refreshing Your Home's Energy with Colour

How timely that I received a question about paint colour, while the painters are busy doing exactly that while I type this!

Colour plays an important part in our lives.  It affects how we shop, eat and feel.  We can have an emotional connection to colours, take a look at your closet, there is most likely a theme.

We surround ourselves with the colours that we are most positively attracted to, and even those that we are neutral about.  Those neutral colours may be ones we have had to make peace with, if we are limited to changing them, think of your office.

When we are decorating our homes or other spaces that we spend a lot of time in, colour can add to, support, deplete and even take away from our energy.  We can seek guidance from an interior decorator and other sources to empower, reflect and support who we are through colour.  

The Feng Shui Bagua Map and the elements can also be a resource if we are wanting to add to the energy of our space.

Each life area has a colour associated with it, and by laying the Bagua map onto your floor plan, to paint your home in this way may appear and make you feel as if you lived in a Rubik's cube.  Most likely not the ideal palate choice for most.

Colours Associated with Life Areas

Wealth and Prosperity:  Blues, Purples and Reds

Fame and Reputation:  Reds

Love and Relationships:  Reds, Pinks and White

Health and Family:  Blues and Greens 

Center:  Yellows, Oranges and Browns

Children and Creativity:  White and Pastels

Knowledge and Self Cultivation:  Black, Blues and Green

Career:  Black, Burgundy, Chocolate and Navy

Helpful People and Travel:  White, Black and Greys

The life areas surrounding the Center, blend into each other and share similar hues.   Your interpretation and association to the colour and of the shade and intensity is what also adds to the energy.

For example:  I always associate Wealth and Prosperity or Gratitude with Purple.  Why?  I LOVE Purple!  Purple to me is regal, rich looking, elegant and its been my fave colour since well birth.

Know this:  If the area of your home has a Feng Shui association with colours that you have an aversion to, then painting it in that range will detract from the energy you were intending to infuse the space with, because at the end of the day YOU who live in the space are NOT attracted to it.

Colours Associated with Elements

Wood - Blues and Greens (columnar/stripes/objects made of wood)

Fire - Red (candles/triangles/cones/lighting/sunlight)

Earth - Yellows, oranges and Browns (squares/rectangles/art featuring terrain)

Metal - White and Pastels (circles/ovals/arches/rocks/metal objects)

Water - Black, Burgundy, Chocolate and Navy (asymmetrical shapes/ponds/glass/mirror)

To learn more about the elements I invite you to read HERE

You can also add those by incorporating shapes which helps with the controlling or nourishing cycle of the elements overall.

In my opinion, if you absolutely love a particular colour, it feels good to be surrounded by it that in itself uplifts and supports your energy and that of your space.

We can get too caught up by "thinking" about it and processing all the information out there.  Remember to follow your intuition, what speaks to you? 

Also, remember its just paint...it is a relatively easy fix, change and modification to any space.

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Letting Clothing Go with Gratitude and Love

My post Feng Shui Your Wardrobe for Clutter Rescue has resonated with many, myself included, to take action and create space in the clothing closet.  

No matter how few or how many things you edit from your wardrobe I always invite people to say "Thank You" to the items that you are letting go of and to do so with "Love". 

If you are passing the clothes along as a donation or to someone you know; its good practise to infuse the articles with the good energy of Gratitude.  You valued their worth when it was in your closet, so send it on its way to someone else with that good feeling.

If you have any reservations about what you are decluttering do not let it leave until you can do so with love and thanks.  Otherwise the energy may linger as regret and not the vibeage you want to store in your freshly cleared out space.

Dress Stress:

Someone had recently let go of an outfit they had custom made for a very special occasion. 

Despite the beautiful memories of that event where she wore the dress; it also evoked the NOT so beautiful memories of her dealings with the seamstress. Even with the dress no longer in her wardrobe, she would be reminded, especially when looking back at photographs, of how she felt about the designer.

I suggested that she think of the dress and hold it in her mind; then focus on the JOY she felt while wearing the dress for the celebration; letting the Good feelings about the dress grow greater and stronger while letting the drama of the dressmaker experience go.  This may take some practise, however it will time and energy well invested.  

Simply Put:

• Inhale the Joy of the celebration;
• Exhale the dressmaker;
• Inhale the Joy;
• Exhale the drama
• Repeat
• Repeat
• Repeat

Repeat until you can feel that you have released the dressmaker as you have the dress.

The beautiful memories from that occasion will continue to grow in value; while holding space for the designer experience does not serve you or honor your memories overall.  

What's in your closet that you would benefit from releasing with Gratitude and Love?  

Knowledge and Self Cultivation = Reflection

Knowledge and Self Cultivation is the area that you would want to enhance if you are about to embark on learning or doing something new.  An area which would support any self-growth or self enrichment focus.  It is also the ideal area for cultivating peace.

If you have ever taken a yoga class perhaps you have come across the pose "Tadasana" or Mountain Pose.

Credit:  Living Yoga blog

I would describe the basics of the practise of Tadasana as the action of reaching through your feet into the earth, stabilizing the body; while simultaneously extending your head to the clouds, embodying the essence of a literal mountain.  

Mountains are majestic, they are wise and mysterious.  

If one were to travel up a mountain you would certainly enjoy the vantage point of looking at where you came from and be in a good position to see where you are going.

Knowledge and Self Cultivation is about Self.  What we have learnt in our lives, what we wish to learn and what we have learnt inherently about ourselves through all of our experiences.  

I feel the best representation of this area is Reflection.  I believe that we benefit from seeing where we have been in order to give us perspective on where we are going.  The good times, bad times, easy and hard times.  The whole package.

Reflecting on our lives is not about judging what we didn't do, didn't achieve, or how crap this or that situation was.  Reflection gives us the opportunity to view all those instances and observe what we were taught.  They are the ingredients of who you are in the present.

Each and every experience in your life has had value in creating who you are today.

Reflection is an opportunity to look for the value in those experiences with perspective.  

• Looking back versus going back.

Reflection can be celebratory.

• The "I" did, "I" tried, "I" learned, "I" survived, "I" overcame. Give yourself credit. 

Seeing your past as the base and building of your mountain and going upward and onward to the clouds.

The saying that "hindsight is 20/20" expresses that it is easy to see the value or the lesson of an event after the fact.  What this can also do is provide you an opportunity to see what you are holding onto from your past that may no longer serve you in the present or will serve you in the future.

The potential lies in the viewing the lingering feelings from an observer's standpoint, rather than judgement.  

Ask yourself what it would feel like if you no longer held heavy feelings about someone or something in your past?

How would it feel to move forward into your future without some of the excess emotional weight of the past?  

How would that affect your the stability of your Center or your Core?

I invite you to ponder and feel this, if you so choose let one thing or something go.

You may also like:  The Feng Shui Bagua Map

The Feng Shui Bagua Map

The Feng Shui Bagua is an essential tool in associating areas of your physical space with the 9 areas or guas on the map.

Depending on the style of Feng Shui which you are interested in; the process of Bagua application may be different, however the areas on the map would not be dissimilar to the image above.  Therefore you may find that you enter your home through the Knowledge and Self Cultivation gua or that your bedroom is located in the Wealth and prosperity area.

This map could be laid over your entire property; it would be applied to your home overall, as well it can be mapped specifically on one or every room individually.  

The Bagua encompasses all the areas of our lives:

• Knowledge and Self Cultivation
• Health and Family
• Wealth and Prosperity
• Fame and Reputation
• Love and Relationships
• Children and Creativity
• Helpful People and Travel
• Career

These eight compartments, surround the Center, the common denominator or the glue that holds it all together.  The interconnectedness of the outside squares is possible because of the Center square, it is my opinion that the Center is YOU.

I personally use the Bagua Map as not only a tool which relates to our physical space, but as a tool which I value when looking at what is going on in my life, my thoughts, my feelings, my experience overall.  As well I can apply it to the things which I wish to bring into  my life, things I'm working on or towards manifesting.

The Five Elements series of posts I did (Metal, Earth, Water, Wood, Fire) beginning with the pop quiz, may have given you another perspective in which to look at creating balance, and potentially how your living rooms may or may not mirror that.  

This series of posts is my interpretation of Bagua map as it applies in Feng Shui; followed by how it can be an instrument aiding us in observing the balances and imbalances, to create connectedness and perspectives in our lives.  How our "go forward from the center: our thoughts, attitudes and feelings" have a direct impact on moving forward. 

Just like for your home, a Feng Shui consultant may invite you to move furniture, add elements, or subtract clutter in order to get the energy moving in your space; de-cluttering our minds is equally as important.  

My intention is to share with you my approach in Creating Space in life with my Creating Space Bagua.

With Grateful Ch'i...

The 5 Elements- Assessing your Physical Space

The pop quiz for finding your elements within you may help to identify how those elements are within us.  

And those elements within may also be represented in what we surround ourselves with in our physical spaces.  We surround ourselves with the things that we are most attracted to and our homes, our desk and our closets are a visual representation of who we are and what we like.

Here are some ways in which we can identify those elements.

Wood:  Greens, Blues, plants, flowers, actual wood, columnar and pillar shaped items.

Fire:  Reds, triangle shapes, cones, pyramids, sunlight, wool, leather, animal products.

Earth:  Yellows, earthtones, soil, rectangles, square shapes.

Metal:  Whites & pastels, rocks, stones, metals, arches, circles, ovals.

Water:  Black, dark colors, glass, crystal, mirrors, assymetrical shapes.

If you want to balance out a room that has a dominant element, the same controlling cycle applies.

If you want bring more of an element into your life you could also choose to wear the associated colors.  So take a browse through your closet, which element do you most often wear?

As an example Red may not be a color that for everyone wants to cover themselves in or paint an entire room in.  Choosing a red pen or a red journal, or red undergarments can add some spark or fire and melt a bit of metal.  

If you find yourself wearing or surrounded by a lot of earthy colors, try adding blue or green throw pillows to the sofa or a blanket to add some pop.

Color and shapes can amuse the eye and add that little something something to your wardrobe and also to your space.

I'm curious does your physical space reflect your Pop Quiz results? 

I invite you to share below on the Blog,  Facebook or email.

Controlling the Yang Elements

If you took the pop quiz I posted previously you may be asking the question, 

Is it necessary to balance out my elements? 

or 

Does everything have to be matchy matchy?

The short answer is no, if you are content and feel that all is as it needs to be then hey, keep doing what you are doing.  If you are feeling like you would benefit from moving some energy to feel different or more balanced then the answer would be, yes.

It is not ideal to have equal scores on each of the elements.  It would be difficult to manage that and since life is dynamic we need both Yin and Yang elements in order to keep us moving.

Yang elements are the ones we project outside of us, from the quiz standpoint they are the ones with a score of 72 or greater.  Yang is masculine, bright or light, big, busy, high contrast, and open.

Yin elements are the inside of us, scores on the pop quiz are less than 72.  Yin elements are dark, feminine, muted, and softer.

We need both for overall balance, as we need the light and the dark; day/night; big/small and so on.  Essentially balancing opposites.

Nourishing Cycle:

Choosing to control an element would be desired if the overpowering presence of one of the elements inhibited your ability to nourish another element or energy in your life. 

Here are my top tips on how to you may be able to balance out the main Yang element.

Controlling Cycle

Water douses Yang Fire:  

Fire is strong communication, Water is strong connection to Spirit. 

Fire is connected to speaking words, Water is connected to the sense of hearing.

Fire is leading; Water is going with the flow.

Top tip to cool your flames:  You have something valuable to share and when you talk people listen, however, we can learn more by listening than speaking.

Fire melts Yang Metal:

Metal is mental and intellectual; Fire is passion and emotion.

Metal is focused, quick and sharp; Fire is lively, spark and excitement.

Metal is strength and endurance; Fire is warmth and community.

Top tip to melt your Metal:  Allow your wisdom to be conveyed with clarity and delivered with warmth.  The facts may speak for themselves but may be received better if delivered with emotion as well.

Metal cuts Yang Wood:

Wood is intuition and inspiration; Metal is mental and intellectual.

Wood is taking root and branching out; Metal is excavated and can be manipulated.

Wood is what you see; Metal is what you smell.

Top tip to prune the tree(s):  Your vision of life is strong, however you may benefit from backing up your intuition with the facts.  The facts can help you determine where you can prune your branches in order for the stongest ones to really prosper and for the roots to take better hold. 

Wood consumes Yang Earth:  

Earth is grounded; Wood is connected to both heaven and earth.

Earth is practical and stable; Wood is rooted and flexible.

Earth is fertility; Trees have seeds (knowledge)

Top tip to your cultivate your forest:  Start planting your ideas by getting them out there in the fertile soil, in order for them to start to grow.  Let your intuition guide you and trust in your ability to allow yourself to take reasonable risks.

Earth blocks Yang Water:

Water is movement and depth; Earth is stability.

Water is the tapping into spirit; Earth is grounded in here and now.

Water is synchronicity; Earth is accountability.

Top tip to get more earthy:  Too much water can make you feel overwhelmed and you may benefit from stepping on firm ground in order to take stock.  Connect physically, meditate, stabilize yourself by taking a stand, choosing to process all the floating "stuff" that is washing over you. 

Top Tip for all the elements:  Be Gentle with Yourself as you experiment with finding your own balance!

Yang Metal and Water; Yin Wood Fire Earth

The Children and Creativity Gua is the home of Metal and is associated with water, Lakes specifically.

Metal is is the thinking, the intellectual element.  Metaphorically speaking you have a mind like a steel trap.  You are focused, quick witted and razor sharp. Determination along with strength and endurance would potentially be ways to describe you.

Metal is excavated from the earth, and the large gap between your earth score and metal depicts that.  This element can be shaped to our liking, as in using metal for jewellery or building skyscrapers.  It is both strong and can be malleable.

When we have too much metal in us it can also be portrayed at times as uncompromising or an inability to change course even when it makes sense to do so.  The razor sharp mind may also be interpreted as having a sharp tongue.

Yang Water is the connection to Spirit and Spirituality.  Your metal thinking may be a high source of creativity, which brings Joy to yourself and others.  Water is tapping into your spirit or going with your flow.  Metal is a nourishing cycle to water, in that metal holds water.

These elements are Yang elements and are what we show to the world.

To control Metal the addition of Fire is necessary.  Fire controls metal since it melts the element.  Fire is our communication to our community.  Fire is our passion and emotion, it is leadership, it is connecting.  

Absorbing and accumulating information comes easily and it shows you are one to go with the flow.  I would invite you to consider sharing your wisdom and creativity in teaching another or a group of others.  Stoke the fire within by communicating what you know.

You have a strong sense of connection and synchronicity and may benefit from tending the wood element to nurture your own ideas by sharing what brings you Joy.  

Wood, Fire and Earth are yin elements. Yin is the inner details of ourselves.

Allowing the water vibe in your life to nourish the ideas you have to branch out.  Fire needs wood to burn.  Perhaps there are things you are "thinking" about and not doing.  

What would it feel like to grow those ideas (wood), and tell others about what you are thinking (fire), and connecting to your ground (earth) to take action on your ideas?

I would invite you to think about how it wood feel to put yourself out there rather than think about it?  

Groove or a Rut?

Are you in the Groove right now? 

You know, when you everything seems to be moving along in just the right rhythm. The times when you have everything in the radar and you know where you have to be, you know what you have to do, and you know how to get there. Things get done, you have the energy, and you have the motion.

Or are you in a Rut? 

When the flow is just not smooth, the rhythm is choppy and the beat is just not moving you. These are the times when you need everything in the radar to either slow down or speed up but the energy just isn't there to precipitate that change. Things aren't getting done, your energy is zapped, and you either feel you are at a standstill or a on a treadmill (moving but really not going anywhere).

Sir Isaac Newton stated, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” And that is illustrated in the Yin Yang symbol from the Chinese as these elements exist in all things.

I Love the "S" imagery in this yin yang symbol.

Yin elements are feminine; they are dark, introspective, muted and soft; while Yang elements are big, bold, busy, masculine, extroverted and bright. 

The symbolism and meaning of this is that the universe requires the duality of all things in order to exist. We would not know what light is if we did not have dark; hence we wouldn't know what a groove was if we didn't have a rut!

My interpretation of Sir Isaac Newton’s first two Laws of Motion is that if you are at a standstill or are moving at a constant speed that only an external force will cause that to change and the change will only be as good as the force itself.

Therefore, if you are in a groove and want to keep that humming, you need to continue to attract the things into your life to perpetuate that groove; and if you want to boost it you'll need to attract those vibes as well.

The tricky one is the rut. Once entrenched in a rut it can become dangerously close to resembling a hole if we let it. We can become so introspective and enmeshed in that feeling that we forget what its like to groove in the light. 

Make peace with where you are.  Acknowledge that the not so "flow" feeling may be the pause needed to take on the next leg.  Moving through and beyond a rut may require you to simply be; take that cleansing breath and find your inspired action that feels good to help you find traction to start moving.  Ask yourself what would feel better, what ripple can you create with your thoughts?

If you are in a rut right now, thank the rut for giving you the opportunity to float, ask for the push to move forward. You don’t have to know what kind of push you need or who you need to answer your call; recall the rhythm of your groove, and keep listening for the beat.

If you are Groovin’ right now, feel that rhythm, express your gratitude, be golden! And listen for someone calling out for your help to get them out of a rut.

How do YOU get yourself out of a rut?
How do YOU get your flow moving again?
Would love for you to post YOUR go to rhythm generating ideas, below or on Facebook.

With Grateful Ch’i

Yang: Fire and Earth; Yin Metal, Water and Wood Assessment

Fire is the dominant element in this assessment, followed by Earth.

You are a connector and communicator; you are passionate about what you say and do.  You have a strong connection to your ecosystems:  family, friends, colleagues etc.  A healthy amount of fire is nourishing, lively and adds excitement.  Your personal warmth draws people to you and you make people feel wrapped in warmth as well.

Earth is the element of the physical and tangible.  Fire burns wood which feeds the Earth and the numbers show a nourishing cycle.  That feeling of being Present, Grounded and connected is important to you and you seek ways to cultivate it in your life.  You take action and are accountable for your words and actions.

These two elements together bring to mind:  You stand up for what you believe in.

The yin/inner elements are Metal, Water and Wood.

Metal is connected to the Children and Creativity Gua.  It is the home of Joy!  Having fun, being creative, colorful bubbles up from deep within you.  Laughter is an expression of this joy.  This element is also the thinking part of you, the intellectual.  We draw metal from the earth and can mold into whatever we choose. Again an expression of your creativity.

Water is going with the flow of life and we use water to control Fire when it is dominant.  There is an imbalance between the two elements in the assessment and that may be present in feeling stuck, going against the flow, or not feeling the flow you want.  There may be lots of thinking going on and you may be keeping this to yourself.  Not seeking out Helpful People, literally or energetically.  I invite you to consider where the idea of "diving in" or creating a wave for yourself in order to remove the blockages of your flow.

Wood is required to fuel the Fire.  The current assessment would suggest that you may be at the beginning of something.  That being open-minded, being open to trust and accept guidance may be in your life presently.  I invite you to nurture the seeds of your knowledge and wisdom, and trust in the process.

Reflection: On the Roads Already Travelled

Credit:  Beth Bacaglia's Simply Inspired

I shared this beautiful photo on my Facebook page and commented "I believe that its possible that we may only see the route as scenic, after we have travelled it".  

Have you ever white knuckled your way through a road trip?  I know I have.  

My first driving experience on the, I'll say the other side of the road, was travelling from Edinburgh to St. Andrew's golf course.  

Had to do a selfie before climbing behind the wheel!

The directions I gave my passengers were:

• NO Talking
• NO Squabbling
• NO Breathing too loud
• Definitely NO music
• Pretty much do NOTHING to distract me from the task at hand.

I needed the car to be the most tranquil environment so I could focus specifically on:  

1. Staying in the proper lane,
2. Driving the proper speed limit (meaning not too slow in this instance),
3. Negotiate the skinny roads,
4. Listen to the Sat Nav,
5. Most importantly listen to the constant mental chatter of "You can do this"!

I can tell you that the scenery was unique, from the little glances I stole and eventually I was able to converse and at one point laugh.  

Was I able to appreciate the scenic route I was on, literally.  I'd say no.

Once I finally got the car parked and was no longer behind the wheel could I appreciate it? I'd say...umm yes, and perhaps after my wine with dinner the yes had more oomph.

The literal task of driving was not the issue, it was seeing the road from a different vantage point and NOT thinking it was wrong, it was simply different.  

Credit:  Gratitude n all

Driving on the left vs the right side of the road is exactly the same, however when all of your driving has been from the left side of the vehicle on the right side of the road, making that switch is mind bending.  And for anyone who has made the switch, even temporarily you may concur that you can almost feel the new tracks in your brain being paved.

Having now driven for the past year in Australia, I can appreciate the process even more.  I celebrated when I could comfortably drive with the radio on, began to multi task by yelling at the kids or be able to take a drink of coffee in transit.

Does it feel normal? Kinda, well it feels "less new".

The journey over the past year, driving included, has been scenic in more ways than one. Whether I was able to appreciate that fact in the moment or only when looking back. 

I believe there is always something interesting to appreciate, see and learn through observation and reflection.

Yang Wood and Fire: Yin Earth, Metal and Water

This 5 Element assessment results show a relative balance in all the elements; as in not an extreme variance for any particular one. 

Wood is the Yang Element; Fire is the next dominant element.

Yin is Earth, Water and Metal.

Wood is intuition, knowledge, inspiration and action.  When wood is in balance we will trust the process.

Wood consumes Earth, which is indicative in the totals shared above.  Too much wood can be Type A personality; a lot of things happening but not enough gain; lots of work not enough pay.

Fire is the emotional element; it is communication (words), touch, life, spark, excitement.  This is connected to Fame and Reputation or Community.  It is defined as Integrity, true to self and how we are viewed by others.

The results of the assessment show that there is plenty of wood to keep the fire burning and Fire creates Earth, yet in this instance Earth is the lowest or most yin of the elements.

It may be possible that you are full of ambition, lots of great ideas and are inspired to share.  You can communicate effectively, your ideas spark interest and yet the seeds of your inspiration may not have enough Earth in order to sprout, take root and begin to grow.

In any garden there are times when you have to control the growth.  Culling weeds or runts from your plantings.  Perhaps it may serve you to look at your "garden or forest", stand in a place of observation and see what you can nourish to truly take root and harvest and preserve the others for another planting cycle?  

Adding Metal:
The element of Metal is used to control Wood as a Dominant Element.  (Metal cuts Wood.)

Too little Metal can impact one’s ability to focus, stay on task, lack determination thru procrastination, forgetting, and avoidance. 

The ability to generate many ideas, however, needing to cull the forest in order for those ideas to take root in the Earth.

• What could you let go of in order to allow yourself to focus your intentions more specifically?
•  Are there concepts, ideas or things in your world that can be blended together to create a more solid root structure?
• What seeds have you planted that need more room to grow?
•  What branches could be pruned?

The I Ching teaches us that Metal is the element associated with Children and Creativity; the essence being “Joy”.

• How could you cultivate Joy in your life right now?
•  How could you “lighten up”?
• What would it feel like if you could infuse your life overall with joy?

Highlight with Earth and Fire Elements:

All seeds have their own germination period.  I invite you to consider all the great things you intend to plant, nurture and harvest.  Then consider the possibility that all the seeds do not necessarily have to planted all at once.  

Perhaps you can find a rhythm in clearing the soil, plant specific seeds, nurture and intend to harvest.  

Find your ground, stand in your garden.

Too little Fire can be a feeling of being separate from, lots of flame but not a lot of heat.  Just as above, metaphorically speaking, you may benefit from concentrating your efforts on stoking less number of fires rather than have many individual matches lit and expect the same radiant heat.

The element of water helps to refine.  “Going with the Flow”.  “Trusting the flow of life.” If the garden is too dense the plants can not thrive in rationing the water.

Suggested Affirmation: