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!