What is the Five Element Theory and why is it so important in Feng Shui? Oh, I know, here's another Feng Shui post from that Consultant that just doesn't go AWAY! This is a brief overview of what we call The Five Element Theory as it is a very involved subject and I can just give you an overview of why WE think it's important.
The Five Elements are: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. They are actually the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine who believe that man is so closely connected to nature and their environment, if something is out of "sync" in your elements, it can cause illness, acute or chronic. Each Element is associated with several things:
FIRE is associated with the direction of South, The Summer, and the Color Red. It is also associated with an organ; in this case your heart.
EARTH is the Center; the season of Mid-Summer and your spleen, pancreas or stomach and Yellow is its color.
METAL is associated with the direction of West, the season of Fall, its color is white and the organ is your Lungs..
WATER is the direction of North. The season is Winter, the color is black and the organ is Kidney.
WOOD is the direction of the East. The season is Spring, the color is Green and the organ is liver.
Confused yet? It's an in depth subject so I'll just give you a brief overview of how we address this in Feng Shui. The first thing we want to have a balance of the elements in each room. It's likely you already have many of the Elements already but you can look around and see what's missing. What I often find is the lack of a FIRE energy which stimulates and energizes. Is there Red in the room? A balance of the Elements is meant to Harmonize your body in Chinese Medicine and your Environment in Feng Shui.
To confuse matters even more, we need a CONSTRUCTIVE sequence of the elements. For example, wood will feed fire (constructive) while water will put OUT fire (destructive). So how do you apply this to your home or office?
Here is a picture of the Five Elements in a constructive cycle:
As you go from room to room (many of us do the outside as well), check first for a balance of the elements. Then simply see if you can rearrange certain furnishings you already own into a constructive sequence. Have a pretty picture of a waterfall or the beach? It's a water element. It's likely you already have items that can be moved or can address the ones you don't have, say Fire, by simply adding the color of Red.
When the five elements are restored, you are considered to be in a supportive environment. You need not be concerned with the directions just yet as this can become so complicated oftentimes people give up (we address these with new construction, however) although that enhances it even more. When my clients get confused (and who can blame them??), I ask them first to just look for the balance. That's easy enough. And take it ONE STEP AT A TIME. If you'd like to check your personal elements, you can take a simple test; it can show you your primary elements and why YOU might be "out of balance."
Click here: The Five Element Personality Test
*Please remember this is just a brief overview and not meant to take the place of a consultation, rather just to try and explain why Feng Shui Consultants consider this so important both in Feng Shui and Wholistic Health.
Question about the test....do you check the term that you associate with the element or how you feel about the element? It was confusing to me. Maybe I'm just not with it tonight, it's been a long day. Thank you.
Carole ~ Great and interesting blog post! I love learning about this.
I took the test and my results were Water 17%; Wood 12%; Earth 26%; Metal 21%; and Fire 21%. What does the highest percentage mean (in my case Earth)? I actually have a reason for asking this, based on your description of what each stands for.
Thanks for sharing this very interesting information!
Tomorrow I have to go through my house! Now back to te test.
Thanks for posting this...I've been so curious!
Based on the traits you selected, your personality is:
Water 15 %, Wood 28 %, Earth 18 %, Metal 15 %, Fire 21 %
So what does it mean, Carole?
Carole, I've been studying the elements lately in my 'Feng Shui For Apartments' book. For my date of birth I am an earth person, however when I take the test, I come out very strongly a 'water' personality and secondly 'metal'. Also, my zodiac sign is Cancer, a water sign. My apartment is a 'metal' abode as it faces west. I wondre if this is ok for me to live in a 'metal' home and I'm an earth/water person.
It's all very interesting and I'm glad you've posted about this. I also found out that it's wonderful that I can see the bay from my windows and that my apt looks out over the pool. These are some of the reasons I feel so good here and on studying this whole building further (and the layout of my apt) , it would seem they used feng shui knowledge when they built it!!! The energy is wonderful and everything just flows here and it is so peaceful....
I love these feng shui posts of yours....
((-:
Jo
Based on the traits you selected, your personality is:
Water 20 %, Wood 17 %, Earth 22 %, Metal 20 %, Fire 20 %
Looks like I have some balance there......kinda sorta?
Awesome Carole! I have to look at this all more closely to determine how I sit with it. I believe I lean more toward water personality wise, but have a lot of earth elements in my home. I will have to bookmark and return to take the 'test' ....
......what if I fail the personality test? hhnghhh!!]
I left a note for you over at Loretta's
Fire 11 %
Water 19 %
Wood 28 %
Earth 34 %
Metal 6 %
These are your personality results.
Well, these are mine. Pretty much in line with my actual readings from my consultant. Of course it goes much deeper than this.
I almost have my home office post ready and there I will discuss my Feng Shui elements.
Maybe I will do a post for you on what my readings were so you can use them in your practice for an example.
I love Feng Shui and am quite passionate about it. Katerina
CAROLE: Like most people, I couldn't resist taking the test. Here are my results:
Based on the traits you selected, your personality is:
Water 21 %, Wood 22 %, Earth 20 %, Metal 9 %, Fire 25 %
Can you provide some Feng Shui expertise and let me know what any of this means? I'm really interested in learning more about it. I can see why people hire Feng Shui experts. I wouldn't know where to begin on my own. Thanks for the interesting post.
Hmmm... it seems I am more "liquid" than the other commenters here <s>
Based on the traits you selected, your personality is:
Water 43 %, Wood 1 %, Earth 17 %, Metal 21 %, Fire 15 %
I'm guessing in a consultation with me, you'd want to bring the wood element into better balance? Or would you tell me to surround myself with watery things and go with the flow?
Thanks!
Carole--Ok here's mine...And just like everyone else I want to know what does it mean?!! :)
Based on the traits you selected, your personality is:
Water 14 %, Wood 32 %, Earth 22 %, Metal 12 %, Fire 20 %
Hi Carole,
Good post thanks for sharing. I do have red throughout my house. My dining room is red so I have accents of red in my living room and den which are both off of my dining room. Actually the only places in my house I don't have any red is the spare bedroom and one of my bathrooms.
I am Fire 22% Water 17% Wood 16% Earth 23% Metal 20% Looks like I am lacking in the wood and water elements?
Here's mine;
Based on the traits you selected, your personality is:
Water 17 %, Wood 13 %, Earth 26 %, Metal 17 %, Fire 24 %
Too much Earth and too much Fire?
Very cool -- thx for posting. I know nothing about this, but I am fascinated. Is there a good "beginners" book to read that you recommend?
You probably now know WAY MORE about each of us than you ever wanted to!
Sally, I have used Western Astrology far longer then Eastern Astrology but I am a Fire Element myself in each. According to my test, I am, for the most part balanced and you are as well. It's when we're low on an element that we need to support it and we do that by addressing the element that supports it. I knew this was a difficult topic, I'll be right over :)
Kathy, While Earth is your strongest element (you've very grounded), you do have a good balance. Check your surroundings, though, this post was more meant to address your home or office (or both!).
Joan, (The Maven) Sorry for the extra work. Make sure you take your road trip first and check the elements later!
Lisa, It looks to me like you've got a good balance. Now check your home, room by room. It's easier (for me) to see what's missing.
Lauire, You said I couldn't declutter. That's the first and most important thing so I can't come till you let me get you totally organized. I know, what a pain, huh??
Jo, Metal supports water, isn't that nice? And you've surrounded yourself with it instinctively by where you're living which is probably why you're so happy there! There is something called Intuitive Feng Shui and I've seen it a few times....and it's likely you have it. Some people just place things and elements correctly although they never knew anything about Feng Shui. They are amazed when you point it out to them so they can SEE it!
DEBORAH, I am never going to live that down, huh? :) And it's not a personality test, silly, you can't fail. We don't "fail" people in Feng Shui!
Katerina, I know you love Feng Shui, use it and believe in it. To me the principles make complete sense and if people learned them they would see that. I am not commenting on your comment, I am going to wait for your post and I look forward to it!
Adam, You're a little low on Metal. You need Metal elements for organization and stability. This is a good time to build up Metal as it's Autumn. So it is suggested for "letting go" , both in physical surroundings and emotionally. And it is associated with your lungs. Earth supports metal, A few plants in earthen ware pots can help support it. Breathe in the NEW. (and isn't that a little more then you wanted to know :)?
Cheryl, That is low wood and we would want to enhance it for health, vitality and wood nourishes. You can use the colors of Brown and Green and some people would suggest a wooden chalice, not for religious purposes but to "contain" some of that water. Look at your surroundings, inside and out and see if you see an expanse of water. Then again, I don't know how reliable these "tests" are particularly for such a broad spectrum of people! These posts do NOT take the place of a consultation which is why I put a disclaimer at the end.
Teri, Intesting, if the test is accurate your strongest element is Wood. Here again it symbolizes Health and is nourishing. I would imagine if it's accurate, you are feeling well and nourished and things are going well for you.
Trace, No you're not lacking, they just are not as dominant as Fire and Earth. If you want to add support to certain areas, try the colors they are associated with but it looks like a good balance and remember, these are always fluctuating....they change so your elements shift. When one is very low it is said we can be healed by addressing that organ by Chinese Medicine but you would need a chart done by a professional, not a test.
Julie, If you retake it and are low on Metal, look at Adams comment. Then just look at your surroundings to check your balance from that perspective. This is a difficult subject and leads to Chinese Astrology which is why I didn't post about it for so long....it's very involved. From your beautiful posts, however, I'd say you're in Perfect balance!
Karen, I have FIRE and I love it! These tests are generalizations and meant for you to check your surroundings for the elements. It's something I go over during every consultation but of course in much more depth. There are only a few books I recommend but my favorite is Feng Shui Made Easy by William Spear.
Carole- You are so sweet to say my balance is right up there, but it looks like the 2 balancing out each other the most are Earth and Fire. Here are the results:
Fire 25 %
Water 19 %
Wood 17 %
Earth 22 %
Metal 15 %
What do you think?
Carole: Hi, thank you for this post. My test results were 21% water, 7% wood, 21% earth, 17% metal and 32% fire.
Julie, I think you have a good balance. When the numbers are low is when we need to see what is going on in our lives and in our surroundings. For example, oftentimes if you give a test to a person going through a difficult time, they have little or no fire (lliterally burned out) and we would enhance it. Yours look good!
Diane, You're a little low on Wood which again involves health and nourishment. Use some of the colors of green and brown to enhance it and check to see if you have enough wood in your environment.
*These are only very general results and they fluctuate with moods and life circumstances. What I wanted you to check was for a balance of the elements in your environment.
Thank you Carole ! No wonder I feel so at home and peaceful living here......so metal is good for water. Hmm.. Thanks so much...you're amazing !!!
I love your posts so much and look forward to each one.
((-:
Jo
Hey BFF - I took the test and deffinately need to add some wood...
fire 36% water 30% earth 17% metal 13% wood 2%
So this explains why I don't like wood in my home or does it explain why I am lost in the forest???
Jo, Follow that little picture if you can, you can see what element is supportive of the other (in a clockwise direction). You also have a lot of the "outdoors IN" which is a big principle of course in Feng Shui...nature!
Diane, Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope you try it and see how it feels....it's an interesting theory--and only 5,000 years old :)
Cheryl, I would be absolutely amazed if you have one, that would be the perfect thing for you to use! I would think that a wooden bowl if you don't have one would serve the purpose, it's intention is the same.....and adding colors.
Sheron, you are anything but lost! I know you are very much in tune with the elements and I can't think of a better person, as an Interior Designer, to make something.....remember that bamboo picture you had sent me?? Sound perfect? Wow, I wonder if you didn't know it but designed it for you!
Robert, I don't think that's boring, I think that's astounding! Perfect balance? WOW, I'd love to see your home :)
Carole - do you mean this one? Now that would be an easy fix!!!
Diane, Yes, Feng Shui is estimated to be between 3 to 5,000 years old. It must work if it's been around THAT long :)
Sher, That's Exactly IT! I still have it too.....Isn't that funny that you designed it for my project and it's exactly what you need?
Carole said: I would be absolutely amazed if you have one, that would be the perfect thing for you to use!
Carole, well, prepare to be amazed! I put my hands on it. It was on a shelf in my office. I brought it home this afternoon. Give me a few minutes and I'll post a photo of it on my blog.
OK, re-took, and still really unbalanced: Based on the traits you selected, your personality is:
Water 37 %, Wood 22 %, Earth 8 %, Metal 6 %, Fire 24 %
So, what am I supposed to do to balance this? (not derail, just balance!) No wonder my sister 'grounds' me--she's my Earth!
Ok Carole: I must be way out of balance. I have no "fire" at all so to speak although many would beg to differ about not having any fire but then that's another kind of fire. Here are my results:
Based on the traits you selected, your personality is:
Water 27 %, Wood 13 %, Earth 22 %, Metal 36 %, Fire 0 %