In collaboration with High Life: Living the Good Life, VOICE OF ASIA is proud to present timeless articles from the archives, reproduced digitally for your reading pleasure. Originally published in High Life Volume 2 in 2017, we explore the importance of the ‘Earth’ element in feng shui.
In the fast-paced and hyper-independent world we live in now, modern life can seem very hectic and, ultimately, artificial. In the pursuit of success and following our dreams, we often tend to feel worn out and isolated from the world. It is this very part of our lives that needs a strong earth element the most. To calm and reassure us and provide stable support for everything we do, the earth element nurtures and acts as a strong and protective feminine energy. This section of HIGH Life shows us how only when we have a strong and calm center are we ready to take on the world and make our own wealth, luck and prosperity.
Significance of the Earth Element
The earth feng shui element is known for its warm, nourishing and welcoming energy, and this is the perfect element to decorate the bedroom with. Upon waking up in the morning, we can feel invigorated and blessed, as the nurturing atmosphere of the earth prepares us for a new successful day. This element can also create a feeling of “home” in your life, with its unique maternal qualities that help individuals feel balanced and secure, shielding you from the hectic buzz of the outside world by giving you an inner place that allows you to take care of yourself. Only when we have nurtured ourselves and are at our best can we seize a new day with determination and ambition.
In feng shui, the earth element is produced by the fire element as it follows in the cycle of the five feng shui elements, so there is always a strong and powerful connection between the both of them. It is always beneficial to concentrate the fire element in your interiors when decorating with the earth element. Earth and fire is perhaps the best combination in the bedroom as earth’s sheer strength and unyielding patience becomes sparked with fire’s passion, lending a more romantic and peaceful aura to your living quarters. However, this blend is also perfect for dynamic and inspired entrepreneurs as fire’s strength fuels earth’s determination while earth’s rocksteady grip on reality will channel the fire’s ambitions into all the correct paths. It truly is the best way to start the day.
Arrangement of the Earth Element
The wood and earth elements in feng shui can bring stability into any area of your life, be it in business, health or family, so it’s a good thing they are both very complementary. Strengthening the earth element in your home or office is necessary for you to reach a place of calm and peace that will create a strong support structure to keep your inner passions burning. Bagua areas that are defined solely by the earth element are Southwest, Northeast and the Center. The areas that are strengthened by this powerful energy are Northwest, West, East and Southeast. Some of the best methods in bringing out the earth element’s energy is by immersing the room in earthy colours like beige, taupe or sand-coloured hues. Decorate with a lot of wooden statues and figurines while also finding space for fixtures that focuses heavily on stones and pottery that is known to bring your center closer to earth, making us more grounded people.
To foster an earthy environment and to spur on the arrival of good Chi, place Himalayan salt lamps or candles in the home or add crystals to boost the presence of the soil all around you. If you would rather go for something a little more artistic, then images of earthy landscapes are perfect for the home. They serve to remind us of the solidness of the land, such as stunning photography of the Antelope Canyon in the United States. Wooden colours, however, are best represented through hues of green and brown, for example painting a Southeast feature wall in mint green while the front door that faces East is in a chocolate brown.
The earth element is known as the Peacemaker and is very helpful for careers that involve negotiation and managing others. An abundance of the earth element helps clear boundaries in your energy and helps you stay in balance whether at work or at home. These arrangements are supposed to keep our energy more determined and resilient, while allowing us to remain thoughtful and passionate.
