What Does Your Feng Shui Element Say About You?
Discover What You’re Made
By Lia Menna Gross
This post contains affiliate links.
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that works to harmonize you and your surrounding environment.
How do you feel in your space?
Does it make you feel energized?
Do you feel calm and rejuvenated after being home?
Or does your skin crawl when you walk in the door?
If it’s the latter, your Feng Shui’s off. This could be due to an imbalance of the five elements within your home.
What are the five elements?
Water, wood, fire, earth and metal [press play on Captain Planet’s theme song now].
The five elements are the building blocks of ch’i, or energy. Basically, life itself.
Each one is associated with specific shapes, colors, directions, seasons - you name it!
Everything within your home is a representation of one of the five elements including you (‘cause everything’s a ch’i thing on this side of the internet!).
What’s even more mind-blowing?
Each element has its own energetic expression that influences your personality, behavioral tendencies and life path. That’s according to Feng Shui astrology practices like Nine Star Ki and Bazi, aka the Four Pillars of Destiny. And yes, they’re as multifaceted as a Feng Shui crystal!
While a person is comprised of all five elements, one will outshine the others taking centerstage. This is determined to be your personal Feng Shui element or energy type.
Understanding your Feng Shui element can provide insights into your strengths and shortcomings. It can also provide awareness of how to create balance in your life - knowing what nourishes your energy type and what depletes it.
Once you know the qualities of each element, it’s easy to spot their manifestations in yourself and others.
Here’s your sneak peek into Feng Shui’s five elements and their big screen matches.
Water Element: Lara Croft
Water is associated with wisdom, reflection and goin’ with the flow. If water is your Feng Shui element, you’re intuitive and deeply connected to your emotions. Water represents the flow of ideas and the ability to adapt to change.
Water types are insightful, empathetic and highly creative. Your deep understanding of yourself and others is a powerful guide when dealing with people. However, the introspective nature of water can sometimes lead to overthinking, anxiety or emotional overwhelm.
Feng Shui Rx:
Feeling like your in a state of overwhelm?
Utilize elements of warmth, such as candles or color changing lighting, to bring your introspective nature back to balance. Practice mindfulness to stay grounded in the present moment. Engage in creative expression, whether through writing, art or music, to channel your emotions constructively.
Wood Element: Wonder Woman
If wood is your Feng Shui element, you’re likely a person of constant growth. It’s this blossoming attribute that has you overflowing with creative energy. You thrive on new ideas and projects. Your energy is dynamic, driven by a desire to innovate and improve.
Wood types are society’s A-team: natural born leaders and compassionate visionaries. You may have a strong sense of purpose and are motivated by challenges.
Watch out though. This desire for growth can lead to frustration if progress stalls.
Feng Shui Rx:
Regularly spend time in nature to recharge. Practice patience and embrace the process of growth, not just the outcome. Use the water element to your benefit and opt for an indoor fountain or a full length standing mirror.
Fire Element: Elle Woods
Those with dominant fire energy are vibrant, passionate and full of life!
You’re the spark that ignites excitement and enthusiasm in others. Fire symbolizes transformation, so you are often at the forefront of change, driven by a deep desire to make an impact.
You’re likely charismatic, bold and adventurous. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and you inspire others with your creativity and drive. However, fire’s intensity can sometimes lead to burnout or impulsiveness.
Focus on channeling your energy into sustainable projects that fulfill your long-term goals.
Feng Shui Rx:
Maintain a steady burn by surrounding yourself with calming colors. Blues and greens will temper your intensity. Incorporate routines that help you stay grounded, such as meditation or yoga.
Intentionally embracing a soft green and pale blue color palette coupled with a mindfulness practice has allowed me to rekindle my once exhausted inner flame. Try this meditation cushion to soothe your own fire element.
Earth Element: Katniss Everdeen
If earth is your Feng Shui element, you’re known for being stable, grounded and nurturing.
Earth represents the energy of stability and support - you’re the one others call on for advice! Your strength lies in your reliability and your ability to create a sense of security.
Earth types are natural caregivers, always ensuring that those around you feel safe and supported. On the flip side, your nurturing nature could potentially lead to taking on too much responsibility or becoming overly cautious.
Feng Shui Rx:
Incorporate more earthy tones in your surroundings. Support yourself with warming candles and wooden decor (add these decorative wood centerpieces to a tray with this non-toxic candle to give your coffee table pizzaz!). Practice setting boundaries to ensure you don’t overextend yourself. Engage in activities that help you stay connected to your inner self, like gardening or spending time outdoors.
Metal Element: Hermione Granger
Metal represents structure, precision and clarity. If this is your element, you’ve likely got a strong sense of order, an eye for detail and laser sharp focus. Discipline and perfection are your top values.
Metal types are efficient, focused and analytical. You have a natural ability to bring structure to chaos and excel in environments that require organization. However, this focus on structure can sometimes lead to rigidity. The trick is to find that happy-medium.
Feng Shui Rx:
Introduce colors like beige or pastels to soften your environment. Practice flexibility and openness to new ideas. Engage in activities that allow you to express yourself in a free-flowing manner without strict rules, like music, dance or art. Try this satisfying adult coloring book to get your creativity in gear!
Understanding your Feng Shui element provides perspective on how to create harmony in your life using your surrounding environment.
But just as with life, your element is in constant flux. There’s a season for each one.
By aligning with your element, you can draw upon your natural strengths while also addressing potential imbalances. Doing so will allow you to navigate your chosen path with more alignment to who it is you are.