What on earth is the Earth element? In Feng Shui, it is all about grounding, stabilising and nourishing the inner core of your space. In the 5 elements life cycle, when balanced, Earth is made from Fire and it is where Wood and life grow, it also creates and polishes Metal. If in a negative cycle, Earth can be weakened by too much Wood, depleting it of energy, and Water can muddy Earth. In the Bagua map, it is the key element for the Inner Knowledge and Relationships sectors. It is also the key element for the centre of the Bagua map for core health and unity. Let’s look at what that actually means!
The Centre of the Earth
This is the core of your space and the Bagua map. Place the Bagua map over a general drawing of the whole area of your space. You may have missing sectors but try and fit all of the house or apartment in to the square. You can then find the centre of the total area. This area is seen as the centre of the whole energy of your place and there are some Feng Shui rules to ideally consider before you buy or rent a space:
- No staircase in the centre and particularly a spiral one – this literally is a corkscrew in the middle and destabilises the whole space. If you have one, you need to strengthen and ground the Chi energy and slow it down so it doesn’t ‘spiral’ or rush up and down the staircase.
- Avoid a bathroom in the centre as this is said to drain all energy and health. We had a cottage with a bathroom in this area, we added stone and earth tones balanced with wood. However, when we sold the house, our careers, finances and other areas of our lives picked up as soon as we moved.
- Decorate the centre in warm earth tones of yellow, tan, coffee, ivory and light brown and use stoneware and ceramics to represent the Earth element.
Inner Knowledge and Wisdom
This is an area often overlooked being the area for skills, self study and understanding of other parts of your life. It can involve study, developing knowledge and also, finding a better sense of your world. The key element is Earth and the element cycle of wood and water works well in this area. This is a good place to put a small, stone, gentle fountain – choose one wisely! The water mustn’t stagnate, gush, overflow or have a light underneath adding a fire element. If a fountain isn’t for you, find a picture of a gentle waterfall or an image that says to you that this is the ‘fountain of knowledge’. Ceramics or pottery can represent the Earth element stabilising and grounding.
Relationships
The Earth element makes sense here as it grounds relationships. A bedroom or living area is ideal in this sector. Use warm earthy tones including shades of buttermilk, tan, soft browns and use natural fabrics such as wool, linen and cotton. Additional colours as lemon or soft pinks are all about earth and nourishment. Bed linen with leaves, birds and flowers all add a sense of growth and connection.
