Friday, July 03, 2009

Feng Shui Friday: Wood


Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
Every week I take a break from romance/erotic fiction writing and explore simple tricks to bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life!

Last time I talked about The Metal Element in feng shui. Continuing on with the rest of the five feng shui elements, this week I'll be covering...

Wood Element in Feng Shui


graphic courtesy Stock Xchg
Wood. Nurturing, growing, wood protects us by way of giving us shelter (under a shade tree in heat, out of the rain, and we use lumber to build our homes.


What Does Wood Do In Feng Shui?

Wood governs a few areas of our life?

1. Growth

Trees area ever growing. Wood element reflects that growth in a variety of ways in our life. Either growth as a person, in growing our families, wealth, or spiritual knowledge, growth is a vital aspect of our existence.

2. Vitality

As trees give forth life giving oxygen into our surroundings, so does the Wood element breathe vitality into our lives.

3. New Beginnings

New branches, leaves, buds, and fruit comes forth from trees each spring, and the Wood element is the place to turn when seeking to bring something new into our lives.


Metal is the natural element of the Family zone in feng shui.


Image Courtesy of Stock Xchg
What Items Can Be Used to Represent Wood?

Try any of the following that are practical and appeal to you:

1.Plants/trees
2.Wood furnishings
3.Wood carvings
4.Wood windchimes
5.Rectangular/columnar shapes
6.Green colors

Any of these can be utilized in Feng Shui design to bring the Wood element theme into play, though live wood is preferable to "dead" wood via furnishings, etc. Still, as it's not always practical to have a lot of living tree wood indoors, decorative wood can be used. Also, fake trees can work, but they should look convincing.

Fixing "Wood" Problems


The most important rule is to avoid fire in the Wood area, and also to ensure that if using living wood (trees), that they be kept maintained and not allowed to sicken and die. Wood is also not as helpful in Earth's natural area. While one would think wood and earth are natural companions, wood penetrates earth and as such contributes to the destructive cycle of earth.


Have fun exploring the ways this element can enhance your chi!


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Romance writer duties call!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that brings the strength of positive wood chi your way!

4 comments:

Debra Kayn said...

Interesting! We live smack dab in the middle of an old growth forest, our house on the inside and outside is all cedar shingles, our floors are wood.

We love wood. :-)

Lisa Logan said...

"Wood is Good." LOL. Sounds beautiful! Relaxing.

For those who have an abundance of one element, enhance balance and harmony by placing representations of the other feng shui elements in their natural locations. One can also counteract the effects of one element by placing the opposite element nearby.

Helen Ginger said...

Interesting that fake wood will work. I would never have thought that. We have a lot of dead wood in the house, from the dining room table to the mantle, but I do have living plants also. So far, I've managed to actually keep them alive, too.

Helen
Straight From Hel

Lisa Logan said...

Fake plants work! However, nnot as well as living green, and they should be convincing to the eye to give off a positive effect.