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Feng Shui Basics: the Earth Element
third in a series of five
We continue our series on the Five Elements with the element of Earth. One of the things we love about the elements - is how they relate or talk to each other. We use the nourishing and controlling cycles to empower one element that is lacking or missing - and another to balance the overpowering essence of another.

For example, the fire element creates earth: think of the campfire that burns down to ashes. The Wood element dominates earth: think of a forest or grove of trees taking over a wide open field. The earth element blocks water: think of a dam that keeps water from flowing and creates a pond from a stream. As feng shui practitioners, we use these cycles to help our clients work through their element balance (it's different for everyone in every space) and find ways to boost or balance an over abundance or lack of a particular element. The element of Earth is very grounding and stable. With its grounding essence, earth is a wonderful piece of the five element puzzle.

Read on to learn more about what the Earth energy represents, decorating with it and using it to support your life and health, from our our diverse experts. Enjoy!
Examples of earth element enhancers can include yellows, oranges, golds, tans, browns, terracotta, and earthtones; squares and rectangles, brick, tile, adobe, ceramic, and art featuring earthy terrains and landscapes.
#FengShuiTip
"Earth: The earth element promotes physical strength, stability, and balance. Too much of this element can make you feel heavy, sluggish, or even bored. Without enough earth, you’ll likely feel chaotic and disorganized. Bring in rich earthy tones like brown and green or hang a landscape painting on the wall to incorporate earth into your Feng Shui design." From Porch.com
Decorating Tips to Bring in the Earth Element in Feng Shui
by Anjie Cho, Holistic Spaces and Mindful Design Feng Shui School

The earth element represents groundedness, stability, and nurturing. It’s related to boundaries, how we care for ourselves, and how we care for others. You might want to bring more earth elements into your home if you feel like you could use more support or stronger boundaries, or if you have been feeling a little anxious or unsettled.

You can add more earth element with these design elements:

Color: Yellow, brown, and earthy tones
Shape: Square and flat
Material: Ceramics, stones, and heavy objects

True Story: Mother In Law
Earth, from the International Feng Shui Guild "Feng Shui Glossary"

1. One of the Five Elements represented by the color yellow. Its movement is horizontal. Earth energy is balanced, centered and grounded. It represents the Northeast with the number 8, the Southwest with the number 2 and the center of the Bagua with the number 5. Its shape is flat, rectangular, or square. It is the later part of the four seasons and the belly and pancreas.
2. Classically related to the trigram Kun and the Bagua area associated with relationships.

Also called Tu 
See Bagua, Five Elements, Pa Kua
From the IFSG Feng Shui Glossary, The definitive resource for more than 300 of the top Feng Shui words. Get your copy today!
Final Thoughts: Bring Feng Shui Outside with the Five Elements
from Architectural Digest, and featuring our own Ashley Cantley

How can you bring the most vital principles of feng shui outside to your outdoor living rooms and beyond?

“At the end of the day, you should focus on creating a space that feels good to you, as the ultimate goal of feng shui is creating that sense of harmony and well-being,” says West Hartford, Connecticut, designer Georgia Zikas. Just try not to go faux and spring for the real thing instead. “Fake plants and grass are low-vibe energy, and that includes turf,” says Ashley Cantley, author of High-Vibe Feng Shui: 11 Steps to Achieving your Best Life (Workman Publishing Company). Cantley also highlights that a key aspect to feng shui landscaping is creating balance using the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. 

Designers Michael Rath and Chad Guinn use fitted boulders to literally ground this outdoor spa.  Photo by Roger Wade
EARTH
Amping up the earthy factor in your backyard is more than just, ahem, rocking it. [Ashley] Cantley adds that terrestrial touches can have powerful effects—like placing a boulder stone walkway behind your home for a feeling of security and stability. “Drawing animal energy into the property is also really great energy…creating a garden for pollinators, hanging a birdhouse, or putting in a bird bath brings heavenly energy into the home,” she says.

Read the rest of this terrific main steam article and see how to bring the rest of the Five Elements to your outdoor spaces.
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