The  pancha  mahabhuta,  or  "five  great  elements",  of  Hinduism  are  kshiti  or  bhūmi  (earth),  ap  or  jala  (water),  tejas  or  agni  (fire),  marut  or  pavan  (air  or  wind),  byom  or  shunya  (or  akash?)  (aether  or  void).  Hindus  believe  that  the  Creator  used  akasha,  the  most  "subtle"  element,  to  create  the  other  four  traditional  elements;  each  element  created  is  in  turn  used  to  create  the  next,  each  less  subtle  than  the  last.  Hindus  believe  that  all  of  creation,  including  the  human  body,  is  made  up  of  these  five  essential  elements  and  that  upon  death,  the  human  body  dissolves  into  these  five  elements  of  nature,  thereby  balancing  the  cycle  of  nature  set  in  motion  by  the  Creator.  Each  of  the  five  elements  is  associated  with  one  of  the  five  senses,  and  acts  as  the  gross  medium  for  the  experience  of  sensations.  According  to  Hindu  thought,  the  basest  element,  Earth,  was  created  using  all  the  other  elements  and  thus  can  be  perceived  by  all  five  senses  -­‐  hearing,  touch,  taste,  scent,  and  sight.  The  next  higher  element,  water,  has  no  odor  but  can  be  seen,  tasted,  heard,  and  felt.  Next  comes  fire,  which  can  be  seen,  heard  and  felt.  Air  can  be  heard  and  felt.  "Akasha"  (ether)is  the  medium  of  sound  but  is  inaccessible  to  all  other  senses.  

 

PANCHABHUTA Or Five Elements.Our whole cosmic quest of the world and beyond starts from the point of panchabhuta (five elements) which then manifests in an enjoining manner to form the life force and then, later, those five elements disintegrates to ensue a celestical traverse at the Paramanu (atom) level.

However, we will first try to understand these five elements which are Earth or Prithvi; Water or Jal ; Fire or Agni; Air or Vayu and then Ether or Akasha. Each of these Five elements has its own character and celestial elements which we will

gauge in the following lines.

Earth(Prithvi): One can touch earth and smell it too ! However, there are two types of earth one is Eternal or (nitya) which are in the form of atom (Paramanu).The other type is perishable (anitya) which exists in the form of Karya or Work at animate and inanimate levels. Symbolically speaking our body, sense organs are the earth which as a whole get the shape of Jiva or life but those are perishable. But elements or atoms are eternal as after death may we bury, or burn the body, all the atoms get disintegrated to come back to its original eternal form. So our body and its Karya or Work are perishable as the mountain or rock forms but the atom remains which are eternal.

Water or Jal is the second element which again has two characters as in the Earth i.e. eternal in the shape of atom and Karya (Work) be it as river, pond or sea are perishable. As from sea or river water evaporates to be in the sky as cloud then again in the shape of rain it comes down on earth. So the eternal atom is only changing its karya or shape of work and what we see is the perishable form.From the sense organ perspective we can touch it to feel and taste it as well.

The thrid element is Air or Vayu.Again it has two levels as earth and water i.e.eternal atom and perishable Karya. One can feel air, as we breath in or out.We feel the storm or strong breeze which are temporary but air at atomic level remains around us eternally. In the Purana there is a mention of 49 types of Maruts or winds.Seven are

important namely 1. Pravaha 2 Avaha; 3,Udvaha 4. Samvaha; 5 Vivaha; 6 Parvaha and 7.Paravaha. The wind which takes the water from the ocean is called Udvaha.

Fire or Agni is the fourth element of Indian Panchabhuta. Again it has eternal and perishable elements as we have seen above. The essential character of Fire is to generate heat.According to Hindu Mythology, Agni is one of the Eight guardians who guards our universe and is known as Asta- dik-palakas (Asta-eight, dik--Zone,Palaka-Guardian). The Fire is posited in the South East of the Universe.

However, in Indian mythology there are mentions of various types of fires. The four important ones are fire of the earth, fire of the sky, fire of the stomach (can mean hunger and digestive power as well) and the fire we commonly use.

Then comes the last of the Panchabhuta or five elements which is sound or ether. Ether is unique as it has only one character i.e. eternal. Ether is the carrier of sound be it man made or otherwise. One can hear it. As ether is the only eternal element of the five elements it attracted the attention of various sages. The concept of Akashvani or Devine sound which is heard by sages of higher order is related to this Ether or Akasha.The primordial mantra AUM then in modern times Raam or Shyaam are to work as linkages between Jivatma(life force--atman or soul) to Paramatman or (Omnipotent of supreme soul).

Fundamentals Of Vastu

The whole universe is made up of five basic elements, the earth, water, fire, air and space. Our body is also made up of these five basic elements of nature. The pancha-mahabhootas are related to our five senses of smell, taste, hearing, touch and sight. Any imbalance in our external and internal Vastu translates into unhappy situations. Vastu teaches the individual to live in balance and harmony with the panchamahabhootas.

Prithvi (Earth)

Human beings have a natural and emotional affinity with the Earth. The Earth revolves around the Sun and has gravitational and magnetic force. Scientists have proved that earth is a huge magnet with two poles-North pole and South pole.

It has also been proved that the human body is a ÔmagenetisableÕ object with a large percentage of iron in the blood. As all know, opposite poles of a magnet attract each other and same magnetic poles repel each other. The Vastu principle of placing the head in South direction while sleeping is based on earthÕs magnetic property.

Our ancients have found that sleeping with the head towards the South enables one to go with the nature and draw maximum positive energies from the cosmos to keep fit and healthy. Vastu also deals in detail about inspection of soil, selection of site, shape, shape and size of plot to land.

Earth is the only element linked to all five senses of taste, sound, touch, smell and sight and sight and thus exerts the maximum influence on us.

Jal (Water)

After earth, water is the most important element. It is linked to our senses of taste, touch, sight and hearing. It is quantitatively the largest of the five elements, as more than 80% of our body and two-third of earthÕs surface is water. Most ancient civilisations came up close to rivers and water sources.

Vastu provides important information about the placement of water sources like wells, boring, underground water tank, overhead water tank etc, while planning the house. Positions for drainage of water, septic tanks, sewerage, drains etc. are decided carefully to optimize the benefits of water element.

Agni (Fire)

Sun is the most vital source of energy and light. It is the soul of the universe. Formation of day and night, charge in seasons is brought about by the movement of Sun in relation to the movement of earth. Fire element is related to our sense of sound, touch and sight. It is difficult to imagine life on earth without Sun.

The SunÕs rays can be split into 7 plus 2 colours. Beginning from the very beneficial ultra-violet rays in the Eastern side corresponding to North-East, the SunÕs rays further split into violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red (VIBGYOR) and intra-red in South-East. Violet and cold colours of the spectrum have a beneficial and soothing effect on the body and hence it is recommended to keep open space in the North-East.

When these rays combine with water, they get additional benefits. it is, therefore, recommended to have a water source in North-East direction. To block North-East by building a toilet there is depriving yourself of most beneficial rays of Sun and has adverse results. The ultra-violet rays normalize the metabolism of the body.

The supreme wisdom of our sages is reflected in the ancient ritual of ÔSurty NamaskaarÓ wherein the beneficial rays of Sun become more potent when seen through fresh water offered to Sun god.

The late afternoon and evening Sun with the harmful infrared rays should be avoided. It is recommended by Vastu to have tall and big trees in the South so that harmful rays of Sun are blocked. In case light is needed from afternoon or evening Sun, make sure it is diffused.

Vayu (Air)

The Air or Vayu is vital for our survival. Our sense of sound, touch and feel are related to Air. The air on earth is a mixture of various gases like nitrogen, oxygen, helium, hydrogen etc.

Oxygen is vital for human beings and nitrogen is essential for the growth of plant life which in turn provides oxygen. Correct percentage of different gases, atmospheric pressure and humidity level is important for life forms on earth.

Vastu recommends proper placement of doors, windows, ventilators, balconies, height of structure and placement of trees and plants for balancing the Air element within the structure.

Aakash (Space)

Vastu is the only body of thought that gives Space the status of a natural fundamental element. Architecture in Eutope did not even recognize the importance of space till modern times. Vastu Shastra is, therefore, superior to any modern or traditional school of architecture in the world.

Aakash or the space is infinite and limitless. It is related to our sense of hearing, in a house, space element is related to the centre portion or the brahmasthan. It is important that brahmasthan be kept open and light. Any disturbances in the space element are detrimental to your growth.

When you keep your office, home or factory in a mess , you spoil the space element around you. Extra construction, unutilized rooms or floors, homes stuffed with possessions, too big extravagant and opulent houses collect a lot of negative energy.

It is recommended to build only the required area and no more. People intending to buy or build a house concentrate on fancy fittings and latest gadgets totally ignoring how much natural light or air the structure is permitting. Fancy fittings in a house can never compensate for a large open window.

A house is your sanctum-sanctorum. It is a place where you should be able to unwind and rejuvenate yourself. A balance of the primary elements in the house brings you closer to nature and creates balance and harmony leading to peace and

One can find pancha mahabhutas in human body by metaphor and simile! 1) The pancha mahabhutas, or "five great elements", of Hinduism are [Shristi] or bhumi (earth), ap or jala (water), agni or tejas (fire), marut or pavan (air or wind), and byom or akasha (aether). Hindus believe that God used akasha to create the other four traditional elements, and that the knowledge of all human experience is imprinted in the akashic records. It is also a religious and spiritual belief by most people that the human body is made up of these five essential elements and according to Hinduism, the human body dissolves into these five elements of nature, thereby balancing the cycle of nature, set in motion by the greater Lord God of this world. 2) Taittiriya Upanishad; Brahmananda Valli, 2-1-1: He who knows Brahman, which is (i.e. cause, not effect), which is conscious, which is without end, as hidden in the depth (of the heart), in the highest ether, he enjoys all blessings, at one with the omniscient Brahman. From that Self (Brahman) sprang ether (akasa, that through which we hear); from ether air (that through which we hear and feel); from air fire (that through which we hear, feel, and see); from fire water (that through which we hear, feel, see, and taste); from water earth (that through which we hear, feel, see, taste, and smell). From earth herbs, from herbs food, from food seed, from seed man.

Five are the mystical elements of creation. This is an idea India shares with practically every ancient culture. The are called the Panchmahabhutas or the five great elements. The evolution of creation is from the finer to the grosser forms in this order of descent - ether becomes air, which changes into fire that in turn transforms into water which finally changes to become the earth element. This represents a metaphysical reality not a physical reality. The colors traditionally associated with each element as well as their symbolic representations are as follows.

Ether

Air

Fire

Water

Earth

[Some authorities state the circle stands or water while the air is represented by the crescent. This is not the general view. The blue crescent for water is a dim memory of the arc in courses of rivers that proved to be irresistible sites for human inhabitation, fresh flowing water all around and a natural line of defense.]

The human body is a miniature cosmos so it is inevitable that these elements would be used in so constituting it. A text of somewhat late lineage and variable spiritual value the Sharikraka Upanishad , or the Upanishad of the body says that the body is compounded of prithvi or earth as the major constituent and the other Mahabhutas mingled with it. In a very obvious correlation the water fluids are the gift of the water element, those parts of the body which move are animated by the air element, hot organs are full of fire and so on. This is not really insightful in any way, except as an interesting side light on how important the five elements are in the popular mind.

The symbols for the 5 elements of nature are as follows:

Earth: square

Water: Circle

Fire: Triangle

Air: half moon (Ardha Chandra) (Chandra Bindu)

Sky: of the shape of a droplet

The popularity of some of these motifs has remained fairly constant throughout the history of Indian art, while some other symbols have enjoyed a cyclic popularity. The range of the application of these symbols is indeed wide. All these motifs are straightforward expressions of the human spirit and man’s experience of nature and life. These symbols, the basic geometrical shapes of five elements (Panchabhuta) represent the macrocosm (universe) and also the microcosm (the body). These provided the basis of the most ancient motifs

Elements

According to the ancient Indian knowledge, the Five Elements - or the five pillars of Creation - are the building blocks of the universe. In order, the elements are: Earth, Fire, Sky, Water and Air.

Planets, animals, rocks, fauna, humans, and even our thoughts are composed of the Five Elements. Every particle of Creation is made of these building blocks. How is this possible? And what does it really mean by ‘the Five Elements'?

The Five Elements encompass all that is needed to survive in this Creation. Without any one of the five, the universe would cease to exist. The Five Elements are basic, but the knowledge surrounding them runs deep. It is our job as humans to balance our individual elements and those of the planet.

When the elements are out of balance, disease, stress, violence, depression, lack of clarity, and unhappiness can occur. There are ways to balance the elements in ourselves which we will discuss as we take a look at the specific qualities of each.

When the Five Elements are in balance, we are able to function at our highest level as human beings. To create this balance, there are ancient Indian mantras - sacred vibrations - for each element, as well as practical easy-to-use techniques that we can use daily. We can learn how to build homes and create spaces in alignment with the Five Elements through the ancient Indian science of ‘Vaastu'. When we follow correct Vaastu principles, we are living physically in harmony with nature and, in turn, our lives will be filled with happiness and success. Knowledge of the Five Elements is essential in order to lead happy and healthy lives. By understanding the positive and negative aspects of each element, we can tune our minds, heart and souls to use each element in the most effective way. The first rule of thumb is that we cannot dominate the Five Elements; instead, we have to surrender to the elements and respect them.

The Earth element is the most powerful of all the elements. The Earth is our source of stability, yet a large Earthquake can destabilise us in a matter of seconds. The Earth gives and takes away just like all the elements. If there is a positive, there is a negative - that is a law of nature. However, we can align ourselves to focus on the positive qualities of each element, optimising their strengths.

The Earth has a commanding nature, and at the same time is connected with our heart. The Earth is also home to material wealth and abundance. When we are in alignment with the Earth, we feel peaceful and happy. When we chant the Earth mantras, we become relaxed because we are sending all our stress and negative feelings into the Earth. The Earth can handle this energy. The Earth not only sucks our negative energy, but also radiates positive energy back to us. When we walk in a forest or in the beautiful nature, we naturally release stress and negativity, and recharge our souls with pure nature energy. If you experience strong anxiety, walk barefoot on the Earth or hold a black river stone and consciously send your stress there.

Fire - or the sun - is the great generator for all creation to happen. The early morning sun can heal many diseases and depression. If you have east-facing windows in your home, open them at sunrise, letting in as much of the early morning light as possible.

If the sunrise rays can touch your body, you are a very lucky person!

Witnessing a sacred Fire ceremony can also bring your soul huge blessings and protection. When we chant the Fire mantra, we are purifying our body and soul from negative karmas.

The Fire can bring the highest positive energy, prosperity and fulfill our heart’s desires.

The Sky is unlimited. By chanting the Sky mantra, we can develop our 6th sense, connect to the angels and receive the highest self-healing power.

Through the Sky mantra, we can heal our addictions, heartbreak, and depression. We can make our soul like a magnet to attract the highest healing vibrations.

Through the Sky mantra, we can also connect to all of Creation because it encompasses all.

The Water element is a huge force of life. There are perfect cycles of Water flowing throughout the planet. Water is of a nurturing energy, but when out of balance, tsunamis, hurricanes, and floods can occur. When we take a bath, or go swimming, our body naturally relaxes very quickly. Water pulls out negativity, balances our emotions, and makes our minds calm and focused. Water easily holds energy. For example, if we recite the Water mantra while drinking water, the water becomes charged with the highest healing vibrations. The delicacy of nature can be observed through water’s sensitivity to people’s thoughts, feelings and emotions. The Water element can be used for helping people with all types of psychiatric problems, body pains and depression.

The Air element is our most basic connection to life. Our body can only survive if we breathe. Through the air, we can receive powerful cosmic energy. Wind can be soft and gentle or wild and destructive. Generally, the winds in the high mountains are very powerful to our soul, whereas the desert winds have a negative quality. If there is no plant life, the wind can bring destructive energies. Where there is life, the winds can be healing, bringing angelic energy and light, especially to those meditating in the nature. When we have the Air element under our control, our minds are peaceful and controlled. By mastering the mind, we gain the capacity to handle all the other elements and use those energies to the best advantage. In this western world, controlling our thoughts is the most difficult thing, and yet the most important, to our well-being.

To stay balanced, it is important to spend some time every week with nature and maintain a place of inner silence. We can use the power of our thoughts and minds to heal ourselves and others. Chanting the sacred element mantras is like tuning into perfect radio frequencies, purifying our souls and opening us up to the divine rhythm of nature

Elements and Signs

All of the signs have the quality of one of the four elements. These are called the triplicities because they are a a group of three signs. For example, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are a group of three fire signs. The table below shows the Signs and the corresponding elements:

Element Keywords Signs Fire Forcefully Aries Leo Sagittarius Earth Practically Taurus Virgo Capricorn Air Thoughtfully Gemini Libra Aquarius Water Emotionally Cancer Scorpio Pisces

The fire signs all share the quality of fire, and the other signs share the qualities of earth, air and water respectively.

Here are some more correspondences:

Element Directions Physica

l Sense Mental Spirit Illumination Bodies Densit

y

Fire South Sight Understanding Spiritual Light Animal

s Light

Earth North Feeling/ Touch The Senses Grounde

d Dark Stones Heavy

Air East Sound Reason Mind Dark Plants Light

Water West Smell/ Taste Memory Psychic Dark Metals Heavy

Element Keywords Knowing Fire

Action Insights/

Cognitions Earth

Practical Opportunities/

Methods Air

Intellectual Concepts/

Reasoning

Water Emotional Feelings

Omnipresent

THE NECESSITY FOR THE WORSHIP OF THE FIVE DEITIES

The methods of worship practised in the Sanatan Dharma is completely scientific, because the rituals which are performed to worship the five dieties (PANCH MAHABHUTA), The matter constitutes of these PANCHA TATVA or PANCH MAHABHUTA and each of the PANCH

DEVA are considered to be PANCH MAHABHUTA – EARTH, WATER, FIRE ETHER (Sky), AIR as the Lord of the each of the element

These five basic elements exists because of the three qualities of the nature i.e. SATVA (PURE), RAJA (INFERIOR TO SATVA) & TAMA (DARK)

Out of the five basic elements of which every matter is made ETHER or Sky is considered to be constituted of Pure quality (SATVA GUNA), where as the AIR is considered to be a mixture ofSATVA & RAJA quality, the FIRE is RAJO GUNA, the EARTH constitutes of DARK QUALITY (TAMO GUNA), where as the WATER constitutes of a mixture of RAJA & TAMA GUNAS All the living beings which exist in this world, have the five basic elements as the constitutes of the body, from which their bodies are made. Goswami Tulidas has written in the Ramcharitmanas KSHITI JALA PAAVAKA GAGAN SAMEERA, PANCHA RACHITA YAHA ADHAMA SAREERA ef#eefle peue HeeJekeÀ ieieve meceerje~ Heb®ejef®ele ³en DeOeceMejerje~~ i.e. The `mean’ body is made up of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. The mans nature is directly proportional to the presence of certain excessive element in his body.

Although Lord Vishnu being the supreme power is the only worthy of reverence or worship, yet the fact is that the common man worship the deities according to their nature, which itself depends upon the five basic elements.

THE FIVE DEITIES (PANCHA-DEVA)

The following shloko describes about the five deities as the Lord of each of the five basic elements.

Meaning : (The Lord of ‘ether’ is Vishnu, the Lordess of ‘Fire’ is Durga, Sun is the Lord of ‘Air’, Shiva is the Lord of ‘Earth’ and Ganesha is the Lord of ‘Water’.

A person who has one of these element as dominant, prefers to worship that deity, who is the master of that excessive element which dominated his body. And this is the reason we see so many sects, methods of worship etc

One of the basic principles of feng shui is the principle of five elements, which are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. These feng shui elements interact between themselves in certain ways, generally defined as the Productive and Destructive cycles. Each feng shui element is represented by a specific color, and color is the easiest way to use the five elements principle to bring more harmony into your home with feng shui.

=> Which Decor Items Are Good Feng Shui 5 Element Cures? Here is the color correspondence of each of the five feng shui elements:

• WOOD: Green, Brown • FIRE: Red, Strong Yellow, Orange, Purple, Pink • EARTH: Light Yellow, Sandy/Earthy, Light Brown • METAL: White, Gray • WATER: Blue, Black

Knowing how to use color to strengthen and balance the energy of your home is a complex feng shui subject, but there are always basics to it. The right placement of feng shui colors is defined by the Ba-Gua, or the feng shui energy map of your space.

Feng Shui is heavily influenced by the theory of the Elements. In the Chinese scheme of the Universe, there are Five of these Elements, i.e. Wood, Fire, Metal, Earth and Water. All Chinese astrological sciences including the times, years, and dates of birth are categorized as one of these elements. The five Elements are also associated with colors, seasons, directions, and planets. Thus for example :

FIRE is red, an auspicious color. Fire is also Summer and is South. WATER is represented by the color black. It is also the North and Winter. WOOD is the East. It is represented by the color Green. METAL is white or sometimes gold. Metal symbolizes the West. EARTH is Yellow. Earth is also the Center.

For Feng Shui purposes, it is necessary to know that these Five Elements have a mutually productive cycle and a mutually destructive cycle.

In the PRODUCTIVE CYCLE: Fire produces Earth, which produces Metal which produces Water which produces Wood which produces Fire.

In the DESTRUCTIVE CYCLE: Wood destroys Earth which destroys Water which destroys Fire which destroys Metal which destroys Wood.

The Five Feng Shui Elements The Feng Shui elements have a strong role to play for balancing the Chi of a space or home. In order to implement the spiritual techniques of getting a positive Chi flow in your Feng Shui home, you must be able to see how the concepts of yin and yang, the five elements, and the overall concept of Feng Shui relate to your home and each item in your home—things like your computer, your potted plant, your fish tank, your favorite pillow, your orange vase, and so on—are all made of the Feng Shui elements and have either yin or yang

energies contained in them. You can know about each element in detail in the specific articles for each of the element but a brief introduction to each element helps you to understand the basic concept of The Spiritual Feng ShuiTM.

An Introduction to Feng Shui Elements

Each Feng Shui element has unique properties. Take water , for instance. Water as in trickling fountain, can signal networking, communication, professional opportunities and wealth, while running sink or toilet water that is just wasting water may signal loss of money or poor health. Wood promotes development and creative energies. You can use wooden objects to promote motivation, inspiration and passion without overwhelming your home. Since metal elements are transmitters or conduct energy, introduction of metal can generate attention and transmit energy to that area. Various types of metals are considered very precious for their associations with health—for example, many people wear copper bracelets. But if one uses too much metal in a space, it may attract too much energy which can be quite destructive. The Earth itself has solidity and permanence to it, and the element of earth appropriately represents these qualities of stability, permanence, and home. This can be necessary in a space that is too full of movement. The element of Fire is considered the most powerful of all five elements and represents energy and passion. Though the properties of Feng Shui elements individually are important, what is more important is the positive or destructive effect that each element can have on one another. If you have a room that lacks the wood element, for example, only using a wooden Feng Shui decorating would not suffice. You will have to supply some water element as well, because water is what enables wood to grow. Why? Because the compatibility of elements depends upon the Cycles of elements. The overall Chi (ie. the total balance of Chi that is the sum of all the things in your living space) of the Feng Shui elements can either be harmonious and unified, or it can be ridden with conflict, creating a kind of war. You will know if your home’s Chi is conflicted because you will feel uneasy, anxious, lethargic, unsatisfied, depressed, nervous, worried, sad, selfish, jealous, angr

Each of the Five Elements is symbolized by one, two or three colors. There are of course various shades and hues of these colors that can be used.

Wood = Green Fire = Red Water = Black or blue Earth = Brown or Yellow Metal = White, Gold, or Silver.

The Elements are governed by the Productive Cycle and the Destructive Cycle. In the Productive Cycles the Element Water produces Wood, which in turn produces Fire, which then produces Earth, which produces Metal, which produces Water. The cycle is continuous, just as all cycles in nature are- they all benefit each other and flow in harmony with each other.

The Destructive Cycle is just as important as the Productive Cycle, as the process of decay makes room for growth. In the Destructive Cycle Wood breaks up Earth, which absorbs Water, which eliminates Fire, which melts Metal, which can chop Wood.

Use dominant green for the East and Southeast, dominant red for the South, dominant yellow for the Southwest, dominant white or metallic for the West and Northwest. Keep your base colors to the correct element.

In the East and Southeast(Wood) the Water colors of blue and black are excellent alternatives. This is because Water produces Wood. In the Southwest and Northwest(Earth) all shades and combinations of red will be excellent as Fire produces Earth. In the West and Northwest (Metal) in addition to White; all shades and combinations of yellow, beige and brown will be excellent as Earth produces Metal.

In the North white is excellent because Metal produces Water. For the South which is fire, green is good as Wood fuels Fire.

This is the Elemental theory of colors. It can be supplemented by other considerations. For instance, red is considered very auspicious, and the color purple is exceedingly lucky when combined with silver.

In the practice of Feng Shui, harmony and balance are very important to keep the flow of Chi positive, so any preponderance of any one color or Element is not beneficial. The Element of Fire is Yang energy symbolized by the color red, so the placement of red objects is adding to the positive Yang energy. Candles and bright lights increases fire energy.

Earth energy is grounding and nurturing, it induces closeness and togetherness. Warm and soothing, Earth furnishings will improve marital and relationship prospects. This also stimulates knowledge and learning. Earth is associated with Relationships and Marriage(Southwest).

Education and Knowledge(Northeast. To enhance these areas place crystals, ceramics and terra- cotta items in these corners. Earth produces Metal so the Metal sections can benefit from Earth furnishings; crystals, terra-cotta items, ceramic bowls, earthenware pieces, etc.

Metal is a positive Yang Element. Area that benefit from Yang energy are Children (West), Mentors and Networking. The energy called Chi oscillates and flows through every area of your environment. Surfaces and Textures affect this flow- metal is hard, flat and shiny, this creates a faster flow- as you can see from this; placement of the Elements can be very important to the harmony and balance of your home, office or garden. If one area has too much "Yin" energy placing Yang elements can help to balance that particular area.

Metal helps to "create" Water so the addition of some attractive metal objects can help to harmonize the flow of Chi(Yin and Yang energies); Chimes are good for this.

The flow of Chi is always flowing and circulating around the home and garden. It is influenced by the Five Elements, particularly Water. Water is a very powerful tool, constantly moving, carrying and accumulating Chi throughout the surrounding environment. The sight and sound of flowing water is soothing and relaxing, it can be used to energize specific areas of your life and home.

Water features can be placed in the North (Career) to help with your career aspirations. Water is also the symbol of prosperity and wealth. An aquarium or a water fountain placed in the wealth area can have a very positive effect. Definitely do not place water in the bedroom area.

The stagnant areas of the bathroom are areas where water is constantly being drained away. Because water is linked to money, over activating this area is not advised (keep the toilet seat cover down).

Ponds and fountains placed in your yard and garden enhance the flow of beneficial Chi in your environment. Water is essential to your inner Feng Shui, so drink lots of it to balance and harmonize your body's Chi.

Wood is one of the Five Elements, it evolves from Ying and Yang (the joining of male and female energies) and represents all living plants and trees.

Areas associate with Wood are the Wealth and Prosperity areas of your home and garden. If you want to increase your wealth and general well-being, place some wooden items plus some energizing plants and flowers in the Wealth and Prosperity and the Health areas of your home. Wooden benches can boost the Wealth area of your yard and garden.

The following is a summary of Elements and cures that you can begin to implement now.

Fire-Red-South = Lights, candles, paintings or artwork incorporating the color red, red sofa pillows, a rug with the color red, a chair, red glass objects. Fire and Red are Yang Energy Yang is energizing.

Earth-Earth Ochre Colors and materials-Southwest-also Northeast = Education and knowledge. Terra-cotta items, ceramic bowls, porcelain items, plants placed in terra-cotta or ceramic containers.

Metal-gold Silver, Pewter-West and Northwest = Metal candle holder, picture frames, metal decorations, dinner plates decorated with silver, gold or both. Metal items in your kitchen, metal watering cans or decorations in the West corner of your garden.

Water-North-Career = Aquarium, fountains, ponds and fountains.