Balancing and Grounding Your Energy with Feng Shui
It may seem like this month's issue is either directly opposite to last month - we talked about the chaos in the world - or just more of the same. It's really a combination of both. And we didn't even plan it this way. 😄
The shifts and depth of energy movement in the world right now is palpable for those of us who work in the field. But there are tools in Feng Shui that can make a difference; can ease the way. This month, we have tips related to the earth element, alternative holistic practices, clearings and grounding. Some of these ideas you may have heard about - and others might be brand new. We love this topic because it gets to the root of the work: energy. Where it is, where you want it to flow and how, as well as building on the good stuff while transmuting the less than excellent.
And no matter what's happening in the 🌎, we are pretty excited about the last few months of 2024. And we love having you along for the ride.
Cheers, from the International Feng Shui Guild
If you are new here, or need a reminder, one of the components of Feng Shui that all perspectives use is the Five Elements. These basic core elements of the world include: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. And when we talk about getting grounded and balanced, the earth element is the go-to for most of us.
From Amanda Sophia...Earth and what it represents
"Earth is a grounding element. It brings in a sense of calmness, stability and security. It brings forth the energy that can calm you. If you long for sustainability, stability and security then bringing in the earth element into your space will definitely make a huge difference, it will allow you to focus and concentrate on your goals while centering your energy."
In the IFSG Feng Shui Glossary, earth is defined as...
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.
This means that Earth is directly related to both the Five Elements and the bagua map. 😊The bagua is used in a variety of methods and layouts in all perspectives of Feng Shui. Earth is the element of the center grid of the bagua, called health or tai ji. You can't get more balanced than the center of your life being considered the balance and stability of your foundation - both literal and figurative.
Let's continue with this long-standing video from Kim Julen, Finding Your Fiji talking about the Earth Element. Kim shares the features of earth, the colors, the materials that represent the energy for balance and how it connects to other sections of the bagua. Feeling ungrounded or flighty? This element is perfect to bring clarity and focus. Watch/listen now.
While pulling together this issue, we looked at a variety of modalities to balancing, grounding and clearing energy. The following 5 are our first glance at this important topic. If you use other methods or concepts, we would love to hear what works for you! Find us on social media and let's talk!
Consider Feng Shui...
5 Tips to Creating a Home That Feels Grounded Using Feng Shui
by Lisa Morton, Pure Living and Elevated Living School
"Doesn't it seem like we're constantly on the go? Often we find ourselves exhausted at the end of the day with no time to relax and center ourselves, let alone spend time with our loved ones and actually enjoy some hobbies and fun. No wonder we're all anxious, fighting illness and grasping at alternative ways to feel good and stay healthy.
"By enhancing our home to feel more grounded it will be easier to feel connected and relaxed in your space. You might then find you have a few extra minutes for yoga, mediation, or a card game with the family."
Learn about Unseen Earth Energies...
Geopathic Stress and Feng Shui
by Sherry Lynn Brouzes, Sherry Brouzes Feng Shui
"Geopathic stress may be an invisible threat to our well-being, but we can minimize its harmful effects with Feng Shui and dowsing practices. Understanding how certain environmental factors impact our health and implementing simple yet effective remedies like placing metal copper rods strategically throughout our living spaces can create a harmonious and balanced environment that supports our physical and emotional well-being."
Plug in to the earth...
What exactly is Grounding?
Grounding or earthing is natures way to connect with and absorb the Earth’s natural energy. This concept, while as old as humans have been on the earth, is growing in popularity with the rise of technology and with fewer people taking advantage of natural connection to the earth, especially those who live in proverbial concrete jungles. The simplest way is to actually walk outside barefoot. But there are other ways to plug into Mother Earth's nourishing energy and dissipate that with doesn't serve us.
Clear the energy...
Personal Clearing and Space Clearing
by Peg Donahue, Feng Shui Connections
If you have followed us for a while, you will know the term "space clearing." This is a modality related to Feng Shui but is separate in which practitioners actually clear energy within a space using a variety of techniques including energy work, saging or smudging, and blessing ceremonies. It's one thing to work with the energy in Feng Shui. It's another when you need to release stuck energy that may be from predecessors or negative influences.
An additional aspect to clearing is personal clearing. Imagine going to the grocery store or market and absorbing the energy of everyone you meet. You don't intend to do this; but it happens. And some of this can be non-beneficial to you and your life. Personal clearings help release and/or rejuvenate energy within a person. Those of us who do this work know the incredible health and life shifts that can happen after a space or personal clearing. And like a lot of energy work, this is often not a one-and-done process. This is a lifelong process of shifting/moving energy.
Read more about personal clearings from Peg and also the benefits of a space clearing.
Get up and move...
The Similarities between Feng Shui and Tai Chi
Many of us are too sedentary. It's actually a bit of a health crisis in some places. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to get the blood pumping from walking or running, CrossFit, yoga, and dancing. If you haven't considered Tai Chi, this is your invitation to learn more.
“Feng Shui and Tai Chi are closely related in a few important ways. In some circles, Feng Shui is known as “Tai Chi for the environment.” Both Tai Chi and Feng Shui focus on balance and both are driven by the realization that chi or energy, can be harnessed to deliver an intended result.”
Final Thoughts: There are Days
There are days. Days when we are exhausted. Drained. Sick of it.
The world can be an exhausting place. [Yes, it can be an energizing place as well…but today we are talking about the tired.]
Days where you don’t want to face it. Can’t face it. Feel overwhelmed. Angry. Sad. Nothing.
Life is ups and downs.
We are definitely NOT trying to oversimplify the challenges any one person has. The world is complex. Diverse. Your perceptions and history, experiences and life are different than everyone else.
What we are trying to do is encourage you to take One Baby Step.
Shift the chi in your life.
Read the full article... and remember, giving yourself grace is a gift. ❤️
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