“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the Universe.”
– Marcus Aurelius
The hot days of August sweeten the landscape and the harvest yields its fruit with ample abundance. We are aware of the Earth’s providence and our senses are filled with peace and plenty. Earth follows Fire (in the Chinese Five Element Theory) just like the fruit forms after the blossom, for Earth it is the fruit ripening on the trees, heavy and suspended. This is the season of transition.
Earth represents our center of gravity. It is the axis from which everything else–our dreams, our career, our relationships–orientate from. When we amend the earth we create a proper and receptive soil that supports our roots and gives us a sturdy base. Our growth is sustained by balance and we gracefully manage a stressful world.
Summers have become more intense and 2018 was particularly stressful. The arrival of the passive, caring Earth season has been a welcomed relief. Like Mrs. Doubtfire, this time denotes generosity, kindness and feeling grounded, Earth’s qualities that help us find our balance again. If you have lost a sense of serenity, want to reestablish harmony, desire focus or aspire to feel whole and undivided, I have culled from Professor Lin’s wisdom the following five insights in the hope these teachings will you help you realign with your purpose and regain your peace of mind.
Find Your Axis With Color The “earth” beneath our feet locates us in time and space. When we worry and stress about events that are beyond our control or when we don’t feel supported, the center of our home helps us regain our inner composure. It is the center of our Universe. It is our domain to collect ourselves and trust that the sun will rise again. In the transcendental sense the center is your health. Create harmony, stability, focus and calm by adding earth colors like yellow, orange or brown to the center of your home. These colors cultivate trust in yourself, your ideas and feeling supported by those you love. As the well of trust deepens you become trustworthy. Rapport among family and friends becomes unified and harmony abides.
Create A Center of Gravity When life’s difficulties threaten to flip your world upside down, adjust Earth in your home to set things straight. It is represented in the Bagua by the Tai Ch’i symbol (Yang ascending, Yin descending). In your home it could be a very busy place where family members come and go without a care to what is happening here, yet this area requires everyone’s attention as it supports handling stress. If you are falling a lot, nervous, resistant to change or feeling off center, activate the center of the house Bagua with a 60mm faceted crystal. It represents the supportive power of the light of universal wisdom. Before hanging it, program the newly purchased crystal with your intention to stabilize the entire household. Visualize the energy spiraling to the floor(s) above and through the basement. See the Ch’i from the crystal radiating to all the rooms in the house.
Change Directions Without Losing Balance If you have taken one of my classes, received a consultation from me or if you have read a book on Feng Shui, you will recognize the Bagua, the eight sided octagon. The eight trigrams represent the eight directions (E, S, W, N, NW, NW, SE, SW) and the thousands of things in the universe. However not everything is covered. In the center you will find what you cannot find elsewhere. If life feels disharmonious or fragmented or if you are unsure about what direction to take and don’t know where in your home to correct this, you can be absolutely covered by adjusting the center. Remember the t’ai ch’i faces outward to all the trigrams and interacts with them. Visualize harmony is restored in your life.
Stabilize Your Relationships If you are asking too much from others and not giving in return or giving away too much, you may have an imbalance in your Earth element. Purchase a Yu bowl (flat and squat, it represents stability). www.etsy.com Place nine small round or oval stones in a shallow bowl (a Yu if you have one). Fill the bowl three-quarters full with water and it place outside briefly to absorb the daylight (the supportive power of the light of universal wisdom). Then go to your bed and place it under your bed or on the nightstand. Visualize the qualities of the earth: stability, security, gentleness, ease, nurturing, peace loving, supportive and reliability. Perform the body, mind, speech reinforcements known as the Three Secrets (red envelopes requested). Remove the water every morning and fill it three-quarters full. Take it outside briefly to absorb the sunlight. Do this for 9 or 27 days. After 9 or 27 days return the stones to the earth. Do not use them for anything else. To stop family members from quarreling, place the Yu on your nightstand.
Cultivate Focus Find time to be alone to know yourself. In my June blog I share tips on how to create a sacred space. The quiet enables you to tune into your inner voice, the voice through which your intuition speaks. Meditation, journaling and chanting will help you develop self-esteem and self-reliance. These moments in solitude help you tap into the restorative power of the Earth, harmonize your spirit and replenish your soul.
The yellow Buddha, Ratnasambhava is associated with giving and generosity. Six forms of generosity are: of material things ~ giving time, energy and thought ~ giving knowledge ~ Fearlessness ~ Life and limb ~ the Dharma
Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”… start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.
What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.
