Applying The Five Elements To Personal & Business Relationships
Feng Shui Notes - January 2006
The same Five Elements that we use to balance the Feng Shui of our environments
also provide a useful model for working with personal and business relationships.
The Five Elements are Metal, Water Wood, Fire, and Earth. Traditionally,
in Feng Shui and Chinese Medicine the elements are applied in three different
ways: to create (The Creative Cycle), to destroy (The Destructive Cycle),
and to lessen the influence of an element in a space (The Reducing Cycle).
In the establishment of healthy relationships, the elements follow the creative cycle:
KNOW YOURSELF, FIRST! Know What You Want & Establish Your Boundaries. We begin with the Metal element, which can help you to focus inward and to get to know yourself. In order to be successful in any relationship, it’s important to create a strong personal foundation. In relationships this means to know who you are at a core level, know your goals and aspirations, and be aware of your boundaries. Many folks mistakenly skip this phase, which should happen BEFORE you begin any relationship or alliance. This is a good time to do your soul searching, evaluate your needs, and set firm boundaries. If you are naturally balanced in the metal element yourself and able to successfully set boundaries, this will probably be easy compared to someone who is fiery and flamboyant or earthy and possibly needy in relationships.
At this stage, it’s important to activate the Knowledge area* of your home and to make sure that it is balanced with symbols of individuality and personal strength. Your home should also be especially nurturing at this time. (Go to articles archive for information on the Bagua or individual areas of the Bagua.)
GO ON A TREASURE HUNT. Once you’re comfortable with who you are and are clear about your needs and boundaries, exploration naturally follows. The second stage is related to moving Water, and forces you outward into the world. Many of the Feng Shui “cures” for people who are out of balance with the active aspect of the water element are related to communication and reaching out. If you feel ready to be in a new personal relationship, it’s time to get moving, Let your friends know that you’re ready to date, go to parties, and possibly explore on-line dating. If you’re looking for a job or a business partner, it’s time to send out your resume and actively network.
It’s also a good time to look at the Career area of your home and make sure that it’s compatible with the active path you’re taking toward your goal--whether it’s to establish a personal relationship or to activate your business. Some symbols of moving water are pictures of waterfalls, rivers, or a fountain in the Career area.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU. The connection stage begins once you’ve found a likely partner or a possible job. This is influenced by the Wood element. Remember that even though you have made a connection, you are still exploring and not established. Ask lots of questions. Get to know more. It takes time to know if your values really match those of a possible employer, partner, or mate. Usually there will be one or more areas where they don’t. Inquire deeply within yourself and question how important these areas are to you. Leave your options open and give yourself time to explore areas that are not a perfect match. This is a good time to enhance the Family area which relates to team-building.
LET THE PASSION BEGIN. This is the Fiery stage. You are wildly excited about the possibility of being part of a work-team or being in love with a specific person. This is the perfect time to enhance the Fame area. Your future and your reputation are influenced by Fame. Whenever an alliance is formed with another person or group, it will shift your life path and change your future.
At this time, you can also add Wood to the Fame area. This will enhance your passion and excitement even more. It can be risky, but you need to pass the fire initiation, in order to move to the next stage.
COMMITMENT: The Final & Ongoing State In The Relationship Cycle. Commitment is associated with the positive qualities of the Earth element such as nurturing and stability. It’s not a surprise that commitment is associated with the Relationship area.
Commitment is necessary in order for any real depth to occur in an ongoing relationship. When it’s present, you can rely on the other person no matter what, you feel like you are part of the team at work, and you experience a strong level of comfort and well-being.
It’s good at this point to add a little fire to the Relationship area. This will enhance your passion and fun, which are both important--whether you’re looking at romantic relationships, business alliances, or friendships. It’s part of being human. One way to do this is through the addition of candles, other lighting, or touches of red.
The addition of Earth, especially in the Relationship area, can also be important to help promote the feeling of comfort necessary to continued growth and trust. In an office this can be in the form of comfortable chairs in the conference room or a comfy lounge or lunchroom. In your home, add cozy sofas and places for the two of you to easily snuggle.
Please note that in some relationships, these cycles will be clearly defined. In others, you may run through one or more stage quickly.
May you
flow easily through the relationship cycles of your life!
Suzanne
Current
Class Offerings:
FENG SHUI BASICS
Tuesday, January 31st – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Learn about placement and energy flow to create harmony and balance in
the spaces where you live and work and how the objects around you--as
well as the shape, layout and flow of your home, garden and office--influence
your life. This class is offered through School District 11 and will be
held at Midland International Elementary School. For info on content,
phone Suzanne at 260-7207 To register, contact D-11 directly at 520-2384
or www.d11.org/communityed.
FENG
SHUI & RELATIONSHIPS
Saturday, February 11th – 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Enhance your relationships with Feng Shui. We will cover a variety of
relationship issues and possible adjustments related to love, marriage
& business partnerships, based on the needs of class members.
Participants are encouraged to bring a sketch of the main floor of their home and their bedroom. For a detailed flyer, phone (719) 260-7207 or send an e-mail to FengShuiServices@yahoo.com with Class Info in the subject line.*
Other
Offerings:
Free Lecture - Manitou Springs Library (Reservations
Required)
January 10th – 7 – 8:30 p.m. - Phone
685-5206
Mission
Re-Organization - Catamont Institute
January 21st – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This workshop is on living simply and living well. I will be giving an
intro to Feng Shui and talking about Harmony At Home. Other speakers include
a professional organizer, and experts on recycling and conscious consumerism.
Participants will learn to view their homes as a place to facilitate their
experiences of life, rather than a repository for their possessions. Phone
471-0910 to register or for more info.
PRIVATE
MENTORING
* If you are interested this or another class but are unable to attend
or wish to learn more about any other aspect of Feng Shui, please contact
me at (719) 260-7207 for information about working together
privately.
GENERAL
CLASS INFORMATION
Classes are in Colorado Springs unless otherwise noted
Location & directions will be sent out after registration
All classes are appropriate for both beginners & advanced students
Financial arrangements are available
Class size is limited, so early registration is recommendeD
For Information
or to arrange for a consultation for your home or office contact: Suzanne
Metzger • Feng Shui Consulting Services • (719) 260-7207