ARTICLES

Summer Time and the Living is Easy – Feng Shui and the Fire Element
By Susan Tartaglino

I realize that hot weather isn’t for everybody, but for me summer is the time of year that gives me the most energy and fills me with tons of enthusiasm.  All winter long I look forward to being outside where I can connect with nature, eavesdrop on conversations that the birds are having, and absorb the warmth of the sun on my skin as I maintain my garden.  The aromatic fragrances that the peonies, honeysuckle and magnolias have to offer only add to my rejuvenation process.  I am truly in a sensorial heaven.

Our Connection with Nature
The system of living in harmony with the natural elements and forces of earth is referred to as feng shui.  This ancient Chinese philosophy examines how human beings respond and react to their environments.  One of the most important principals of feng shui is “The Tao” connection.  The Tao Te Ching, which was written by Lao Tzu roughly 2,500 years ago, teaches us that the Tao (pronounced ‘dow’) is the way we are linked to all things.  Other common translations of Tao include the path, the way, or the road.  Tao is often described as a force that flows through all life. It also means recognizing our interconnections to the natural world, our families, friends, communities, the universe and higher power.

Surprisingly, according to the American Lung Association, the average person spends approximately 90% of their time indoors in a sealed environment.  Yet, Pulitzer Prize winner Edward O. Wilson, who coined the term biophilia (love of living things), believes that we have “an innate affiliation with or an attraction to other forms of life.”   Engaging in outdoor activities during the long days of summer not only strengthens the Tao connection by allowing us to interact with our loved ones and communities, it can also lower blood pressures, boost the immune system and reduce stress.   Studies indicate that what we see accounts for 70% of what we process mentally.  The sun is perceived as yellow, a color that communicates brightness and equates to optimism.  As a result, the sun naturally produces a feel good hormone. 

Fire:  The Element of Summer
In addition to the Tao, another integral component of feng shui is the five-element theory or understanding that the world is defined by the following elements of nature:  Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.  Each element has its own specific characteristics, and can be described in terms of season, direction, color and shape. 

While the element for spring is wood, representing growth and new beginnings, the element that corresponds with the ensuing summer season is fire.  The buds that formed in spring are now nourished by the summer sun as they continue to blossom and flourish.  Fire is radiant, warm and expansive. It is a very powerful element and, like the sun, is considered masculine.  Fire is a symbol of passion, and of all the five elements has the most yang (active) energy.  

The direction that corresponds to fire is south and, as can be expected, the colors that are associated with it are reds, reddish purples and magenta.  The color red is considered a call to action.  In keeping with the laws of nature, birds have a good sense of color and bright red flowers get their attention for pollination.

Fire, whose shape is triangular or pointed, is all about transformation, motivation and inspiration.  It represents the opposite of lethargy or depression and reduces sadness.   In conjunction with the Tao connection and the elemental characteristics of fire, summer is the time when we get together with family and friends for outdoor barbeques, pool parties, graduations or other celebrations.  Spend one day on a public beach or boardwalk on a hot summer’s day and you will witness ongoing movement and feel the constant buzz of activity and interaction.  In the summer season, yang energy abounds.  We have a tendency to stay up later and wake up earlier.  The days of summer last longer and give us the most warmth.  In our body, this equates to the ability to establish relationships, feel passion, playfulness, and relaxation.  

A Holistic View
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a holistic healthcare system used in China for more than 2,000 years that aims to treat the whole person rather than just the disease, the acupuncture meridians related to the fire element are the heart (yin) and small intestines (yang).  TCM practitioners convey that summer is the time to nourish and balance the energies of these organs.  When there is a balance, the heart properly circulates blood, creating a healthy breakdown of food in the small intestines. An imbalance could result in insomnia, low energy, digestive problems or cardiac disease. 

According to TCM, it is important that we align our diets with the different seasons.  Summer is the season to eat foods that benefit the heart and to introduce cooling foods.  Certain fruits and vegetables will help you adjust your body temperature.  Examples include:  asparagus, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, celery, cucumbers, oranges, peaches, pears, potatoes, raspberries, strawberries, snow peas, tomatoes, watermelon and zucchini.

Balance is Key
Feng shui teaches us that it is important to balance each of the five elements.  Too much of the fire element in an environment can over-stimulate chi (life force or energy) which can cause burnout, impatience or anger.   An imbalance of the fire element can also injure the heart which can lead to fevers, heat stroke and other heat related ailments.  When the heart is in balance, the blood will flow easily. 

The human body is more than two-thirds water.  Loss of water can lead to dehydration.  While sweating has a cleansing effect and rids the body of accumulated toxins, be careful not to get overheated and sweat too much as this could lead to fatigue and exhaustion.  To increase your mental and physical performance, it is essential to keep cool and hydrated by drinking plenty of water.  It is also important to restore your body with adequate sleep.  Preventative treatment in the summer months can protect you from getting colds or flu during the winter. 

Joy is the emotion of the fire element.   Take advantage of the extra energy that summer has to offer by getting out and doing something that you love.  Let the active power of fire energy warm your heart, nourish your spirit and fill you with laughter, vitality, and inspiration.  

Remove It and Move On
By Susan Tartaglino

Nature is beautiful in its imperfections and seems to express itself most fervently with the arrival of Spring. 

Life wakes up from the deep sleep of winter and everything comes alive.  People just can’t wait to shed layers of clothing and feel the warmth of the sun on their skin.  Nature responds the same way. The crocus and daffodil plants push their way thru the earth as they sprout new stalks and reach for the sun.  Shrubs and trees start to form buds and are turning green. 

The Chinese system of living in harmony with the natural elements and forces of earth is referred to as feng shui.  This ancient philosophy demonstrates that the world is defined by the following five elements of nature:  wood, fire, earth, metal and water. 

Each element has its own specific characteristics, and can be described in terms of season, direction, color and shape.  As a feng shui practitioner, it comes as no surprise to me that wood is the element of Spring, and that the direction associated with wood is east, where the sun rises and the day begins. 

Wood promotes change.  It represents flexibility, growth and new beginnings. Wood is represented thru the color green, which is also the color of photosynthesis.  The shape for wood is tall, rectangular or treelike – all traits that are perfectly revealed during the Spring season.
 
Cyclically, Spring it is a natural time for us to focus on removing physical, mental and emotional clutter from our lives.  Anything that is neglected, forgotten, unwanted, or unused will cause the energy in your home to slow and stagnate.  Subsequently, you will feel clogged and stuck in the past – as if your life is not moving forward.    

Disorder, confusion, chaos and blockage are not signs of a healthy space.  When the energy in your home gets congested, so does your body.  The stagnant energy of clutter pulls your energy down with it, which can lead to fatigue or depression and even illness.   

Everything in your environment mirrors your inner self.  A cluttered space actually reveals secrets about you. For instance, a garage that is in disarray from useless items and trash could indicate procrastination, while a basement packed with stale junk may signify living in the past or fear of an unknown future.  Folks with attic clutter may tend to worry more about the future than others, which is a direct result of having all that stuff constantly “hanging over their heads.”

Having obstructions at the main entrance of your home can restrict the flow of opportunities coming to you.  When furniture or other miscellaneous items, such as coat racks or hooks, prevent doors from fully opening, the energy is not allowed to flow freely in your space.  As a result, everything you do takes more effort.  Objects hanging from doorknobs are another form of thwarted energy.  All of these obstructions may seem slight, but through the eyes of feng shui they symbolize stumbling blocks that can hinder us from feeling comfortable and balanced in our environment.

Clutter can be described as a confused multitude of things, but it can also be defined as follows: 

• Anything that is not being used 
• Things that are disorganized or disorderly 
• Having too much stuff in a small space 
• Anything that is unfinished 

Inherited belongings that you don’t particularly like and unwanted gifts also fall into this category.  Even unwelcomed and non-relaxing sounds can be counted as clutter!

Physical clutter in your home equates to clutter in your mind.  Piles of paperwork, books, magazines, memorabilia, unused toiletries, etc., all have an insidious way of multiplying and haunting you in the process. Having a disorderly space creates mental clutter in the form of stress, frustration or depression. Other examples of mental clutter include worrying about finances or concerning yourself with goals that were never achieved. 

From an emotional standpoint, there is a parallel line when dealing with clutter and dealing with difficult emotions.  When we get rid of clothes that no longer fit or will likely never fit again, it reminds us that our aging bodies have changed. Removing possessions that belonged to a previous partner or someone who has passed on requires us to come to terms with our loss and feel grief, or to let go without feeling like we are betraying our love. 

Getting our physical space in order allows us to regain a sense of clarity and order in our thoughts.  To live without clutter is to trust and have faith in the choices we make. By becoming more conscious of what you allow and keep in your home, you will develop an ability to trust the decisions you make in life.  The more you trust yourself, the more fulfilling your life will become.

Take the time to inventory your home (or office).  De-clutter by asking yourself the following two questions: “Do I really need this?”  “Is it something I really love?” The answer should be yes to at least one, but preferably to both of these questions. 

A simple method to help you along is to get some boxes or garbage bags and label them:

• Trash – remembering to recycle.
• Give Away – which is really another form of recycling.
• Put Away – for the things that have made the cut and will find their way to another place in your home.

You may also need a separate bag for repairs, but you must commit yourself to taking the time to get them repaired.  There will be things that you just cannot part with at this point in time.  Put them aside and give yourself a reminder to revisit them at a later date.  Once you start the clearing process, however, you will feel so empowered that you will be surprised how easy it will become to release things!

Remember to get the belongings out of your space entirely.  Putting them in nicely labeled boxes or bags and placing them in a garage or storeroom defeats the purpose as it keeps you psychically linked to them.  Take that extra step to fully remove them from your property.
 
Remind yourself that it is safe to let go.  Difficult feelings will likely come up as you work through this process.  Acknowledge them and be gentle with yourself by taking baby steps and working at your own pace.   Make a list and set realistic goals.  Try one closet, one drawer or one shelf at a time and then give yourself the satisfaction of crossing if off your list.  Each small area you clear releases energy and offers inspiration to continue.

Rather than look at the removal practice as a chore, consider it a way of honoring yourself and taking back control of your life.  Remember, you are free to create a personal living space of your own choosing. 

Let a little Spring cleaning and clutter clearing lighten your load physically, mentally and emotionally.  You will see procrastination dissolving and find yourself motivated for a lifestyle change.  Follow nature’s lead – now is the time to be like wood.  Welcome change and try new things; take a few risks and be flexible in your thoughts and actions.