The Five Elements of Feng Shui for the Holidays

This time of year, many people decorate for the holidays, both inside and outside their homes. String lights and candles. Festive wreaths and poinsettias. Stockings and wrapped gifts. Angels and nativity scenes. Santa’s sleigh, his workshop and elves. Or, a winter wonderland and train set. Lots of red and gold, faux fur trimmed velvet and red and green plaid. Scented pine cones and cheery fires. And of course, an evergreen tree.

As you decorate, it’s important to keep The Five Elements balanced in each room. Too much red or gold, too many living plants and too much fiery light energy might throw your space out of balance. Consider the element, color and shape of your décor and position them in a way that creates a balanced arrangement of holiday cheer.

It’s also important to honor the Western Feng Shui of your space as well. Each of the nine areas in your home resonate more with certain kinds of holiday décor. In the Monthly Feng Shui blog for December you will find out where to place your favorite holiday decorations to enhance and remedy the energy next month.

For now, let’s focus on The Five Elements of Feng Shui for the Holidays. The most commonly decorated areas are the entry/front door and foyer, the living room, dining room, kitchen and possibly a guest bathroom. Other specific areas that get decorated are windows, staircases, pianos, hearths and mantles. These are the areas that require your intentional feng shui design when decorating your space for the holidays.

WOOD

Wood décor includes all living plants and everything green. Poinsettias, Christmas amaryllis, holly, mistletoe, pine boughs, rosemary topiaries and holiday bouquets or centerpieces are all Wood elements, as is, of course, the Christmas tree. While a stack of split wood by the fireplace, baskets of pinecones, wooden Nutcrackers and other items made from wood do represent the Wood element, they don’t have as much Wood chi because they are not living.

It’s also important to take the color of the plant into consideration. For example, an arrangement of red poinsettia plants would represent both Wood and Fire energy because of their red color. A rosemary plant cut into the shape of an evergreen tree represents only the Wood element because it’s living and green. An artificial garland is a Wood element only because it’s green.

FIRE

Fire décor includes all people, animals and lighting, as well as, red spectrum colors. String lights, candles, a Menorah and fires in fireplaces or wood burning stoves are all Fire elements. Red tree skirts, potted or fresh cut flowers and table runners are also Fire elements. Figurines of Santa with his elves or reindeer, a Nativity scene with the Holy Family, shepherds, angels and the Three Kings are also considered Fire elements.  Stars are also a Fire element.

EARTH

Earth décor includes all items made from crystals, marble, tile, stone, ceramic, brick and everything that is in an earth tone (yellow and all shades of brown from espresso to beige). Most people have enough of the Earth element in their homes from tile floors and granite countertops to beige walls and earth toned carpeting to brick or stone fireplaces.

The best way to include the Earth element is with the square or cube shape. Most of the presents under the tree will be wrapped gift boxes which represent the Earth element. Plaid throw blankets and clothes or a checked tablecloth represent the Earth element. Gingerbread houses and gingerbread men also, represent the Earth element.

METAL

Metal décor includes all items made from metal, in a metallic color or round shape. Metal ornaments, musical instruments like harps and trumpets, candle holders or candelabras, napkin rings and metallic chargers, platters and silverware are all Metal elements. Gold table runners and napkins, silver bells and tinsel, sleighs and train sets represent the Metal element. Also, round ornamental balls represent the Metal element.

WATER

Water décor includes all items made from mirror, glass and crystal, as well as the various forms of water and anything black, dark blue and deep purple. Snow globes are a Water element. Clear glass balls, snowflake ornaments and crystal icicles represent the Water element. Winter Wonderland scenes with snow, a mirrored ice skating pond and frosted windows represent the Water element.  Flocking is also a Water element.

The Five Elements

Following are displays or groupings that include all of The Five Elements. The element, color and/or shape of The Five Elements is represented. Create these for your home or let these examples inspire your own festive holiday décor.

Christmas Wreath

Wood – fresh pine boughs

Fire – red bow, red and white candy canes, holly berries, string or fairy lights

Earth – plaid ribbon or mini wrapped presents

Metal – gold sprayed pine cones, mini round ornaments or silver bells

Water – snow flocking or wreath hung over a frosted glass window

“Cookies for Santa”

Wood – Christmas tree or wreath cookies, carrots for the reindeer

Fire – Angel or Santa cookies

Earth – Gingerbread man cookies

Metal – decorative metal charger plate

Water – snowflake cookies or favorite holiday drink

Holiday Table Centerpiece

Wood – log, pine bough, pinecones, holly

Fire – red candles, red poinsettias, holly berries, pomegranates

Earth – marble slab, plaid ribbon or bow, gingerbread house

Metal – candle holders, bells, balls

Water – glass vase or votive holders, snow flocking

Western Feng Shui Holiday Enhancements

Christmas Tree

The most appropriate place the set up the Christmas Tree is in the Southeast. The Southeast is represented by the Soft Wood element, coniferous trees and all evergreens.  Purchase a potted evergreen, if you can and then replant it in the SE of your property after the holidays.

Nativity Scene 

The most appropriate place for a Nativity Scene is in the East. The East is represented by the Hard Wood element, the number three and family. Therefore, it is the ideal place for celebrating the Holy Family. The Three Kings from the East traveling with their three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh or a trio of angels singing on high would also be perfect in the East.

Holiday Gatherings

The most appropriate place to have a holiday gathering around a fireplace or wood burning stove is in the South. The South is represented by the Fire element. The South is also represented by the number nine, the number associated with festivities and celebrations of life with large gatherings of family and friends. The fireplace mantle is the traditional place to hang your stockings, if you have one. The South is a wonderful place to drink eggnog or peppermint hot chocolate by the fire, read Dickens or the Bible, play or listen to holiday music, sing Christmas carols and enjoy the most wonderful time of year with your family and friends.

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