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The Five Elements: Fire

fire element

As those of us in the northern hemisphere start to feel the heat of summer, it seems like an appropriate time to talk about the fire element! Fire, along with earth, metal, water, and wood, make up the five elements, which are used in feng shui to create harmony and balance in our spaces and lives.

Qualities of fire

Fire is hot, expressive and passionate. It’s connected to how we express ourselves, and how we’re perceived by the world around us. When fire is in balance, you express yourself in a healthy and appropriate way, and you feel excited and inspired.

Adding the fire element to your space

How do you know if you need more fire? If you keep your feelings inside and have a hard time expressing them, or you feel a lack of passion or inspiration in your life, you might need more fire. There are a few ways to introduce the fire element in your home. First, you can add color. Fire is related to the color red, which is also the most auspicious color in feng shui. Red can also be an overpowering when it’s used in large amounts, so you may want to start small, rather than painting all your walls red.

You can also add an element to your space through shape. Triangular shapes represent fire. Look for triangles in furniture, artwork, and accessories to increase the amount of fire in your home.

Fire is also related to lighting and candles. If there are any areas of your home that don’t feel bright enough, try adding or upgrading your light fixtures. It’s also a good idea to make sure that all of your lamps are clean. When’s the last time you wiped the dust off of your light fixtures? You can also add actual fire in the form of candles or a fireplace.

Too much fire

If you tend to wear your heart on your sleeve all the time, or your emotions feel explosive, you may want to calm your inner fire a bit. To do this, add water, which will extinguish excess fire. For ideas on how to incorporate more water into your home, check out our post about the water element.

Where do you see the fire element in your home right now? What’s one change you could make to help bring your fire element into balance?