The Feng Shui elements have a strong role to play for balancing the Chi of a space or home. The elements (or "winds") as they are known in Chineseare are earth, metal, fire, wood and water. They can be best understood as phases of a constantly moving cycle. Each grows and replaces the next in much the same way as the seasons progress.Each element has its own properties. Of all the elements Fire is the most powerful. It represents forceful energy.

The element Earth represents grounding and support, Wood signifies growth, Water symbolizes release and renewal, and finally the element of metal represents mental power. Feng Shui uses elements to enhance and balance the personal Chi. But before you can understand the use of these elements for achieving balance you have to understand the cycles of these elements. All the elements can enter into cycles that can either be constructive or destructive. In nature the destructive and constructive cycles are balanced, but in a space we can create the balance using the Feng Shui.

1 . Fire Element (forceful energy) -The colors that represent the element of fire (expansion and transformation) are red and orange or any other bright color that bounces light and energizes. The shapes that create the energy of fire are angular such as pyramids, triangles, diamonds, and sunbursts. These shapes send energy quickly in all directions and therefore create movement and change. 2 . Earth Element(grounding and support) - The element Earth is associated with muted tones such as yellows and brown. These colors slow the energies. Shapes of the earth energy are squares and rectangles; they are horizontal shapes that encourage the grounding of energy. Changing artwork and windows from portrait to landscape can increase the earth energy in a home.

3 . Wood Element (personal growth) - This element encompasses colors that are clear and energizing. These colors are greens associated with growth and purples inviting abundance. Wood represents energy that moves vertically and is therefore associated with cylinders and columns. 4 . Water Element (release and renewal) - The element of water is expressed in dark blues and black. These colors invite personal wisdom. The energy of water element is represented by any shape that produces flow. Still water energy is represented by any shape that would holds water and creates a womb like effect. Moving water shapes are drawn as cascades or ripples. This energy flows to the sides and down.

5 . Metal Element (mental power) - The metal element is introduced through the colors of white, silver and gray. These colors are sharp and influence intelligence. The metal colors are also represented by the powerful rainbow and bring both healing and creativity. The circle is the shape that brings in the metal element. In a circle, energy is constantly moving in an expanding cycle sending energy outward. This flow of energy often brings individuals into a collective commune.

Feng Shui for the Children's Bedroom - The most obvious factors to take into consideration regarding the children's bedroom is that they are growing, exploring, curious, active, unique and evolving into their true potential.Green and blue decor has a relaxing effect while shades of yellow can stimulate their mind, unless the yellow is particularly bright it is unlikely to cause insominia. If two children share the same bedroom, then try to create some form of screening to allow them to personalise and individualise their own sector of the room.Sleeping under skylights, beams and shelves laden up with books and puzzles is certainly not ideal. The pressure from above can give them headaches and disturb their night's rest.

Feng Shui for the Kitchen - In traditional Feng Shui, the kitchen was reasonably secluded and definitely off limits for pranksters and general traffic. Cooking is undoubtedly one of the highest expressions of love and the cook needs a space where they can begin to create the health of the family in peace and quiet.From a Chi perspective, the kitchen therefore needs to have no "through draught" of Chi. The front door facing the kitchen and the back door is a typical example in contemporary times. The cook needs to have a feeling of focus without distractions and therefore an ideal position for a cooker is away from the door, while at the same time giving the cook a sense of security so that they can actually see the door from they are positioned. For practical purposes, if this is not possible, it is possible to install a mirror on the splashback behind the cooker, angled in such a direction so that the cook can see the door. Remember, Chi energy not only enters through windows and doors but also dissipates. Try to avoid placing a cooker directly underneath a skylight and avoid placing it directly in front of a window - just to the side is perfect. Check the area in the vicinity of where the cook stands for potential cutting Chi. Sharp edges from the kitchen table or other units within this space are obvious sources

Feng Shui for Lobbies and Hallways - Hallways really must be clutter free zones. Picking your way through walking boots, walking sticks, umbrellas, childrens' toys and bicycles really does hinder "opportunity" entering your home. A hallway that leads directly to a toilet is regarded as one of the big Feng Shui "no no's". The flushing away process is symbolic of losing money. Remember that water is always symbolically associated with cash flow and money. There are no simple solutions to this problem. However, the least you can do is keep the door firmly closed at all times. If when standing at the front door and looking along the hallway you can see the back door, then there is another potential problem. Chi will inevitably enter the house and like a draught, exit through the back door. You really need to look at how to slow down this Chi before you are the victim of too many lost opportunities in your life or career. Depending on the length of the hallway through to the back door, you could position 2 or 3 wind chimes, high enough up to avoid banging your head. You could also place a bead curtain at the back door. If you dislike wind chimes, consider placing strategically hung baskets. If the top section of the back door is panelled with glass, you may wish to try hanging a red or gold glass, lead surrounded, flat piece of art work in this glass section of the door to help slow down the lost Chi. Ultimately, place plant pots in the hallway to help the Chi meander rather than rush through your home.

Feng Shui for the Bathroom/Toilet - There are two important over views of this space that you need to consider regarding the location and use of this space. Firstly, the bathroom and toilet are primarily governed by and driven by the element Water. In Feng Shui, Water is associated with wealth, prosperity, career and good cash flow. Secondly, the function of these rooms is associated with elimination and waste.

Inauspicious locations for the toilet include:- 1. Opposite the kitchen - the element of Fire and Water will clash in this situation. The leap from the preparation of the food (kitchen) to the elimination of food (toilet) is too violent for this to be seen as an auspicious position. 2. Avoid placing a toilet adjacent to the front door - in Feng Shui, we can regard the doorway as the mouth of our home, where career and opportunities enter, whereas the toilet is clearly at the other end of this process and needs to be as far away as possible from the front door. 3. Avoid positioning the toilet directly opposite the front door, even if this is at the end of a passage. This kind of position can lead to wasted opportunities and lost prospects, both career wise and financially.

4. The worst location for the toilet in the family home or even a business is dead centre. It is quite a common feature in family homes where the builder has considerately installed a toilet under the stairs. From a Feng Shui point of view this is considered a disaster regarding your health and financial prospects.

Feng Shui for the Bedroom - The most important feature of the bedroom needs to be the bed itself. Firstly, consider the position of the bed relative to the door. Avoid a situation where the door opens directly onto your bed or where you sleep, directly opposite to the door. Try to position your bed as far from the door as possible but at the same time with a good view of the door from where you sleep. To bring stability into your relationship, make sure that the bed itself is stable. Make sure that the bed has a good strong headboard to protect your Chi while you sleep and avoid sleeping with your head facing an open window, as this will drain away your Chi as you sleep. Sleeping directly on the floor is not ideal, as it does not allow Chi to circulate below you. The gap between your mattress and the floor needs to be kept clear - this is definitely a clutter free zone! Handy though they may be, storage units under your bed are less than ideal. They have the potential to disturb your sleep and limit the charge of Yin force (Earth force) to re-charge you while you sleep.

Feng Shui for Doors - Keep the door clean, freshly painted and the hinges and locks need to be regularly oiled. Imagine opening your front door for someone and it squeaks like the door on Dracula's castle! Deep down, it doesn't give your visitor a welcoming feeling! Make sure that your front door bell is easy to locate and works. For real support and protection, your front door needs to be solid. Glass panelling above the door or in the higher sections of the door are fine except in situations where Sha Chi (poisoned arrows) is being aimed at your front door. Front doors need to open inwards, allowing beneficial Chi to enter your home. The front door also needs to be larger than the back door encouraging Chi to enter through this aspect. The size of your door also needs to be proportional to the size of your home. If it is too big, you could lose opportunities and if it is too small, then the occupants are likely to argue and bicker. If a front door is made up of 2 panel sections, then they need to be identical in terms of colour and design. Irregularties can lead to confusion and arguments among the inhabitants.

Feng Shui for Windows - Reducing the Chi charge through the window can be achieved by installing blinds - whether these be roller blinds or ideally wooden blinds. Windows are best if they open outwards, keep them spotlessly clean and replace all cracked panes. Skylights are useful to bring in the extra light but there are situations where they are best avoided. Big Feng Shui "no no's" include placing your skylight over the cooker - this is symbolic of losing your Chi and the essence of your food out through the roof. Skylights are fine in the kitchen, provided they are away from the cooker.