Water Element
Why Water?
In Feng Shui we use the five elements to balance the energy of a space and bring harmony to self and home. The five elements are water, earth, metal, fire, and wood.
As humans water is incredibly important to us, we are like >60% water after all! Balancing water in our physical bodies (staying hydrated) and within our homes (with Home Energetics) impacts our overall health and wellbeing. Water also represents abundance, and who doesn’t want that in balance?
In Home Energetics I use my knowledge of the elements to balance water energy within the home. Water is life-giving, think watering seeds, encouraging personal growth/rebirth, and its soothing energetic qualities. It can also be a symbol of destructive transformation, think of the energy behind a damaging flood or water leak. Without enough water element, the energy may feel stale or stagnant, no flow or harmony. When in balance water can support energy flow and bring opportunities and luck to the home. If there is too much water element, the energy can be overwhelming and draining.
Water in Feng Shui
Water element is the element of the career gua (lower center) or North direction of the home. It is represented by the color black or dark charcoal grey and wavy shapes. It is primarily a yin element (feminine energy), but can be yang (masculine) when it is fast moving and energetic. You can bring water element into your home with glass, mirrors, the colors black, deep navy, dark charcoal, wavy shaped accents, or even water features like a fish tank or fountain.
Why do you need to fix that leak?
It is also important to address any leaks or water damage within the home. If there is too much water element within the home, the energy can be overwhelming and draining over time. Draining energy can impact our health and wellbeing both physically and mentally. Water is associated with emotions, a continuous drain on energy can lead emotional depression or frustration.
Water element is also associated with abundance. You might be hopefully pondering “would a leak be energetically equivalent to constant flow of abundance?” Sorry, but the answer is definitely no. When unchecked water can be destructive, that dripping faucet is your abundance slowly dripping down the drain, overtime it will add up and be detrimental.
Water for real estate
You can introduce the beauty of water energy with the front door. A black front door is very auspicious and draws in good energy and opportunities (buyers!). A study published by Zillow in 2022 (linked) cited that black front doors were the most likely to have a purchase price over asking!
If the front door is located in the center of the house it is perfectly situated in the career gua. This gua is ruled by water. A black door here is especially auspicious. To enhance this entry way location, consider adding a small water element like a fountain to improve the energy greatly. Imagine coming into a home for a showing and hearing the soft trickle of a stream upon entering, how soothing! Encourage the water flow to point towards the front door or into the home to bring good fortune in. You can also add a mirror to the entryway to enhance the space and bring in water element.
Water elements within the outdoor space can also add a peaceful and tranquil vibe that invites relaxation. Since the pandemic there has been an increase in buyers looking for ample private outdoor space that include water features for personal enjoyment and entertaining guests. Even the addition of a small bird bath can help balance an abundance of earth or wood element in the backyard. Considerations in adding a water feature to the backyard should include additional cost of maintenance for potential buyers.
Water as supportive energy
In the nurturing or generating cycle water supports wood element. Plants need water to grow. Wood element is the main element of the knowledge and self-development, family and new beginnings, and abundance guas. Adding water to these areas will encourage wood energy to proliferate here, supporting the energy of these guas. A mirror reflecting a wood element (like a potted plant) can enhance the energy of both elements. From a perspective of balance, too much wood energy can cause overgrowth and then eventual death as well, so it is helpful to remember a balance of water and wood is ideal.
Water as destructive energy
In the destructive cycle water extinguishes wood element. Fire element is the main element of the fame and reputation gua. Adding water to this area dampens your reputation and can stifle your recognition. This doesn’t mean you can’t have or use water element in this area of the home, but you want to do so in balance.
From a balancing approach, you can use water energy if there is too much fire element. For example, a fire place painted red (actual fire + red the color of fire = a lot of fire). You can add water element to counter act the overactive fire element. In the red fire place example, a large mirror over the fire place could help balance the extra fire power.
