I regularly run into people who ask me, “What is Feng Shui?” My answer is generally something like, “It’s the art of placement. I help balance environments so you can enjoy the benefits of good Ch’i.” There is much more to it, though. Sure, with Feng Shui principles, we can balance the elements in our surroundings, but we can also balance the elements within ourselves.

The five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water) are the building blocks of everything physical on earth — even human beings. When some elements are more dominant, this affects how we view the world and how we interact with others. If the elements are not balanced, we are not functioning at our best. Understanding your elemental makeup is thus the first step in making adjustments to create a balanced environment. Everyone you encounter has a unique elemental makeup affecting how they respond to the world. A five-element assessment can help you discover what drives you and your loved ones. Visit this link to learn which elements are influencing you: http://www.westernschooloffengshui.com/pdf/Five_Element_Assessment.pdf.

Using this assessment, the lowest possible elemental score is 24 and the highest is 124. If you score above 62 in more than one element, you function in the world in a more yang manner. In other words, you are more active. If your scores are all below 62, you are more yin, and tend to be more of an observer. You may find that one of the elements scores very high. This is your dominant element — the one that is coloring the way you see the world.

The five elements work and play with each other to create harmony. Every element nurtures, consumes or controls other elements. The following chart explains:

ELEMENT	NURTURING	CONTROLLING
Wood	Feeds Fire	Consumes Earth
Fire	Makes Earth	Melts Metal
Earth	Creates Metal	Dams Water
Metal	Holds Water	Cuts Wood
Water	Nurtures Wood	Extinguishes Fire

Let’s assume my dominating element is Earth. The other four elements are less prominent, so I might adjust my environment to enhance the Wood, Fire, Metal and Water elements. Further, let’s assume my husband’s dominant element is Wood. This would raise a red flag for me, since Wood consumes Earth. I would thus need to boost the Fire element. This would use up some of the Wood element while at the same time nurturing my own Earth element. By matching my husband’s dominant element (Wood) with its controlling partner (Metal), I control it. I would further use the Water element to nourish the Wood element in him to further refine the elemental balance. Metal is created by Earth, so by adding Metal I direct my elemental energy and create balance.

There must be give and take in a relationship. If we do not address the dominant Wood element in this relationship, the Earth is consumed and the relationship is unbalanced, rather than both of us being equal partners.

Now, let’s say we have a child who is dominated by Metal. Earth is a nurturing element for Metal, so that would be a good thing for the child. However, if I am not receiving any of the Fire element, I might begin to feel drained, since Fire makes Earth. On the other hand, the addition of our child’s Metal personality in our household would cut, and thus temper, my husband’s Wood element, so our child would bring balance to the consuming effect I might feel from my partner’s Wood element. We would need to add the Water element to our surroundings so that my husband gets the nurturing element he needs. Thus, all five elements would be represented in our home, resulting in healthy relationship Ch’i.

Good relationships don’t just happen. There must be giving and receiving, nurturing and consuming. Start with yourself first. Know yourself. Discover your dominating element and nurture it. Then you can nurture those in your life. When your needs are met, you can meet the needs of others and build healthy relationships. It’s elemental!

Sue Todd is an Essential Feng Shui practitioner in Anchorage. Go to www.suetoddessentialfengshui.com to learn more about Essential Feng Shui or to book a speaking engagement or private consultation.