Feng Shui Elements | Michelle Cromer

Happy Year of the Wood Snake

Michelle Cromer January 20, 2025 Leave a Comment

The Chinese New Year is on Wednesday, January 29. Also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is celebrated at the second new moon following the Winter Solstice. This festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of a long-awaited spring. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake, which is also the year 4797.

The Chinese Zodiac dates back to the Qin Dynasty, which was established over 2000 years ago. As the legend goes, the Jade Emperor challenged all the animals in the Kingdom to a “Great Race.” Whoever arrived at his palace first would win his favor. The Rat was first because he tricked the Ox who was second, then the tiger, followed by the rabbit whose tail had been bitten by a wolf and a dragon saved him. As the rabbit got away, he accidentally crossed the finish line and then the dragon followed, then when the horse was about to cross the finish line, the snake jumped out, scaring the horse, and the snake crossed taking the 6^th slot then the horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig finished.

Feng Shui originated in China, as did the Chinese philosophy of the five-element theory. Each year in the Chinese calendar is named for one of the twelve animals and refers to one of the five elements—water, earth, fire, metal, and wood.

So, what does the Year of the Wood Snake have in store for us?

This year will be guided by a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and patience. It will embody the snake’s powerful ability to transform—remember, snakes transform by shedding their skin. It’s a good year for strategic thinking, introspection, and subtle progress. It’s a year marked by quiet determination, and we all will have profound shifts and insightful revelations.

The snake aligns with the wood element, symbolizing a time for thoughtful planning, and patience (think how long it takes a tree to grow, it’s not overnight) so long-term growth and prosperity. The wood element, since it is fuel for a fire, also ignites passion, creativity, and the birth of new ideas. So, start that business, have that relationship, and trust the creative process.

Are you wearing the best colors for you? Each of us has a power color based on the five elements and the day we were born. Sign up for my email list and provide me the day, month, and year of your birth and I will send you your birth element and power color!

Valentine’s Day

Michelle Cromer February 5, 2024 Leave a Comment

Valentine’s Day originated as a Western Christian feast day honoring one or more early saints named Saint Valentine. The most popular theory is that the holiday was created to celebrate Saint Valentine of Rome, a priest who was martyred in the early days of Christianity. According to legend, Saint Valentine was imprisoned for performing marriages for Christian couples in secret, defying the orders of the Roman Emperor Claudius II, who had banned marriages because he believed that single men made better soldiers.

The holiday was first associated with romantic love in the High Middle Ages when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, Valentine’s Day had become a celebration of love in Europe, and by the 17th and 18th centuries, it had evolved into a day for exchanging love letters and gifts.

Valentine’s Day was introduced to the United States in the early 1700s by British settlers, and by the late 1800s, it had become a holiday celebrated with cards, flowers, and candy. Today, Valentine’s Day is a major holiday in many countries around the world, celebrated by people of all ages and cultures. It remains a day for expressing love and affection, whether between romantic partners, friends, or family

Using the energy modality of Feng Shui and your home let’s bring in some love by activating that power section of your home which is the farthest right corner of your space. Perhaps bring a bouquet of pink or red flowers, bring in some pairs like chairs or pillows or candles, and remove all photos of single people in this section. I feng shui’d a woman’s house once and in this section, she had one angel and one Lady of Guadalupe, and one butterfly. So, we grouped two angels, and two butterflies and we put Diego with the Lady of Guadalupe.

Let’s drop down a level into another energy modality – the elements by using mantras or affirmations. Here is what I say: By the power of Earth, Air, Fire, and Sea I call forth love and abundance to me. With every breath and every sound, I attract love and blessings that are profound.

All of y’all that aren’t in a relationship with a partner, you still are in a relationship with yourself. So, here’s to celebrating you and all that you are. And one piece of advice to this group – wait for someone who loves you differently. One who can see the fire in your soul, the child in your laugh, and the ocean in your heart.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer–Creating a Meaningful Life.

Work-Life Balance with Feng Shui

Michelle Cromer October 16, 2023 Leave a Comment

We’re all striving for more balance in our lives, as the alternative leads to stress, anxiety, and disease. An unbalanced life is an unhealthy life. Whether you’re a recent grad or a seasoned professional, maintaining equilibrium between your working life and personal time is critical to maintaining balance.
Unlike our grandparents, who sought a certain financial security above all else, the concept of work-life balance is the new mantra after the pandemic.

Everyone seems to be asking: How can I be happy in my career? How can I be sure that my relationship with my family is an enduring source of happiness? How can I live my life with integrity?

The conventional style of effort is masculine in nature and relies only on hard work and exertion to obtain a goal. This blood-sweat-and-tears approach dominated the old corporate American work paradigm and served the workforce well in the Industrial Age, but today’s high-tech, high-touch climate calls for a new plan.

In order to maximize the potential at work, we must approach our jobs with sharper and smarter mindsets. By eliciting intellect, wisdom, experience, and confidence we cut through old work habits and perform at the top of our games. We begin to recognize the value of the inspiration we receive that resides in the present moment. This path will cultivate our efficiency to live and work in balance.

Feng Shui is all about balance and harmony and we achieve this balance by utilizing the five elements. Here are some suggestions to bring this balance into any space:

Earth – Stones, and plants to enhance the grounding balance of the earth element. Colors representing earth include brown or yellow.
Wood – Wooden planting boxes, or decorative wooden pieces such as a carving, bench, or bamboo pieces. The color representing wood is green.
Metal – Wind chimes, planters, or copper decorative pieces. Colors representing metal are white, gold or silver.
Water – Still or slow flowing water such as an indoor fountain, bird bath, pond, or pooled water from a stream. Colors representing water are black or blue.
Fire – Candles, lanterns, fireplaces, or an outdoor fire pit. The color red represents fire.

Applying a few changes to your workspace, home, and overall lifestyle choices will naturally promote more work-life balance and uplift your energy and well-being.

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer Feng Shui.

Summer Feng Shui Tips

Michelle Cromer June 19, 2023 Leave a Comment

I don’t know where you live, but in Texas, I often feel like I live on the surface of the sun! But, this makes sense to me since, in Feng Shui, the summer season is associated with the fire element which is a strong and robust yang energy. This energy brings out our passionate and driven side, inspiring us to be confident and outgoing. It’s the time we want to be busy and make sure we get noticed.

However, if we are experiencing too much of this fire energy, it can make us feel aggressive and irritable. So, it’s important that we maintain a balance.

Summertime is connected to our energy that focuses on how others perceive us, or our “fame and reputation”. This means it’s a time when we are more aware of the recognition and respect that we want to gain from those around us. The part of our home that is in conjunction with the fame and reputation sector of Feng Shui is the back and middle area of our home (in relation to the entrance).

Here are a few tips to balance this area and bring harmony to your energy.

▪ Place red or warm decorative colors in this section, candles in
this area will bring warmth and “fire” to the area.
▪ Make sure everything is de-cluttered and organized so energy can move freely.
▪ Add plants for financial abundance.
▪ Place your awards or trophies on display.
▪ Add red garnet crystals to bring creativity to your space.
▪ Hang a photo of a famous person you admire.
▪ Bring in the water element by adding a fountain or a painting or photo of water, be it the ocean, a lake, a boat, or a waterfall.

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer Feng Shui.

7 Ways to Relieve Anxiety Using Feng Shui

Michelle Cromer May 29, 2022 Leave a Comment

Relieve Anxiety with Using Feng Shui

I recently had a client who reminded me of the goddess Artemis. She was young, fit, and very competitive at work. Now that she is working from home, like the rest of us, she was riddled with anxiety because she doesn’t like working from home, and she felt as if she was losing her edge. She gave me permission to discuss the solutions that helped her ease a little of her anxiety. And I hope this helps y’all with the same.

Lighting: Increasing the light helps to elevate your mood so open the curtains or turn on a lamp.
Organize: Clutter causes anxiety and confusion and suffocates chi. Increase the flow of chi by taking out any objects that do not bring you joy. Only keep what you love, toss, donate or repurpose the rest.
Nature: Harness the calm of nature by adding plants, which research shows, improves memory and focus and lessens stress and anxiety. And they add visual appeal and remind us that we are connected to the natural world.
Balance the Elements: The five elements of wood, water, metal, earth, and fire should be represented in every room. Too much or too little of an element will make the room feel unstable. Items such as plants (wood), glass (water), stones (metal), pottery (earth,) and candles (fire) are examples of using the elements in your space.
Natural Material: Change out furnishings with natural materials rather than synthetics. This helps to add to healthy chi in the work shape.
Artwork: Add artwork that inspires and uplifts you. Ironically my client had the same Artemis painting that hangs in my office –the goddess with her beautiful stag. I told her that from my Scott Irish roots were the perfect symbol of power, nobility, and freedom.
Colors: Select colors to reflect the mood you hope to evoke. For example, red will energize a room. Blue will create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere. White is purifying and represents new beginnings.

Everything in our space reminds us of who we are, what we are, and if we look a little deeper, what we will become.

Feng Shui invites us to open our eyes and re-examine our choices because there is a powerful connection between our experiences of comfort, health, happiness, and productivity. Having a pleasing and relaxing space to work in is crucial to nurturing ourselves and relieving anxiety.

Are you suffering from anxiety from all the chaos in the world today? I offer several types of Feng Shui Consultation. Find out how I can help you. Learn more here.

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer Feng Shui.

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