June and July are Feng Shui’s “FIRE” months; sweet periods of sun whose power is at its peak, flowers, the magic of Midsummer solstice, and home to the longest day of the year. All is growing and flourishing, bursting from the earth as a gift of fertility. Feng Shui’s Fire Element fuels our life with creativity and gifts us with fulfillment and abundance.

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese philosophy to create sacred harmony between heaven, humanity, and the earth. It is the powerful interplay between the forces of nature and human destiny. It is the art of living a happy, comfortable, and prosperous life in harmony with our environment. It has an element of magic to create balance in our world. Feng Shui is based on the Tao Philosophy with Yin and Yang being the two forces that govern the universe, Chi as a life force, and the Five Elements as the essence of all matter:

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water which affect one other, but each being associated with a specific season, time and space, personality archetype, color, taste, matter, and bodily organs.

What is your Element? For example, if you are Fire, you are dazzling, exciting, and all embracing.

• Fire correlates with Summer when plants and living creatures develop to their fullest potential; it conjures up a sense of splendor and fulfillment as you stretch to the limits of your capacity.
  
  
• Like summer, Fire is expansive, radiant, outgoing and warm; it relates to your Heart, and determines your breadth and scope.
  
  
• Fire is symbolized by the color red, Yang (masculine) energy, and noon as the optimal time of the day.
  
  
• Wizard is the Fire’s personality Archetype. Wizards possess a personal magnetism and the gift of expression, typically great at assembling teams, political parties, congregations, classrooms, etc.
  
  
• Fire people are the life of the party; they make great leaders, salespeople, teachers, creative artists, excellent communicators, and are achievers.
  
  
• Fire people also thrive socially, organizing gatherings with friends and family (think “barbecue parties”).

A note of warning: Fire will warm your home, sparkle passion in your heart, and cook your meals; but when out of balance, Fire can burn your house down and turn your life into ashes. Harness the power of Fire by balancing your life and environment with other elements to create harmony.

Do you have enough Fire in your life? Is your life in balance? Do you have a good group of loyal friends who support you?

You are where you live; put it another way: Your home is a reflection of who you are. So the main question becomes: Is your environment (i.e. your home or office) powerful enough to support your personality?

Insert the Fire Element into your environment and create Magic and Balance in your life.

I invite you to make the time to connect with yourself and explore the following questions: Does your home enhance your well-being? Does it support your personality, enhance your intimacy, sensuality, and passion?

Slowly walk through your living room for example; how does it make you feel?

• The living and family rooms are the places where you receive your guests and entertain. Is your living room bright, cheerful and inviting? Does the furniture arrangement accommodate comfortable seating without obstructing the flow?
  
  
• Lighting is essential, and correlates to the Fire Element; your home should be bright but soothing and dimmable.
  
  
• Color has emotional and physical properties that have the power to change the atmosphere around you and influence your personality and mood. The living room should be full of pleasant and stimulating colors and patterns to keep the atmosphere and conversation lively and diverse. The best colors are Soft Yellow, Gold, Light Green, tan, and Earth tone.
  
  
• Add candles, artwork, furnishings, and accessories to convey a feeling of excitement. It is a good place to add photographs of family and friends, items that you are proud of – awards, family memorabilia, your children’s collages, etc.
  
  
• Music is very important for our senses - the Gipsy Kings are great for a party on a summer night, adding mucho masculine energy and sensuality to the summer heat.
  
  
• Live plants and fresh cut flowers enrich your home year round; they will add beauty and richness to your life.

Go through every room in your home and ask yourself the same questions. Remember: your home is your sanctuary and it should support your personality and make you feel happy and safe.

Nadia Vee is an award winning designer, certified Feng Shui practitioner, and lecturer. She is on the faculty of the prestigious Metropolitan Institute of Design (Syosset, NY), renown for over 40 years for helping students acquire knowledge and skills in Interior Design and Feng Shui, and achieve success in the fashion industry. Nadia Vee teaches a program entitled “Practical Aspects of Feng Shui for Designers” three times a year (enrollment is underway for June classes.) MID is licensed by the New York State Department of Education for over forty years. NadiaV@GNRdesigns.com, www.met-design.com.