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Authentic Feng Shui practitioners make use of the fundamental principal of the 5 Element theory to create productive cycles, weakening cycles and destructive cycles. (See diagram below.

De Nobrega adds, "Colours can also be categorised by their element, which enables the Feng Shui practitioner to create the desired cycle. For instance, the colours brown and yellow are Earth element colours; white, gold, silver, brass and copper are Metal element colours; black and blue are Water element colours; Green is a Wood element colour; red and purple are Fire element colours. Cream is usually a "neutral" colour, but its element can sometimes be determined by checking the "undertone" e.g. yellowish/cream or beige-brown/cream. Grey, by its very name, can also fall into more than one category: a white-grey would be considered a Metal colour, while a dark or blue-grey would be considered a Water element colour."

The Colours Of The Luo Shu

The Luo Shu (used in the Flying Stars method), which is depicted below, can also be represented with colours:

• White is situated in the North
• Black is situated in the South West
• Jade is situated in the East
• Green is situated in the South East
• Yellow is situated in the centre
• White is situated in the North West
• Red is situated in the West
• White is situated in the North East
• Purple is situated in the South

Colour And The Flying Stars

De Nobrega advises, "One of the best ways to use colour effectively in Authentic Feng Shui is when assessing the influence of the Annual Flying Stars. As these energies are weaker than the Natal energies of a building, they are easier to remedy or enhance. For example, when the 5 Yellow flies into the North for the year 2000, one of the ways its negative Earth element can be mitigated or weakened, is by using Metal colours such as White, Gold or Silver, which also serve to increase or grow the water element of the North."

She continues, "Similarly, Metal element colours can be used to reduce the negative Earth energy of the 2 Black, which is located in the West this year. The West is also a Metal element and will therefore not be adversely effected by the addition of more metal."

Positive energies can be enhanced using the productive cycle. "Use Earthy colours to enhance the Annual 7 star, Fire colours to enhance the Annual 8 Star, and Wood colours to enhance the Annual 9," she states, "With a little careful thought, the colours can be used on moveable items such as plant pots, loose carpets, lamps and scatter cushions, which then easily become effective remedies that can be moved around from year to year, as the position of the stars change."

How To Use Colour

"From the above explanations, its easier to understand how colour has permeated many aspects of Feng Shui," de Nobrega states, "However, you must not confuse the symbolism and cultural use of colour in Chinese Society with its correct use in Feng Shui. As a former decorator, I am well aware of how colour can change the mood of a room: use it carefully and tastefully and you can create an environment that is desirable for both the owner and any visitors Š you donÕt need to do a Feng Shui course to achieve this. In my experience as both a decorator and a Feng Shui practitioner, I've learned that by combining good dˇcor sense with good Feng Shui sense, you can effectively achieve a very well balanced environment."

Guidelines To Implementing Colour To Achieve Good Feng Shui

For those people who have not had a Feng Shui practitioner audit their homes, De Nobrega has provided the following guidelines to help you choose a colour for your rooms:

• The general idea when using colour is to create a balanced and harmonious effect that will be aesthetically pleasing. You do not have to give up on your design principles or good taste to have good Feng Shui. Nor do you have to paint each wall in a room a different colour to balance the elements and create a productive environment.

• The use of colour to correct Sha Chi (negative energy) or to improve Sheng Chi (positive energy) is usually not very powerful. The exception to this rule is the colour red, or fire colours (red/orange tones). It is better to use other Feng Shui methods in situations where you have serious instances of Sha Chi.
• If the room is dark it will have a predominantly Yin nature: balance such a room by introducing white, sunny yellow or some fun, bright colours that have a Yang nature. Using well-placed lamps and lights will also help, since overly Yin rooms create a feeling of depression, moodiness and lethargy.
  

• If the room is too bright or Yang, the use of soft colours and darker shades will go a long way to improving the balance. Overly bright rooms cause you to suffer from headaches and aggression.

• Most colours can be used quite freely without having a profound effect on your Feng Shui. Once again, Fire colours such as red should be avoided unless you are certain of the kind of energy in your room.

• Also, avoid the use of any Fire colour in your North sector from now until 5 February 2001 since the north is currently affected by the 5 Yellow Flying Star (calculated through Chinese astronomy) which has an Earth element. Following the principle of the weakening cycle, practitioners try to negate this ill effect by using Metal or Metal colours. It is much more effective to use the mythical Pey You or Quirin made of Brass or other authentic Chinese Feng Shui cures to weaken its effect, though.

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