Associated with the East and South-East. The first element, ushering in new life, the creator of the five-element cycle. Wooden furniture is believed to be beneficial but it’s dead with little ch’i left. It can still be used providing there are no lingering negative energies from previous owners. So don’t make your bed from wood originally used for executions! Live plants are acceptable providing you keep them well fed and watered.
South-East: Fortunate Blessings/Wealth
Round, wooden tables are especially helpful (remember the “poison arrows” of sharp corners). Broad-leaved bushy plants such as a money plant or Chinese Jade are perfect. Avoid spikier-leaved vegetation. The suggested color for accessories is green, and being an area of Greater Yang, the brighter the better but not too much, try the odd cushion or lampshade. One or two green candles are fine, wood and fire are harmonious. A bowl of small orange fruits symbolize gold coins. The Chinese believe fish symbolize money and tend to keep eight gold fish and one black one. Apparently the black one absorbs all the bad luck. No good for animal lovers then. Remember to keep the water bubbling and sparkling. Avoid too much metal; “wood is not helped by metal” - some small gold objects are acceptable though.
East: Parents/Elders/Ancestors
Definitely the place for pictures of venerable ancestors. Inherited wooden pieces are perfect providing they don’t harbor any negative energy. This is an area of teachers so it should be ideal for studying. The color used is green/brown so plants are great. Again think about accessories in these shades.
Fire – South – Illumination, Recognition, Fame
Fire is the most Yang of the elements, so bright colors are very good here especially red. According to Andy Warhol everyone gets their fifteen minutes of fame. By energizing this area you could achieve yours. Open fireplaces especially with logs on display are great. Fire can also be represented by bright lights and sun motifs. Crystals can be used but sparingly, they represent water and “water destroys fire”, so that crystal chandelier is out. The Red Phoenix is associated with this area, so if you are lucky enough to find one, and keep him in a cage, go ahead!