February is Heart and Stroke Month as well as the month in which we observe Valentine's Day. At this time of the year we draw our attention to matters of the heart, and in Chinese 5 Elemental theory the heart is associated with the element of Fire.
Each of the 5 Elements; Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, have a variety of aspects associated with them. The 5 elements can be used to describe the quality of seasons, colors, shapes, organs, emotions and personality traits. Virtually everything can be described by one of the elements, and since you are a microcosm of all that is, you have a particular combination of each of these qualities that is uniquely yours.
So what does Fire look like in you and in your home?
Fire in your personality brings the quality of warmth and generosity, joy and gratitude. It is your fire that encourages you to stretch to your own personal limits. Fire, like the season of summer that it is associated with, is radiant, outgoing and warm. Those with a strong Fire element are sensual, passionate lovers and consummate pleasure seekers. Fire is charismatic and fears being ordinary or isolated.
In the environment Fire is the element associated with our reputation, our unique way of illuminating the world with our presence. Flame and heat producing items such as candles, fireplaces, stoves and furnaces are obvious Fire elements. The color red, and pyramidal or triangular shapes can be used to enhance Fire if you feel that you have none in your home, or in your life. The addition of the Wood element can also help to feed Fire so adding green, columnar shapes and wooden items can be beneficial in increasing the Fire in a room.
All things have a balance and while Fire can warm us, it can also burn uncontrollably. If Fire is out of balance you may suffer from insomnia, anxiety, heart problems and dehydration amongst other maladies. You may struggle to gain recognition or alternately create for yourself a less than desirable kind of infamy (think Charlie Sheen).
Ultimately the power of Fire lies in the heart's capacity to shine, to realize joy and to express love. Fire asks us to contain our passion so as not to burn out, to share our abundance without spreading ourselves too thin and to balance our enthusiasm with deep inner wisdom.
It's also not a bad idea to get your cholesterol level checked!