August 12th: New Moon and Solar Eclipse
August 28th: Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse
We begin the month in the shadow of the July 29th Full Buck Moon. If you energized your Family gua last month (the center left area of your house and every room in your house), tune in and notice what’s changing as a result. Is new information about important family relations or patterns coming to you? Perhaps you’re figuring out ways to better connect with family members or deepen relationships. Perhaps previous blocks are dissolving or answers are showing up.
On August 12th, there’s a new moon in Leo as well as a solar eclipse. Leo is a fun and playful sign which aligns with the Children and Joy gua. This is the center right of your house and every room in your home when you divide it into a grid of nine blocks. Similar to a tic tac toe board.
Eclipses are periods of change. They come in pairs, about every six months. The lunar eclipse which accompanies this solar eclipse, is August 28th. Solar eclipses happen at new moons and lunar eclipses occur with a full moon. According to Madeline Gerwick, this set of eclipses is associated with a breakthrough in a challenging situation that may appear hopeless at first. The situation changes and multiple options may appear, or a serious concern may dissolve. These are positive eclipses that bring good news. Tune in and follow your intuition.
August 12th New Moon in Leo
Leo is a playful, fun-loving sign that occurs during the height of summer in the northern hemisphere. There’s a lot of support and encouragement to lighten up and take time to enjoy the month before we head back to school and business in late August or September.
The area of your home that corresponds to the new moon in Leo energy is the Children, Creativity and Joy gua. This is the center-right of your home, every room in your home, your workspace, and your yard or land. This area relates to:
- Creative self-expression
- Clarity and precision
- Communication
- Loving what you do
- Finding your voice
- Mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, lips
- Lungs, large intestine, skin, esophagus
- Children and joy
In the feng shui bagua, Metal is the primary element for this area. Metal presents itself in all types of metals; white and pastel colors; as well as circles, ovals and arch shapes. The Metal element is strengthened by Earth and weakened by Water, Wood and Fire. As in every area of the bagua, it’s all about balance. Balance doesn’t mean an equal measure of each element. Balance is unique to each location and situation. When Metal is balanced, you are more likely to have more clarity, coherent thoughts, have excellent communications, feel organized, focused, efficient, and precise.
When Metal is deficient (too little), you and your space may feel sloppy, unprotected, you may find things hard to finish and have no strong sense of purpose. If this feels like you, add metallic or earthy items or items that represent the Metal and Earth elements.
On the other hand, if your energy is abrasive, you are overly critical or judgmental, or you are compulsive, sarcastic, aloof or indifferent … either reduce Metal and Earth in your surroundings or add items that represent the Water, Wood and Fire elements.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with life or experiencing deep grief, an influx of the Fire element may be appropriate. If your energy is scattered, add Earthy items to help ground you.
If communications are mixed up, bring in Metal to help them be more precise and accurate. You can do this easily through your clothing too. Since white is a Metal color, wearing white can help your communications become clear and more precise. It’s a great color to help cool typical July and August temperatures too.
Overall, remove clutter, lighten up, and bring some whimsy into your space and your life this month. Doing so will help the chi to flow more freely and may enable you to be more creative or bring creative solutions to problems. Removing clutter, distractions, and extra items will help foster a clear and focused mind. The circle shape, which symbolizes Metal, represents completeness and purity. Incorporating actual or symbolic Metal into the Children, Creativity, and Joy gua can help you to manifest more of the qualities associated with this area in the feng shui bagua.
Metal sculptures, picture frames, lamps, furniture, art, and objects made from any metal (gold, silver, aluminum, bronze, copper, etc.) help to enhance the Metal attributes in this area. The color white and all pastels are also categorized as the Metal element. You can incorporate white and pastels through painted walls, furniture and furnishings.
Art supplies, crafts, music and musical instruments, puzzles, games, toys, help to spark joy and creativity. This is a wonderful area for such items or photos of them. It’s a terrific area to locate a playroom or family room too, as it can stimulate positive energy and support growth and happiness. Another effective way to boost the energy of the Children, Creativity, and Joy Gua is to incorporate circular and oval shapes. Circles and ovals represent unity and completion. You can introduce them through furniture, artwork, and rugs. Circles and ovals help to create a harmonious and balanced atmosphere, promoting a sense of wholeness and continuity in creative endeavors.
The answer in feng shui is typically in the adjustment of the Five Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The Five Elements show up in your space and possessions in a variety of ways. To support the Children, Creativity and Joy gua, emphasize décor with Earth and Metal energy. Use Water, Wood and Fire elements to bring balance.
Emphasize:
Earth energy to ground, comfort and nurture. Earthy items include:
- Square shapes
- Yellow, Brown and all Earth tones
- Big items that hug the earth, such as heavy furniture low to the floor
- Sand and Seashells
- Bricks, Clay, and Adobe
- Wooden furniture (because it is harvested or dried wood)
Metal energy to bring clarity and organization to spaces and situations. Incorporate:
- All metal: gold, silver, brass, aluminum and more (pots & pans, lamps, picture frames…)
- Marble, granite, flagstone
- Natural crystals and rocks dug from deep in the earth
- Circles, oval and arch shapes
- White, gray and pastel shades.
- Balance with Water, Wood and Fire Items
If your rooms in the Children, Creativity, and Joy gua have too many Earth or Metal qualities, balance the area by adding items with Water, Wood or Fire qualities.
Water to bring reflective and philosophical qualities to your space. Water items include:
- All water, water features, pictures and art with water (rivers, streams, lakes, ocean, etc.)
- Glass, mirrors, reflective surfaces and shiny objects
- Free form and symmetrical shapes
- Black and very deep, dark colors.
Wood energy to accelerate growth and expansion. Wood energy is represented by:
- Fresh flowers, plants and trees
- Floral fabrics and patterns
- Vertical stripes and tall columns
- Green and blue
Fire energy to transform people or the space. It is represented by:
- Sunlight and the sun
- Candles, lights, and sparkly items
- Fire and flames
- Red and the red palette
- Triangles, pyramids, diamond, and cone shapes
- People and animals (including pictures)
- Electronics and electrical items
As you clean, update, and adjust your space, also set a clear intention for the related aspect of your life. Perhaps you would like to cultivate more joy, be more creative, improve relationships with your children, plan or enjoy your retirement years, add whimsy and play to your life. All of these aspects and more are influenced by the energy of the Children, Creativity and Joy areas of your home, every room in your home, and your land.
At the Full Moon two weeks later, on August 28th, tune in and notice what’s happening. What is coming to light related to the intentions you set with the August 12th new moon?
The signs might be small at first. They will grow over time. Give thanks that what you have asked for is taking shape and beginning to emerge. Giving thanks in advance of something happening is a great way to help bring it to fruition. Set positive expectations, be patient, and be grateful. Then watch how things unfold.
Contact Peg if you would like help assessing or balancing your space. Sometimes a quick assessment via Zoom or phone is enough to get you moving along.