The Earth Element of Late Summer

Late summer is a special time. We know the warm weather and lazy days are soon coming to an end as we prepare to go back to work, send the kids to school and tidy up the garden. It is a strange mix of slow and quick, a balancing act of yin and yang.

According to Five Element theory, late summer is the season that begins around mid-August and continues until the Autumn Equinox in September. This is a time of the year that is ruled by the Earth element.

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It is a time for harvest, and around me the harvest is definitely in full swing. Golden yellow fields are ripened. The dust is flying and the sound of swathes and combines can be heard through the daylight hours and into the dusk. Time is of the essence.

In Feng Shui design, earth tones are the colors of the Earth element and warm gold, brown, yellow and beige are all great colors to use in your home to create the stability that Earth suggests. It is easy to see why neutrals are a natural color choice for many, they encourage us to slow down and to stay grounded.

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The Earth element is also seen in the low, flat and square shapes seen in this calm and serene living room. Shape always trumps color and material in Elemental Feng Shui so even if this room was entirely another color, Earth would still be its primary element.

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On a more personal level, this is the time of year to take stock and fill yourself with gratitude for all that has happened so far this year. Both the good and the bad have happened for a reason and the more gratitude we can find in our hearts the more obvious it will be that we too are reaping the rewards of our lives. As my astrologist Sarie Hobbs says “if we are grateful for each little step, each success, at the end of the month we are filled with gratitude for all that we have achieved”.

So, while you are sitting out enjoying the late summer warmth be sure to take a moment and gather gratitude for each step in your journey this year so far. It is a very late summer, Earth element, thing to do.

In gratitude

Mia