The Metal element I reduce and I analyse
In Feng Shui, Metal stands for the west, late autumn and evening, for clarity, structure and aesthetics. Its colours are white, light grey and metallic tones, its forms round and domed. Typical materials are stainless steel, brass and silver.
- Compass directionWestLate autumn, Evening
- Strengthened byEarthweakened by Water
- Metal years0 or 1as the last digit
What does the Metal element stand for?
- Compass direction
- West
- Season
- Late autumn
- Time of day
- Evening
- Planet
- Venus
- Yin organ
- Lung
- Yang organ
- Large intestine
- Body
- Skin, mucous membranes, nose, sense of smell, breathing
Frauke, my Feng Shui student, devoted a little video to Metal, with her own text, images and voice.
Metal is extracted from the earth, from mountains. Metal people are the judges and aesthetes (Venus), astute, structured analysts, bankers, money people. From Wood’s growth, Fire’s enthusiasm and Earth’s enjoyment, they draw razor-sharp conclusions: “What has it achieved? What is good and what is bad?” Judgement is passed and accounts settled.
Analysis, structure, order, schedules, grids. Metal cuts away what is unnecessary, reducing things to their essence: “What exactly is this about? What is the subject here?” Metal is justice (judging with the sword), precision, looking back and analysis. It is the time just before winter, when everything has lost its colour and we sit in the family circle. Metal encourages togetherness without confinement: everything has its place in the circle, the semicircle. It supports closure and completion.
Metal people need their own space, distance, something entirely their own, plenty of air, free movement and nature (lungs, breathing freely). In spatial terms, they are Zen types who can give an otherwise empty room its character with one special piece. Less is more. Clear thinkers, sensitive, pared back, often beautiful, clearly structured people. Judges and artists, because their inner structure often gives them access to sensory perceptions that they express and give form to with a few brushstrokes.
Metal in autumn: maturity and letting go
Metal now rests in the west; autumn holds maturity and letting go. What was too much may leave. What is to remain becomes clear. For me, letting go also includes tidying. I describe my approach under order and decluttering.
Metal in the west of the house
In the classical Bagua, the west belongs to Metal and the third daughter. It is the time of sunset and relaxation, and the west also stands for beauty and aesthetics. The north-west belongs to Metal too.
Strengthening and moderating Metal
Metal is strengthened by Earth, weakened by Water and melted by Fire. Too much Wood blunts and exhausts Metal, even though Metal controls Wood by cutting it.
Too little Metal
Selfish, hard-hearted, self-righteous, unable to let go, imprecise. Earth then supports Metal.
Too much Metal
Self-sacrificing, unable to be alone, meticulous, perfectionist, unable to get going. Water then brings Metal into flow.
In their negative expression, Metal people quickly withdraw, sink into grief and sadness, isolate themselves, fear contact and become hard and strict. Encased in their Metal armour, they cannot move.
In the course of life, Metal is old age.
Metal in a room: colours, forms and materials
Colours
Metallic, white, light grey, polished or mirror-bright, colourless, misty. I describe how white, grey and gold interact with other colours under Feng Shui colours.
Forms
Round, semicircular, spherical, gently rounded hilltops, rounded boxwood plantings.
Materials
Chrome, iron, silver, tin, brass, stainless steel, aluminium, titanium. Copper, gold and bronze also contain a Fire aspect (soft metal). Jewellery, door handles, lamp bases, metal fittings and frames, autumn pictures, gently rolling landscapes, clocks, bells, musical instruments (rhythm), mandalas, dreamcatchers, cutting tools, domes, wedding photos.
Metal on the wall
If my calculations show that a room needs Metal, I sometimes suggest gold. Clients often look at me in disbelief and hesitate to express Metal through a wall colour. But once they take the plunge, they are always delighted to have found the courage for a golden wall.
The golden wall in a Hanover restaurant is one example. Despite its “Metal”, the room feels warm, elegant, welcoming and “special”. A lovely expression of Metal with a simple coat of paint.
Buildings and occupations associated with Metal
Building uses
Igloos, mosques, domed buildings (churches, schools, universities), places of learning and teaching, banks, arches, vaults, semicircular windows and gateways, round entrances, arched bridges, vaulted station halls, reinforced concrete, earth and steel structures, music, rhythm, knives, bowls, jewellery, hardware, planning and organisational offices, beauty salons (Venus).
Occupations
Philosophers, judges, lawyers, teaching professions, everything involving the passing on of knowledge, money professions (bankers), jewellery, finance, metalworking.
Personality: the Yang and Yin sides of Metal
Yang qualities
Consistency, planning ahead, letting go of everything unnecessary, setting boundaries, defending territory, needing plenty of space and air, drawing on one’s own strength, justice, fairness, tidying, finding distance, difficulty balancing closeness and distance, discipline, tenacity, toughness towards oneself.
Yin qualities
Jewellery, wearing metal adornments, breathing and lung exercises, reflection and clear decisions, clarity, pushing limits, cosmetics (skin care), rhythmic sports, music, schedules, analysis, tactics, strategy, commercial analysis and evaluations, number-crunching and calculating.
Metal in the Chinese horoscope
Monkey (Yang Metal) and Rooster (Yin Metal) have Metal as their fixed element. Metal years, however, are those ending in 0 or 1, with the year changing at the winter solstice. I explain how the element in a Chinese zodiac sign is determined on the zodiac page. How Heavenly Stem and animal form a pair there is explained under Chinese astrology. Only a Bazi analysis shows the whole picture of a person.
Gold on the wall?
My on-site calculation determines whether gold or white belongs on the wall. I visit clients at home or at work in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. I explain how it works under Feng Shui consultation.