It may seem odd to ask the question, “Which element(s) do natural crystals represent?” But of course the crystal is the earth element on first go-around. Anything that is a rock or gemstone will qualify as earth and can be used as an earth adjustment when we reference Five Element Theory in Feng Shui.

However, I have been asked a number of times if the color of the crystal matters, if the shape matters, or if the energy of the crystal can be classified in any other additional way besides earth.

This is where we can get into very delicate, nuanced layers in the overlap between gemstone healing and traditional Feng Shui. We could look at the color of any natural crystal and categorize it that way. For example, any stone that is red in color may also resonate with the fire element. Any green stone make represent a little of the wood phase, but not with the potency of a live plant.

Any blue or black stone may vibrate some of the water element and any stone that is brown or yellow may be especially stronger as an earth remedy. Gold, silver, white or any shimmery stone may resonate a little with the metal element as well. And some stones like pyrite have enough actual metal in them to work as a metal remedy as much as earth.

Advanced practitioners of Xuan Kong Fei Xing (Flying Star School Feng Shui) know that a certain area of a house may benefit from not just one, but two elements. We can have a “booster” element within the Productive Cycle. We could use the 8 mountain star as an example. It is earthen by definition and using a red stone could provide the productive element of fire to the earthen object. This can further enhance the positives of the 8 earth star. Normally, I would say that using any red colored object can boost the 8 mountain star. But if you want to use a natural crystal, then the red tones would both enhance and match the 8 earth star.

The shape of any object, not just a natural crystal, could also be put in a subtle category of one of the Five Elements or “Five Transformations.” Many natural crystals have a random shape to them, but some end up being spherical, column-like, or even cut to be cube shaped or pyramidal.

Anything pointy or triangular in shape will be associated with the flame of the fire element. Cubes represent earth, spheres are more the metal element and anything shaped like a wand or column-cylinder is more the wood phase. Water has a more undefined shape so if you see a crystal that has a shape like a splat of water with parts going in all directions, then it may be perceived as like water.

I have always leaned toward the literal use of elements as Feng Shui adjustments. If I feel an area needs water, I am inclined to recommend real water and not just something the shape or color of water. In fact, I am asked routinely if mirrors can be used as a water “cure” since they reflect like a pond. Mirrors were originally used as metal remedies since they were made of polished brass or bronze. And yet symbolically people have wanted to relate to them as the water element.

Natural crystals have their own powers to heal and this is also where a complementary crystal joins forces with another element. Let us say that a certain natural stone can strengthen the kidneys. This might be good to have in an area of the house where the kidney function might be otherwise undermined. In Feng Shui, we typically use metal for this problem, but I can see how they may be used in a complementary way. The kidneys are associated with the emotion of fear. If there is a gemstone which can be held and used in meditation to make someone more fearless, why not use this technique as well? Carnelian, bloodstone, and amber are catalogued as being good for kidney health and function.

I would just proceed with caution when it comes to using very large stones indiscriminately, because at the end of the day they are earthen objects and that element, on a large scale, can be incompatible with certain areas of a house. There is no arbitrary way to determine this; it has to be revealed through Time-Space calculations from the Flying Star School.

Author: Kartar Diamond
Company: Feng Shui Solutions ®
From the Feng Shui and Natural Crystals Blog Series