I Ching Trigram –“Tui” (Shui) – JOYOUS LAKE

Element – Metal

Teaching – PLEASURE, JOY, CREATIVITY.

This area of the Bagua is about encouraging ourselves and others to be creatively expressive. As I allow the energy of this Gua to share its wisdom, I am reminded that the creative spirit is delicate and needs admiration and gentle encouragement to fully flower. Because sometimes as children we were shut down by harmful remarks directed at our expression of creativity, so now as adults, we are reticent about letting this part of us come out and play again. So as you explore expressing more creativity in your life, be gentle and kind with yourself. Experiment with curiosity and beginners mind and allow the fun, whimsical and sometimes messiness and chaotic nature of creativity to be expressed through you.

Creativity in your life can be expressed in many different ways. It can show up in how you decorate your home, arrange furniture, hang artwork and how you combine colors and fabrics;  when you are cooking, trying out different recipes and playing with new ingredients to see how they pare together; how you dress and accessorize with jewelry, scarves, hats and shawls. How you set the table for dinner can be a work of art with a handmade centerpiece and flowers, table runners, placemats, candles and music. You see, creativity is not just relegated to the known world of painting, sculpture and writing books. It is also about how much of yourself you are willing to bring into your life. And putting aside for a while the seriousness of being an adult and allow the childlike part of you to come out and play and experiment with curiosity without having deadlines and the need for perfection.

This area also speaks to being playful like children and not being afraid to try new things. This Gua also represents your relationship with your own children and your inner child.

Enhance this area of your home if you would like to increase your creativity or would like to loosen up and be more playful; you have a new project; work through any creative blocks; become pregnant; have more joy and fulfillment, or improve your relationship with your children and inner child.

Ways you can enhance this area of the Bagua: Introduce pastel colors, white or metal objects; rocks, stones, round or oval shapes; whimsical, playful items; artwork or images that inspire your creativity; display your own or your children’s creations: collages, paintings, drawings or sculptures; toys, dolls or stuffed animals.

This teaching is an invitation to PLAY!