Five Elements of Nature
As you are well aware everything that is in nature and around us are made up of the five (5) elements. From ancient times, our ancestors have been using these basic five elements to purify themself.
So if you look at the five elements of earth (including wood and metal), water, fire, air and space (ether); then you will realize that from the cells to a mountain to the galaxy itself are made up of these five elements. The elements can be classified from base to spiritual in the hierarchy of earth, water, fire, air and spirit.
In Vastu Shastra five (panchamahabhutas) is known as the symbol of the physical body and it is a number of grace that encompasses the earth that symbolizes God's goodness and and the elements are favorable toward human being: mahabhutas (earth), jalam (water), agni (fire), vayu (air), akasa (ether/space/spirit).
In Feng Shui and Traditional Chinese Medicine; the five elements or five phases basically tell about the relationship between the different elements in nature and how the life force or energy flows through them.
Balancing The Five Elements
Vasthu Shastra and Feng Shui have reasons why you have to balance the five elements of nature which leads to ultimately balancing human beings with materials. By unifying all the five elements of Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth; we are able to actually harness a path towards consciousness, enlightenment, happiness, wealth and prosperity. So basically you must make sure your senses of sight, smell, touch, hearing, taste must be in harmony with nature's five elements. By understanding the relevance of the five elements to our body, we are able to capture the essence of the positive energy towards harmonization.
Space According to Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui
Ether or space or akasha is the most important element because it is unlimited. Our sense of hearing is associated with the space element. At the macro level space encompasses galaxies, stars, sun, moon, constellations, planets and such. At the micro level space plays a role in house and office constructions and it is stated that the central area must be of space where light is able to penetrate.
The general rule is to keep the central area vacant and devoid of any activities and disturbances so that the energy in the space element is not harmed. As an individual, you can balance your space element by listening to music, auspicious sounds, etc.