Using feng shui to enhance your home

PHOTO COURTESY MCT CAMPUS - Feng Shui is an Asian belief system that links health and success to locations and the shapes of rooms and buildings. An explanation for the green cat says that placing it in the south part of a room gives strength in academics.

FENG SHUI INTRODUCTION:
Feng shui is the Chinese philosophy of Earth and Heaven to help one bring positive energy, or chi, into his or her life through geomancy.

Geomancy is any method of studying the Earth and soil to gain insight, and chi is essentially the energy that flows all around us. If conducted throughout living space in a positive way, chi can bring luck, wealth and success to those around it. If chi is channeled in a negative way, it can hamper sleep, health and well-being.

Living areas are broken up into sections on a map, called a bagua, where each area represents a certain part of life. Elements, such as water, earth, fire, metal and wood, are factors that balance the chi flow and create either a harmonious environment or an undesirable one.

By arranging furniture appropriately, incorporating positive design ideas and balancing elements, you too can reap the benefits feng shui offers. The concept of symbols is very important in feng shui. For example, a picture of a lonely person in the relationship part of your house represents you being lonely, whereas a growing plant in the wealth area of your bagua represents a growth in finances.

To begin incorporating feng shui and balancing your chi flow, it’s crucial to clear out clutter in order to let it move freely and not become stagnant.

FENG SHUI DO’S:
- Do eliminate clutter to allow chi to flow freely.
- Keep plants and fish healthy and thriving.
- Use soft and peaceful colors.
- Decorate with things that you want to bring into your life.
FENG SHUI DONT’S
- Put fish in the bedroom.
- Use harsh, fluorescent light.
- Use dried/artificial plants.

PARTS OF THE BAGUA:

KNOWLEDGE:
Element: Earth
Colors: Brown, yellow, green
Decorations: Books, picture of a mountain to represent support, lamps to promote bright ideas, pictures of favorite teachers and mentors.

FAMILY/HEALTH:
Element: Wood
Colors: Green and blue
Decorations: Family pictures, potted plants to enhance good health, exercise equipment.

WEALTH:
Element: Wood
Colors: Purple, gold and green
Decorations: Plants, money jar or piggy bank, golden fish statues, coins.

FAME/REPUTATION:
Element: Fire
Colors: Red, yellow and orange
Decorations: awards, diplomas, pictures of yourself or things you’d like to be known for.

RELATIONSHIPS/LOVE:
Element: Earth
Colors: Pink, red, yellow and brown
Decorations: Pairs of items, pictures of happy couples, crystals, pictures of dragons, phoenixes or mandarin ducks.

CREATIVITY/CHILDREN:
Element: Metal
Colors: Gold, silver, copper, gray and white
Decorations: Artwork you admire, photos that represent your goals, photos of family and children.

TRAVEL/HELPFUL PEOPLE:
Element: Metal
Colors: Gold, silver, copper, gray and white.
Decorations: Chrysanthemum plant, crystals, pictures of people you admire and places you’d like to travel to.

CAREER:
Element: Water
Colors: Blue, black and green
Decorations: Career-related objects and pictures, desk, plant to symbolize growth, positive affirmations or inspirational quotes.

WELL-BEING/BALANCE:
Element: Earth
Colors: Yellow and earth tones
Decorations: A yellow rug, a hanging crystal or chandelier.

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Posted by Lauren Hooker on Jan 20 2011. Filed under Culture, Main Feature. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.