What Is Feng Shui?
In our quest for balance and well-being, we can turn to ancient wisdom of Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese art and science, which offers valuable insights into creating harmonious living spaces. By understanding its core principles, we can cultivate positive energy and invite good fortune into our lives and design our homes to be in harmony with the natural world. It is derived from Taoism, which is the way of nature, with Feng meaning wind and Shui meaning water, and represent the flow of life.
Commanding Position
The commanding position is the spot in a room that is the farthest from its door, usually with a clear, diagonal view of it. This is where you want to spend most of your time in the room and is where you position the dominant fixture, such as bed, desk or stove. These furnishings are representive of your life: the bed represents you, the desk is an extension of your career, and the stove for your abundance.
Bagua Map
The Bagua is a fundamental tool in Feng Shui that helps us map out different areas of our homes and connect them to specific aspects of our lives. It is an octagonal grid that divides our living space into nine key areas, each corresponding to different areas of life, such as wealth, relationships, career, and health. By aligning the Bagua with the layout of our homes, we can identify areas that may need attention or enhancement. For example, if you want to enhance your career, focus on the Bagua area corresponding to that aspect and make intentional adjustments. Through the use of symbols, colors, and objects we can energize those areas and invite positive influences into our life.
Each of the eight outer areas relates to a different area of your life, and corresponds to the compass directions. At the center of the bagua is ninth area, which represents your overall wellness.How does the following map correspond to the use of rooms in your home? Try choosing 1 area of your life that needs improvement, and apply these principles to test the effect.
Five Elements
With Feng Shui, it is also important to balance the five elements, that are recognized in the Taoist traditions: earth, metal, water, wood, and fire. First, define which area of your life needs improvement, then increase the suggested elements, that are recommended. Then, take a look at the placement of other elements in the room, to determine if there may be negative affects. For instance, water in the south can reduce the amount of fire. Too much fire in the northwest will reduce the ability to travel more. And too much earth in the north area of the home will negatively affect a career.
Chi Energy
At the heart of Feng Shui lies the concept of chi energy. Chi is the life force that permeates everything around us, including our homes. The goal of Feng Shui is to ensure the smooth flow of chi energy throughout our living spaces. When chi flows freely, it brings vitality, balance, and positive energy into our lives.
To enhance the flow of chi, it is important to declutter and organize our surroundings. Clear out any unnecessary items that may hinder the movement of energy. Create open spaces and allow natural light to enter your home, as it is a powerful source of positive energy. Position furniture and objects in a way that promotes a smooth and unobstructed flow of chi.
Yin & Yang
Feng Shui recognizes the importance of balancing opposing forces known as yin and yang. Yin represents calmness, relaxation, and stillness, while yang symbolizes energy, vibrancy, and movement. Harmonizing yin and yang energies creates a balanced and harmonious environment. To incorporate yin and yang in your home, consider the balance of colors, textures, and elements. Soft, muted colors and rounded shapes bring a yin energy, while bright colors and angular shapes represent yang. Incorporate both in your decor and furniture choices to create a harmonious blend.
Achieving a balanced yin and yang also involves balancing the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—in your living space. Each element is associated with different aspects of life and can be represented through colors, materials, or shapes. By consciously integrating these elements, you create a harmonious and energizing environment.
By promoting the flow of positive energy, aligning different areas of your life, and embracing the balance of opposites, you invite harmony, abundance, and well-being into your home and life. So, let’s create spaces that inspire and uplift us, where positive energy can flourish. Let’s embrace the wisdom of Feng Shui and embark on a journey of balance and harmony.
Room by Room
-Entrance: The northwest corner is a good place for an entrance, with accessories that include metal such as mirrors, benches and racks. Adding maps, globes, souvenirs and photos from travels enhance the ability to travel more.
-Powder room: Ideally in the centre north, which corresponds to career. Water features are desirable here, but of course, placement of the toilet can be of concern. To offset any concerning placements, mirrors, plants and doors can be used to redirect negative energy. And black accessories are also a good addition (ie black framed mirrors or pictures, etc.)
-Office: Southwest placement of desk in office, kitty corner to the doorway will enhance personal development and productivity. Blue is a good colour choice for productivity and intellectual pursuits, along with earthy tones and textures, pottery and plants.
-Kitchen: South is considered the best placement, with stove centrally located, and candles for additional fire, to enhance reputation and integrity. Kitchen cabinets made of wood, in southeast corner, and dark reddish tones will enhance prosperity.
-Bedroom: The southwest corner of a home represents romantic relationships and light, earthy reds and pinks are the colours of choice, to improve those relations.
-Den: A playful area for kids, or for expressing your own creativity, will ideally be placed in the central west area of the home. With earthy tones, metal in furniture, and playful art that is joyful.
-Centre of Home: Best to keep this area clear, particularly if it is a hallway, as it represents health and wellness. Stone flooring, crystal accessories and earthy yellow tones will enhance your family’s wellness.
Final Thoughts
These are widely held beliefs that have been practiced since the ninth century BC. These concepts are slowly being adapted in our Western Culture. Like many ancient practices, we do not always see the benefits until we give it a try. And once we do, it is difficult to shake the belief that it does indeed affect us in mysterious ways.