Stressed Out? Feng Shui Your Home
Life has become more stressful for one reason or another. Make your home a relaxing haven to escape the rigors of everyday life by arranging the interior using the principles of feng shui.
What is Feng Shui?
Feng shui is an ancient blend of art and science that was developed over 3,000 years ago in China. It aims to achieve harmony between people and their surrounding environment. It governs the arrangement layout of your furniture and decor in relation to the flow of energy, known as Chi. The word ‘feng’ is Chinese for wind, and the word ‘shui’ is Chinese for water. So by positioning or designing your surroundings in harmony with principles of natural energy flow the Chi will increase. And so will your feeling of balance and wellbeing. https://www.fengshuisociety.org.uk/what-is-feng-shui/
The five elements of feng shui are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Their correct presence and placement in our space stimulates Chi and promotes our wellbeing. The optimal placement of the five elements is determined by the energy map of our space, called bagua in feng shui.
Bagua literally means “eight areas” in Chinese. Therefore, the bagua is eight areas around a center. These areas are connected to different aspects of life. Each gua (or area) also has countless other layered meanings such as colors, elements, shapes, organs, and so much more.
Feng Shui Decorating Tips
Entrance
Make a good impression with your front door. In order to attract energy into your home, you need a welcoming entrance. Paying special attention to your front door is the start of good Chi. In feng shui, your front door is one of the most important areas of your home and represents the face you show to the world. On a practical level, it is how you come in and out of your home. Your front door sets the tone for you and your visitors when entering your home. It’s also the last thing that you see when leave your home!
Using a compass, the orientation of your front door helps choose the best colour to match the feng shui element:
North-facing (water) blue or black
South-facing (fire) red, yellow
East-facing (wood) green, brown
West-facing (metal) white, gray
Declutter
Clear all the clutter around your home – clean and simple lines are always best. And also allows more air and light to enter the rooms, so no blocked doorways. The clean and tidy lines also extend to surfaces, cupboards, drawers and closets. Remove any broken objects as they will exude bad energy.
Bedroom
Balance out bedrooms with neutral colour choices and natural elements such as crystals and green plants.
The bed is best is positioned in the command position, easily accessible from both sides, not in line with the door. A bed next to the door is called the dead man’s position or the coffin position because the feet or head face the door and that is how dead people are carried through open doors from the house – not good Chi. Also note in the bedroom you should not be able to see yourself in a mirror when lying in bed. Your subconscious will be aware of your reflection, and will not be best for a deep restful sleep.
Living Areas
The living room is a space where you and family members all mingle together. So it’s important to make sure the living room has good Chi and is welcoming.
Clear the living area by airing it out by opening windows for fresh air, and diffusing essential oils when not possible.
Make space for each individual, as it is a shared space, make sure there is a confortable seat for each member of the household and have seating that face eachother to be welcoming.
Tyy to include the five elements that uses the cycles of nature to inform and balance our health and well-being. The five elements are earth, metal, water, wood, and fire. Use colours or shapes to match each of the elements.
Decorate the living area with natural plants. Living green plants bring life energy into your own living area and home.
Having well positioned artwork will help the feng shui – again using the five primary element colours. Hang the pictures high as low mountings can be depressing. It is important not to display any artwork that is emotional or has a personal connection. The Scream by Munch would not have the right Chi for a relaxing living room.
These design tweaks as above will promote good feng shui in every room of the house. And allow you to fully relax when you arrive home after a busy day outside.
