More than 3000 years ago in China scientists discovered Feng Shui (also known as Chi). The basic principle of Feng Shui is that Feng, which means “wind” and Shui, which means “water”, are energies that attract good health and wealth. Bad Feng Shui attracts poor health and negative energy.
Our homes are divided into different areas and how we arrange the basic elements of life within those areas will ensure health, wealth and happiness.
The goal of Feng Shui
The goal of Feng Shui is to harmonise and align the energy focus of the universe, earth and humanity together. These energies are invisible but move around each of us continually. This is known as Chi. The problem is if you do not have your home arranged in a way to allow these forces to circulate and enhance the feelings of harmony, calm and happiness, one of two things happen:
- they simply pass through your home with little or no effect
- they get stuck, creating the opposite effect which causes stress, discomfort and lack of peace of any kind.
The nine areas of our home
If you are standing at the front door of your home, imagine your house divided into boxes behind you. The boxes represent:
- the far left back section means money
- the centre section next to it means reputation
- the far right back corner means relationships
- the next row (section) on the far left means family and health
- the centre section is where every element and energy come together
- the left section is for children and creativity
- the front left section is knowledge
- the centre front is for career
- the right front is for friends and travel.
Various methods
There are many ways Chi can be achieved in your home, to name but a few:
- QU – this method is used to allow (by the way your home is arranged) the energy to circulate in your home without it getting stuck;
- The Bagua – this is the most complicated but also the most rewarding Feng Shui. This method involves charting your path in the universe. It considers what forces need to be at work to lead you where you are going and keeps you focused and moving towards that goal in harmony.
Living in harmony with the energy of nature
In order to live in harmony with the energy of nature you must understand that everything has energy tied to it. The way you use objects in an area draws the energy. If it clashes with another energy in the room it will cause disharmony (arguments and disagreements) at home.
For example, your kitchen is a place of nourishment and togetherness. However, if you place your oven (metal and heat representing fire) directly opposite your sink (water), the energy in the room clashes, causing discomfort to the people in the room.
Your front door represents wealth and to keep the wealth flowing, you should situate evergreen plants next to the door.
The hallway represents opportunity and for it to circulate, the hall should be kept clear. Put coats, shoes and other obstacles in the closet. To make the energy stronger, add a mirror and fresh flowers at the end of the hall.
Attraction of energy
Everything attracts positive or negative energy. Therefore, you will want to set up your home in a way that positive energy is drawn to it and the power of negative energy is reduced, keeping the home balanced. Also you will want to create a home that has as much light, calmness and open space as possible.
Here are some tips for beginners in the field of Feng Shui:
- Relax – there are many cures available to balance energy if you do it wrong.
- Keep the family (central) area clean and tidy.
- Place a lucky bamboo plant in your home. Take good care of it and it will take care of you. The plant is a sign of growth, peacefulness and vitality. The more you care for it, the more of these positive energies will come to your life.
- Plant fresh flowers. Have some in the house and have a flower garden outside. It doesn’t matter how big or small. The plants will attract positive energy.
- Be sure your kitchen or oven is not visible from the front door.
- Open your windows, drapes and doors whenever possible to let the wind circulate good Feng Shui in your home.
- Remember Yin and Yang – this is the symbol of balance, for every good thing there is a bad thing. We must be aware.
We learn more every day
Feng Shui has been used for thousands of years. Generations of people learned from nature and perhaps they are qualified to teach their experiences to those of us with open minds.
So when you move home, take an honest look at what this ancient art has done for thousands of years. Maybe it can do the same for you? You will never know until you try, but remember this is just the beginner’s basics. There is much more to this art. Take your time to learn about it and invite this ancient science into your world to see how it affects your life.
How to begin
There are a few basics that must be followed regardless of which Feng Shui system you incorporate into your home:
- Declutter and clean out everything. If it is not needed, get rid of it. Imagine water flowing downriver. Every time that water hits a tree branch, stone or a structure, the water is disturbed. It changes the flow and disrupts the energy. In Feng Shui, the water represents the energy flow. This is the force that brings you harmony and happiness. However, everything in the house causes the energy to shift.
- Always take your shoes off at the door.
- Remove sadness, stress, anger and negative thoughts from your home. You can do this by cleansing the space with burning age and speaking words of love and happiness as the rooms are being cleansed.
- Open windows and doors and let nature in. Breathe in the air. Let the light energise you. In the evening or during winter keep the lights as dim as it is comfortable.
- Add lots of greenery.
Follow these tips and you should immediately feel a difference. You will not learn these methods overnight but it is worth your time or you might want to consider hiring a professional.
