Feng Shui: What’s it really all about?
Feng Shui: paint it red, add some calligraphy and windchimes and we’re off!
Not so fast! Feng shui is an ancient art and science that was developed over 3,000 years ago in China and it deserves a closer, less flippant, look than that.
Based on Taoist vision and understanding of nature, “Feng” means wind and “Shui” means water. In Chinese culture, both wind and water are associated with good health, and the practise of feng shui has come to imply good fortune. The guiding principle is that the World is alive and filled with energy called Chi (or Xi) - the vital life force/energy that runs through all living beings.
Most ancient cultures have an equivalent to describe this vital energy: Prana in India; Ki in Japan; PachaMama in parts of Latin America; and the Great Spirit of Native Americans.
Essentially Feng shui is the interaction of people with their environment. Influencing those energies attracts specific life improvements. This influence is earned designing surroundings and placing objects in harmony with natural energy flow.
Feng shui helps balance the energies of any attract health and good fortune to those inhabiting it. Its principles of spatial arrangement and orientation are considered when designing buildings or placing furniture and possessions - all of which should attract balance, comfort, and harmony.
Consequently feng shui is used Worldwide. (Note that there are several different schools of feng shui.)
Tools of the trade
The primary ‘technical’ tools for feng sui are the Luo-Pan (compass) and the bagua (energy map) A bagua is an octagonal grid containing the symbols of the I Ching (an ancient ‘oracle’ on which feng shui is based).
But they’re for the professionals. Here are six short pointers to hear you in the right direction:
1. Invite in energy
An open, inviting pathway from the front door – considered the “mouth of qi”- lets positive energy flow in. (By contrast, if the way is closed off or blocked, energy can stagnate.) The entry point (front door) is first place to start to create good feng shui in your home.
Similarly, make sure all spaces are well lit. And place mirrors strategically. Mirrors reflect energy, so put them where you want to create or increase energy flow, reflecting something beautiful.
Certain things need to be in ‘Command Position’ ie able to see the door – like a bed in the bedroom, a desk in the office etc. What’s facing the door will receive more energy, so don’t place it directly in front, but do give it the prominence it deserves.
2. Use red paint
Red is believed to attract energy, fortune, and luck. Try putting red flowers by the front door, or painting all, or part, of the door red.
3. Clear the clutter
A cluttered house equates to a cluttered mind, and sucks up the energy. Even inside spaces like drawers and wardrobes or cabinets have an energy flow: hidden clutter is still clutter.
4. Find balance
The elements, and their corresponding colours, are black-water; green – wood; red – fire; yellow, and brown – earth; and white – metal. In order to stay grounded, there should be something of each in every room.
They don’t have to be big statements: a small candle in a stone holder surrounded by water, for example, will immediate give you three out of the five.
5. Bring the Outdoors Inside
We already mentioned that open front door, but now we’re looking at open windows and other doors to let in fresh air and natural light. Don’t forget to clean your windows to let light in. And don’t forget to add indoor plants.
6. Impede energy flow where necessary
If you want a calm, restful bedroom , you won’t want lots of mirrors bandying energy about, but you do want soft, sensual things. Clutter has its own messy energy, so don’t hide things under the bed. And keep family photos in the family room, not the bedroom.
If you’ve created a flow of positive energy into a house, using, for example, the red flowers and open front door mentioned above, don’t let it leave straight through the open back door in front of it. Put down a rug or piece of furniture to impede that healthy energy and keep it in.
And a final note
Feng shui is about being positive. Our homes are our shelter, a place to eat and relax, a place to celebrate and more. Gratitude is really important.
If you need to make space to create that positive energy flow, easyStorage is always here to take care of your storage needs.