Archive for the ‘Feng Shui’ Category

PostHeaderIcon Clutter and Feng Shui

Part of having good feng shui is clutter management. If anything, clutter is the biggest hindrance you can have for the best flow of chi, prosperity and goodness in your life. However, few people are able to manage their clutter wisely. On a daily basis, we get tons and tons of stuff we wont be really using for a long time. Here are some tips for you to help reduce clutter and invite good Feng Shui.

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip : Sort your mail as it comes in

Incoming mail is one of the top sources of clutter. All those bills are not just stressful if mismanaged and stashed somewhere in your home, but it is also contributory to clutter in your home. If you are really serious about getting good Feng Shui, make sure that you are able to screen your mail. Establish a system for sorting all your mail. And this also holds true for other papers you may be keeping in your home. If you neatly categorize them and throw away the ones you no longer need, you will be much better off.

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip : Opt for daily cleanings than reliance on major general cleanings

A general cleaning schedule is good, but if you are still not in the habit of cleaning on a regular basis, you may still find yourself filled with a clutter problem. So the best thing to do when you are trying to apply good Feng Shui is by exercising your cleaning powers on a daily basis, not just on a schedule. It does not have to be too rigorous if done on a daily basis. You can just start with the cleaning per day one area at a time to accomplish it effectively.

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip : Clean as you work

While working on a project, clean as you go. This means that you will not just leave stuff lying around on the table as you do your work. This ensures that the work space remains clean, and this also implies that you are open for more productive work in the future since the space is wiped free of any traces from previously done work.

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip : Be generous about your stuff

Give away the stuff you dont need. This is a rule of thumb when it comes to cleaning up and freeing from clutter. Being generous involves giving away stuff you dont really get to use. What you wont use for a long time and collect dust may actually be an answer to somebody elses problems. Just make sure that you are not transferring clutter but something that can really be of use to the person you are giving it to.

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip : Dust frequently

Dusting frequently helps keep your place clean. Dust, when accumulated also forms the clutter which we are really trying to avoid in Feng Shui.

Anti-Clutter Feng Shui Tip : Evaluate your stuff brutally

If at all possible, have a peer to help you evaluate your stuff at home. What you may hold dear and refuse to part with is not just a sign of bad Feng Shui but may also be a sign of a hoarding problem. Aside from addressing your Feng Shui issues, the mindset on clutter ma also have to be dealt with accordingly.

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PostHeaderIcon Decorating Your Home With Feng Shui

Feng Shui is the practice of bringing good fortune by achieving balance between various elements. In the US, more people are beginning to consult Feng Shui experts in decorating their homes. For you to understand what they say, you need to learn the basic Feng Shui areas that need your attention so you will be able to decorate it properly.

The first step is to draw a layout of your home. When you are doing it, you are noting down the north points in the house.

Then it is time to work on the door. Ideally, the front and back door must never line up with each other. This is because according to the principles of Feng Shui, energy that enters the house will just go out without bringing any benefits to the homeowner. If this is the case in your home, put a plant or any other obstruction with an angled throw rug to encourage a path in a sideways direction.

To bring more energy in the home, bring in some light. This doesnt mean turning the lights on but simply opening up the curtains so the sun can come in. You should also add green plants since in Feng Shui, the color itself brings joy and happiness. Other decorative items you can use include mirrors, wind chimes and brighter colors.

You can also bring good fortune to the home by putting in an indoor water fountain. This is because water refreshes Chi. At the same time, you can throw in some goldfish as this also encourages wealth. Just make sure to keep the pond clean and never let it stagnate.

Red is a very strong color in Feng Shui because it is hot, passionate, rich and celebratory. You must use this color for a living room set because too much of it may bring restlessness, a burst of anger and over stimulation. If you want to use it, use it only for details and accessories.

When you note down the north point of the home, it will be easy for you to work in other areas such as the southwest area of the house. This area is vital because it will allow you to have satisfying relationships. You can do this by eliminating clutter and replacing it with symbolic items ideally in pairs. Some good examples are candles and other figurines. Never make the mistake of putting wooden or green items here.

As for your dining room, the best ones to get are circles as this symbolizes heavenly blessings. The chairs should be even in number and comfortable to sit in. The d飯r should be simple so people will not get distracted and be more focused on having a good meal.

Watch out for exposed beams. If there are, these should be covered up because it creates an oppressive downward energetic flow that may cause health problems and other misfortunes in your life. The other option is to have two Feng Shui flutes installed at degree angles on the beam, one at each end.

As for the bedroom, make sure that the bed is not directly facing the door. You shouldnt also place a mirror on the opposite side of the bed as this could attract a third party into your relationship.

Peace and prosperity can only be achieved by decorating your home with Feng Shui. You can start now with some of the basics then get help if you think you need it.

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PostHeaderIcon Concepts Behind Feng Shui

Feng Shui is more than just rearranging furniture, its a lifestyle. And lifestyles involve mindsets or concepts that are prevalent. Feng Shui experts just say no to some things without reason. Most of the things they do come with a line of reasoning that may not necessarily be embraced by many people.

Nonetheless, it is still a point of view that among other things, require careful consideration and thought. So what are the thoughts that prevail on the onset of Feng Shui? Here are just some of these prevalent concepts that a Feng Shui enthusiast or researcher may find useful.

Sense of Balance

The number one thing that Feng Shui promotes is balance. This balance comes in many forms, in the color arrangement, in the spatial factors up to the numbers that concern your working space or environment. The balance is more promoted by the five Earth elements of Feng Shui and the bagua, which is designed symmetrically and with complete reference to the different elements of the earth by Feng Shui standards. The standards of Feng Shui is made customized in every person, but it all boils down to having the right sets of things that complement and balance each other out.

Sense of Positivity

A sense of positivity is also what Feng Shui promotes. Positive energy is the thing most sought after by people who try to get the services of Feng Shui consultants. This positivism needs to be maintained. Conversely, it wards off all the forms of negative energy that may come in a given space. This is why there are charms that help cure the bad luck in a given place, especially those which have been established without guidance of Feng Shui.

A Natural Inclination for Beauty and the things that Promote It

Beauty in symmetry and symmetry in beauty is one of the core concepts of Feng Shui. It appeals to the physically inviting, and also adheres to fighting for beauty and balance in things. Feng Shui, in some ways, is a celebration of beauty in design and other physical elements of the space being designed.

Love for Your Environment

Feng Shui promotes the careful consideration of the environment before establishing places. Good Feng Shui respects the elements of the earth and makes the Feng Shui enthusiast more mindful of their surroundings. They dont just work instantly in any oppressive place, but strive to remove any existing negativities in the environment.

Love for Self

The love for self is also promoted by Feng Shui. You will detect energy based on what generally feels good to you. Love for self involves not subjecting yourself to oppressive places or harboring negative energies that can be counter-productive to your different activities.

Dreaming big and making the environment jive with that dream

Finally, Feng Shui is more anchored on the greater scheme of things. When you have a dream and you intend to fulfill it in numerous ways, the best way to start is to have an environment that embraces those dreams. If you dream big and work hard, but your environment cancels all the things that you are striving for, it will be a very difficult task for you.

Feng Shui ensures that there is alignment between the things you want and the things that are manifested in the objects you see everyday.

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PostHeaderIcon Feng Shui For Education

Education has always been very important in China and
feng shui cures have always been used to help children
learn. The Western part of your space is connected to
the well being of your children.

If the energy is focused positively, it can improve
every aspect of your children’s lives and one of the
most important parts is education.

The Western feng shui element is Metal which prefers
the colors white and gray. Earth complements metal so
using yellows or sandy colors are beneficial.

You should avoid anything fire related as fire melts
metal. The use of your children’s artwork in the area
is a great idea. When placed in white or metal frames,
the increase in positive energy will soar.

There are many other things you can do to help
increase your children’s ability to learn
successfully. By placing a map or a globe between the
North and West area’s of your child’s room, they will
draw in energy that can expand thinking abilities and
encourage long term goals.

Avoiding clutter is a large part of feng shui and it
should be cleared out before rearranging the room.
This has many practical applications if the Western
area of your home is used as a place of study.

By having a positive environment surrounded by artwork
that your children are proud of, it can be a great and
peaceful place to do homework or study for tests. It
is a much more distraction free area than a bedroom
where there are toys, television, games, or siblings.
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PostHeaderIcon The History of Feng Shui

Feng Shui is the art of placing and situating a structure so it is in harmony with nature. Also known as Kanyu, cultural and social issues are influenced by cosmological, metaphysical and natural factors.

To use this ancient technique, you have to understand the influence of cosmology on earth. You should also have knowledge of how astronomy and astrology influence the placement of buildings. You also need to understand Confucian classic, the weathering process, the forces of nature, the magnetic fields and how these all influence us. If you think about it, that is a lot to study.

The history of Feng Shui originated in the West Han dynasty around third century BC. Those who practice it believe that the earth is alive with energy. If people built a structure on a land that has revitalizing energy, then they would prosper. If this is placed in a site with bad energy, misfortune will occur.

Originally, Feng Shui was used to help place tombs for those who have died rather than for building homes for the living. Back then, they believed that choosing a good burial site will bring peace and prosperity to those who remained here on earth.

The instrument used to select the correct burial site was known as the Lo Pan. This invention was traced back to the Yellow Emperor where it is said that the Lady of the Nine Heavens gave him this knowledge.

This ancient compass was called the Hin Shi and is described as a square base called a diviners board, holding a bowl of water which floated a magnetic south pointing spoon. The Hin Shi then developed into the Lo Pan and during the Sang Dynasty, this was used to navigate at sea. When this was brought to Europe somewhere during the th Century, this was better known as the compass which helped navigators explore the rest of the world.

But going back to Feng Shui, if the Lo Pan can be used to pick good burial sites, couldnt it do the same for erecting buildings where people could live? The answer is yes and so this device was now used to analyze the orientations in a relationship to the main door, the bed and the stove.

Since then, both the rich and the poor incorporate this in their architecture. Archeological studies have shown that ancient Chinese city planners were made in concentric rectangles surrounded by walls that were then surrounded by lakes, hills, valleys, gardens, courtyards and parks which were to enhance positive energy.

As for buildings, these were constructed to enhance a healthy relationship between family members and the country.

This is where Yin and Yang comes in which this is considered to be the foundation of the universe. Coming from Taoism, these two are complete opposites that cannot exist without the other.

For them, the left side of the building must represent Yang or the male force while Yin or the female force is on the right.

Examples of Yang in the past included sunlit roofs, built areas and an elevation in the front. For Yin, there must be empty areas, shadowed eaves, set back structures and elevations in the back.

The history of Feng Shui was almost forgotten when the communists took over in . If it wasnt for the masters who practiced it and shipped it out to Hong Kong or China, we would have never known it existed. Feng Shui made its way to the US only in the s. Various articles and shows have focused on it and people now use it to help in building a house or a building.

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PostHeaderIcon Feng Shui For Health

Feng shui has long been heralded for its ability to
increase people’s energy level and give them a much
healthier life. This may sound unusual to some people
but really think about it.

Feng shui calls for a clutter-free, well lit area with
good air circulation. That by itself can do wonders
but when applied with various feng shui techniques, it
can make amazing improvements in your state of mind.

Nobody likes living in a mess and that can affect you
mentally. To maintain a space that is beneficial to
your health, there are only three basic needs that
have to be met.

Fresh air is very important in the modern world.
Thousands of years ago there weren’t factories and
cars all over that seriously diminish air quality.
Even in your home there are many pollutants from
things like your stove, refrigerator, and animals.

The easiest way to help eliminate some of these
pollutants and to add something beautiful to your home
is to get some air purifying plants.

Many types of small palm and fern are renowned for
their ability to suck in toxic substances that are in
the air. In addition, they put out oxygen which is
always a good thing.

Lighting is very important also. Light is one of the
most powerful forms of energy in the universe. Many of
us don’t get enough sunlight exposure as we need on a
daily basis.

Feng shui encourages the use of natural light whenever
possible but in areas where that isn’t an option, full
spectrum lighting is recommended.

The last basic need is to stay free of clutter. Get
rid of stuff you don’t really need and don’t be a pack
rat. By starting with these three basics, you can
learn more and start applying feng shui cures to your
home and life.
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PostHeaderIcon Feng Shui History

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese practice of utilizing certain so called laws governing the heavens and earth that can improve through what is called having positive Qi. Feng Shui history is an ancient one and covers over , years. It is even older than the invention of the magnetic compass. A main portion of its origins may stem from ancient astronomy.

The astronomical history of Feng Shui is evident in the ancient instruments that were developed in its practice. The earliest known Feng Shui instrument may have been what is known as the gnomon. This instrument was used along with trying to circumpolar the stars in order to determine the north and south axis. This was basically used in laying down early Chinese settlements.

The ancient Yangshao and Hongshan cultures in China provide the earliest evidences of the practice of feng shui. As early as BCE, doors from Banpo dwellings were aligned to the star called Yingshi just right after the winter solstice. This allowed the homes to be sited for better solar gain. During the Zhou era, the star Yingshi was known as Ding and had a great influence in trying to determine the appropriate time to build their capital city. This is according to records on the Shijing.

Another example of the practice of ancient feng shui can also be found from the grave at Puyang that dates back to about BCE. This particular grave contains mosaics of the stars called Dragon and Tiger along with the Beidou, known in the Western world as the Big Dipper constellation. The mosaics seem to be oriented along the north to south axis. The presence of round and square shapes were also found at the Puyang tomb as well as at the Hongshan cultural ceremonial centers and the former Longshan settlement. These evidences suggest that the practice of gaitian astronomy (belief in a round earth and a square earth) was already present in the ancient Chinese society.

One of the oldest instruments used in ancient feng shui were the liuren astrolabes. These ancient instruments consist of a lacquered, two-sided board equipped with astronomical sightlines. The oldest of the liuren astrolabes have been found and discovered from tombs dating from BCE and BCE. These ancient astrolabes show the cord-hook diagram and some those found even include the magic square of three. The markings on these instruments remained unchanged, from the ancient astrolabe down to the first magnetic compasses.

The practice of astronomy that bears a striking resemblance to many modern feng shui devices and theories were also discovered on a jade artifact found in Hanshan that dated at around BCE. Ancient structures in China which included its palaces in the capital cities are all influenced by feng shui in their design and layout. The rules that were followed were written during the Zhou era on the “Kaogong ji”, or the “Manual of Crafts”.

The magnetic compass was initially invented for the practice of feng shui and has been in use since its invention. Traditional feng shui instruments include the Luopan or the earlier south-pointing spoon or the zhinan zhen. This shows the extent of feng shui history and its long standing practice in ancient Chinese history.

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PostHeaderIcon Feng Shui Home Tips

Feng shui has been an ancient Chinese practice that has recently became popular even in the Western world. It aims to strike up a certain kind of balance in a certain environment making it more ideal for people to live in. This is the practice of feng shui that has gotten the attention of most people, particularly for use in their homes. Here are some useful feng shui home tips that you can make use of to make your home filled with that positive “chi”.

Your Doorway and Chi

First off, you can start on your doorway. Doors should always remain free and clear of clutter. With this in mind, you should try to remove any slippers or shoes that may be lying around the doorway. In feng shui, it is said that “chi” flows with the wind. With the slippers and shoes at the doorway, the “chi” would bring with it the smell coming from the slippers and shoes into your house and cause sickness.

The “chi” would then go about the home interior trying to find water where it can stay. In the absence of such bodies of water like water fountains and aquariums, the “chi” would easily be dispersed by the wind.

Of Water Tanks and Fountains

In feng shui, water is said to be a repository of the energy called “chi”. That is why it may be good to have one in the home. But positioning is also important. A water fountain or fish tank should be positioned in an area that would attract positive “chi”. But a wrong or unfavorable position would also bring in the opposite.

While good fortune awaits, wrong positioning would also bring in misfortune and bad luck. If you have noticed the latter happening to you after positioning a water fountain of fish tank at a certain area in the home, you may need to shift it to another location.

Chi in the Kitchen

In designing your kitchen at home, make sure that you do not place your refrigerator opposite of your stove. These appliances can stand for fire and water. With the two clashing, it may bring family members to experience frequent disagreements at home. This also goes the same with the stove being opposite with the wash basin or washing machine in your kitchen.

Feng Shui in the Living Room

If you recently have been experiencing considerable pressure at work, your marble table might be a factor that may be causing it, feng shui speaking. You can either try to work your way through the pressure or you can remove the marble table in your home and exchange it for a wooden one.

In the same way color may also affect some things in feng shui. For instance having a red sofa set in your living room may bring about work pressure, problems as well as obstacles.

The color red that signifies fire just doesn’t work well in some areas of the home. These are just some of the feng shui home tips that you can apply to make sure that the flow of “chi” in your home remains on the positive side.

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PostHeaderIcon Earth, Metal and Fire and Feng Shui?

Good Feng Shui means you have a balance of the five elements that compose the earth. Coversely, it also involves not having these elements overpower each other. Now, how do we really go about that? The basic principle on Feng Shui is heavily anchored on the five elements of the earth. In an ideal system, the five elements complement each other in a form of life cycle. If the environment fosters this positive nature that balances the five elements of the earth, then prosperity and good luck may not be far off.

Ideal System

The ideal system is where water produces wood, wood yields fire, and fire fashions the earth. Then, the earth forms the metal and the metal consequently produces the water. The overbearing and ugly system is when the elements contradict each other: wood burdens earth, fire destroys metal, earth hampers water, or water kills the fire. If you are able to see the visual properties of these elements, you may find that these arrangements prescribed by Feng Shui also make practical sense, even if you do not necessarily dig the concepts and foundations of Feng Shui.

Earth

You dont have to be a geologist to understand good Feng Shui for earth. Earth is generally composed of ceramics and rocks. If you want a happy home, you must have a good dose of rocks and ceramics strategically placed in tune with the other elements that are present in your home. Lacking in earth, you may find yourself filled with instability and resilience that the earth is generally known for.

Metal

Electronic devices can actually have good feng shui as well. They are under the metal category, which not just brings in the technological advancements of this age but also the toughness brought about by metal materials in the different elements of Feng Shui. Make sure that metal is not colliding with fire elements, and this may even hold a practical significance because you wouldnt want any of your electronic devices to catch fire!

Water

Zen fountains and the like form the water aspect of Feng Shui. Just ensure that water complements your metal. Overpowering your home with electronic appliances may actually appeal to the gadget junkie but not to the Feng Shui aficionado. Aside from the fact that water balances metal, you may also find that it has visual appeal if a person finds a Zen fountain in the midst of a sea of gadgets in the home which may be cool in function but not in appearance.

Fire

Candles and fireplaces are good examples of fire elements in Feng Shui. It may appear weird to put a fountain beside a fireplace for it contradicts that purpose, but many a movie had background sets with a fireplace and wooden furniture that is well ideal for a night of romance. Too much fire can actually drown the environment, so be very careful when lighting your environment. In business settings, it may also be advisable to tame down the effects of fire in the office. But it can be more unleashed in the personal setting, especially in romantic ones.

Wood

Wood is abundant in many places. Wooden furniture remain to be vintage to the Feng Shui expert. And this does not have to be only in the form of wooden furniture. Just by cultivating a garden in your home, you will be able to bring in a lot of wood that can help you balance the different elements.

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PostHeaderIcon Feng Shui In The Kitchen

The kitchen is the most important area of your home.
It is responsible for nourishing your entire family
and keeping everyone happy and healthy. In feng shui,
the kitchen is a symbol of wealth and abundance also.

The optimal place for your kitchen is the center of
your home. If the kitchen is located near the front or
back door, the positive energy can escape.

Food gives us all of our energy and enables us to
remain healthy. To keep this food energy positive and
healing, the food has to be cooked in an organized
kitchen that maintains a good balance of Chi. By
having a well balanced and energized kitchen, the cook
becomes more energized and the entire family benefits.

The best tips for the kitchen are pretty basic and
should go hand in hand with the rest of your home very
easily. Lighting is an important part of feng shui and
in the kitchen, there should be an abundance of
natural light if available and if not, full spectrum
lighting is recommended. The air should flow nicely
and the kitchen should give off a very welcoming
energy.

A great way to add positive energy to your kitchen is
by using plants and flowers. When placed on your
kitchen table, they are not only beautiful to look at
but increase the positive energy level greatly. You
should use plants and flowers that are yellowish in
color because in feng shui, yellow is a great
digestive aid.

Like the rest of the house, clutter should be kept as
minimal as possible. Since this is the very heart of
the home, keep it as happy and warm as possible.
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