FENG SHUI

What Is Feng Shui?

A quick guide in enhancing and harmonizing your sacred spaces

By Ashley Rose – Feng Shui Consultant 

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As an Interior Designer, using the Feng Shui concept is one part of my way of converting the interior of your house to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people living in it. 

The Chinese notion of “Feng Shui” defines “Wind” and “Water.” Our breath is made up of wind, and we are about 60% water. Wind and water, as well as Feng Shui, are necessary elements of life. Feng Shui is a Chinese philosophy that involves arranging objects in living areas to achieve harmony with nature. It is based on mindfulness, slowing down, and noting the details of your life to fully experience the present moment. The idea is to harness life force energy  and create a balance between a person and their surroundings.

Your home shines as your sanctuary. 

This is a huge time for Feng Shui, as your home, office and all spaces you spend your time in are influencing you all day long.  When you treat your home as your sanctuary, it takes on a whole new dimension of importance as a sacred space, and it can bring you so much support and power. 

Optimize the Energy in Your Home and Life

Using Feng Shui to arrange your space can elevate your mental and physical health, minimize obstacles and negative outcomes, and enhance your overall enjoyment of life. 

When is a good time to schedule a Feng Shui consultation:  

• when you are ready for new beginnings and want to create a space that reflects your desired future  when seeking abundance and prosperity 
• if you are in transition and need support and recognition 
• if you are seeking to create a nourishing and healing environment  when you are ready to welcome meaningful spaces that resonate with you 
• or when you are not looking to renovate or necessarily redecorate, but want to make changes in your spaces.
• if you are ready to take the next step to move forward in life 
• when something in your space just doesn’t feel right, and you want to shift that energy you want to put the finishing touches on your environment and bring it all together in a mindful way! 

 

FIVE ELEMENTS OF FENG SHUI

One of the ways that I work with the energy of a space is by using the five elements. Each of the five elements (earth, metal, water, wood, and fire) resonates with one another in a predictable way. Noticing the patterns in someone’s life and space, and understanding the relationships between them, can help us figure out what a client needs to come into balance. 

1. EARTH – The element of Earth is related to earthy colors like brown, orange or yellow and the Feng Shui Bagua areas of Abundance, Health and Knowledge. 

 

       2.WATER – The element of Water is related to dark colors like black and very dark blue and the Feng Shui              Bagua area of Path in Life. Water also has the qualities of fluidity, wisdom and intelligence.

 

      3.FIRE – The element of Fire is related to the color red and the feng shui bagua area of Recognition. Fire also        has the qualities of explosiveness, passion and heart-feltness.

 

       4.WOOD – The element of Wood is related to the colors green and blue and the Feng Shui Bagua area of New         Beginnings and Abundance.

 

       5.METAL – The element of Metal is related to the metallic colors as well as white and grey and the feng shui           bagua area of Benefactors and Completion. Metal also has the qualities of righteousness, contraction and joy.

 

THE BAGUA MAP

Feng Shui Bagua (also called ba-gua or pakua) is one of the main tools used in Feng Shui to analyze the energy of any given space, be it home, office, or garden. Bagua is the feng shui energy map of your space that shows you which areas of your home or office are connected to specific areas of your life.

Once you organize your space into a bagua map, you can tackle the sections that relate to your goals outside of the home. Here’s what you need to know about every section of the bagua map and how to bring more of its energy into your life:

The Bagua Areas

Zhen: Family & New Beginnings – Zhen is the active energy of spring, so it can also be used to inspire new beginnings to assist in starting new endeavors. 

• Element: Wood
• Colors: Green, Blue, Teal

Xun: Wealth & Abundance – This area also works with self-worth and generosity.

• Element: Wood
• Colors: Purple

Tai Qi: The Center & Health – The Tai Qi is the center space of the bagua. Therefore, it touches and affects all the areas of your life. It’s related to your health and overall well-being. Making changes in the center area of your home can make a strong impact.

• Element: Earth
• Colors: Earth Tones, Yellow, Orange and Brown

Qian: Helpful People & Travel – Qian position is a good one to work with if you can use more benefactors and helpful people in your life. Almost everyone needs more support! It’s also related to masculine energy and travel.

• Element: Metal 
• Color: Gray

Dui: Children & Completion – Dui area of the feng shui bagua map relates to joy and completion. It’s also connected to children, but that can mean offspring of any kind, such as projects.

• Element: Metal 
• Colors: White

Gen: Knowledge & Self-Cultivation – Gen is the knowledge and self-cultivation area of your home. It can also help you to improve your skillfulness in all that you do. 

• Element: Earth
• Colors: Dark Blue

Li: Fame & Reputation – The fire gua is called Li, and it works with your fame and reputation. It’s also connected to passion and inspiration.

• Element: Fire 
• Colors: Red

Kan: Career & Path in Life – Kan position works with your career and your path that you walk in this life. If you need more wisdom, this is the gua to activate.

• Element: Water 
• Colors: Black

Kun: Love & Partnerships – The other popular gua is Kun which is related to love, partnerships and marriage. It’s also connected to relationships in general, self-love, and feminine energy.

• Element: Earth 
• Colors: Pink
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HOW TO GIVE YOUR HOME A GOOD FENG SHUI?

When it comes to establishing proper Feng Shui in your home, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Which rooms should you start with first? What do you do if a room is already decorated and you want to start fresh?

It doesn’t have to be that hard. We’ve collected a list of suggestions to help you get started on your path to a happier and healthier household. So, whether you’re new to Feng Shui or a seasoned pro, here are a few steps to creating an effective feng shui in every space of your house.

1. KEEP THE ENTRYWAY CLEAR – Feng Shui energy is said to enter the house through the front door. The front entrance, whether it has a foyer or is just a doorway, should always be clean and properly maintained.

Begin by clearing out the area and replacing any blown bulbs or dead plants. Oil the door and make sure it’s clean and quiet. There should be no obstructions in the way of the ‘chi’ flowing freely inside the dwelling, such as furniture or stairways.

• THE WINDOWS – Because windows and doors serve as the intake and outflow for all energy forces, they should be free of furniture and debris. Maintain the cleanliness of the window frames and glasses. Maintain the appropriate hinges and lubrication of the doors. Dirt and dust should not be present on these surfaces since they obstruct the passage of positive energy.

We are naturally powered and awakened by sunlight. All of the colors and things we see are created vividly by sunlight. As a result, when we allow in more light, our spaces become more broad, vibrant, and lively. Clean windows metaphorically wake us up, allowing us to perceive things around us in the most vivid, clear, and precise way possible.

• POSITIONING – The commanding position is one of the most significant Feng Shui principles. This determines where you can put yourself in life. Be certain on using this rule while determining where to put your bed, desk, and stove.

 

You are symbolized by the bed. Your workstation is an interpretation of your professional life. The stove, on the other hand, shows your prosperity. Make sure you can see the door without being completely in line with it when you’re in these areas. You want to be able to see the door when you’re lying in bed, sitting at your computer, or cooking at the stove, for example. This frequently results in you being diagonal or “kitty-corner” from the door.

1. SPACE CLEARING – Let’s begin with removing the clutters. Let go of what’s no longer necessary. When you let something go, you create open space to invite a new, fresh opportunity. 

 

Space clearing aligns with being spacious. This is known as a space blessing in Feng Shui. Together with Physical Space is the Energetic Space and both can be freed.

1. PLANTS – Plants are said to represent life energy in Feng Shui. What exactly does that imply? Living green house plants, on the other hand, connect us to nature and infuse life into our home. 

 

The most important thing to keep in mind is to choose plants that are easy to care for and suitable for the area. Take into consideration your lighting conditions, for example. If you’re new to planting, start with a simple plant like the Golden Pothos. 

1. GIVE THANKS – Lastly, give thanks to your home. Feng shui is a shamanic tradition that believes that everything, including our spaces, is alive. The energy of life (qi) also flows through the house, which animates you.

Your home is your haven. You have a place to rest, feed, celebrate, and much more in your home. It’s simple to offer thanks to your home. Talk with a humble heart to your house and say thank you.

Feng Shui is a creative and intuitive science that teaches you how to harness and control the visible and invisible energies that surround you: in your natural environment, in the buildings that you live and work in, and even in the way their interiors influence you at a subtle level. The underlying premise of Feng Shui, an age-old practice that embraces the idea of living in harmony and balance, is that everything in your environment, down to the smallest detail of furnishing and decor, can either further your goals in life or work against you.

To learn more, follow Ashley Rose at @ashleyrose_sacredspaces

To Book Your Feng Shui Consultation email [email protected]