Feng Shui Your Home

We have all heard the term, “feng shui” but what does it really mean? Feng shui is all about the “chi energy” and how it flows. It has both negative (yin) and positive (yang) aspects. The goal is to balance these two opposite forces & position different elements in your life to optimize “chi energy.”  We are surrounded by energies everyday from people, objects, & experiences. You would be surprised to know how powerful energy fields are and how easily they can affect your day.

Do you ever walk into a room in your home and just feel uneasy and off because of a mess/clutter? I feel this way in our daughter’s bedroom and in our master closet :) The chaos is too much for my senses. The energy is definitely off & I just want to shut the door and run. There are channels of energy throughout our homes. If any of the channels the chi energy travels in becomes blocked, we have a problem---energy backs up and becomes stagnant. This can make us feel tired, frustrated, irritable, etc.  I go through periods where I clean out closets and get everything organized. I feel so light and focused when I am done. For some reason, that mess creeps back up over time. Life happens. What is important is you realize it and take the steps to create inner peace once again.

The term “feng” means wind and “shui” means water. Wind is our breath and we are almost 60% water. Wind and water are essential elements for life & so is feng shui. The five important elements of feng shui are wood, metal, earth, water, and fire.

When furniture is placed incorrectly, dirty dishes are piling up, the laundry is not folded, & you start seeing dust bunnies roll across the floor, these are clear signs the chi energy is being interrupted in your home.

The main door to the room or space is called the "mouth of chi," and it is thought to be the portal through which energy comes into your home and life.

The entry to your home and the front door symbolize the way you face the outside. It is how the world sees you, just like a first impression. Try to keep the area clean and clutter-free. 

One of the most effective and fundamental principles in feng shui is called the, "commanding position." This term means that certain objects should be facing the entry door. The most important objects to place in the command position are your bed, desk, and stove.

The bed represents you, the desk represents your career, and the stove represents your wealth. When you are in these spaces, make sure that you can see the door without being directly in line with it.

Once you get the bed in the commanding position, it is also crucial to have space on both sides of the bed--preferably at least 2 feet. This layout means you have made space for your current or future partner. The headboard should be against the wall (yes, you need a headboard). 

AVOID:

• Blocking doors

• Broken items (appliances, water leakage, burnt out lights, etc.)

• Overstuffing your closets

• Dusty objects & corners

• Dirty windows (symbolize a child’s voice & an adult’s eyes)

• Hanging artwork too low or crooked

• Storing things under your bed

• TV in your bedroom. If you do have one, cover it up with a beautiful piece of fabric.

• Half circle door mat outside your front door---it symbolizes money flowing away.

Do these things to promote good energy:

• Fix squeaks

• Use your front door as the main door (not the back door)

• Put LIVE plants throughout your home. Plants are life energy--they connect us to nature.  Lucky bamboo is a great choice--low maintenance & very easy to care for. Do not use cactus, succulents, bonsai, or artificial plants.

• Close the bathroom doors & toilet seat. Since there are many drains in a bathroom, they can be an energy vampire.

• Smudge sage and follow it up with palo santo. Visualize bright white sunlight filling and cleansing your entire home as you are going through the process. I love to sage and palo santo our home when I feel sluggish, after visitors (their energies can linger after they leave), and when I just feel a need for a reset. I love the smells too :)

• Tabletop fountain - flowing water is related to wealth, abundance, & cash flow. The sound of trickling water is also calming.

I encourage you to take tiny steps each day to gradually improve the feng shui in your home. You will notice a difference in your mental, physical, and emotional health. When our energy is aligned properly, everything else falls into place.

Keri Nelson

Client Care Manager

Keri@PeterKima.com