Energise your living spaces

Scientists long ago have proved that everything in existence is made up of energy called Chi. Everything around us is in constant interaction with this energy within us—which can either be positive or negative.

Feng Shui helps transform the negative energy within living spaces into positive energy. It provides a new perspective to view life and the space in which we live and work. Its principles recognise the influence of nature and energy in the environment, and understand how energy in living and working spaces impacts and affects the quality of our lives.

Feng Shui creates spaces that are aligned with our sense of harmony and serenity. It allows us to alter and use the energy of our environment to our best advantage; improving not just the aesthetics but also the feeling of our surroundings. Achieving a harmonious balance of the energy in a space and our goals and intentions for life, allows us to flow more easily towards achieving all that we want.

Here are some tools that can increase the overall positive energy of our home and office.

Wind chimes

Wind chimes are popular in Feng Shui for attracting chi with their movement and conversion of wind energy into pleasant tinkling sound energy. Wind chimes add new clients, new information and achievements in business. They also help to enhance good vibrations that can boost fame, career and health.For example, for enhancing the West and Northwest zones, use a wind chime made of metal. Wind chimes made of bamboo and wood are good to enhance the East and Southeast zones, while wind chimes made from glass/clay/ceramics help in the Southwest.Five rod wind chimes are preferred in Southwest and mainly used for protection from unwanted energy flow. Six rod yellow/golden wind chimes can be used for Northwest zone for adding helpful people in your lines whereas seven rod white/ silver wind chimes are preferred in western area for adding rest in life. Normally, five rod wooden/ bamboo wind chimes are used in East/ Southeast zone but four rod wind chimes must be avoided in any zone.

Mirrors for balance

Mirrors are powerful tools. Their reflective quality has the effect of sending chi back to its origin. Mirrors also widen narrow, cramped corners and extend walls to make up for missing corners. Hence, they are especially useful in making small spaces appear double the size. However, they should be used carefully. They must not reflect the main door, nor should they reflect toilets. Mirrors are auspicious in the dinning room, but not in the bedroom if they reflect the bed. Bagua mirrors are used to protect a house from malign energies. [They are made according to calculations based on the kua number and the date and year of birth of the native of the house.] They are used on front doors to deflect the influence of negative energy sources i.e. harsh corners, tall objects penetrating roads, roadside trees or poles, cables etc. Bagua mirrors represent a yin energy cycle and shouldn’t be hung inside the house as they affect the energies of the occupants. At home and office, place mirrors in Northeast, North or East directions to aid education, peace, career and family growth respectively. Placing a mirror in the South, Southeast or on the Southwest wall destroys health, reputation and harmony.

Colours for harmony

Colour is one of the easiest ways to shift the energy in your space with Feng Shui. Each colour is an expression of one of the basic five Feng Shui elements: fire, earth, metal, water,and wood.The elements are used in specific areas according to the energy map of your living space. The Feng Shui colour-guide will help you choose the best colours to create a harmonious/ prosperous home. Choose Feng Shui colours according to the energy you need and bring them into your space with paint colour, art, photography, or various other decor items.

Fire: passion and high energy

Fire is the Feng Shui element of South. A balanced Feng Shui fire element in your space will bring a supporting energy in all your career efforts and will help you achieve recognition. Suggested Feng Shui fire element colours are red, orange, pink and string yellow.

Earth: nourishment and stability

Earth is the Feng Shui element of Northeast, Southwest and Centre of your home. A strong and harmonious Feng Shui earth element in your home will help create stability, nourishment and protection in your relationships. Suggested earth element colours are light and beige yellow.

Metal: clarity and preciseness

Metal is the Feng Shui element of West and Northwest. Feng Shui metal element brings the qualities of sharpness, precision, clarity and efficiency; its balanced presence will help you live with clarity and lightness. Keeping pictures of helpful people adds mentors in our lives. Having awards, certificates and details of clients help in multiplying the same. Suggested metal element colours are grey and white.

Water: ease, and abundance

Water is the Feng Shui element of North. A harmonious Feng Shui water element will bring refreshing energy of calm, ease, purity and freshness. Water is also the ancient symbol of abundance, and thus a potent Feng Shui cure. Water element is alsogood to use in the East and Southeast areas of your space. Suggested Feng Shui water element colours are blue and black.

Wood: health and vitality

Wood is the Feng Shui element of the East and Southeast areas of your space. Lush and healing, the Feng Shui Wood element will bring the energy of health, vitality and growth. It is also an expression of abundance, thus an ancient Feng Shui cure for wealth and prosperity. Wood element is also good to use in the South. Feng Shui wood element colours are brown and green.

Plants for prosperity

Plants bring a life force into the home and help keep the air fresh and lively. Plants in and around the house are a source of balance and prosperity, since green is the colour of growth and harmony. Depending on their shape, plants create different types of energy. Upright plants with pointed leaves are yang [the active, and the vibrant energy]. Placed in the South and in corners they are useful in moving energy.Round-leaved and drooping plants are more yin [the passive, and peaceful energy]. They work best when placed in the North and have a calming effect. Plants should be healthy. Sick plants, those of pale colour and plants that shed leaves and flowers create stagnant energy. Flowers have special significance. Specific flowers denote specific quality.

• Jasmine stands for friendship
• Peonies pull good fortune, long life and love when placed in Southwest
• Chrysanthemums bring happiness
• The Narcissus brings good luck
• Irises in the exact shade of purple activate your wealth corner i.e. Southeast zone
• Lotus brings peace, purity and spiritual growth
• Red geraniums attract prosperity and are popular Feng Shui flowers
• Sunflowers bring brightness and enthusiasm in life
• Lilies signify abundance.

Water for wealth

Moving water is a symbol of money and splendour. Even the picture of the waterfall / water-body in a house or business premises leads to happiness, riches, wealth and mutual love in the family. They should be avoided in the bedroom to ensure mutual understanding and harmony between the couple. Best areas to have your fountain are the following:

• East Zone—Health and Family
• Northeast Zone—Prosperity and Abundance
• North Zone—Cash Flow and Career Growth.

Crystals for positivity

Crystal or glass chandeliers are a perfect Feng Shui enhancement because they combine beautiful lighting with the chi-enhancing properties of many light catching facets. Crystals or Crystal balls with careful cuts fill the entire room with the rays of positive energy. Crystals are a strong earth element which can be used in the Southwest to help you reach your goal of solidifying business partnerships, attracting a spouse, or strengthening the bonds of any important relationship. They also help to improve the chances of sudden profitability by speculation and rekindle luck too.Rose quartz is successfully used to enhance love, romance and marriage prospects. If your child tends to get overexcited easily and has trouble focusing or concentrating; usingcrystals necklace can be very helpful in his/her room. Wearing a bracelet or pendant made of crystal is also a powerful way of adding concentration, strength and stability in life; especially for those who are missing 2, 5 and 8 numbers in their birth details [date, month and year of birth].