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].

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Vaastu as practiced in China, Japan, Singapore, Hongkong, Malaysia and many other Asian countries is known as Feng-Shui; the art of balancing energies through interior decoration. This wonderful science is gradually spreading to various parts of the globe including Europe, Canada, US, Australia and even Gulf countries.

Vaastu, in Sanskrit, means dwelling of humans and gods. Since the whole universe consists of five elements namely earth, water, fire, air and space, the tenants of Vaastu try to create balance between them.

All the guidelines of Vaastu/Feng-Shui and Pyramid Power are scientific, practical and supported by universal facts. The magnetic energy of the earth and solar energy are best tapped by adopting the basics of these sciences. Since sun is the major cosmic entity and we live on earth; which nourishes all beings like a mother, they are the treasure of all comforts and pleasure. The subtle energy in natural and built environment affect human beings have also been verified. Thus there is a great need for the architects and Vaastu experts to co-ordinate; since an architect can build an aesthetically posh house but can’t assure happy life to people living in that house, which Vaastu-science may be able to offer.

Kitchen: cooking with energy

Kitchen is the most important room in a house since it affects the health of the entire family.

According to Vaastu, the best place for a kitchen is the South-East corner, as South-East is supposed to be the place of fire God. From the practical and scientific point-of-view as well, it is considered to be the proper place for a kitchen as beneficial infra-red rays come from east and ultraviolet rays, which are harmful for germs like bacteria, virus etc., come from south. The other option especially for west or north facing houses recommended by Vaastu is the North-West area, being the air zone which is vital for burning activity. The other acceptable directions can be East and South Zone to prevent the smoke and cooking fumes from flowing into the living/working area and affecting the health of the inmates.

Direction for cooking

For good taste, as also for proper health of the family especially ladies, the cooking hobs should be ideally positioned in such a way that one is facing east while preparing food. In case of a kitchen placed in North-West corner of the house, one can also face west while cooking. Cooking while facing Northeast/North can result into heavy expenditure, difference of opinion, and mental unrest. In many situations cervical problems, pain in the shoulders have been cured simply by avoiding cooking facing South/Southwest. Another important advice to ensure good health especially to reduce backaches and pain in the legs is to avoid a door at the back while cooking or fix a convex mirror in front to reflect the door area.

Five elements in kitchen

The sink should be placed in the Northeast [water element] or North or East, the gas stove and other electric appliances are to be placed in the Southeast [fire element] or Northwest [Air zone].

Heavy and full height cabinets are to be built in the Southwest zone [earth element]. The Centre [space element], North and East of the kitchen should be kept open. The fridge and the storage cupboards are best arranged along the southern and western walls.

Colours

The best colours recommended in Vaastu for the kitchen are all shades of yellow, off-white or cream. Colours like blue and black should be totally avoided. The roof must always be painted white.

Vaastu for the bedroom

According to Vaastu, the bedroom should be as far away from North and East direction as possible. The closer you are to South and West, the more peace and comfort you will find. That is why Southwest or south area is best suited for a master bedroom.

Never place your head towards North while sleeping since like poles repel each other. It should be towards South, as it ensures good health and peaceful sleep [since our head being North pole is attracted by earth’s South pole]. Placing your head in east or west is also beneficial depending on the location of doors, window and toilets. Maximum furniture should be kept on the south and west side of the bedroom.

Preferably, there should not be any reflective surface in the bedroom to ensure harmonious family life and better health. In case, there is no other option but to have a mirror/TV/computer etc, place it in such a way that it does not reflect the bed or cover the mirror with a cloth before going to sleep.

Ideal colours for bedroom walls are off-white, light yellow, light green, or peach. Avoid dark and fluorescent shades.

Bathroom: cleanse and rejuvenate

The bathroom or toilet adjacent to the Southeast corner in the east direction is very useful as the morning sun rays coming from east falls on our body and kills the germs. It can also be constructed in the west or north of Northwest or in the south direction, leaving the Northeast and the Southwest corners. The seat should be preferably placed on North-South axis. Bathroom should not be placed in the Northeast or Southwest zone of the bedroom. The wash basin can be placed in the Northern or Eastern area. The geyser can be placed in the South-eastern, South or East or Northwest zone of the bathroom.

As per Mayamata, an ancient text, the bathroom should be beautiful, free from dirt, hair, and decorated with flowers, plants and fragrant substances. The colours should be light, refreshing such as light blue green, off-white etc. A lot of natural light, air and, ventilation are the basic requirement of this part of the house.

Drawing room/Living room

Keeping in view the utility of the living room, it will be preferable to locate the areas in Mid-east or Mid-west as the kitchen in Northwest or Southeast will be able to serve these rooms comfortably. For North/Northwest facing houses, it can be located in Northwest and Northeast also. For south facing houses, the living room can be located in the Southeast as well. In the living room, doors in the East and North are the first choice. It must not have any door on the Southwest side. Maximum furniture, showcases, heavy articles should be placed in the Southwest, south or west zone. The TV should either be in the Southeast zone or in the south or west. It should not be in the Northeast or Southwest corners. The furniture of the living room should be square or rectangular but not round, triangular, oval shapes or hexagonal. Portraits/statues of cruel animals, weeping and nude children/women, scenes from war should not be displayed as they create disharmony among family members.

Children’s / study room

Vaastu suggests some simple rules to be followed for the prosperity of your child. The placement direction recommended by Vaastu for the children’s room is North-East, North and East. While studying, the child should face east, north or west to get maximum benefit of solar and magnetic energy. It could increase memory, grasping power as well as concentration. Light facing in upward direction like bracket light or wall mounting light is recommended in the study room as it lifts the energy in the evening hours. The bed can be placed in Southwest, south or west corner. The main door/window to this room should not be exactly behind the student otherwise it will disturb concentration and can arouse a feeling of insecurity. If the children are small, keep the interiors bright and colourful.

Balconies

In India, balconies are usually provided at higher floors and are put to use for creating a garden area, sit-out or sometimes simply for drying clothes. As a general rule, the balconies provided in Northeast, North, East, West of Northwest and South of Southeast of the building will bring happiness, stability and good health whereas a structure in Southwest, East of Southeast and North of Northwest should be avoided.

Along with construction, the interior decor of the house, office, shop or factory is equally important. If the setting is done according to principles of Vaastu/Feng-Shui, the thoughts, speech and action are supported by nature and lead to health, wealth and happiness. In other words, it’s safe to say that Vaastu/Feng-Shui can change our destiny for the better.

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