In my previous Feng Shui blog posts, I have talked about the two main schools: the Compass School (cardinal directions) and the Form School (landscape study). We must work in different directions simultaneously: create functional spaces, keep ergonomic measures, and decorate properly, and to achieve this goal, both schools are taken into consideration. To completely understand the flux of Qi energy in the house, it is necessary to make a complex analysis of the house itself, starting from where it is located, what surrounds it, the shape of the house, make the Lo-Shu Square and the Bagua Map to see where are located each of the nine sectors of life, and, at last, make a complete analysis of all inhabitants of the house.
So far, we've seen where to find every sector of life in the house (using the compass, the Lo-Shu square, and the Bagua map), understand which is the governing element, and how to potentiate it. Today, we shall see simple tips how to correct the Qi energy in 3 main areas of the house to achieve balance and prosperity:
- The ENTRANCE DOOR was considered, since ancient times, to be the main portal through which the procreative Qi energy enters the house, and, at the same time, it keeps away evil spirits and negative energy. Therefore, choose with maximum attention its size, shape, and color!
The entrance door must be the biggest and strongest door of the entire house, and at the same time, it must be proportionate to the size of the house. For example, if the house is small, a big door can become an outflow of Qi energy, which can lead to financial difficulties. If, on the contrary, the house is big, a small door can create obstacles and block the Qi energy entering the house, which will make the inhabitants feel exhausted and nervous.
Moreover, particular attention must be dedicated to the space that opens in front of the door: the hall, the staircase, the living room, or other location. The Qi energy of this place is very important, therefore keep this area always clean, organized, and welcoming.
If the entrance door leads directly to the staircase of the basement, such a dispositioning is considered unfavorable, because the Qi energy that enters the door will immediately go downstairs. The best would be to switch the staircase location; if it is not possible, then close the access to the staircases with a door.
Pay attention to the “poisoned arrows” (sharp angles) that are oriented towards the entrance door, or any other door in the house, because they create negative energy in the house and problems for its inhabitants. These “arrows” may appear because of a corner of the nearby object (es. neighbor’s house or massive furniture piece), structural rectangular pillars, art pieces, or else.
If you have two doors one in front of the other, it is considered damaging for the Qi. Furthermore, if you have two or more doors positioned on one line (es. a long and narrow corridor), the Qi energy will flow too fast, therefore it will take away the health and the wealth of its inhabitants. If moving the door is not possible, the simplest way would be to position some plants or other objects to slow down the flow, make it stay longer, and move around.
- The BEDROOM is another key area of the house, since one third of our life we spend in bed, so it must ensure to have a healthy space with pure Qi energy.
Fresh air and daily natural light are necessary to keep this ambient safe and healthy. Moreover, a calm palette of colors will massively contribute to the well-being of the owners. Finally, keep all things clean and organized, it will bring good luck and longevity.
Entering the bedroom, look where and how the bed is located! Remember, lying down on the bed, you must see everyone who enters the room. Moreover, old beliefs say, that if the door opens up to the headboard, the strong flow of Qi may bring illnesses. Another unfavorable location would be the bed in front of the door (the so-called “deceased” positioning, since a defunct is carried out with legs facing the door).
Masters of Feng Shui suggests the best way to position the bed would be directing the headboard to the element of your year of birth (there is a special table in Feng Shui with calculations). For example, my year of birth is 1985, governed by the Wood element, direction East; for me, the best of luck would bring a headboard allocated towards East. My husband, born in 1973, is governed by the Water element, direction North; for him, the best would be directing North. A compromise must be found, therefore, the best for both of us, would be allocating our master bed to North-East; nevertheless, we allocated ours to North, (to have the view of the door), and introduced the wood element on colors and materials (see photo).
Another valid advice from the masters of Feng Shui is to choose the shape and color of the headboard with great attention. Find the element that governs your year of birth, and choose one that fits your requirements. For each element, there is a certain shape and color:
- EARTH = Horizontal rectangular, all shades of yellow and brown
- WATER = Wavy, all shades of blue and black
- METAL = Half-circle, silver, golden, white
- FIRE = Triangle, orange, pinks, reds and purples
- WOOD = Square or vertical rectangular, green
Nevertheless, because of the lack of space or high costs, new apartments and houses are smaller; therefore, we need to adapt to what we have at best. In small bedrooms, the School of Compass suggest allocating the bed as close as you can to the corner diagonally opposite the door (see example below, our bedroom).
A bed placed in the center of a room will give feelings of uncertainty, like, for example, a rounded bed, or a canopy bed. Therefore, Feng Shui principles is suggesting to set the headboard against a wall.
Another important aspect to consider is the proximity of the bed to a window, that needs to be kept at a distance from 90 to 180 cm:
- Are sufficient 90 cm if the window is directing S-E, if the bed is uplifted from the ground (on tall legs h20-25 cm), if you have curtains on windows or around the bed, or, if under the window is allocated a radiator;
- Are necessary 180 cm if the window is facing N-W, if you have a low bed (placed on the ground), or if you have installed an air conditioner in the room.
Another important aspect here is related to all the cabinets: wardrobes, night tables, chests, etc. The first rule is to keep them at a "safe distance" from the headboard to not block the flow of Qi (the taller the object, further it shall be). Moreover, avoid “poisoned arrows” of the wardrobe, and ensure that none of its corners is directly oriented to the bed – it would “cut out” the Qi while sleeping.
In Europe, especially in the countryside, old villas have beams left aside. Feng Shui considers, that such architectural elements may bring feelings of heaviness, and “cut out” the Qi, disrupting a harmonious relationship and bringing financial difficulties to the family. Therefore, particularly in the bedrooms, are to be avoided (es. can be covered with a white linen fabric). For the same reason, do not position a heavy chandelier over your bed. At last, do not allocate your bed under staircases or in the basements, because it will disrupt a good sleep, while the air quality in such places is not the best.
The last aspect is related to mirrors, which in European countries are very used: incorporated on the beauty-secretaire, used on the wardrobe doors, or simply placed as a full-size mirror on the wall. Most masters in Feng Shui agree that it is not favorable to keep mirrors in the bedroom, since they reflect the negative energy, holding it back. It does not mean you need to completely remove them, just find the right place, for example, position a full-size mirror on the internal side of a wardrobe door, so it is at hand when needed, but away from the living space of the bedroom; or, reduce the size of the mirror to minimum, so it will reflect less.
- Since ancient times, when food was scarce, the KITCHEN was truly the life source of the family. Therefore, by tradition, the kitchen was built to please the “kitchen God”, which not only watches over the domestic affairs of the family, but also works as a moral compass for all family members.
The kitchen symbolizes the health and wealth of the property owners, so it is vitally important to keep this place clean and ordered, so the positive Qi energy can flow without obstacles. It is easy to do so: clean dishes after each supper, put away all tools, wash floors, dust all surfaces, repair immediately if something breaks (or through it away if cannot be fixed), ensure good lighting (for day and night time), use light colors (the best is white) for opening up the place and make it look bigger and brighter.
It is unfavorable if the kitchen door opens to the bedroom door or the bathroom door. In the first case, all flavors arriving from the kitchen may disturb a good and relaxed sleep. While on the second, it would be most appropriate to change the positioning of the door, so that they do not encounter one another; if the space is not allowing such an intervention, then keep doors closed at all times.
Very important are the position of the oven and the hob, which in most cases are always near, or located in the same area. This field is very active. Therefore, if your bedroom has a common wall with the kitchen, ensure to not allocate the headboard of the bed on that wall because it will disrupt the good rest.
According to Feng Shui principles, another unfavorable allocation is the hob in front of the sink, because they are governed by opposite elements, the first one holding the energy of the fire, while the second has the energy of the water. Therefore, if these two powerful energies are placed in proximity, they may create conflict; in such case, a “safe distance” must be kept for at least 90-120 cm, either left as free space (for passage), or allocating a table or working top between them.
The fridge, while it is powered by electricity, is a cooling space, therefore is carrying the energy of Yin, as the sink; but in this case, it is very important to keep it distant from the hob, not next to it, not in front of it. The best place for the fridge would be near the sink, since they carry the same type of energy, or in a corner/niche away from the rest, with a condition – it must not face directly the entrance door of the kitchen.
Of course, in most modern flats, we have a built-in allocation, where all appliances are compactly inserted one next to another: usually on one side is the oven, the hob, and a cooker hood, and on the other side, the sink and the dishwasher, while a part on the side is the fridge. If you have the opportunity to plan/construct your kitchen from scratch, see with your designer how to allocate at best to create harmony; while, if you entered a pre-existing situation, do your best to keep it clean and ordered at all times, it shall help constantly renovate the Qi energy.
Finally, some additional advices. In most modern houses, the DINING AREA is usually next to the kitchen, and such an allocation is perfect! Nevertheless, if your home doesn’t have sufficient space to have a separate room, in such case you may dedicate to this purpose an area of your living room, just find a space distant from the entrance door, or use a screen or other divider to isolate the table from the rest of the room. Masters of Feng Shui recommend keeping some distance between sittings, which will confer feelings of freedom and abundance. While an extra-large table, too many cabinets, and a relatively small room size, all-together would create a feeling of congestion, blocking the natural flow of the Qi energy in the room.
An important aspect is given to the allocation of the family members around the table: the elder members have the right to choose first where they prefer to sit; usually “the best place” is considered the sit with the back to the wall and facing the entrance door, to see anyone entering the room. Moreover, many Chinese families, since ancient times, place their members around the table according to the date of birth, consequently based on the cardinal direction and the governing element for each member of the family.
If you have any doubts or questions on these areas of the house, or any other topic on Feng Shui Principles, feel free to write me, and ask for suggestions.
Always your disposal,
With best wishes,
Nadiya
MetropolitanMe Blogger