Feng Shui for Beginners...

So I've never really dabbled in Feng Shui until just recently...
A friend of mine went to see a 'life coach' and upon entering the room she sat her purse on the floor...
she said NEVER EVER put your purse on the floor..."Why?" I wondered...so I looked it up...

 

'A Purse on the floor is money out the door...'

 

I am a complete believer that EVERYTHING has energy...our bodies, or animals,
trees, plants...and yes, spaces...its everywhere you look!

 

So I wanted to learn a bit about this myself...I am a Feng Shui beginner and will start adapting this new way of decorating into my life..so I thought I would share as I go...Maybe you will start adapting it into your life.

 

Feng Shui means Wind-Water..."Chi rides the wind (Feng) and is scattered, but it is retained when encountering water (Shui)." These two elements symbolize harmony according to Chinese beliefs.
It is using laws of both heaven and earth to improve your life by receiving positive energy.
Health, wealth, relationships and creativity are effected by the energy we have in our homes.

 

Clutter

 

One of the most important aspects in Feng Shui is clutter...
Clutter represents your inner most self.  It can make you feel tense, stressed, and anxious...
Maybe your someone who has clutter everywhere!...in your rooms, on the floor, your bookshelves or entertainment unit...
Or maybe your someone who hides clutter...in your drawers, closets, purse or wallet...
Either way, look at how this 'clutter' might represent yourself...
stuck in the past, in a rut, feeling closed in...
Well, you can change this....you'll be amazed on how this lifts your spirits!!

 

I like Peter Walsh's 10 Tips to De-clutter!!..take a look!

 

Front Entrance

 

Have you ever walked into someones home and right away you feel a sense of calm, like its a 'happy' place to be?? Well, what about a home that feels closed, with little light...makes you want to leave?
If you pay attention to what is around you, you will notice why...
Not even so much the paint, but as the space itself...Is is well lit?? If you don't have windows at the entrance try to add your own lighting...Ikea has some great pendant lights with no wiring required.
or change the bulb to a higher, brighter, more natural light.  If you have a dim covering, you can purchase one inexpensively at a local hardware store...remember, lighting is everything!!
Work with what you have...Mirrors are also a great way to visually expand a tight space (see below)

 

Try to hide your shoes, coats, and other outdoor items.
Ready made closets are great for this...
No space for a closet? Try a box made from MDF with a lid...add a cute cushion on top, and some hooks overhead for coats...

 

Check out this blog from Honey We're Home...super cute DIY idea for your entrance way.

 

 

I could do this...I might do this...I'm gonna do this!!...haha....!!
(On a smaller scale)

 

Mirrors

 

Mirrors in Feng Shui are known as 'the aspirin'...because they have many different uses and can be used in many different ways!
Expansion, reflection and deflection are the three reasons we use mirrors in Feng Shui.
Mirrors open up a 'virtual window' on an otherwise flat surface.

 

EXPANSION

Use mirrors at an entryway...
If you have a wall that blocks your entry to force you to turn right or left, add a mirror to this wall...the mirror lessens the blocking effect! Add a small table under the mirror to add a small floral arrangement or other natural elements
Widen a narrow entry by placing mirrors on both side of the hallway...
and if you have a split view ( you see half wall, half open) adding a mirror to the split wall will expand the cramped area, opening up the energy in your room!
So you get the idea...use mirrors around your entire house in this manor. Open up those small spaces!!

 

REFLECTION

 

When you place any mirror in your home, pay attention to what is being reflected in it.
Be careful not to reflect negative objects, such as clutter, or bills!! In Feng shui, this would be doubling your energy, whether negative or positive.  On the other hand, pictures that show happiness, or reflecting a beautiful garden, can truly be a positive energy...it is quite literal in that the energy doubles...whatever energy that is associated with that item will reflect back X2!!

 

DEFLECTION

 

Mirrors can also be used to deflect harmful, negative energy called SHA CHI.
A deflection mirror is placed outside of your home to deflect negative chi, where a reflection mirror is placed inside the home to attract positive energy.
The main difference between Reflection and Deflection is placement and intention.
Whatever your intention, whether to expand a small space, to double positive energy or to deflect sha chi, this will determine its effect!

 

 

 

ITEMS HAVING FENG SHUI SIGNIFICANCE

 

• A stove is symbolic of prosperity (hang a mirror above your stove!)
• A door that is difficult to open makes it difficult to progress in life (oil squeaky doors)
• Dirty windows cloud judgment (Windex everyone!...or vinegar, whatever your preference!!)
• Poor ventilation breeds fatigue and lack of interest (dust and add air purifying plants )
• Burnt-out light bulbs contribute to a lack of vision and initiative

In contrast, a well-ventilated home or office that is clean, well-lit and in good working order encourages vitality, clarity, and creativity.

 

POWER SPOTS

•  Personal relationships: Bedroom, living room
•  Career: Front door, anywhere you work or study in at home, or your office or cubicle
•  Money: Office or home office, kitchen, and anywhere you work on finances in the home
•  Health: Bedroom, kitchen, and dining room
•  Family: Living room, dining room
• Bathrooms: Tend to leak energy, so the feng shui effort you put into re-creating a beautiful bathroom will send healing, calming feng shui energy throughout your home.

 ELEMENTS

Use colours found with the FIVE elements to effect different areas in your life...

•  Fire:
• Purpose: Career success, high energy, passion
• Colors: Red, orange, purple, strong yellow
• Earth:
• Purpose: Stability, nourishment, and protection in relationships
• Center of your home or office
• Colors: Light yellow, beige
• Metal:
• Purpose: Mental clarity and precision of thought
• Colors: Gray, white
• Water:
• Purpose: Mental calm, revitalization, abundance
• Colors: Blue, black
• Wood:
• Purpose: Health, vitality, growth, abundance
• Colors: Brown, green

I think this is enough info. for a newbie like me...

So far I have placed a mirror above my stove...(this will double my prosperity!!-who wouldn't want that?)
I am currently painting my bathroom with water/metal colours, adding wood elements as well!
and I have to find some mirrors to put on my split wall upon entering my home...and I hope to spruce up my front entry with hidden storage...
and that's it for now!!

I will go a little more in depth with Feng Shui at another time...
I've actually just learned a ton!
Thanks for listening...

Have a great day everyone!!