Wind & Water School of Feng Shui Articles

Winterizing with Feng Shui: What To Do When Winter Interferes with Your Flow

On September 26, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: Feng Shui, water, winter, winterizing

By Carole Hyder

Living in northern climates requires a shift in mindset in terms of Feng Shui when the temperatures as well as the snow start to fall. Doorways get piled with boots and jackets. Mittens and scarves are strewn around. You can’t use your screened-in porch. Specifically selected and carefully positioned plants are buried by the white stuff. The pond freezes over; the sidewalks are buried.

What happens to your Feng Shui?

Those of us who live in the parts of the world where the seasons dramatically change have to learn to live with different considerations and patterns for a few months of every year.

Here are some things to think about for your winter-time Feng Shui:

Unless you’ve installed a heater, fountains, ponds and birdbaths will need to be disassembled and stored for the winter. All of these add the element of water to an area which implies flow or movement. To replicate that concept, placing a flag or a wind-sock or something that moves in the spot where the water fixture was can continue your intention for flow.
Flowers placed in planters for a specific Feng Shui purpose will need substitutes for the winter. Tree-tops in planters can replace flowers that were originally there; adding small lights will enhance them even more.
Keep the sidewalk shoveled to the front door regardless of whether you use the door regularly or not. The front door is where good luck enters so having it be accessible is important. Plus, you might be inclined to go in through that door more often.
Provide extra storage for the boots, mittens, hats, etc. that are part of winter fashion. An extra hall-tree or a basket for mittens and scarves could keep them from littering the entry.
Screened-in porches become dormant during the winter for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, keep them looking attractive and inviting, and refrain from using them as a storage space. Hang a wind-sock or chime in the porch to keep the energy flowing.

When spring arrives, you can return to your original adjustments knowing that your Feng Shui intentions were held in place throughout the cold winter months—never missing a beat.

Feng Shui state of mind

On September 25, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: Carole Hyder, Feng Shui and depression, mindfulness

Staying mindful can be hard if you’re prone to depression. Many of us experience more depression as the days shorten as well. Here is an excerpt from an article Carole wrote for Essential Wellness a while back.

DEPRESSION ISN’T THE typical reason people want a Feng Shui appointment, but it can be a factor in the big picture. An appointment may be made for another more obvious reason only to discover that depression is playing a part. That said, sometimes depression is the only reason someone would inquire about the impact of Feng Shui. When I anticipate an appointment with someone who is depressed, whether clinically diagnosed or not, I can predict that one of the issues I’ll find in their space is clutter. Sometimes the clutter has occurred because their depression has caused them to be dysfunctional; however, I usually discover that the clutter was there pre-depression and has now exacerbated a tough situation.

Anybody will experience frustration, anxiety, and overwhelm from the amount of personal possessions that they have accumulated. These personal possessions can take the form of trinkets, photographs, books, newspapers, piles of mail, clothes, and remnants of projects yet to be completed. Nevertheless, every little memento, every photograph, every knick-knack requires energy. One by one, it’s an insignificant drain, but cumulatively, this drain becomes considerable and, if someone is susceptible to depression, it can fast forward them into a downward spiral.

Taking the first step toward de-cluttering is the hardest, especially if someone is already suffering from depression. However, knowing that the client can experience some relief once they get going, I encourage them to give it a try by helping them break it down into small segments. Since the number “9″ (or its increment) is considered lucky in Feng Shui, I suggest spending nine minutes a day de-cluttering. The cumulative effect of taking these small steps can add up after two weeks, three weeks, or a month. If the task appears overwhelming, the de-cluttering will never happen. Thinking about cleaning out the basement may seem overwhelming, but thinking about cleaning a shelf under the steps isn’t so bad. The next day another shelf, and the next day another one, etc. Start small.

Suggestions to address de-cluttering

Make sure there’s appropriate and adequate storage for the items that need to be kept—like holiday decorations, out of season clothes, etc.
Any “just in case” items take up precious space and zap energy
Remove everything from the front and sides of the refrigerator to calm down the kitchen.
Take nine items of clothing out of the closet that are no longer being worn to make room for new possibilities.
Remove the clutter from under the bed so dreams can be clear and focused.
Eliminate clutter near the front door to invite in more opportunities.
Remove everything from the top of the dresser to give your vision a broader scope.
Thank the items before you release them.
Did I mention to start small?

Although clutter is a big issue for someone who is depressed, there are other Feng Shui actions a person can take to lift these feelings. The bedroom is a critical room for those who are experiencing depression. The location of the bedroom is important as it should not be in the basement or over a garage. If at all possible, move to another bedroom, even if temporarily. Having a bedroom in the basement by its very nature brings about feelings of oppression and heaviness, while being over a garage leaves a person feeling unsupported and alone.

A headboard on the bed is crucial in order to signify support at a time when a person may be feeling like they have none. The head board should be solid, sturdy, and reliable in order to resonate those same principles back to the person who sleeps in the bed. Hanging inspirational, creative, and soothing artwork in the bedroom will give a sense of purpose during dream-time and upon awakening each morning.

Finally, Read more →

Mindfulness and Feng Shui

On September 20, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / 1 Comment

Tags: mindfulness feng shui, present moment feng shui

In case you missed it, Carole Hyder blogged about mindfulness and Feng Shui this past spring. Here’s an excerpt and a link for your convenience!

According to the dictionary, the word mindfulmeans “watchful, attentive, conscious, thoughtful.” Although mindfulness isn’t specifically a Feng Shui principle, it’s an implied attribute because of the inherent need for being clear and focused when applying Feng Shui adjustments. Although changes in the environment can be made without much thought, their effectiveness will be marginal. The point of making those changes relies on a person’s thoughtful and mindful consideration of how they’d like to see their life unfold.

We all fall into routines where we do things without thinking about them. Driving a familiar route can enable us to let go of our attention. Cleaning the house, washing dishes, making the bed can feel like mindless activities. If by “mindless” we mean they’re all things we can do without thinking, then, yes, they’re mindless. Grant you, sometimes it feels like a relief to be able to do something without having to add brain power behind it.

But what if we were to add our thoughtful mind to the experience? What if we were to engage with the routine and make it rich with meaning? How would we feel if something that’s same-old same-old became brand-new brand-new?

Whether you’re talking about a tangible object or a specific action, you can progress it from being mindless to being mindful with some simple considerations.

Narrate the details. Although you may do something automatically and, in fact, feel that the action is so mundane that it doesn’t deserve your full attention, I suggest you try running a silent narrative describing your actions. It will bring your focus to each step as you fold those clothes or put the clean dishes away.
Bring in aesthetics. By infusing elegance and grace into the action, it becomes more of a dance than a drudgery. Using this filter may automatically slow you down so you can relish the interplay of magnificence with the mundane.
Breathe. This will by its very nature cause you to slow down to pay attention to your breath. In doing so, you bring your focus to the present moment where you can turn a mindless activity or object into a meaningful and mindful one.

So think about your day and where you might not be very thoughtful. Where do you go on automatic? What if it were no longer an option to be “automatic?” What if you had to take that shower or pack your kids’ lunches with full-on attention? How would that change your experience? On another note, what if you did something you don’t like to do but did it mindfully? Just what if vacuuming became an aesthetic activity, calibrated to your breath, as you detailed in your mind each of the sweeps of the vacuum?

For the rest of Carole’s blog post, visit her website here.

Back to School – Feng Shui Style

On September 13, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: back to school, desks, Feng Shui, kids, kids rooms, school

By Lisa Janusz

I remember at the end of summer excitedly checking off my list of school supplies. Yes, the Trapper Keeper with the fun design and a backpack in my favorite color! After all, who knew what adventures the new school year would bring?

Each year brings with it new opportunities and challenges. The subject matter becomes more thought-provoking, interpersonal relationships become more complex and time management becomes a more necessary skill. But with each year, something does not change – that each child needs the loving care of their parents.

From a Feng Shui perspective, you can help them create a supportive environment at home, where they begin and end each day. Here are a few things you can do.

Start in their room by clearing clutter. Every item (toys, furniture, clothes) holds energy. Reduce the “noise” by clearing out clothes that no longer fit, toys that are no longer relevant and furniture that is no longer needed.
Revisit their room décor. Is it age appropriate? Does it meet their needs? (For example, adding a desk for an older child.) Whatever changes do occur, be sure that they have significant input. It’s their world and needs to appeal to them.
Get a system. With all the details of getting out the door, mornings can be hectic. This can be challenging energy to begin the day. Create a place for things to go. Give each child a bin for homework and permission slips, for example. Make sure everyone has their own place for hanging a backpack, coat, corralling shoes and anything else they need to get out the door. Whatever system you design should work for your family. This will enable you all to start the day with a more relaxed, focused energy.
Have a proper place for school work. If it’s in their room: bonus points if you can make it so they can see the door (they can both literally and metaphorically see what’s coming). Too often it’s left to a kitchen table and must be cleared to make way for dinner. This disruption in concentration can linger. Designate a space that is quiet and has enough room to spread out. Also make it a daily habit to clear off that space (put homework in folders, books in backpacks) so that they can have clear vision in the morning and each night as they sit down to work.

There is usually so much enthusiasm at the beginning of the school year that this is a perfect time to create a space that supports their endeavors and is open for growth and possibilities.

Join us for a FREE Teleseminar Wednesday, September 25 at 7 p.m. – Back to School Feng Shui: Tips for a Supportive Space. Register Here

The Black Hole: How to Have Good TV Feng Shui

On September 3, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: bedrooms, Feng Shui, sleep, television, TV feng shui

By Lisa Janusz

According to Nielsen, more than 54% of households have 3 or more televisions. Does that surprise you? It did me.

Recently Dr. Andrew Weil (an integrative medicine expert) was asked about having a television in a child’s bedroom. He recommended against it and cited some research about how a TV in a bedroom correlated with unhealthy children. From a Feng Shui perspective, we couldn’t agree more! And not just for kids’ rooms – for any bedroom.

Bedrooms should be a sanctuary; a place of rest and rejuvenation. Televisions are big black holes (think of the comparison when they are off). They suck energy. That’s why you don’t want one where you are sleeping. I know, I know – some people say they need them to fall asleep. Often though, those same proponents tell me their sleep isn’t that “restful”.

Try to break the habit if you can. TVs are not conducive to peaceful sleep or dreams. By their nature, TVs are meant to be stimulating and engaging. That is why they are best suited for an “active” room, like a family room.

Follow these other tips to have #goodtvfengshui:

Do not keep a television in a bedroom (or kitchen or bathroom for that matter). Think of the function of the room.
If you can’t break the habit just yet of a TV in a bedroom…at least put it behind closed doors (like an armoire) or drape it with fabric to minimize its impact.
Scale the television to the room. Don’t let it “own” the room.
Put it behind closed doors (or drape it) if it’s in a room that does “double-duty”. Do not give your TV prominence in a room that is also used for family gatherings and entertaining.

Think of the message you are sending with your TV. Do you really need that distraction in every room? At least prioritize where you sleep.

Trust me, I get it. Admittedly, I couldn’t live without a TV either. But in our family we do limit the where and when. How about you? Have you had to break the habit? Tell us your success stories!

Wind & Water School of Feng Shui Articles

Latest Posts

Feng Shui Resources

Recent Comments

Address

Search