Posts Tagged Bagua

Living Room Feng Shui – Bring New Life to Your Living Room

On March 1, 2016 / Feng Shui Articles / 1 Comment

Tags: Bagua, Chi, Decorating, Feng Shui, intention, living room

By Jessica Hoelzel

What room in our homes do we not “live in”? All rooms are for living, right?

Ironically, living rooms can be one of the rooms with the least life. The living room, and formal living rooms in particular, have gone out of favor. With an inclination for casual lifestyle and entertainment, families have gravitated towards family rooms and rec rooms – places to watch TV, movies, or play games.

Living rooms have come to feel “stuffy” and go unused. With more space of high value to homeowners, leaving an entire room neglected does not seem wise. From a feng shui perspective, having a room in your home with no life is not wise either. Depending on where that room falls in your home’s bagua, the lack of life (or chi) could be having adverse effects on your life. And especially if it’s the first thing seen upon walking in the door.

If you’re not using your living room, the question is, why? Could it be a place you’d enjoy spending time in? If so, it’s well worth the effort to make it a place that calls you in.

Here are some ways to make the living room more inviting and functional:

Create a good flow. Place a table behind the sofa if it backs up to the entrance.
Make it homey. Add softness with rugs, throws blankets and pillows.
Add some personality. Display artwork and things with special meaning.
Bring life to it. Have plants, and décor with lively patterns for visual interest.
Create a reason to go in. Lay out magazines or stacks of interesting books; add music.
Make it suitable for entertaining. Add a coffee table with a purposeful tray, or a handy bar cart.
Set the stage for conversation. Group furniture at 90 degree angles, or around the fireplace.

If, after careful consideration, you’ve determined that a living room is just not a space that makes sense for your family’s lifestyle, is there something else you’re in dire need of? Maybe it would make sense to transform it into something new. With intention, it could go from unused (dead) space to a place of energy and life. Maybe a home office, playroom, music room, or library? You decide.

Ready, Set, GOAL! Feng Shui for Your New Year’s Goals

On January 5, 2016 / Feng Shui Articles / 1 Comment

Tags: Bagua, bedrooms, Career, Chinese New Year, Feng Shui, Front Door, goal-setting, intention, New Year, New Years Resolutions

By Lisa Janusz

As we embark upon the start of 2016, many of us are in forward-looking state of mind. This is the time to set goals for the year ahead – and I encourage you to do so.

As you set your 2016 goals:

Make them SMART – Specific (and simple), Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-limited.
Write them down or share them with someone.
Watch self-talk: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” –Henry Ford
Remember that there isn’t “failure” – just more information. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” –Thomas Edison
Push yourself. “If you hit the target every time, the target is too near or too big.” –Tom Hirshfield

Be open to adjusting your goals as the year goes on. It’s not to let yourself “off the hook,” but rather allow yourself to change course when it’s appropriate.

From a Feng Shui perspective you can support those goals by paying attention and seeing what’s happening in these areas:

The related area of the bagua (if you know it). For example the career area of your home if you are looking for a new opportunity.
The room or place that “holds” the energy around your goal. For example, the front door (where opportunities knock) for a new job or the kitchen for health.
Your bedroom since this is place to focus on rest and rejuvenation to keep your chi up.
Your sacred space. This could be a meditation area, your favorite place to sit or even a vision board (any size – even an index card!).

All of these will help you support your journey for the next year.

Not sure ”goals” is the right focus this year? Maybe a different type of thinking will resonate more with you. See our past blog posts about being resolute and setting an intention for the year.

Whatever you decide to do: know that we are a community that supports you. As we all keep growing and moving forward, we bring out the best in ourselves, and that of others.

Feng Shui is for the Dogs…and Cats and Other Animals!

On September 1, 2015 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: Bagua, Chi, Energy, Feng Shui, intention, Pets

Then

and Now

By Lisa Janusz

It surprised me to realize just recently that my little princess is turning 10 next month! I am so grateful for all that she has brought into my life. Of course I feel that she is quite a special dog.
(FYI – Carole agrees!)

All animals are very good Feng Shui (you knew that was where this was going, didn’t you?). Anything from the smallest fish to the biggest horse can help activate energy. They represent the Fire Element by bringing a life force to your space. This activity can really support a house, in addition to the people living there.

I know for me Feng Shui had a huge impact on Ella’s arrival. I had placed an oversize postcard in my Children & Creativity area shortly after I purchased my home (based on the bagua – the middle right of your space). I hadn’t thought much about it at the time…

Through unusual circumstances, I ended up adopting a puppy from another state (that essentially someone else had picked out for me). Later one of my friends would ask me if it was Ella in the picture – and that’s when the dots connected.

Although not exact, I could definitely see a resemblance.

Seems my intention of getting a dog after moving into the house gathered some momentum early on.

So this month, instead of several Feng Shui “tips” for you, I have just one: remember that the smallest (and inexpensive) change in your space can support an underlying intention.

If you have something you are hoping for – really take a look at your space. If you know the bagua, pay attention to the area that it represents. Then think about how you might add something – like a photo or an object – to help you represent that dream. This goes for houses and offices.

Then be open to what arrives. In my case, a postcard purchased in Europe years prior ended up bringing me a spark of furry love that I’ve enjoyed for almost a decade.

Dine in Feng Shui Style

On July 7, 2015 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: Bagua, Dining Room, Entertaining, Feng Shui, Front Door, Health, intention, Wealth

By Lisa Jansusz

We entertain a fair amount. During my single days, I hosted regular “ladies nights” with appetizers (and wine!), but these days are more about sit down meals. We do host informal gatherings, but for the most part, our meals are eaten at the table.

Since the houses I’ve lived in did not have eat-in kitchens, we eat in our dining room. (Yes, 3x a day on the weekends.) Within the Feng Shui realm, this room is related to health and wealth, no matter where it’s located in your bagua. Health because it’s where you receive nutrients from eating, and wealth because if you had food for your family, you were considered wealthy.

So the question becomes; how is your dining room looking? If you think it needs some ramping up, here are some Feng Shui considerations.

Use it if you aren’t already. With eat-in kitchens, the dining room might be gathering dust. That is leaving a lot of unrealized opportunity. Energize the room by eating in it every once in a while – don’t wait for a special occasion.
Enhance it. I have an ever-changing centerpiece on our table that is switched out with the seasons, the holidays and just on a whim. Bring in fresh flowers or something you love (anything will do – statue, bowl, other accessory) that will give it a boost of feel-good energy.
Keep it ready. Dining rooms can become magnets for clutter (mail, boxes, office papers, etc.) if they aren’t used regularly. Even if it’s not a regularly-used room, you still need to keep a handle on what’s happening there.
Distract the eye from it if it’s near the front door. That can be a message about people eating and running or can contribute to weight gain (first message you get is food). Add some other “eye candy” to direct the eye away so it’s the first thing you see versus the dining room.
Change its purpose. Although we do like to see rooms used as they are intended, we also balance that with wanting rooms to be used. I know several people who converted their dining rooms to offices, play areas and libraries because they were used more.

Whether you entertain or not, remember that your dining room is still a reflection of what’s happening in your life. Make sure yours is sending your intended message.

New Year Intention

On December 19, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: Bagua, Feng Shui, goals, intention, New Year, New Years Resolutions

By Lisa Janusz

Who will you be in 2014? I love the quote by George Bernard Shaw, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” What a wonderful quote – both empowering and full of possibilities.

Now with the New Year upon us, many people are thinking about the past year. We review the opportunities, challenges, successes and regrets. We think about where we’ve been and where we want to go. Hopefully we’re taking that a step further and thinking about the direction involved.

Intention is a key component of Feng Shui work. If you’ve done adjustments at home, you know it’s not just about moving something or placing something that is the most important. It is the reasoning and process behind it; the “why?” That’s when it becomes powerful.

So this year, instead of making several resolutions, how about creating one intention for your entire year? One resolution that speaks to the person you want to create. If that appeals, here are a few ideas to get you moving in that direction.

Write it out. Don’t just think about it. There’s something powerful about committing it to paper. This can also help you clarify your goal.

Be specific. Go farther than something broad like “get healthy.” Think about 2-3 actions that will make that happen (eat at least 2 healthy meals every day, exercise at least 4 times a week, avoid sugary drinks, etc.).

Honor it. Take your intention and place it somewhere special. If you are familiar with the bagua, place in the corresponding area. If you aren’t sure, you could pick one of these three areas: 1) by your front door (where opportunities “knock”), 2) your bedroom (especially if it supports a dream) or 3) in the center of your home (that area influences all others).

You could also take time to make a vision card and put it somewhere prominent that reminds you of your intention (and the possibilities!) daily.

Support it. Make yourself accountable to achieving steps in that direction. Celebrate your successes. If it’s engaging in a new hobby – buy a book, take a class, ask a friend for help.

Enjoy the journey. Most stories of success are not a straight line. That aligns well with Feng Shui; we like things to “flow.” Sometimes it’s that bend in the road that helps you see a better path.

As you think about 2014, I hope you’re excited. That’s great energy to take into the year ahead. It’s a year of potential for creating YOU. Whatever your goal is, I hope you take the time to plan a route. And I hope you use intention as a driving force.

Seeing Red? Feeling Blue? Tickled Pink? Feng Shui Color Suggestions

On April 2, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: Bagua, Color, Decorating, Feng Shui, Interior Design, Paint

Perhaps one of the questions I get asked more than any other is “What color should I paint the (fill in name of room here)?” It goes without saying that a person who is integrating Feng Shui into their space is already on board with energy and intention, as well as the basics of Feng Shui principles. They want to get it right in terms of setting up their space to reflect their ideal life. That includes their choice of colors.

There are some Feng Shui “rules” that determine a color that should be used in a room or an area based on that room’s position in the overall layout. This can be a help to those who want to assure a Feng Shui alignment on this level:

Partnership area – Pink
Creativity & Children area – White
Helpful People area – Gray
Career area – Black
Knowledge area – Blue
Family area – Green
Wealth area – Purple
Fame & Reputation area – Red

The suggested colors come with a fair amount of lee-way because there is no specific tone or intensity required. For instance, if the area in question is in the Family area where the color green is recommended, this could be a very soft green, a dark forest green, something in the mint tone or have a more sage feel to it. There is no one right green. Likewise, the Fame & Reputation area could be enhanced with a dark red, a blue-red, something with more purple or jewel tones in it. Personal preference is the guiding choice.

Additionally, there could be a small representation of the color and it would still be an effective Feng Shui adjustment. If your intention was to activate your Career area, a small black pillow might be all you want in this area. Or perhaps you would add some artwork with a small amount of black in it or with a black frame to address your career issues. If the specified color isn’t one of your favorites, adding a small amount may be the way to address the problem.

That said, you may still object to having the smallest hint of a color, let alone painting an entire area the designated color, because you simply don’t like it. It may not align with the other decorative items you have in that space. Well, then, here’s the new rule: Use whatever color you love. It’s pretty simple—-check in with your own preferences, find a color that makes your heart sing, and your Feng Shui will be right in line with your goals. Use the rules as a guide first and adjust accordingly if need be. This is, after all, your home and you want it to show your true colors.

By Carole Hyder

Wind & Water School of Feng Shui Founder, Faculty and International Feng Shui Expert

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