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Heating Up the Refrigerator with a Feng Shui Approach

On April 7, 2015   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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refrigerator in kitchen

By Carole Hyder

The refrigerator is a formidable kitchen appliance, not only because it is necessary for food storage but also because it typically has a large presence in the kitchen. When Feng Shui was first applied to homes, there were no refrigerators. Addressing the impact of this new, convenient appliance on the Feng Shui of the space had to be factored in as people modernized—-much like the situation of bathrooms which were originally not inside the home.

Refrigerators not only keep food fresh but also impact the health of those who live there. When the refrigerator is filled with stale, outdated and unused food, it isn’t a strong message about well-being. Cleaning it out from time-to-time is necessary, which includes throwing out old food as well as keeping the shelves and drawers immaculate.

Here are some other ideas for integrating the refrigerator with good Feng Shui principles:

  1. Keep the refrigerator clear of extraneous items on the front and sides. The refrigerator is not a bulletin board, photo album, nor a game surface. All of this creates Feng Shui “noise” which disrupts the intention of creating healthy and wholesome food.
  2. Don’t burden the refrigerator with unnecessary clutter on top. Unless the items on the top are decorative eye-candy, that surface should not become a storage area. Keep it clear and clean.
  3. Avoid placing the refrigerator next to the stove. This arrangement is a recipe for arguments—-between family members, friends, neighbors and/or co-workers. This is because the stove, which is a fire appliance, and the refrigerator, which is a water appliance, clash—thereby reflecting that conflict to the occupants. Place a plant on the top of that clean and cleared-off refrigerator (see #2!) to resolve the issue (even a silk one).

We certainly don’t want to be without refrigeration so this appliance is definitely here to stay. Giving it some consideration as it relates to the kitchen will assure that your refrigerator complies to good Feng Shui. In fact, done right, it will be very cool.

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What’s on YOUR Walls? The Art of Feng Shui

On December 2, 2014   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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Frames of rooster placed above the fireplaceBy Carole Hyder

Everything in your environment—-home or office—-can have an impact on your outlook whether you may be conscious of its effect or not. It goes without saying that the artwork you hang on your walls is not exempt from providing this same influence.

There are some definite Feng Shui guidelines when placing artwork in your space that can empower both you and your art. It’s obvious you should love the artwork you display and you should continue to be inspired by its presence. If not, remove it, sell it or give it away. If you and your partner/spouse cannot agree on a piece of art that is jointly owned (one loves it; the other does not), take steps to place the artwork where the one who loves it can truly enjoy its message and the other doesn’t have to see it on a regular basis.

Here are some other Feng Shui “rules” for assessing your artwork:

  1. Have restful art in the bedroom (florals, pastoral landscapes, calming colors);
  2. Have food-related or farm-related art in the kitchen and eating areas (fruit, farming scenes, agricultural themes). Images or colors that support health are appropriate here.
  3. Your daring, innovative and controversial art is nicely positioned in public spaces such as the living room or family room.
  4. Scenes that depict warring factions, such as those depicted in mythology, must be carefully positioned so their conflict doesn’t play out in some way in your life.

Whatever artwork you may have on your walls, make sure it still inspires you and speaks to who you are. More importantly, make sure it reflects where you are heading; otherwise, it’s holding you back. If you’ve had the same artwork on your walls for many years, ask yourself if you still love it and if it still fits with your goals. Or perhaps it’s time for a new vision. Let your space help you move forward in perceptive, subtle and artful ways.

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Money Miracles Using Feng Shui

On October 7, 2014   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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money in bagBy Carole Hyder

Whether it’s the economy, the way the stars are aligned, or a generally high-anxiety/high-stress time, a LOT of people are struggling with money. The majority of my advice these days has to do with how someone can improve their money situation.

Feng Shui offers a unique perspective that removes the focus from the problem itself and instead turns it toward ways of changing how you feel about the issue. So by making improvements in your space you will see improvements in your attitude and therefore improvements in the problem.

Here are three tips for making changes in your space that can jump-start an improvement in your money situation:

Tip #1:  Declutter. I know this seems to be the mantra of most Feng Shui consultants, but that should underscore how important it is. Since how you do one thing is how you do everything, taking care of your things will translate into taking care of your money.

Tip #2:  Use your proper entry. Your proper entry is your front door. It holds the symbolic importance of representing opportunities that may be knocking. If you don’t use it, it means you come into your space sideways or from the back. Use the front door as often as you can to make sure money can find its way in. If you already use your door (thumbs up) then enhance it in some way—-a beautiful welcome mat, a wreath on the door, a color you love, etc.

Tip #3:  Officiate in your office. In the majority of cases, the way you make your money comes from a place of business. If you’re not feeling as though you’re at your best when seated at your desk, get a high-back chair to lend support and authority. Keep those tall bookshelves from overwhelming you by keeping them in order and interspersing the books and folders with eye candy.

Making these small changes in your space can give you the energy and the clarity to find ways to bring in the abundance you want and deserve. If you feel rich, you will become so.

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Storage Wars….with Yourself?

On September 2, 2014   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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couple moving boxes2By Lisa Janusz

Some people think that Feng Shui consultants are against storage. Not true. We know it’s useful and necessary (like seasonal decor). The key is knowing – and using – what you have so that your time, energy, space – and possibly money – isn’t being directed to things of no value to you. This is especially important for people who are paying for off-site storage. You are keeping your energy extended with your things, so they need to be important.

Since your space reflects your life, a build-up of storage in your basement (the past), attic (the future) or garage (where your car should live), can be a message to you.

Here are 5 tips for dealing with storage situations:

  1. Use it or release it. Be realistic with yourself on whether you really use the item.
    • Don’t keep things out of guilt (it was a present!) or sentimentality (it was my grandmother’s!). There is someone out there who will give it new energy by being thrilled to use it.
    • Don’t keep things for “someday.” If you are saving something for later, think about the timing. If it will be happening within a couple of years, that might make sense. But if it’s been over 5 years or is that far away, then think about it carefully. Will you really want those hand-me-downs in your new dream house? Will your kids want them when they go off to college or have a house of their own?
  2. Know it. Boxes should be labeled with what is in them. If you have a bunch of mystery boxes, then either go through them to see what is in there OR simply label them with the date. If you don’t use it within 6 months – don’t even take another look. Assume you don’t need it and let it go.
  3. Access it. Keep things organized using whatever system works for you. Don’t keep things that are so buried they are too much trouble to reach.
  4. Love it. Don’t store things that “will do.” If you are going to spend time and energy storing it, focus on items that have meaning and bring you joy.
  5. Release it. This is a hard one for us all (yes, me too!). Really take a look and think, “how long has it been since I’ve used this?” Even if you still like it, if you haven’t used it in years, let it go. Give it new life.

Remember, you are investing your energy in all the things that you own/are surrounded by (even if they are “off-site”). It’s important to make sure that they are supporting you. Take another look and maybe make some hard decisions. Opening up and clearing out can only benefit you. Each time we release, we allow – opportunities, health, relationships and more.

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Feng Shui in the Closet: Getting the Skeletons Out

On June 3, 2014   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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By Carole Hyder

clothes closetIn Feng Shui, closets hold as much importance as a living room or a bedroom. They are not hidden areas that can be ignored—-just because you can close the door on a closet, it doesn’t follow that they have no influence. A closet can be an asset or a detriment depending on its condition.

Along with taking up valuable space somewhere in your space (the money area, the relationship area, health, career), closets also represent the subconscious. By cleaning out or re-organizing a closet, whatever issue or aspect of your life that is stuck may suddenly come up for examination.

Here are three ways you can treat your closet for maximum support:

  1. Contain the closet energy – Have a door, curtain or screen in front of the closet opening. The distraction from the closet will be muted and will help you sleep better.
  2. Respect the items in your closet – Use the same kind of boxes for storage; label the boxes; use the same kind of hangers for clothes. When you open your closet door, you want to be inspired not besieged.
  3. Remove unused things systematically – By removing a certain number of clothing items each week or after each shopping trip, a habit forms that keeps your clothes up-to-date. Whether you dislike something or it’s reached its expiration date in your mind and you’re tired of it, make a regular practice of eliminating these clothes.

Closets are notorious for gathering clutter, so you need to keep a watchful eye. Make sure the light works if there is one; the door swings open easily or slides smoothly without coming off the track; the walls are a color you love; and the shelves are sturdy.  A closet is a holding place, not a junk room.

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