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Posts Tagged Feng Shui

The story about books in Feng Shui

On August 9, 2019   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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by Lisa Janusz

Books tell their own story, and they contribute to yours. The books you have reveal a little about you, like your interests. I read an article about a woman who took that to heart and she bought books specifically to influence what people thought of her. Many years later she realized that she hadn’t even read most of them!

For years I had shelves full of books. But as I started getting more into Feng Shui, I knew that was one area I could pare down. When I was clearing out my books, I had read some advice from another Feng Shui practitioner – Karen Kingston, who recommended evaluating based on the library. If the library had a book, then I could have access to it anytime so I didn’t need to own it. That helped me. I still kept books I loved, but it helped me reduce the number to a single bookshelf. I still re-evaluate annually since I’m always adding.

The thing about books is that they can impact you, and they can become clutter, so you do need to keep a handle on them. Here are some tips as you think about managing your own collection.

DO:

  • Curate your books to prevent them from being clutter. Be realistic about books that you haven’t read for years, and that you likely won’t, and release them.
  • Keep books manageable and accessible, like in a bookshelf. Add decorative items, too, to help balance the energy and keep it from feeling heavy.
  • Keep books near your front door to reveal a little about you to your visitors.
  • Have books in children’s rooms. It encourages them to read and since they typically have a softer energy around them, they can be stored there (still evaluate that they are age appropriate and don’t become clutter!)

DON’T:

  • Store your books in your room – either in a bookshelf or under your bed. They bring other people’s stories and dreams into your sacred place. You can have a book or two on your nightstand, but put the majority elsewhere.
  • Keep outdated books (old textbooks anyone?). These keep you in the past and take up space, plus energy.
  • Keep piles of books all over your house. This creates a disjoined energy. Put them all together.
  • Use books for non-book purposes. Using stacks of books as end tables or piled in a fireplace doesn’t respect them or give you accessibility.

Books can be magical; teaching you something new, taking you to a time and place, providing inspiration or strength. Utilize their energy to benefit in the best possible Feng Shui way.

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Feng Shui of the Forbidden City

On June 30, 2019   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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By Carole Hyder

The Forbidden City, today called the Palace Museum, is located in the northern city of Beijing (bei means north; jing means capitol). The capitol was moved there from Nanjing (nan = south) in 1403 to provide better protection against northern invaders. In 1421, the Forbidden City was completed.

It was so named because access to the area was barred to the average resident. Government officials and even some of the imperial family were not allowed to wander freely. This was a privilege only the emperor enjoyed.

Emperors were considered endowed with a “mandate from heaven” which meant that he was the direct link between heaven and earth. In fact, the throne where he would rule was considered the exact point where this occurred. When he ruled from here, his mandates were considered inspired and insightful and would not be questioned.

Therefore, he needed to rule from a place that supported and sustained such power. Here are just some of the Feng Shui aspects that were included in the Forbidden City plans:

  • The number 9 (or its multiple) is considered an auspicious number and is used frequently in Feng Shui applications even today. There are 9,999 rooms in the Forbidden City. It sits on 72 acres. The most important buildings have 9 protective animals sitting on each corner eave. There are 9 brass water caldrons. To name a few.
  • The Forbidden City is situated on a central axis of north-south with the front door facing south. On that same axis, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven was eventually constructed to the south and looking north, the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. Interestingly, in 2008, the Olympic Park was built further north to extend this axis relevance.
  • There is a man-made river in front (Jingshui) which meanders in 180 and 90 degree turns. Water in front of a residence remains to be an auspicious feature.
  • There is a hill in the back called Coal Hill (Jingshan). It, too, is manmade (with coal) to create protection for the emperor and the palace.
  • The rigid Confucian symmetry in the front part of the Forbidden City where symmetry is the theme is juxtaposed by the organic Taoist garden in the back. Yin and yang, heaven and earth.

Integrating and planning for all these features explains why 18 years passed before it was completed. Building heaven on earth is clearly not an easy task.

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Open the Front Door to Feng Shui

On May 28, 2019   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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by Lisa Janusz

I recently came across an article in one of my magazines that featured a house that had not one, not even two, but three front doors! And they were all painted the exact same way – red to stand out. The home owner’s quote was about it being welcoming, but from a Feng Shui perspective, it’s not that way; it’s confusing. From a visitor standpoint, which one do you go to? And if you’re familiar with the bagua, where would you place it? I don’t know that homeowner, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she felt scattered or unsettled.

In Feng Shui, front doors are vital to the energy that comes into our home. They are the “mouths of chi” and call in energy, welcome energy and keep it moving. We dedicate a lot of time to discussing front doors in our professional program for just that reason – they are critical pieces of the puzzle to the house’s story. This goes even when the front door isn’t used that often, in the case of the attached garage. But they’re still important!

No doubt I’ve got you thinking about your own front door. With the change of seasons, now is the perfect time to take a look and see what’s happening there and make a shift. Here are a few starting ideas:

  • Add a windchime, bell, or other sound element to “call in” what you’d like (opportunity, job, relationship, wealth, helpful people)
  • Add something with movement like a flag or whirligig to “move” in a new direction
  • Add flowers, new door mat, or lantern to renew the energy that could be stagnant from the dormancy of winter
  • Paint the door a color you love that is different from anything else on the house so it stands out. This is your calling card to the world, and let them know you are ready for what’s ahead. (Extra note: although red is a traditional color, painting the door a color you LOVE is always our recommendation. If that’s red, go for it!)
  • Add seating (as long as it doesn’t block the door) inside to invite opportunities to stay awhile
  • Use it so it gains momentum – get the mail, leave through that door to go for a walk

Our front door gets used pretty regularly (hey, it’s me after all!), and I’m pretty conscientious throughout the year changing our front door wreath and add other touches depending on the season. It brings a fresh energy to a key piece of our home.

If you are seeking some change in your life, start with your front door. See what happening there and have it work for you. You never know who – or what – will come physically – or metaphorically – knocking.

Intrigued? You can read more about front doors in this article from a few years ago.

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Dos and Don’ts of T.V.s in Feng Shui

On March 13, 2019   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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by Lisa Janusz

I was explaining to my eldest son recently how much televisions have changed since I was a child. He sat mystified that even I remember having to physically get up to change the channel. And that if I wanted to watch a show, I had to be home at the right time. With all the advancements – remote control, big screens, on demand – it’s no wonder that they have become for many a “need” over want.

I’ve seen interior decorating take some interesting stances on televisions. Some are going “old school” and going back to living rooms without T.V.s and saving them only for family rooms. Some are just trying to incorporate T.V.s in a better way through “hiding” them or making them part of a feature or gallery wall.

In Feng Shui, televisions are like black holes. They suck energy, both when they are on and when they are off. Yet, for many of us (including me!), we like them and aren’t going to part with them anytime soon.

If you want to minimize the impact of your television, here are some quick tips:

  • DO have a television the right size, that doesn’t dominate the room
  • DO have a way to de-emphasize it if it’s in a main entertaining/social area. You can do that by keeping it in an armoire, hiding it behind a picture or incorporating it in the ambiance (think fake fire or pretty scenery photos)
  • DO have a television in the appropriate room – living room, family room, den, or home theater. Don’t put a television in a room that conflicts with the purpose of the room. Rooms that are not appropriate for a T.V.:
    • Bedrooms: Yours or your child’s. Yes, we hear people tell us they need them to fall asleep. And most of the time – those same people don’t sleep well. They bring in too much energy. Your room should be a sanctuary. Kids should also have a calm room because they typically don’t need to be bombarded with more energy.
    • Kitchens: This is a room for nurturing your family and connecting. A television interferes with that.
    • Bathrooms: This is a room that already has a lot of draining energy in it, why add another drain? Where did this trend come from anyway? How much time are they spending in there?
    • Office: Unless your work aligns with a T.V., it’s a message about being distracted from your goals.

Keep in mind that your space communicates to others about you – your life, your interests, your goals. That’s a key principle of Feng Shui. As you look at your television(s), how many and where they are located, think about what message you’re sending.

If you’d like more tips, here’s a previous post I wrote about televisions and Feng Shui. I also address how to deal with a T.V. that won’t be moving.

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Coaching & Feng Shui, a Perfect Match

On October 2, 2018   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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By Michele Heisler

The practice of Feng Shui starts with intentions, which become your road map to adjustments in your environment. Coaching practices can help you reflect on your life and discover your true intentions. You may have heard the phrase “what you think about, you bring about.” The truth is, we all have the power to manifest, which is even more reason to be careful when creating your intentions.

Here are 3 tips to coach yourself through creating thoughtful intentions.

  1. Be careful what you wish for. Once you have determined what you are manifesting, ask yourself: why? This allows you to go deeper into the essence of what you want. Don’t just manifest a house. Manifest a house that is cozy, safe, and in a friendly neighborhood. Anyone can manifest a relationship, but why do you want a relationship? By going deeper, you can manifest a relationship that is stable, exciting and passionate.
  2. Don’t over-do Feng Shui adjustments. One well-thought-out adjustment to support an intention is better than many less-thought-out adjustments. There are often various adjustments to support one intention. Take your time in selecting and applying the one that resonates with you the most.
  1. Share your intentions. Find someone you trust to confide. Speaking your desires and wishes assists in manifestation. Imagine others are holding your vision for you as well.

Your intentions deserve as much attention as the adjustment that supports them. Take your time and have fun with it. There is a world of opportunities waiting for you.

 

Michele Heisler is a graduate of the Wind & Water School of Feng Shui. She is a Master Feng Shui Consultant & Professional Coach with her own company, Riverway Consulting.

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Feng Shui and Back to School

On August 13, 2018   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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Back_To_School_Prepby Lisa Janusz

Summer is ending and we’re heading into that time of the year; back to school. Whether you have a little one just starting the scene or one that is heading into graduation year, there is no doubt routines will change. A new school year, like a new job, or any new endeavor, brings with it new energy, excitement and an opportunity to create change. Capitalize on that “newness” by setting your child – or yourself – up for success.

 

  1. Create structure. You don’t have to write a checklist or get too rigid on this one. But having a plan for the mornings and afternoons can help a child feel empowered (they know what’s happening) and secure. This translates throughout the day.
  2. Micro-manage the bed. The bed is a place for rejuvenation and a place to dream. Make sure it’s comfortable, age appropriate in terms of bedding, has a solid headboard for support and has nothing underneath to disrupt sleep. (Bonus points if you can set it up so when lying in it they can see the door.)
  3. Designate a study spot. Make sure there’s a good chair (another way to “have their back” in Feng Shui) and what they need – pencils, erasers, place for a snack. The importance of the task is communicated by a commitment to it – so in this case, if you think homework is important, show that by having a proper place to do it.
  4. Keep calm. Everything has energy in Feng Shui, so be sure the “things” that surround them during the day and especially at night help create a sense of calm. This might mean covering a bookcase at night, containing toys in baskets or bins, clearing clutter and having room to “breathe.”

These same tips can apply to you if you’re starting a new venture. Have a structure for how you are going to accomplish your goals: designate a time to check email, brainstorm marketing, make calls to clients and prioritizing “to dos.” Also, make sure you have a headboard, don’t store anything under your bed and create a calming room that’s conducive to good rest. Don’t forget a proper desk and high-backed chair, which will add to you feeling supported.

For a few more tips, you can read a past back to school article.

As the new routines become the regular routines, and the days get busier, make a conscious effort to create a calm environment that will serve you and your family. There is so much influence on our energy from what is around us, choose things that spark joy, passion and balance.

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Booked on Feng Shui: Your Books Speak Volumes

On March 28, 2018   /   Feng Shui Articles, Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment
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by Carole Hyder

Most everyone I know owns books.  Some people have skads of them—so many, in fact, that they’re stored in boxes in the basement.  Others wouldn’t think of keeping them in boxes—so they’re stacked in various corners waiting for the right place to call home.

book-stack-books-education-51342Setting up a library or reading area is always a good plan for someone who owns a lot of books.  The extra bedroom could become a quiet reading spot.  An unused dining room may convert beautifully to a library, complete with floor-to-ceiling shelves and a rolling ladder to access the most remote volume.

Because books represent the opinions and stories of others, they do need Feng Shui consideration for proper integration. Here are some ideas of where books can be appropriately placed and where to avoid putting them.

  1. Books should be maintained in an upright and/or horizontal position.  Since books come in different sizes and colors, they can easily turn into a haphazard display.  I’ve taken to storing the books I have in my office according to color—–it works for me! I’ve seen books arranged according to size, which definitely adds an element of intentional placement to a large bookcase.
  2. Never store books in your bedroom nor under your bed.  Books represent the voice/opinion of the author and therefore bring with them a lot of “noise” and vibration.  Other than the book or two you may be reading at night, store the rest of them elsewhere.
  3. Having a nice arrangement of books near the front door sends a positive message to those who come to visit that you are studious, well-read and intellectual.
  4. Arrange your bookshelves with an artful eye by adding photos, plants, sculpture or mementos.  It will break up the intensity ofthe books and add some eye candy.
  5. When all else fails, use shelves with doors so that the doors can be closed on all the book clutter. It doesn’t solve the underlying problem of too many books or scattered energy, but it does lessen the problem.

Books are our friends, so you want to treat them respectfully and with care.  Sometimes we just need to let them go. Libraries are always looking for used books, as well as used book stores. If it’s no longer being read or appreciated, it may be time to turn the page on your books and bring them to a happy ending.

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Feng Shui and Art: Placing Art with Intention

On March 5, 2018   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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by Julie Ann Segal

We place art in our spaces for many different reasons – because it’s beautiful, inspirational, or because it makes a statement about who we are or what we believe in.

With Feng Shui, the placement of art can go one step further, and actually support our intentions – to create a sense of harmony, attract more wealth, support us in our careers, or enhance a relationship, for example.

When I first moved into my apartment after getting divorced, I needed to use Feng Shui to boost my energy. I was starting a new life. I left with no furniture, and only my favorite art and accessories. Low on resources, and recovering emotionally, I knew art would inspire me in work and to be happy.

Red flower JA Segal

Hanging this brightly- colored piece of blooming flowers was one of the first things I did. I placed it in my Wealth area. It has a lot of good energy and movement, which is just what I needed in my own life. In just a short time, my business grew significantly, and I began to feel joy again.

Changes like these are what I have seen many times as a Feng Shui practitioner, in my own life and with my clients.

With Feng Shui, you have the power to create your own life experience according to your intentions.

Looking to boost your Wealth energy? 
Based on the Feng Shui bagua (or life map), the Wealth area is located in the back left corner of your home. First, make sure to fix anything that’s broken and clear any clutter. Then try adding art with one of the following:
* Color: something purple
* Element: flowing water

* Energy: something that feels vibrant

This two-section painting by Carole Hyder would work well in the Wealth area not only due to its color purple but also the message of “doubling” your money.

CaroleHyderpurpleflowers

Remember – Feng Shui works in metaphors. What will you change in your space, to change your life?

Julie Ann Segal is an Interior Designer, Certified Feng Shui Consultant, Art Specialist and President of Metro Interiors.  To design homes and businesses of client’s dreams, she infuses elements of Feng Shui into all design endeavors, revealing environments rich in comfort, beauty, balance, and harmony.

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2018 Will Be a Milestone Year

On January 2, 2018   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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By Lisa Janusz

This month our article is going to be a little different. Although I’m still going to give you some Feng Shui tips; I’m going to start by letting you in on some plans that we have in the works for the upcoming year.

20 YearsFirst (you may want to sit down for this), in September of this year the Wind & Water School of Feng Shui will celebrate our 20th anniversary! Can you believe it? For some of you that’s no surprise – you were in Carole’s very first training class.

The class of 1998 flourished (thankfully) and Carole kept moving forward honing her material and approach. And 20 years later the School is still certifying people that want to help other people create balanced spaces. (Our next program starts in March, for those of you interested.)

That’s a huge milestone and one that we’ll be celebrating. Yes, you’ll all be invited! You can expect to see some details on that mid-year.

We’ve also got some other exciting plans in store. One being beefing up our online offerings. We’ve had such great feedback from Set Sail that we’ll use that general format to offer more virtual, on-demand short courses. Stay tuned.

Those are our two biggies for 2018, but rest assured there are other ideas percolating. If there’s something you’d like us to consider, drop me a line to let me know.

While we prep over here to make a splash in 2018, we hope you do the same. And (as promised), here are some quick Feng Shui tips to help you do just that:

  • Clear off one horizontal surface (desk, table, dresser, etc.)  in your house for at least 9 days. It encourages opportunities and can facilitate clarity.
  • Create a sacred space and start a meditation practice. Give yourself a gift of a calm place to reflect and give your mind the time to do so.
  • Clear the clutter to open some physical – and metaphorical – space. Start in an area that you want change (healthier lifestyle – kitchen, more opportunities – office, more downtime – bedroom). Overwhelmed? Try doing something for 9 minutes a day for 9 days.
  • Write an intention for the year and keep it somewhere where you’ll see it – and celebrate it – day after day.

Blessings to you and 2018,

Lisa

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Purge for the New Year – Begin with a Fresh Start

On December 5, 2017   /   Feng Shui Articles   /   Leave a comment
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clutter free kitchenBy Jessica Hoelzel

Clutter: it drags us down, holds us back and blocks new opportunities from coming into our lives. Knowing Feng Shui, we know this – but inevitably – clutter accumulates.

Being on the brink of the new year offers a chance to shift the energy in our homes, and our lives, in alignment with new possibilities. But we’ve got to get the old out of the way first.

No doubt, this is a busy time of year with the holidays. Who has the time to clear clutter? What if you could both prep for the new year, and prep your home for the holidays? You can!

Here are four quick clutter-clearing tasks that (bonus!) help you get ready for holiday guests:

1. Purge the Entry

Make the entranceway for chi open and inviting by clearing off tables and benches, and purging anything worn out from the closet. Create space for guests’ things and add some extra hangers.

2. Purge the Piles

These can crop up anywhere, but the unsightly things typically appear on counters, dressers and desktops, stairs, and tops of washers/dryers. Enlist everyone in the family to help put things where they go, or assign them a new home if they don’t have one. Shelve books and recycle old periodicals.

3. Purge the Papers

Paper can be the #1 contributor to piles piling up. Get control by doing a quick sort: Recycle, Shred, Keep. From there, sort further through the Keep pile if you have time. Get a jump start on tax prep by separating those doc’s. Label everything with bright-colored sticky notes so you know what’s what.

4. Purge the Kitchen

Clear some extra space in your cupboards and refrigerator for hosting holiday festivities. Toss expireds and donate multiples of canned goods to a food shelf. Give the front of the fridge a facelift by clearing notes/quotes/photos/artwork that have lost their vibrancy.

Clutter-clearing can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Use these specifics to eliminate the burden and negative impacts of clutter, and enter the new year feeling free, energetic and optimistic.

Read more about clearing clutter and prepping for the new year here.

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