One of the fundamental rules is to keep your home tidy and free of clutter, as it obstructs the flow of natural energy, or chi, through the house. When chi (pronounced chee) is not allowed to flow freely throughout the home, an imbalance is created, which can affect the lives of the residents and cause them misfortune. Vivian Wilson, a native Washingtonian, has been applying the basic principles of Feng Shui in her home for five years now.
“My home was full of clutter which was blocking positive energy from entering my home,” Wilson said. “Once I removed the clutter and changed the paint color in three rooms, my mood improved, I became more energetic, I had a more positive outlook on life, and I felt better.”
Keep only useful, beautiful or sentimental objects in your home, and commit a few hours weekly to cleaning and removing clutter from all rooms in the house.
Remember, the objective of Feng Shui is to keep chi flowing through the house like a light breeze or rolling stream. In some instances, chi can become stagnant, which invites hardship and illness. Keep the chi flowing properly by opening windows occasionally to let in sunlight and fresh air, and it is also important that you keep your home well lit. If there are rooms that are not often used, turn on the light in the room or light a candle to rejuvenate chi.
Another way to clear the air and energize the space is by ringing a bell in the corner of the room. Yarrow owns and operates Feng Shui at the Bay, a 13 year old company, based in Annapolis Maryland. Yarrow is a Feng Shui consultant, who also teaches Feng Shui at local community colleges. When asked about Feng Shui and its positive impact on overall health, Yarrow said “I teach the basic principles of Feng Shui. But as a foundation, we need to have a positive mindset to go along with Feng Shui to get the best results. The combination of the two can have a very positive impact on one’s overall health.”
It is important, that whenever possible, we use natural materials to furnish and decorate our home. Too many artificial materials can create negative energy in the home. For instance, wooden and decorative clay pots are good natural items for a living room. A room can be brought to life with healthy, green plants, which not only fill the space with natural energy but also make the home healthier by purifying the air and absorbing dampness that can cause mildew.
Color is also a very significant aspect of Feng Shui. It is advised that you should use warmer colors such as brown or green for places where you want to feel comforted and safe, such as the bedroom or living room, and that you should use bright colors such as yellow and orange in rooms where you need maximum energy, such as the kitchen and breakfast nook. When you are surrounded by energetic, cheery, bright colors, you feel more enthused and upbeat. When you surround yourself with warmer, darker colors, you feel more calm and relaxed. When applying the use of color, you need to consider the mood you are trying to create in each room. It is also important that we not take color to the extreme. For example, bright, bold colors are good for creating enthusiasm and energy, but too much can be overpowering and make you feel tense and anxious. In addition, while warm and dark colors can relax and soothe you, too much can make you feel closed in, depressed, and even smothered.
By all indications, Feng Shui is here to stay. It has made its way into our modern day lives in a significant way. Whether it’s encouraging the best traffic flow in your home or how to best use color, many of today’s adherents are welcoming this art form into their lives on a regular basis. Feng Shui applications obviously are not harmful. There’s no harm in trying a new paint color in your living room or picking up your clutter. So, if Feng Shui can’t hurt you why not give it a try?
For further information on Feng Shui, feel free to visit www.fengshuiatthebay.com