How To Do Feng Shui For Beginners

Using Feng Shui Candles the Right Way

2008-12-15T21:36:00.000+07:00

If you’re looking to add some elements of feng shui into your home, you may have heard some people talk about or mention feng shui candles. What exactly are these and what is their purpose? How should they be used, and are there places where they shouldn’t be used for real feng shui?

Feng Shui Candles and the Five Elements

Feng shui teaches the use of five natural elements, namely, wood, earth, metal, water, and fire, and that there should always be a balance or harmony between these elements in any space or room of your home. What is meant by that? Simply put, you can think about how different elements either feed or destroy one another. Wood feeds fire, but water destroys it. Earth feeds wood, but metal destroys that. Destruction is not something that’s taught in feng shui, but balance is. So, if you have a room that has very strong elements of earth, such as the warm tones of your living room or bedroom, you may want to introduce some balance by bringing in the element of fire – and this is where feng shui candles come into play. Obviously you can’t set up a bonfire in your home, and not every room has a fireplace, but candles are a small and affordable way to accomplish this.

Feng Shui Candles and Energy

Additionally, fire is an element that represents strong energy and vitality, and any room or corner of your home that needs this energy can benefit from this element. For example, many couples who are needing to add some spice or energy to their love life are encouraged to introduce feng shui candles to the bedroom. The fire is an encouragement to have that energy and revitalization. Of course, you do need to exercise safety precautions and be sure to extinguish those candles before going to sleep!

Feng shui candles are a good idea when you are looking to create energy in any other room of your home, such as the family room or dining room, when you want the family to gather and be open to one another. The fire is an encouragement for everyone to have some energy in their conversation.

Where You Shouldn’t Use Feng Shui Candles

Because fire is such a strong element, it does need to be tapered somewhat. If you have a large fireplace in your home, you are probably already bringing in enough of this element already. Be wary of overdoing it by lining your fireplace mantel with your feng shui candles. Instead, keep these candles for a place in your home that’s far enough away from the fireplace that the two will not compete with one another.

Decorating and Feng Shui – A True Blend of Art and Science!

2008-12-11T21:19:00.001+07:00

When considering a home remodeling project, you may be interested in knowing how decorating and feng shui work together, and whether or not you can introduce some of these principles to your own home for your own benefit.

It may surprise you to know that decorating and feng shui are a true blend of not just art, but some science as well. Why do we say this? For one thing, there are no hard and fast rules about applying feng shui to your life. There are many so-called experts who can give you advice, but in the end, it will be up to you to make the decision of what you like and what you don’t. This is the aspect of decorating and feng shui that can be considered art; everything is subjective, and there are no real right or wrong answers. What appeals to one person may not appeal to another.

Additionally, there are many pieces of advice when it comes to de-cluttering your house and using color to create mood, tension, and energy, but again, there are no hard and fast rules here either. One person may breeze through your home and declare certain items and knickknacks as being cluttered and unnecessary, but to you, these are prized possessions. When applying the principles of decorating and feng shui, you need to exercise caution and show balance. What someone else sees as a lack of clutter, you might see as being cold and sterile, and vice versa. Again, no hard and fast rules, no right and wrong answers, just some principles that you need to interpret for yourself.

Decorating and feng shui is also part science, however. There are some real, biological facts behind its teachings regarding clutter, color, entryways, and so on. Scientists have researched how tense and anxious people feel when surrounded by a cluttered environment, and how color can and does affect one’s mood. Bold and bright colors are a great “pick me up,” while warmer colors make you feel soothed and relaxed. Softer colors can also be a calming influence, while those bold colors make you feel energized and in control.

Additionally, the entryway to one’s home and to every room in your house also does much to set a mood or tone. This is like the first impression you get when you meet someone, and that first impression can set the entire tone for the rest of your relationship with them. When applying the principles of decorating and feng shui, it’s important to think about that first impression you get when you walk up to your home or when you walk into a room. It helps to sometimes stand right in the entryway of your home or of each room and do a quick, honest evaluation. What is your impression of the atmosphere? How do you immediately feel? Does your home and each room therein feel warm and inviting, or are you somewhat “put off,” so to speak?

By applying these basic principles of decorating and feng shui, you can begin to experience both the art and science of this ancient practice

Feng Shui Tree - Are You Looking For a Feng Shui Tree?

2008-12-07T20:35:00.001+07:00

As more and more people become interested in the once-ancient art of feng shui, they are finding that it’s easy to become confused as to what really is and is not true feng shui elements. After all, there are thousands of online stores that promise to sell feng shui crystals, jade, wind chimes, and yes, feng shui trees.

But are there really such things as feng shui trees, and if so, what are they? How are they used? Are there any that claim to be such, but that really aren’t? Let’s examine a few of these questions here and then you can decide for yourself if you still need to look for a feng shui tree.

The Five Elements

You are probably familiar with the five elements of feng shui, namely, wood, water, fire, earth, and metal. These natural elements exist in harmony in nature, and are meant to bring that harmony to your indoor environment as well. This is where feng shui trees typically come into play. If you have a room that is very strong in one element, it needs to be balanced with another. For example, a very white bathroom can be considered clean and pristine, since white is a water color and water is associated with cleanliness. However, too much white and the room can feel cold and sterile, almost surgical. So, a wood element is helpful to tone down all that white. A small feng shui tree that introduces browns and golds may do the trick. This can also be done in a kitchen, where white is also a favorite color since it not only depicts cleanliness but makes the room feel open and larger than it may be. Many who live in small homes and apartments are encouraged to use white to open up the rooms, however, therein again is the danger of too much white seeming sterile and unwelcoming – not a good feeling for the hearth of the home!

The Money Tree and the Fire Element

Many are told that if you have a feng shui tree in your home and you tie old coins to it, then wealth will be yours. However, this is of course superstitious and not rooted in logic, so it’s no wonder than many modern adherents of feng shui have rejected this notion.

There is some use for this type of object. Again going back to the idea of the five elements, many money trees are seen tied with bright red ribbons that offset the golden brown of their branches. These ribbons can add a wonderful fire element to any room or area that needs such. For instance, if your living room has a strong earth element, being painted in warmer browns or more neutral tans and creams, this fire element can help accent and harmonize this room.

So you see that there are some uses for a feng shui tree; while it may not bring good luck and prosperity the way some would like to believe, it can definitely add a much needed accent to your home.

Feng Shui Bedroom - Creating a True Feng Shui Bedroom

2008-12-06T09:26:00.002+07:00

Many are interested in the art of feng shui because they are searching for a way to add energy and vitality to their lives, and want to do this in the most natural way possible. Others are looking for the opposite of energy; they want to feel calm and relaxed in their environment. Whatever your reasons for investigating this ancient art, there are a few simple tricks you can do to create a true feng shui bedroom for your own home.

Feng Shui Bedroom Tip #1

The first and most important thing you can do before making any changes to your bedroom is to ask yourself what type of atmosphere you are trying to create. For example, do you want to feel warm and relaxed at night, and have a room that encourages you to drop off to sleep immediately, or are you looking to add some spice to your bedroom, and perhaps create some sexual energy as well?

When deciding on the changes that one is going to make to create a feng shui bedroom, it’s important to have this thought in mind first, as these two types of atmospheres are obviously diametrically opposed to one another! You don’t want to create a relaxing atmosphere in room that’s already lacking energy, and you don’t want to bring in any more energy and tension to a room where you simply want to sleep.

Feng Shui Bedroom Tip #2

The next step you want to take when creating a feng shui bedroom is to de-clutter the room completely. The bedroom is not an exercise room, it’s not a laundry room, it’s not an office. Whether you want the room to be peaceful and relaxing or you want some energy in this room, clutter is going to keep you from achieving either one.

Take a look at any picture of any decorating magazine, and notice their rooms. How many are cluttered with all these excessive things? Obviously the answer is none of them.

Feng Shui Bedroom Tip #3

The use of color is so important in feng shui, and the bedroom is no exception. Bright, bold colors usher in energy, while dark and warm colors relax and calm you.

Depending on the decision you made above about the atmosphere you want to create in your feng shui bedroom, you can choose a bold and energetic color such as red or purple to create energy and tension, or warm and soothing colors such as brown and dark green to relax and calm you. However, with either decision, don’t go overboard and make either choice overwhelming. Nothing drains or depresses you faster than feeling overwhelmed by the color of a room the moment you walk in.

So if you apply these three simple tips that we’ve given you, then you too can have a true feng shui bedroom that will either calm and soothe your jangled nerves, helping you get a good night’s rest, or that will introduce some spice and energy to your life.

Jade Feng Shui - The Real Use of Jade in Feng Shui

2008-12-02T21:40:00.001+07:00

If you are looking to unleash the power of unlimited energy in your life, have you thought about investigating feng shui? This ancient art and science promises to bring you good health, good luck, prosperity, and boundless vitality and energy.

Which makes people wonder just how much of what they hear about feng shui could possibly be true. How can the art of arranging furniture and de-cluttering your home bring you luck and wealth? Persons do well to think about these things, because there are of course many out there who want to sell you so-called feng shui items, many of which have nothing to do with real feng shui. For example, is there a real use for the element of jade in feng shui? This is a common item you see in Asian cultures, so is there a reason for this? What can jade and feng shui principles do for you, if anything? Let’s take a moment to review just how it was that this element and this ancient practice began to be intertwined.

The History of Jade and Feng Shui Applications

There’s no mistaking the fact that jade is a popular metal element in Asian cultures, particularly in China. In ancient times, jade was abundant, and because of its softness it could easily be shaped into various forms, unlike diamonds and other stones which had to be worked tirelessly in order to be cut and polished.

Using jade in feng shui applications did not happen overnight. True feng shui history does not include the use of jade and does not teach that there is anything special or “magical” about the element itself. However, the value of this element to the Chinese culture is unmistakable. In the long history of the art and culture of the enormous Chinese empire, jade has always had a very special significance, roughly comparable with that of gold and diamonds in the West. Jade was used not only for the finest objects and cult figures, but also in grave furnishings for high-ranking members of the imperial family.

Jade and Feng Shui Come to the West

When the practice of feng shui began to be introduced to western cultures, it was easy for it to become adulterated, as there were always unscrupulous persons looking to make some easy money from those who didn’t know any better. They realized that they could convince any westerner of the “healing” powers of jade and feng shui, and these unsuspecting persons would rather easily believe them. Jade was known for being a very important element in Chinese culture, as was feng shui, and it was easy for some to believe that the two were intertwined.

However, the real teachings of feng shui don’t include anything special regarding jade. It is not considered “lucky” and doesn’t have special healing powers. If someone were to introduce a metal element into a room, or wanted to add artwork for aesthetic purposes, then using jade in feng shui applications may work that way, but in reality, that is where this stone’s use stops.

Feng Shui Fish Tank - How Do You Use It?

2008-11-30T19:41:00.003+07:00

Fish are an important part of Chinese and Asian culture. No doubt you’ve seen many pieces of Chinese and Asian artwork that include goldfish or koi, and of course there are Asian water gardens that one can incorporate into one’s own home that include these beautiful creatures. So when employing the art and science of feng shui, many may wonder how they can use a feng shui fish tank in their own home. How is it introduced, and where should it be kept? And are there places where it should not be used as well?

A True Feng Shui Fish Tank is Not Always Big

Many people are under the mistaken impression that when you talk about a feng shui fish tank, you are talking about a large aquarium that takes up an entire wall of one’s home. This actually is not true. All of the basic principles of feng shui encourage balance and simplicity, and trying to squeeze a large feng shui fish tank into a small home or room will only add to a cluttered feeling in the room – another feng shui “no-no.”

Smaller aquariums will always do just fine, especially if they are in perfect balance to the room. Additionally, a true feng shui fish tank doesn’t even need to be an aquarium at all. A small fishbowl with a just a goldfish or two, if properly maintained and displayed, can be quite sufficient. This is probably good news to those who are on a budget and don’t want to spend the hundreds of dollars necessary to purchase a large aquarium and then stock and maintain it.

Where to Introduce Your Feng Shui Fish Tank

You are probably already familiar with the five elements, namely, wood, water, fire, earth and metal, that are the embodiment of feng shui. These elements are meant to complement one another and keep any one from overpowering a room or any particular area. This is where your feng shui fish tank comes into play. No doubt if you have a smaller tank or fishbowl, you will be using it as an accent to a room.

A room that is colored in earth tones, such as warm browns or tans, will need a water element to balance it. If your living room is such a color, this is where the water element needs to be. It’s especially helpful if the fish inside are brightly colored, as oranges and yellows are bright colors that offset the warm earth tones.

However, your feng shui fish tank should not be competing for attention with another strong element. If you have a large fireplace in your living room, you cannot have a large aquarium there as well. Both of these large, strong elements will conflict with one another and will not be harmonized. So, be careful of where you place your fishbowl and make sure that it’s a complement to your room and your environment; this will ensure that you are using your feng shui fish tank properly.

Feng Shui Wind Chimes - How Do You Use It?

2008-11-28T21:20:00.000+07:00

If you’re familiar with Asian and Chinese culture, you know that many homes in that beautiful country have wind chimes hanging from someplace outside – the porch, a doorway, or a window. Some believe that these were brought to the U.S. as part of feng shui; wind chimes were actually used before this of course, but the questions still remain: When employing the art and science of feng shui, how do use feng shui wind chimes in your own home? How are they introduced, and where should they be kept? And are there places where they should not be used as well?

Remembering the Five Elements of Feng Shui

You are probably already familiar with the five elements, namely, wood, water, fire, earth and metal, that are the embodiment of feng shui. These elements are meant to balance one another and keep any one from overpowering a room or any particular area. Feng shui wind chimes are usually used as such an element in order to introduce either metal or wood to a room or to a home.

A room that is colored in earth tones, such as warm browns or tans, will need a metal element to balance it. If your living room is such a color, this is where the metal element needs to be. Having feng shui wind chimes that are made of metal outside your living room where they are visible to those inside, such as from a porch rafter, is helpful. This is especially true if you purchase feng shui wind chimes that have brightly colored artwork on them, such as beautiful yellow and orange flowers. Those bright colors will offset the warm earth tones of your living room and keep it from feeling overpowering.

If your kitchen is white, which typically resembles water and is a bright, clean color, it can sometimes feel a bit cold and sterile. Introducing the warmth of the wood element with wooden feng shui wind chimes can be done by having them right outside your kitchen, perhaps from a window or the back porch or balcony. Again, if the wood is a nice warm tone or has darker artwork and design to it, this can offset that cold white of the kitchen.

Where Not to Use Your Feng Shui Wind Chimes

As with everything else about feng shui, it’s not just a matter of what you use, but sometimes it’s just as important to leave things out. If your home is busy, noisy, and generally chaotic, then feng shui wind chimes may not be a welcome addition. Also, if you have neighbors that are in close proximity or live in an apartment that doesn’t allow these types of things, then you should also omit them.

Remember, feng shui is about peace and positive energy. You are not going to introduce any of those things into your home and your life by having something around you that is too much noise, that makes your neighbors irritated with you, or that gets you into trouble with your landlord.

Feng Shui Colors - Understanding the True Use Of It

2008-11-27T21:44:00.001+07:00

Some people are under the mistaken impression that there are so-called “right and wrong” feng shui colors for the home or office. For example, many assume that red and black are predominant colors since they associate these with the Asian culture, that gold is meant to bring prosperity, or that you should have a red front door because it is “lucky.”

These things are actually incorrect assumptions about the use and application of feng shui colors, however, this doesn’t mean that there are no real principles to following when it comes to the colors in your home or office. To really understand these, here are some simple tips to remember.

Real Feng Shui Colors Create Mood

Even scientists and biologists agree that color can and does affect your mood. When you are surrounded by bright, cheery, energetic colors, you feel more upbeat and enthused. When you are surrounded by darker, warmer colors, you feel more calm and relaxed. When applying the principles of feng shui colors, you need to remember this and consider the mood you are trying to create in each room. For instance, if you want your living room to be a place of restful relaxation, then those dark and soothing colors of warm browns, tans, shades of cocoa, and deep greens may work well, as opposed to the bright and frenetic colors of yellow and white. However, if you have a room where you are trying to create energy, such as the kitchen or family room, then brighter colors would work well.

Real Feng Shui Colors Are Balanced

Some people make the mistake of thinking that if some is good, then more is better. This cannot be further from the truth when talking about feng shui colors. Bold, bright colors are good for creating energy and enthusiasm, but too much can be overpowering and make you tense and anxious. Also, while those dark and warm colors can soothe and relax you, too much can make you feel depressed, closed in, and even smothered. Harmony and balance are essential elements of feng shui in all its applications, and certainly this is true when applying the use of feng shui colors in your room. Avoid using all of one shade or color family, but dress up or dress down your colors with accent items of opposing shades. If your living room is a warm brown or cocoa, have accent pillows, afghans, and artwork that introduces the brighter shades of yellow or white.

Real Feng Shui Colors Make You Feel Positive!

Whatever your choice of colors when applying feng shui techniques, take a step back and ask yourself how that color makes you feel. If you absolutely hate it, then it’s not for you, regardless of what some so-called “expert” tells you. Real feng shui colors are meant to encourage positive energy, and using colors you hate will do just the opposite.

So by learning these simple truths about “real” feng shui colors, you can better understand how to apply these in your own home and place of work.

Feng Shui Bedroom Tips

2008-11-25T20:49:00.001+07:00

Some Simple Feng Shui Bedroom Tips

How many times per day do you get email “spam” with all sorts of offers for products that promise to increase your sexual energy and bring some spice back into your love life? If you’re smart, of course you delete those emails right away, as it’s very unwise to start popping pills from a company you’ve never heard of or to start subscribing to web videos that are going to get you into trouble with your partner.

However, for someone who still wants some energy and vitality in the bedroom – or who is wondering why it is that they can never get a good night’s sleep – there are some simple feng shui bedroom tips that one can follow quickly and easily, and that promise to help you accomplish whichever is your goal.

Feng Shui Bedroom Tip #1

So, which is it? Are you looking to add some spice, some vitality, some energy and enthusiasm to your bedroom? Or instead, are you looking to create a warm and relaxing atmosphere that has anything but spice and energy? It’s important for you to understand this because the methods you’ll use when applying these feng shui bedroom tips will have one or the other effect on you; you don’t want to be doing something that will bring energy into a room where you already can’t get any sleep, and you don’t want to create a “cozy” atmosphere in a room where you need more vitality and spice.

Feng Shui Bedroom Tip #2

Take a good, long, honest look around at your bedroom. What do you see? Make a mental inventory of all the “stuff” that’s in this room, and ask yourself how it’s helping or hindering that end result you’re trying to create. One of the most important feng shui bedroom tips is to de-clutter the room and move out anything and everything that’s detracting from the mood you’re trying to create. Children’s toys are not going to get you into the mood for a good sex life, and neither will dirty laundry, bills to be paid, or that dusty treadmill. All of these items will also detract from that calm and restful atmosphere you want to create as well. How can you feel relaxed and peaceful when you have your car payment booklet sitting on a desk a few feet away, or when you see the mounds of sewing that you need to get to?

Feng Shui Bedroom Tip #3

If you’re looking to add some spice to your bedroom, then think of colors that remind you of spice. Cayenne red, for example, is a nice spicy color that many use as an accent in the bedroom to create tension and energy. If you’re looking to feel calm and soothed, think of something that calms and soothes you – hot cocoa, for instance. Warm browns are soothing colors that create the right atmosphere as well; considering using these for your bedroom when you want to create a room that’s soothing and restful. By thinking of how these colors translate into the mood you’re trying to create, you’ll be able to apply one of the most important feng shui bedroom tips there is.

Using Feng Shui for Wealth

2008-11-24T22:55:00.000+07:00

If you’re considering whether or not you can use the ancient art of feng shui for wealth building and fortune, there are some important factors that you may want to keep in mind before you begin this pursuit. Number one, what are you trying to accomplish when you assume that feng shui for wealth will work in your case? Are you experiencing specific financial setbacks right now and are assuming that these can be somehow “magically cured” with feng shui?

Also, when considering using feng shui for wealth, do you really understand what is required of you, the user and the person applying this principle? There is no ancient practice, ritual, art or science that can be applied that will somehow instantly provide you with money and wealth without expecting you to do your part, so to speak. Assuming that you can just somehow “petition” feng shui for wealth and it will magically arrive on your doorstep is not how things work.

So then, how are the two thoughts tied in with one another? Many believe that you can use feng shui for wealth, and some have told their own experiences of this actually being successful, but what did they do that brought about their positive results? What are some things to be avoided?

First, remember that the true principles of feng shui involve harmony, balance, and calm. You need to be sure that you’re bringing these elements into your everyday life when it comes to work and employment. Do you see any ways that you are bringing disharmony or a lack of balance to your career? Many offices these days stress “teamwork” and expect their employees to understand its importance; those who don’t are often the first in line for dismissal. If you are not bringing this attitude to the office, you can soon find yourself unemployed – and that’s no way to build wealth!

Additionally, when speaking of feng shui for wealth, it’s important to remember that feng shui encourages positive energy for accomplishment. If you are trying to accomplish a feeling of togetherness and fun for your family, you bring in upbeat elements and colors to your family room. This will make everyone feel energized and alive; this positive feeling encourages closeness and energy as a family. So, if you’re looking to apply feng shui for wealth, you need to apply your personal, positive energy toward pursuing that wealth. This means working hard, not being wasteful with your finances, and being ambitious as well. You absolutely cannot have one without the other.

Unfortunately for many, there is no “magic cure” when trying to use feng shui for wealth. Painting your front door red or hanging a crystal over a mirror is not going to be enough to fix your finances or to make you wealthy. You will still need to do the work that’s necessary. But by applying the real principles of feng shui including harmony, balance, and positive energy, you may find that your circumstances vastly improve and in turn, your wealth will increase.

Five Elements of Feng Shui

2008-11-23T20:10:00.001+07:00

When talking about this ancient art and science, there is usually mention of the five elements of feng shui. Just what are these, and how are they applied? This article will give you a very simple crash course on both these questions.

The Five Elements of Feng Shui Outlined

Fire, earth, metal, water, and wood are the five elements of feng shui. You will notice that these are all natural elements as well. All of these together form a circle of either construction or destruction, as follows:

Construction: Wood creates fire; energy from fire (such as the sun) is needed to feed the earth; metal is borne from the earth; water can be pulled from the elements that make up metal; water feeds the wood.

Destruction: Fire destroys metal; metal (such as an axe blade or other instrument) destroys wood; trees or wood feed from the earth; dirt from the earth absorbs water; of course, water destroys fire.

How the Five Elements of Feng Shui Harmonize

The underlying principle of feng shui is that there needs to be harmony and balance; having too much of any one element in your home or in a particular room is counterproductive and can be overwhelming. Most rooms will have one dominant quality of the five elements of feng shui and need another element to bring in some balance. One bathroom ideas that you can try is of an all-white bathroom. White is clean and pure and represents water. However, when a room, even a bathroom, is completely white, it can feel cold and sterile. By introducing another one of the five elements of feng shui, such as earth, this can tone down that sterile feeling. Towels, artwork, and other items that are a warm brown can do the trick. Or, imagine a living room that is all brown, which is a strong earth tone. You can feel closed in or overwhelmed, as this is a warm color but one that easily smothers you. Another one of the five elements of feng shui, such as fire, can do the trick. Red accents such as pillows or afghans can brighten up the warm brown.

You can apply the principle of balancing the five elements of feng shui in virtually every aspect of your life. For example, maybe your personality is strong and fiery. This can be a good thing, but too much of a strong personality can easily overwhelm people. A campfire is good, but a forest fire is bad. So, consider what you can do to tone down your personality a bit. Think of the earth as being warm and nurturing; your personality can have some warm and nurturing sides to it as well to make you a more balanced and harmonious person.

There are really no right or wrong answers when it comes to applying the five elements of feng shui to any room of your home or part of your life. You simply need to remember how these elements are meant to harmonize and balance one another, and try to imitate those fine qualities as much as possible.

Analyze Feng Shui - How to Analyze Feng Shui Principles for Your Home

2008-11-22T09:33:00.000+07:00

When it comes time for redecorating or remodeling in order to bring health and energy into your home, you may want to analyze feng shui and see if it can truly help in these regards. For example, how does the use of color add vitality and energy, or on the other hand, calm and relax you? How can de-cluttering your environment do the same? By giving some time, consideration, and critical thought to these subjects, you can begin to analyze feng shui to see if it there are any real scientific principles that can be applied.

Feng Shui’s Use of Colors

When you analyze feng shui and its use of colors, you need to first of all understand how color affects your mood and your overall feeling. Bright and lively colors do energize you; imagine trying to be upbeat or perky in an all-black room. Doesn’t that harsh and stark color instead make you feel brought down, even depressed? Many kitchens, on the other hand, are painted bright shades of yellow or orange; when you analyze feng shui’s encouragement of the use of these colors for this room, you realize that they are upbeat and considered clean and sanitary.

Feng Shui’s Lack of Clutter

When people really begin to analyze feng shui, they see that this art encourages the lack of clutter or excessive items in the home or any other place where you are quite frequently. This is because clutter has been shown to make a person feel stressed and anxious. It is like a constant reminder of things that need attending to – clothes than need mending, appliances that need fixing, laundry that needs folding, and so on. This nagging voice in the back of one’s head does nothing to encourage positive energy.

Analyze Feng Shui for Your Own Home

How can you apply these two basic principles in your own home? Well, you don’t need to be a decorator or an interior designer to understand color. Take a good, honest look at each room of your home. How do you feel when you stand in the doorway? Are you energized, do you feel drawn into that room? Or does the overall look and feel depress you; do you avoid this room for any particular reason? When you analyze feng shui, you need to be able to have that overall look for your home’s rooms as well.

Also, there are no hard and fast rules about what constitutes clutter in any one area, but again, honesty is the key. Do the things you’re holding onto add value to your life, or just depress you and bring you down? What type of energy do you feel when you look at these things? Don’t think that you need to keep anything “just in case.” The negative energy that you’re introducing into your home far outweighs any supposed uses you think you might have for these things.

So if you take a few moments to analyze feng shui and its use in your own home and your own life, you will see that there are some great benefits you can derive just from these simple principles.

Some Feng Shui Tips You Can Apply Today

2008-11-18T23:13:00.000+07:00

If you are someone that is interested in the ancient art and science that is feng shui, there is no need to feel overwhelmed. Many people can tell you that you need to hire a so-called feng shui expert to come to your home and give you a “reading” as to where the positive energy is and what should be done in each room of the house, but this is usually unnecessary. Anyone can encourage positive energy – and get rid of negative energy – with a few simple feng shui tips that you can apply right now, today.

Feng Shui Tip #1

Probably the most basic and most important feng shui tip is to start de-cluttering. There is no more potent energy drainer in your home than excessive clutter. Old clothes that you know you’ll never wear again, broken appliances that you know you’ll never fix, all of these things are just reminders of unfinished projects and unmet goals, and are a drain on you mentally and emotionally.

This feng shui tip about de-cluttering is also applicable to larger items, such as furniture, car parts, and so on. If you have more than two main seating pieces in your living room, ask yourself why that is. If you have a garage that’s strewn with car parts that you have no use for, again, ask yourself why that is. If the answer to any of those questions is, “Just in case,” then you know that these things are clutter. Get rid of them.

Feng Shui Tip #2

Be aware of the color around you, in your home and your place of employment, and understand how color affects your mood and your emotional state. For example, a good feng shui tip when you want to increase your energy is to use bright, bold colors in rooms you use before you head out for your day, such as the kitchen or breakfast nook. Darker and warmer colors are good for when you want your mood to settle down, such as the living room or bedroom. Using warm colors of brown or green is good for these areas.

However, there is need for caution when applying this particular feng shui tip. Some people are under the mistaken impression that if a little bit is a good thing, then more must be better. But too much of any bright color can overpower you and make you feel tense and anxious. Too much of a dark color can bring your mood too far down, even depressing you. Sometimes it’s good to take a step back from your room, stand at the entrance to it, and be honest about the color. Is it a bit too much? Consider toning down the shade, or using something neutral throughout with your other colors as an accent.

By applying these two very quick, very simple feng shui tips in your own home, you can begin to feel the power of positive energy as it is welcomed and ushered into your surroundings.

The Real Rules of Feng Shui

2008-11-17T22:06:00.001+07:00

Are you someone that likes rules? Chances are that you don’t. Very few people do. Most everyone appreciates a few guidelines here and there, but usually appreciates being able to have some room for free expression and latitude. This is one of the reasons that the ancient art and science of feng shui is so enjoyable for most people – while it has some very important principles, there are really no such things as rules of feng shui.

So if there aren’t any hard and fast rules of feng shui, how can one go about applying it to your life?

No Rules of Feng Shui, Just Principles

What is the difference between a rule and a principle? Simply put, a rule is very harsh and rigid, and rarely allows someone any type of freedom for their own personal choices, judgment, or expression. It’s also something that you must do, like it or not. A stop sign is a rule, not a suggestion.

On the other hand, a principle is more of a guiding thought which allows for a great deal of latitude for someone to make up their own minds about things. Principles are like a ceiling under which there is a great deal of movement.

So if someone is thinking that there are certain rules of feng shui to be followed, they need to understand that feng shui is about making things in your home and your environment work for you, and you personally. What you appreciate and enjoy and what will bring energy and vitality to your life is not something that’s going to work for someone else. Trying to dictate “rules of feng shui” is something that’s actually counterproductive to the entire art overall.

However, the principles of feng shui are much different. For example, consider the use of color. Feng shui teaches (as do many designers and decorators) that bright colors add energy and vitality to any space, and encourage you to use yellows, oranges, and shades such as these in an area of your home where you need that added energy, such as your kitchen or breakfast nook. However, the way you apply this principle and to what degree is up to you and your own individual taste. Imagine if the “rules of feng shui” demanded that you paint your kitchen orange, and it was your most hated color! Many have also found that what works for them is to introduce these elements in small doses, in accent items, artwork, and so on, rather than coloring a room completely in one particular color.

Making Up Your Own Rules of Feng Shui

How you apply feng shui in your own home is going to be up to you. Again, it needs to work for you personally. So if you are looking to work with a feng shui expert or advisor, and he or she insists that you follow so-called rules of feng shui, be wary. Remember, there is no such thing.

Attention All Feng Shui Beginners!

2008-11-05T22:17:00.000+07:00

So you want to apply some feng shui in your life, but don’t know where to start? Are you hesitant about paying out money for so-called experts who promise to come into your home and give you a “reading” to advise you? Are you wondering if it’s all just a bunch of bunk? Well, don’t worry; we have some great tips and pointers that all feng shui beginners should think about before they go any further. So before you spend a dime hiring a consultant or dismiss this ancient art and science as silliness, check out these pointers first.

Feng Shui is About Calm and Order

This is probably the most important principle that feng shui beginners should consider. Feng shui is not about a rigid placement of furniture or about thinking that a red front door will bring wealth to your home; it’s about ushering in peace, calm, order, harmony and balance to your life. For example, one of the first things that feng shui beginners are told to do is to de-clutter their home as much as possible. Why is this? Because clutter has been scientifically proven to cause stress and chaos in a home. When your environment is cluttered, you feel constant guilt and disappointment over unfinished chores and projects. You are also frustrated and angry when you can’t put your hands on an important document or other such item.

Some feng shui beginners may immediately dismiss this important element of the art, but give it some thought. If your home is very cluttered and messy, how do you feel? Do you feel good about yourself and positive about your home? Chances are that you don’t.

Feng Shui is About Creating Mood

Color is a big part of feng shui, but not because certain colors are considered “lucky” or more desirable than others; this is a big misunderstanding that most feng shui beginners have. Instead, color is used to create mood or to enliven and energize a room or a home. Bright, vibrant colors can be an instant pick-me-up, while warm and soothing colors can relax and calm you. Strong colors like red and purple are seen as fiery and bold, and are used sparingly.

There is of course scientific data to back this up. Biologists understand that humans react to colors around them, and apply this to many situations. Taxi cabs are yellow so that they’ll be easily noticed, car brake lights are red for the same reason.

So if you’re a feng shui beginner, don’t get overwhelmed with the concept, and don’t dismiss it that easily either. You need not believe in the superstitious, hocus pocus bunk that some people have mistakenly attributed to feng shui, but you can appreciate the aspects of this art that are effective as well. If you still need more proof, just try cleaning out your closets and repainting your bedroom, and see if those changes don’t bring some positive energy to your life as well!

Feng Shui History – Separating the Fact From the Fiction

2008-11-03T20:43:00.001+07:00

When learning about the ancient art of feng shui, many people are interested in the real story behind it, in other words, true feng shui history and not just legend or hearsay. It’s a good idea to investigate this, because unfortunately, when feng shui tradition began to be introduced to the western culture, a lot of misconception and out-and-out untruths began to be mixed in with the real practice.

Real Feng Shui History in Ancient China

The Asian cultures always seem to have placed a great deal of importance on harmony, balance, and peace. In Japan, Zen masters taught that simplicity and hard work were the key. In China, they firmly believed that one needed to respect one’s surroundings in order to be at peace.

Feng shui history includes stories of how Chinese experts believed that the earth resonated a strong energy that should be welcomed into one’s home, and that certain practices fought against this energy, bringing disruption and chaos. By arranging their buildings and even their furniture and other accessories in the best possible way to respect this energy, the Chinese believed that there could be balance in one’s life.

Feng Shui Comes to the West

Stories about feng shui history become a bit muddled when the practice was introduced to western cultures; no doubt because there were many unscrupulous persons who realized that they could make “a fast buck” on the unsuspecting westerners who were unfamiliar with this art. Additionally, there were many New Age elements that began to be introduced and confused as being part of feng shui history, when in reality they had nothing to do with true feng shui. Crystals, red front doors, star-shaped mirrors, and other elements are included in this.

Some have claimed that this practice can heal one’s physical ailments, bring wealth and prosperity, and several other fantastic claims. None of these statements are found in true feng shui history, as those who practiced it never made such outlandish statements. They do firmly believe that the right use of feng shui can add positive energy to your life, and this energy can result in good things and your own accomplishments, but it was never meant to be some type of “magic pill” that one could use to cure, heal, or work influence over these outside factors.

Understanding Real Feng Shui History

If you have a true interest in the art and science of feng shui, it’s important to really know it’s history, otherwise you too could fall prey to one of these so-called “experts” that is not telling you the truth about its real application and use. Real feng shui history is about harmony, balance, order, and positive energy. Any stories you hear that don’t include these elements are probably just folklore and should be ignored. Once you understand the real truth behind this art form, then you will be better equipped to really use and appreciate true feng shui in your own home and your own life

Why Feng Shui is Sweeping the Country

2008-11-02T19:11:00.002+07:00

Many modern day designers and engineers are actually turning their attention to the ancient art of feng shui, which encourages the proper placement of buildings, furniture, and other home improvement tidbits in order to encourage the most positive energy possible in one’s life. But why would those living now, in our age of science and reason, be interested in something that’s as old as feng shui?

It’s important to note that feng shui is not just art, although it can be called that. There are no hard and fast rules about many of the elements of feng shui, just like any other medium, so there is a lot of room for interpretation – as there is in art. However, there are also a lot of scientific principles involved in this practice as well. For example, interior rooms are encouraged to be as clutter-free as possible so as to not block the natural flow of energy. Designers and interior decorators always encourage their clients to keep their room neat and orderly, as clutter can bring about feelings of depression, frustration, and can stifle one’s creativity.

Feng shui also puts a great deal of importance on the use of color, advising that bright colors such as yellow and orange be used in rooms where you need the most energy (the kitchen and breakfast nooks, for example) and that you should use the warmer colors of brown or green for places where you want to feel comforted and safe, such as the living room or bedroom.

Scientists and biologists know that there is a great deal of fact in the thought that color affects mood. Bright and bold colors can perk you up, while darker colors can bring your mood down. Feng shui may not have decades of biological research under its belt, but it is interesting how it encouraged this type of thinking long before science came on board.

Many people are also interested in this ancient practice because they are looking to get the most amount of energy into their lives as they can. With our lives being as busy as they are today, with everyone being stressed and anxious not just from work but from all the other activities that they are trying to add in as well, it’s no wonder that people are turning to feng shui – or any other remedy that’s available – to give them a good “pick me up.” After all, the applications of feng shui obviously can’t hurt someone; there’s no harm in picking up your clutter or trying a new pain color in your kitchen, so if there’s no harm in it, why not try it out?

So it seems that feng shui is here to stay, as they say. This ancient art and science has found its way into our modern lives in a major way. Whether it’s the use of color or of how to encourage the best traffic flow in one’s home, many modern adherents are welcoming this ancient teaching into their lives on a daily basis.

Free Feng Shui Tips

2008-11-02T18:54:00.001+07:00

Welcome to Free Feng Shui Tips. This site provides tips and techniques all feng shui beginners. If you have questions not covered in Free Feng Shui Tips, please feel free to email your question to ditto.asnar@gmail.com