FENG SHUI - THE SEVEN STEPS TO STIRRING ENERGY

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FENG SHUI - THE SEVEN STEPS TO STIRRING ENERGY

By Gabriele Campbell, A.S.P., C.I.D.                             www.campbellinteriordecorating.ca

In the world of feng shui, everything has “energy” or a life force that sends out different frequencies. This energy moves, curves and swirls in and around objects and spaces. You and every-day items can absorb, project or deflect energy – good or bad. What feng shui does is ensure the energy that flows from you and around you is positive, life affirming and balanced. This ancient, holistic art form can take years to study and understand, but the basic principles are easy to grasp. At the heart of feng shui lies the simple idea that life can be simple, healthy and prosperous if we just allow that energy to flow.

Here are few easy ideas you can try in your home and see if your energy shifts with a few simple changes.

1.    Take a look at what’s on top: It is common to use the areas above cabinets and cupboards as storage space, but this is an area where energy can caught up. Just have a look and you will see all sorts of webs and dust clinging to things. Take it down, dust it off, better yet clean it well with soap and water. Carefully select what you will put back and make sure that if the space is visible that it is pleasing to look at.

2.    Pay attention to the corners: These are areas that can be forgotten. A plant gets put here or a table, then we forget about it. But the dust doesn’t. Pull those pieces away from the corners and get in there with the vacuum cleaner. Because energy moves and flows, it reaches the corners, but a build up of dust and grime can slow it down and make it impossible for the energy to fully charge the corner.

3. Add flowers and greenery: Every feng shui centre responds to life, and flowers and plants are an easy way to revitalize a centre. Make sure you add colours you love, that are cheerful and lively. For plants, stay away from spiky varieties like cactus – these bring in the “poison arrows” which can fly around willy-nilly and bring more harm than good.

4.    Hang a mirror: In feng shui mirrors are used to amplify good and also to make up for centres that don’t exist in the home. They are also used to deflect bad energy – it all depends on the placement of the mirror. Good spots for mirrors include down a long hallway, to the side of the front door, behind a plant or vase of flowers, and if you are at the end of a cul de sac, in your front yard. Bad spots for a mirror are right across from any door – in this spot energy comes in and bounces right off the mirror and leaves.

5.    Bring in some light: All of the feng shui centres can benefit by the addition of light. Draw back the curtains and allow natural light to flow in. Add small lamps, torchiere lamps and up-lights to stir up and amplify the benefits of each centre. Some centres benefit from fire or candles but not all, so one must be careful not to put a candle in the wealth centre for instance – all your money will go up in smoke!

6. Clear the clutter: Getting rid of things you no longer use or need makes room for the new, and not just in terms of possessions. In feng shui, freeing space and letting go of the old allows for new relationships and new experiences as well as new things. If we are hanging on to the past, we will never fully embrace the present and look forward to the great possibilities of the future.

7. Move the furniture: In many instances where we put the furniture is where it tends to stay for years and years. Just by shifting the pieces, or setting the room on an angle, energy is revitalized. You may even feel revitalized by the change. Creating a new traffic pattern gives the flow of energy a new route to follow. Experiment and see what looks and feels best to you.