Friday, August 29, 2008

Feng Shui and the State of Florida

As we all know, Florida has been the State which the whole country has been focused on since November 7th. It is undeniably in the southeast section of the United States. This is interesting from a Feng Shui perspective because the direction of Southeast this year has been an unlucky direction. Each year there is a direction which is considered unlucky and it is to be avoided for a number of activities. It coincides with the direction associated with the Chinese Zodiac sign for the year. This has been the Year of the Dragon, which is linked to East/Southeast.

In a Feng Shui consultation, this has been one of two areas which I have advised clients to avoid doing any remodeling in (the southeast portion of your house inside or the southeast sector of your backyard or front yard.) If someone goes ahead and does any significant remodeling or demolition in the accident-prone area, it can cause a variety of problems, complications or delays.

The other negative area this year was North. Over the years, I have received quite a bit of feedback from clients who had remodels or additions in the wrong areas and heard their aggravating experiences. On a large scale, certain parts of the country associated with those same directions can have problems which range from natural disasters, severe weather, political upheaval, or social unrest. As an example, back in 1992 the direction of southwest had the annual negative influences associates with fire, pain, arguments, and disaster. We here in Southern California the southwest part of the nation) experienced the L.A. riots.

These annual influences repeat themselves every nine years (solar) and every twelve years (lunar). The two negative areas to avoid construction in for 2001 will be southwest once again (last time was 1992) and South/South-east since it is linked with the Year of the Snake.

To further clarify: remodeling does not mean you have to be afraid of putting up a shelf or painting a wall in one of these two areas. But substantial changes, like moving walls, pulling up flooring, and outside digging--these are the activities which can stir up the negative vibrations. Even having a neighbor doing construction in alignment with your property can be a potential problem (above and beyond the obvious noise factor.)

If you want to learn more about the annual influences in every area of your house, contact me for a copy of Master Sang’s book: The Principles of Feng Shui. You can also take a class with me.

And if you have been a client of mine, seriously consider having me do an Annual Update Reading for you.

Feng Shui Related Holiday Stuff - Top
Check out my website for a variety of books and videos available that make great gifts. (www.fengshuisolutions.net) I can even put together a Feng Shui Gift Basket for you. I can also make Feng Shui Gift Certificates if you would like to gift a consultation to someone.

My friend Marjorie Rothstein is available for Instant Re-Design Make-Overs for your home or a single room, using the furnishings you already have! She is a designer and artist who works with me and helps clients follow through with my feng shui recommendations.Call her: (818)905-1999.

Another friend of mine, Edy Rose, is a color consultant. She can advise you on colors to add in your home, in conjunction with my feng shui recommendations. She is also a certified Aura-Soma Color Therapeutics specialist. (This system uses aromatherapy, color, and crystals to remove emotional and spiritual blocks.)

Feng Shui Principles That Annoy Architects - Top
It is often said that good design is also good Feng Shui. Generally speaking, I totally agree. However, Feng Shui principles of how ch'i moves in and around a building, and what kind of effect that has on people, will sometimes be in conflict with interesting architecture or landscape.

1. Does symmetry = balance? I have seen many floor plans where the architect deliberately placed doorways or windows directly opposite each other. Sometimes there is a whole succession of windows along a wall, and the opposite wall will be a mirror image. I have seen entrances or exterior facades where columns, hedges, and pathways create long straight lines toward a main door. In looking at these designs, the symmetry is obvious. But from a Feng Shui stand point, this is not necessarily harmonious or balanced. Think about nature, and winding meandering paths through gardens, and groupings in odd numbers. This is very different than the perfect pairing of windows, doors, or other architectural features. Two windows exactly opposite each other may feel like balance through symmetry from a designer's training. But this arrangement allows for ch'i (air currents) to either move too quickly through a room and/or the room leaks its vitality too soon.

2. High ceilings: A room may feel dramatic and larger (intended effect) when the ceilings are high. Most people initially feel good in this kind of room. But the function of the room will determine the appropriateness of high ceilings in Feng Shui theory. It may be hard to concentrate in a room with high ceilings, and it may be difficult to get good sleep as well. Sometimes the good energies which need to be cozy and contained in a small room, will get dissipated in a room with high ceilings.

3. Beams: The look of exposed beams can also bring personality to a room from a design point. But open beams in a bedroom are known to cause health and relationship problems in Feng Shui theory (in all schools of Feng Shui.)

4.Views from front to back: A major selling feature in many homes is to create a spectacular view from the entrance, all the way through to the back (showing a garden, or views of a valley or ocean.) But this is not the home you will sell to an adherent of Feng Shui. Once again, the premise is that incoming energy will make a bee-line for the back, escaping too quickly. The mundane result of a house losing its energy is that the occupants will have a hard time saving their money.

5. Angles and odd shapes: When a building or a single room has an odd shape, (not a square or rectangle) this can make the ch'i boomerang around the room, causing lack of focus, ill health, or arguments. I have often been in very odd-shaped buildings or houses, where the real orientation (of what is the front and what is the back) is also very confusing.
Just because a building looks striking from afar doesn't mean it is a comfortable place to work in. I once saw the design for a new building by some famous architect and it honestly looked like a crumpled piece of paper! This can't possibly be good Feng Shui.

**Keep in mind: there are some buildings which get classified as being good for money, but not good for health and relationships. The ideal is to create a building that is good for both, but given a choice, the priority should be more in favor of people over money.

6. Staircases: Sometimes the design of a grand, swirling staircase can make a huge statement for the room or entrance. But energetically, a staircase is a conduit for energy. It will swirl and activate whatever it is around. If the stairs are located in a positive section of a building, they can make it even more positive. If they happen to be in a bad location, then the movement they stir up will only further irritate the area. This can only be understood by Feng Shui practitioners who can calculate the "unseen" influences.

7.Aesthetics: Sometimes a home or commercial property just looks and feels great, and all the visual features are in sync with good Feng Shui principles as well. But every structure has been built facing a particular compass degree, and within a certain time frame, and those two coordinates may produce a house-type that can attract tremendous misfortune, even though it "looks" good. This is the level of Feng Shui that architects find most startling. How could it be that their gorgeous new home can create lawsuits? Or miscarriage? Or accidents? Or divorce?

The good news is that more and more architects are considering working with Feng Shui practitioners, so that the blending of their talents can truly create a superior space-- visually, functionally and energetically.

The Art of Feng Shui and the Feng Shui of Art - Top
A question that comes up often during a feng shui consultation, is how to interpret the effects of art in our home or work place. Here are my thoughts:

1. Art is subjective: if you like looking at a particular piece of art and it makes you feel good, then that is good feng shui in one sense. 2. When an art object or painting or photograph is boldly one color, then it will emanate the element associated with that color. Example: a giant red canvas on the wall is the fire element.
(That color may or may not be good for that particular area, but if you have good reason to believe that a certain element is appropriate for that area, then a large display of it via color will enforce the effects.)
3. A picture which has several or many colors will NOT be strong enough to represent one or all of those colors--the energy gets dissipated.
4. Art should not conflict with the function of the room. Example: I once had a client who had a large painting over her bed. It was brash and modern with the actual words "LISTEN TO ME NOW!" sprawled across it. Perhaps a joke, but not exactly the kind of message you would normally want to display for the new boyfriend!
5. Placing a series of pictures along the wall or walls of a room with frames all at the same level will create a subtle second ceiling to the room. Air currents travel along walls, ceilings and floors. This could be good for rooms with ceilings that are too high.
6. In general, placing pictures a little higher on the wall will make the room feel bigger.
7. Art pieces, such as bronze statues or sculptures are definitely feng shui metal remedies.
8. Having an attractive paining on an otherwise blank wall can be a feng shui remedy for a congestive entrance.
9. Having pictures of landscapes can be good for rooms with no windows.

***Recommended Reading: a new feng shui book by Master Gahle Atherton (Feng Shui: The Perfect Arrangement) has now joined the ranks of one of my favorite authentic feng shui books. (A grand total of six!) It is not in stores in America yet, but you can get signed copies from the author by contacting her at www.fengshui.com.au Don't forget the "au" part of the domain name or you won't get Gahle's site. I have a few copies, and I'm ordering more. $20.00

Question from a student: Are new houses better than older houses? Answer: A newer house may be in better structural condition. This contributes to good feng shui. A newer house will statistically have had fewer past occupants. The result is less lingering energy of past occupants, or even the potential for one of them to return as a ghost. These are just a couple of advantages of the newer house. But there are many older homes that still have good ch'i, even better than the new homes which were built against feng shui principles.

Second part of the answer: Houses go through cycles that last 180 years, broken down into 9 construction cycles that last for 20 years. Once a house reaches 180 years old, then its ch'i gets renewed, as if it were a new house again.

Question: What's the best color for the exterior of a house?

Answer: We have eight basic house types, each one associated with a direction. That direction is asociated with an element, and that element has a color. If you paint the house the same color as the element which defines its orientation, then you have an exterior color that supports the house instead of undermining it. You can also use a color which is "productive" to the element that matches your house.

As an example: Your house faces East, therefore it "sits" in the West. The real nature of the house is that it is a West type house. West is associated with Metal. Metal colors include grey and white. Those would be good colors for the exterior. Also, since Earth makes Metal stronger, then earth colors would also be strengthening to the house. Earth colors are beiges, oranges, and yellows.

What would be a bad color for the metal house? Well, fire melts metal--so a house that was reddish in tones, or salmon colored, would not be an ideal color for this orientation of house.

Good Feng Shui and Good Neighborhoods - Top
I have found an interesting coincidence with some of the better neighborhoods I have visited and the better feng shui houses that exist there. I am speaking of the 4 major house types which are determined by their precise compass orientation.

Here is one example: In the Pico/Robertson area of Los Angeles, there is a neighborhood south of Pico Blvd. called "Beverlywood Adjacent" and it includes many homes that were built between 1924-1943. Those which are on the east side of Robertson Blvd. and face east or west are often the house types that are called "Reversed." This implies a house type that is more prone to money and health struggles. (Right next to a lot of gang activity as well.) This neighborhood has never been considered as prestigous as the neighborhood on the West side of Robertson Blvd. Many of these houses have identical floor plans and were built in the same period, but the difference in street alignment on either side of Robertson, makes them dramatically different house types. If you measure the compass degree on the East side of Robertson, the homes are aligned pretty much exactly dead-on east (90 degrees) or West (270 degrees.)

Then you go a few blocks West of Robertson and the street alignment is a little different, where the east facing houses do so at about 75-80 degrees and West at about 255-260 degrees. These house types are considered inherently good for money and people. So this 15 degree shift may look almost imperceptible on the Thomas Map Guide, but it creates two very different house types, consistent with the general affluence of the neighborhoods they are in.

Another predictable area is the San Fernando Valley, which is mostly laid out on a North-South (345-165 degrees), East-West (70-250 degrees) grid. Many of these homes were built in the 1950's and are also classified as "Reversed."

But when you get up into the hilly areas, with winding roads, particularly south of Ventura Blvd., the same 50's homes will face any number of directions, and often end up being better feng shui homes than the ones in the flat lands. Again, this has nothing to do with the size of the homes. It is the compass alignment combined with their construction age.

Another subtle shift takes place between Culver City streets in a Northeast-Southwest alignment, verses the slightly different alignment on Santa Monica streets in better neighborhoods.

In the fall of 1999, I visited a new 80-home development near Claremont at the request of the concerned builder. The Asian buyers were only buying the South-facing houses. I knew that some of this had to do with cultural superstition that South is a lucky direction. In this case, there was some truth to the situation, because new homes which face south are some of the best feng shui houses being built in the current time frame.

Yin House Feng Shui

Ying-yang theory in feng shui explores the effect of opposites and extremes. As an example, a place that is very lively and full of energy is considered yang and a place that is very still and dark is considered yin. Neither in extreme is good in many instances. The type of feng shui that most Westerners are now familiar with is referred to as Yang House. It is the analysis of homes, buildings and the surrounding environment, be it natural or man-made.

Yin House feng shui refers explicitly to the divination of grave sites and it has historically been a big branch of feng shui. If the type of environment you live or work in can have profound influences, then the location of burial can conceivably have consequences on future generations. The philosophy behind this states that all souls are connected and that families share karma. Energy grids under ground can be tapped into by the body laid to rest, and those very bones can act as transmitters of energy to souls who are connected to the dearly departed. Funny that we Westerners have an expression, "I can feel it in my bones."

There are numerous stories about families who were cursed with bad feng shui because of an improper burial or families who prospered for several generations because of good yin house feng shui.

What Do People Consider A Good Burial Site?

Yin House feng shui is as complicated as yang house feng shui.Initially, the natural landscape is taken into consideration. The location, proximity, and shapes of nearby mountains will influence the good or bad energy of a large area. The clustering of hills and mountains and their ability to store energy in them is one aspect that is assessed by the feng shui master. Some of the research and reading I have done makes perfect sense in analyzing the shapes of mountains. Just in my own immediate area, I have noticed a distinct difference between the mountain formations in Malibu, Agoura, Chatsworth, Simi Valley, Hollywood Hills, Sierra Madre and various other mountainous regions that I frequently visit.

Some of the interpretation of these areas appears quite subjective and reminds me of those psychological ink blot tests. As an example, more than one resource states that if a mountain range looks "like a woman lifting up her skirt," then a burial there will produce future generations of prostitutes! This is truly frustrating. What may look like a "dragon" mountain to one person could look like a "snake" to another. What may look like a row of soldiers (producing future generations of army commanders and political leaders) may look like something totally different to another feng shui practitioner.

It gets quite technical with descriptions of "yin mountains" and "yang mountains" as well as inner mountains and outer mountains. You really need to fly over these areas in a plane or look at a topographical map in order to assess the total configuration and decide if the area is auspicious for a burial site. No wonder the fathers of feng shui used to spend years "walking the mountain" to determine its value.

Some of the theories and formulas are more or less agreed upon and not all of it is subjective.

As an example, if no animals live on the mountain and there are no oily, green plants, then this is the type of land that is too barren to store good chi. Another way to find a good burial site is to discover a small space that is distinct from the basic characteristics of the land. For instance, if the land is essentially flat, then the best spot is where you find a ripple of hill formations. This is where the best energy is stored. Or if a big area is full of mountains with lots of variation in height, then finding the nice flat pad is where the energy gets stored for that particular area. This is like reading the I-Ching Trigrams; notice the line that is different from the others. (Like a blonde in China!)

On a more personal scale, the best direction for the head and feet when laid to rest can be determined by the personal astrology of the deceased. There are also calculations to figure out the best day for a memorial service, even a cremation or scattering of ashes. While Yang House feng shui is done for the benefit of the person who enlists the feng shui services, Yin House feng shui is done for the benefit of the living relatives and future generations to follow.

Some Western practitioners like myself wonder about the likelihood of ever putting Yin House theory into practice. We can’t just hike the Santa Monica Mountains to find a wonderful spot for a burial. Everyone must be buried in a cemetery and even the direction of the plot is limited. Because of health laws or Judeo-Christian religious beliefs, burials must usually be performed within a certain time frame after death. The Chinese are known however for waiting until the best time, even if weeks pass. They are even known to dig up a grave and re-locate the body if it is deemed necessary for better yin house feng shui.

The location of water regarding a burial site is less important. Proximity to water is for the living. But virtual water can include a road or highway, since it carries so much energy with it. I think about this every time I pass the Veteran’s cemetery when I’m on Sepulveda or the 405 freeway. This just seems like a very disturbing location for graves.

For more fascinating reading on Yin House Feng Shui, I recommend a book called, "The Art and Science of Feng Shui," by Henry T. Lin. I will be trying to get copies of it directly from the publisher in the near future.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Feng Shui, a mystical belief or a natural science?

Feng Shui has gained widespread popularity in the United States and around the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, it is quickly becoming a part of architecture, building development, and home living. Much has been written and reported about this topic. So truly, what is this thing that recommends avoidance of sharp angles and putting metal objects in your home for balance and other strange recommendations?

Feng Shui is a body of knowledge that has developed and grown for thousand of years. Originally, it was the exclusive knowledge of the court meteorologists of Imperial China. The meteorologist studied medicine, geomancy, astrology, and other esoteric arts. These meteorologists protected their knowledge. People of the time knew little about it. Many people had heard about it, but most knowledge outside the Emperor?s palace was hearsay. Eventually this knowledge spread to only selected families outside the palace. These first Feng Shui masters used the knowledge to help common people. The knowledge was passed from father to worthy son in order to protect the family?s name and position. Over the last 2,000 years, this tradition has continued. However, with each succeeding generation, the Feng Shui knowledge was leaked until a popularized version of Feng Shui has developed in the West today.

What has grown to be known as Feng Shui in the West, is in reality a popularized version of Feng Shui. Feng Shui is not based on any religion, mysticism, or superstition. Rather it is a mathematical science. Feng Shui is based on four aspects: Building, Environment, People, and Time. Most authors and practitioners today utilize only the first two aspects, while leaving out the most important (although more complicated calculations) of People and Time. Just as the Earth is constantly moving and changing, so are the energies of Feng Shui. Modern science has shown that geomagnetics are in a constant flux. Feng Shui calculations show changing results based on the variables of building, people, time, and environment. There is no fixed place for money, love, or study. Although the “qi” (energy) for these objectives exist, they are found in different places in different buildings. It takes a qualified practitioner who knows how to uncover these locations.

Much has been said about the “cures” used in Feng Shui. Traditional Feng Shui does not prescribe any flutes, mirrors, charms, chants, or other mystical objects. Rather, a qualified practitioner only utilizes the five Chinese elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water to bring a place into an energetic balance. These elements can take the form of many objects such as a brass pot, or an aquarium, but the actual remedies are still strictly the element. Many books have written about using mirrors as a Feng Shui cure. In actuality, mirrors used to be made of polished brass (a metal remedy) and in the Middle Ages, it worked as a cure. Today?s modern mirrors do not have enough of the metal element to be prescribed as a remedy. When asked today, about where to put the mirror, most qualified practitioners answer “In the bathroom, which is where it is needed most!” Although a mirror can be used architecturally to hide a pillar or make the room appear larger, it is not a Feng Shui remedy. The objective of the remedies is to return a natural balance of qi (or life energy) to a building. Feng Shui remedies are only based on the natural elements and not the objects themselves.

As for avoidance of sharp angles, just as in art, rounded edges are much more beautiful and pleasing than angles. This is part of the environmental aspect of Feng Shui. Environmental Feng Shui can be as simple as correcting a room from being too light or dark. Again, you are looking for a balanced environment. Turning on a heater to warm a cold house can be considered a form of Feng Shui from an environmental aspect. Although these are basic examples of environmental Feng Shui, a more detailed analysis of the environment will be left for another article.

There are a lot of benefits to having a proper Feng Shui analysis performed. People have reported increases in wealth and love, and significant improvements in health. Feng Shui can be shown to be both a science and an art. The Science of Feng Shui is the detailed analysis of the four aspects using mathematical calculations. The Art of Feng Shui is the experience of how to best implement the remedies. How much, exactly where, and for how long, is the skills of a practiced Feng Shui master. Feng Shui is not about making drastic changes, but making energetic improvements in your living space that will result in the best possible benefits for all who reside there.

Today unfortunately, there is much hearsay, superstition and nonsense about Feng Shui. On the contrary, Feng Shui makes complete sense and is based on logic and scientific principles. How does one find a qualified practitioner to render an analysis? Ultimately, it boils down to whether what is presented makes sense. Just remember that the ultimate objective of Feng Shui is to create a balanced and harmonious place that is supportive to the people who live there. It is a scientific study of the “built” environment. Do not take any advice that does not sound right to you. The most important piece of Feng Shui is that the environment be supportive and comfortable for the people who live and work there .

Feng Shui for Commercial Properties


Consultations for commercial properties are also in high demand. Each business is unique and what may be appropriate advice for a restaurant is not necessarily correct for a doctor's office. Kartar has evaluated hundreds of businesses, from small one-room offices to whole corporations. Kartar has advised on everything from attorney's offices to zen gardens and everything in between. In Feng Shui for Skeptics, she highlights some of the unique aspects to look out for in planning or designing scores of commercial enterprises.

Consultations Outside of Southern California

Kartar is based in Los Angeles, and routinely sees several hundred clients per year in Southern California. But she also travels to see clients in other states and occasionally other countries.
Kartar's long distance projects have included traveling to Washington state, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Minnesota, Florida, Connecticut, Colorado, Montana and New York. Kartar is internationally known and once taught a course in Barcelona, Spain.

Consultations by Mail

Feng shui consultations by mail can be done accurately and thoroughly when the client provides enough data. A narrative report is promptly written, based on Kartar receiving floor plan sketches and photographs of the interiors and exteriors. Kartar can also provide some on-line or over the phone coaching for how to take an accurate compass reading. Long distance clients are given equal priority and attention to detail as local clients. Calls and email communications are promptly returned.

Design Phase Projects

Building an entirely new structure, doing an addition or an expansion all require the assistance of a highly trained feng shui expert if you want to get the most out of what feng shui has to offer. Sometimes the scope of a remodel project may change the energy of the whole space, while other times the remodeled space will be interpreted as a separate area from the original construction. Proper analysis necessitates that a feng shui practitioner have a lot of experience and training with advanced knowledge of the Flying Star School essential.

Kartar enjoys working with architects, builders, and interior designers and has solidified close relationships with some prominent designers and developers.


Saturday, August 23, 2008

Feng Shui Tips for Clutter Clearing - Use Feng Shui for Better Energy


The feng shui effect of clutter on your health, your energy levels and the overall quality of your life is obvious - clutter drains your energy and dampens your very best intentions.

Even though we all agree about the feng shui effects of clutter, starting to clear your clutter is never easy. One look at the stuffed bedroom closets or the piled up bookcases in your home office is enough to make you urgently find something very important to do.

There is a way out, though, and feng shui, as an energy tool, can help you clear your clutter in the most efficient, easy and, yes, even enjoyable way! The way to make it work is to keep in mind two important feng shui guidelines:
  1. Bring higher feng shui energy to support you in your clutter clearing efforts. For example, having great music, fresh air, a sense of beauty in the space will start diminishing the low effects of clutter, as in the world of energy everything is in constant motion. Be aware how much easier it is to deal with the low energy of your clutter when you are surrounded by higher energy.


  2. Plan to "underachieve" instead of "overachieve." Start small and time your efforts. For example, give yourself 15 min for a specific area, and when the time is up, just leave it. You've done great. Now plan for the next session and make it a bit longer (20-25 min.)
By mentally changing your approach and having realistic goals you can actually start living clutter free quite soon. It is important to give yourself time, though. Just like with losing the extra weight with feng shui, you will achieve the best results with a consistent system, complimented by new habits.

A very helpful tool in clearing clutter is using the ancient principle of space clearing. There are many ways to do space clearing, and from my experience, ancient cultures around the world have various forms of clearing the stagnant energy. Explore the topic of space clearing with feng shui, as it can be of great help in your feng shui clutter clearing efforts.

From Karen Kingston's Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui (compare prices) and Creating Sacred Space with Feng Shui (compare prices) to Denise Linn's Sacred Space: Clearing and Enhancing the Energy of Your Home (compare prices) there are many resources to help you understand how to shift the energy in your space and make your feng shui efforts really pay off.

To deal with the unseen causes of clutter, such as emotional issues, Christan Hummel, the author of Do It Yourself Space Clearing Kit (compare prices) suggests to "go around the house to places where there have been past traumas or difficulties. Do a cleansing ceremony (sage, or candles work well) and intend for the blockages to be cleared from that space. Intentionally bring in items that represent a more flowing energy, such as a feng shui fountain, chimes, or living things like plants, to attract life energy back into that area."

No matter which way of space clearing you choose, once you realize that the unseen Chi, or energy around you is shifting all the time, you can easily transform it for the better. You might not see it, but you can certainly feel it. Feng Shui is here to guide you through all the steps of creating better energy in your home.

Feng Shui Fountains - How To Use Fountains for Good Feng Shui


Feng Shui fountains (compare prices) are among the most popular feng shui products and come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. The uses of feng shui fountains are many - there are indoors and outdoors feng shui fountains, tabletop, free standing, wall-mounted, and more. For a fountain to be used as a feng shui cure, the fountain does not have to look oriental - in fact, none of your feng shui cures or decor adjustments have to look oriental in order to bring good feng shui energy.

Fountains are very popular in feng shui because they bring the energy of water, and water is an ancient feng shui symbol of abundance and prosperity. The other great feng shui reason to use a fountain indoors is the fact that a working fountain will diffuse healthy negative ions into the air, as well as add more humidity. Many indoor environments are starving for this popular feng shui product!

Best feng shui areas to have your feng shui fountain are the following:

The location of your feng shui fountain is determined by the Ba-Gua, or the feng shui energy map, as well as the interplay of the five feng shui elements.
  • It is not advisable to place a water feature/feng shui fountain in the South area, as in feng shui South is connected to your Fame and Reputation, and the energy of it is Fire. If you bring the Water feng shui element (fountain) into the Fire element feng shui area (South), you are creating bad feng shui/conflicting energy, as Water puts down the Fire.


  • It is bad feng shui to have a water feature in your bedroom, no matter which feng shui area of your house your bedroom is located in. The water feng shui element brings the energy of worry into the bedroom, thus a fountain in the bedroom is not recommended.
On a practical level, when buying this feng shui product, choose a good quality fountain with a silent motor; as well as a fountain with a design that it is easy to keep clean. You can place some feng shui crystals or stones in your fountain, which will strengthen the beneficial energy, or sheng chi; as well as purchase a fountain that allows you to diffuse specific essential oils into the air.

Using crystals and stones, as well as essential oils with your fountain, will double the energy benefits of this very popular feng shui cure.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Feng Shui Bedroom Tips - How to Feng Shui Your Bedroom


A good feng shui bedroom is a bedroom that promotes a harmonious flow of nourishing and sensual energy. A good feng shui bedroom is a bedroom that invites you, lures you in, excites and calms at the same time. A good feng shui bedroom is fun and pleasurable to be in, either you are there for a quick nap, a good night sleep or to make passionate love!

To create a perfect feng shui bedroom, you can use a variety of simple, practical feng shui tools, such as the basic feng shui tips below:

Let go of the TV, computer or exercise equipment in your bedroom. The good feng shui energy in your bedroom is destroyed when these items are present in your bedroom.

  1. Open the windows often or use a good quality air-purifier to keep the air fresh and full of oxygen . Be mindful of the quality of air in your bedroom. You cannot have good feng shui in your bedroom if the air you breathe in is stale and full of pollutants. Please note that plants in the bedroom are not good feng shui, unless your bedroom is fairly large and the plants are located far from the bed.


  2. Have several levels of lighting in your bedroom, or use a dimmer switch to adjust the energy accordingly. Good, appropriate lighting is very important, as light is our # 1 nutrient and one of the strongest manifestation of energy. Candles are the best feng shui bedroom lighting, but be sure to buy candles with no toxins.


  3. Use soothing colors to achieve a good feng shui balance in your bedroom. Feng Shui bedroom decor is a balanced decor that promotes the best flow of energy for restorative sleep, as well as sexual healing. Best feng shui colors for the bedroom are considered the so-called "skin colors", and we know the colors of human skin vary from pale white to rich chocolate brown. Choose colors within this range that will work best for your bedroom decor.
  4. Use soothing colors to achieve a good feng shui balance in your bedroom. Feng Shui bedroom decor is a balanced decor that promotes the best flow of energy for restorative sleep, as well as sexual healing. Best feng shui colors for the bedroom are considered the so-called "skin colors", and we know the colors of human skin vary from pale white to rich chocolate brown. Choose colors within this range that will work best for your bedroom decor.

  1. Choose the images for your bedroom wisely, as images carry powerful feng shui energy. Best feng shui advice for the bedroom art is to choose images that you want to see happening in your life. Unless you enjoy being sad and lonely, do not use sad and lonely images in your bedroom.


  2. Follow the basic feng shui guidelines for your Bed, which are:
    • have your bed easily approachable from both sides,
    • have two bedside tables (one on each side)
    • and
    • avoid having the bed in a direct line with the door.
    A "good looking" and well-balanced bed is very important in creating a perfect feng shui bedroom. Good mattress, solid headboard and high quality sheets from natural fibers are also very important in creating harmonious feng shui energy.


  3. Keep all the bedroom doors closed at night, be it the closet doors, the en-suite bathroom door or the bedroom door. This will allow for the best and most nourishing flow of energy to strengthen your health, as well as the health of your relationship.
The idea of a perfect feng shui bedroom may bring different images to different people, but they will all have one thing in common - Pleasure and Dreaming as the keywords. In a good feng shui bedroom, every item will reflect the clear intent for love, healing and relaxation.

Feng Shui Tip: More Sex with Feng Shui



I recently received an e-mail with a question about feng shui for more sex. The man stated he has difficulties in attracting females into his life for sexual pleasure and hopes specific feng shui cures will help.

This is an interesting feng shui topic to write about, I thought. We usually focus on feng shui for love, or feng shui for marriage. However, many of us also go through periods of exploring sex and sexuality in a more open context, or one that does not involve a committed relationship.

Sex is healing, beautiful and very powerful. Many ancient cultures knew the mysteries and secret healing powers of sexual energy, and we have yet to learn to respect, understand and be comfortable with the power of our sexuality. Having said that, here are some feng shui tips to help you attract stronger sexual energy into your life - feng shui tips for sex - as well as to attract a sexual partner to practice with. If you fall in love, do not blame feng shui for it!