You know how everything seems better right away after you rearrange your furniture? Many people believe that this feeling is the fundamental tenet of Feng Shui.
Feng Shui, however, involves more than just moving furniture to improve energy; it also involves using energy to bring harmony to all areas of our lives, including our homes and our spirits.
What is feng shui, and where does it come from?
An ancient Chinese art, Feng Shui helps to create harmonious spaces. The term “feng shui” literally means “wind and water.”
According to legend, feng shui was developed by farmers who noticed how the placement of their homes and crops affected their harvests. From there, it evolved into a complex system of principles and practices that aim to optimize the flow of energy, or “chi,” in our environment.
The method of Feng Shui is also closely related to philosophical and spiritual views. It holds that everything in the cosmos is interconnected and that we can reach a greater sense of harmony and well-being by matching our motions to these rhythms.
The ‘international feng shui guild’ even states that feng shui has an energy flow that moves through all things, living and inanimate- and that you can use that energy to arrange and nourish your life and your goals.
The Yin and Yang Concept
In the practice of Feng Shui, Yin and Yang are fundamental concepts that represent the two complementary energies of the universe. Yin is the energy of darkness, rest, and introspection, while Yang is the energy of light, activity, and outward expression.
To create balance in your living space, it’s important to understand how Yin and Yang work together. When these energies are in harmony, there’s a natural flow of energy, creating a peaceful and inviting environment.
To achieve balance, consider the Yin and Yang qualities of your living space. Are there areas that feel too dark or stagnant? These areas could benefit from the addition of more Yang energy, such as bright lighting or vibrant colors.
Conversely, if an area feels too bright or overstimulating, you may want to add more Yin elements, such as cozy blankets or muted tones.
Keep in mind that Yin and Yang are dynamic ideas. They are always shifting and changing, much like the tide’s ebb and flow.
By paying attention to the Yin and Yang elements of your surroundings, you may create a space that feels balanced, peaceful, and caring.
With a little Yin and Yang consideration, you may create a setting that feels like a tranquil escape from the rush and bustle of daily life.
How can you use feng shui in your home?
Clutter can create negative energy in a space. It’s critical to declutter your home if you want to foster a more cheerful atmosphere.
This includes both physical AND mental clutter.
Clear any physical clutter
- Tidy your foyer: Your entryway is the first area you and your visitors see when you enter your home, so keep it clear of clutter. This will create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere. Use a shoe rack, a coat rack, or some baskets to keep things organized and tidy.
- Get rid of anything broken or unused: Broken or unused items take up valuable space and can create negative energy in your home. Go around your house carefully, and get rid of everything broken or unnecessary. Anything in good shape should be donated or sold, and everything that cannot be salvaged should be recycled or disposed of.
- Tidy your closets: Closets may easily develop into a clutter breeding ground. Spend some time arranging your clothing, accessories, and shoes. Use matching hangers, baskets, and bins to keep things tidy and easy to find.
- Keep your surfaces clear: Cluttered surfaces can create chaos and stress in your home. Keep your countertops, tables, and other surfaces clear of clutter. Use decorative boxes or baskets to keep items you use frequently but don’t want to display.
Clear any mental clutter
- Adopt a daily regimen: Set a regular sleep schedule, make time for exercise, and schedule time for self-care activities like meditation or yoga.
- Keep your work area organized: A cluttered workspace can create stress and mental clutter. Keep your desk tidy by using organizers for your papers, pens, and other items.
- Let in natural light: Natural light is essential for our well-being and can help to reduce mental clutter. Open up your curtains or blinds and let in as much natural light as possible.
- Declutter your digital life: Just like physical clutter, digital clutter can also create mental clutter. Take some time to declutter your digital life by organizing your emails, deleting old files, and limiting your social media use.
- Surround yourself with positive energy: Surrounding yourself with positive energy can help to clear mental clutter. Add plants to your workspace, display meaningful artwork or photos, and use aromatherapy with essential oils to create a calming atmosphere.
Advanced Feng Shui Tactics
There are many different advanced feng shui tactics that you can use to create harmonious spaces in your home.
The Bagua Map
The Bagua Map is a tool that may be utilized to better your life, goals, and even relationships by assisting you in understanding the energy of your environment.
In essence, this map has nine sections, each of which reflects a different area of your life.
For example, if you’re looking to attract wealth and abundance into your life, you would focus on the section of the Bagua map that represents money and prosperity.
You can then use the Bagua Map to identify which areas of your life need more attention.
The Five Elements
Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water are the five elements in feng shui. Each element has its own life force and significance. You can employ the five elements to achieve equilibrium in your home.
For example, wood is said to represent growth and expansion, while fire is said to represent passion and excitement.
Feng Shui Astrology
Astrology isn’t just limited to what type of donut you most likely eat as a Capricorn. In Feng Shui, astrology is used as a technique to better understand the energy in your area. This Chinese zodiac-based astrology can assist you in fostering a more peaceful environment.
There are a few things that you may do to employ feng shui astrology in your home. Discovering your Chinese zodiac sign is the first step. You can then use the Chinese zodiac chart to find your birth year.
Once you have identified your sign, you can search for feng shui symbols that correspond to it.
To help balance the energy, you can place these symbols on your body or in various locations throughout your house. If you’re a rat, for instance, you could want to place a statue of a rat in your wealth region to help you draw in more wealth.
Each zodiac sign is also connected with a distinct hue. If you were a dragon, for instance, you would want to utilize blue hues since dragons are said to be connected to the element of water. You can wear these colors or utilize them in your decor.
The Lo Shu Square
The Lo Shu square is a tool for understanding the energy of your place. There are nine portions in this square, each of which represents a distinct area of your life.
For instance, the southeast corner of the square houses the part that represents your career. Consequently, if you wanted to change careers, you would concentrate on these areas.
FAQ
I’ve compiled a brief list of unique questions regarding feng shui and responded to them so that you won’t have any unanswered questions moving forward:
How often should I make changes to my feng shui?
The feng shui in your home shouldn’t be changed regularly. If you want to create a space that seems peaceful, you must find a balance that suits you. Keep using a particular look once you find one you like.
If I don’t believe in feng shui, can I still apply it?
Absolutely! Even if you don’t believe in it, you can still apply feng shui. And even if you don’t believe in the energy of the universe, you may still gain from the effects of feng shui because it’s all about establishing harmony in your area.
What are common feng shui myths?
Feng shui is the subject of many misconceptions. Some people think that your home must be a specific size or that you must have a certain number of stuff.
Make Feng Shui work for you!
Creating an environment that feels wonderful to YOU is, in my opinion, the most crucial feng shui lesson. Start off easy if you’re a newbie by decluttering and adding plants. You can investigate more sophisticated techniques after you feel more at ease with the fundamentals.
Feng Shui aims to design a space that makes you feel happy and at peace, regardless of your level of experience. So, why not give it a try? Your body, mind, and home might just benefit from it.
