Literally translated Feng Shui means wind and water. It is a 3,000 year old, ancient Chinese practice of art and science that brings the energy in your space into balance and harmony. Wind is said to move the invisible life force called, “chi” or energy. Chi is the life force that flows through every object on the planet–living or non living. Water is essential in cultivating this energy. Physics teaches us that everything in the Universe is made up of energy. By following the basic elements of Feng Shui, we can re-direct the natural flow of this energy (chi) in a more positive direction.
The five basic elements used in the practice of Feng Shui are: fire, earth, metal, water and wood. The art of Feng Shui incorporates all of these elements into the design concept of your home or office setting. By placing furniture and objects in your home using the guidelines outlined in the Bagua (or map), we help the energy to move freely and engage all of our senses; creating a fundamentally balanced environment.
Before applying the basic principles you must start with a clean setting. Remove all clutter, clean out closets, garages, storage areas and dirty laundry! If you own your home please make sure that all mechanicals are in good working order. Check your roof for leaks or missing tiles. Remove debris from the outside landscaping. Then take a close look at what you intend to accomplish. What goals are you striving for? What is a driving force in your life at the moment? You can incorporate this thinking into your design scheme.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create this type of environment–just spend time learning about the best placement of articles in your home. You can re-arrange furniture, remove items that are not necessary and add color and light to areas that need it.
Paint colors play a significant role in Feng Shui. Reds for example stimulates the appetite and are perfect for dining rooms. However, if you paint your bedroom walls in red you might have a difficult time falling asleep. Soothing colors like pale blues and greens, or soft earth tones are much better suited for sleeping areas. You can even bring a pet or two into the mix to help circulate the energy!
When you incorporate the elements of Feng Shui into your home of office you will immediately feel a sense of calm and balance.