“Happiness is not a matter of intensity, but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” - Thomas Merton.
Feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement, helps to create this balance, order, rhythm and harmony in our living environments (e.g. homes, offices, etc.) to help improve our energy and quality of life.
Here are 5 feng shui tips for a harmonious home:
1. Getting familiar with the basic feng shui elements
There are 5 basic feng shui elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These elements interact with each other in many complex ways and it is essential to understand the dynamic of their interactions to introduce good feng shui into your home.
The 5 elements interact in 2 cycles: the productive and the destructive cycle.
The productive cycle is where each element supports the one before it, being in turn supported by the one after- wood creates fire, fire supports earth and so on, as reflected in the image above, where the arrows move in a circle. This represents a harmonious and happy community.
The destructive cycle, on the other hand, is where each element destroys the other or makes it weak - wood weakens earth, earth weakens water and so on, as reflected in the image above, where the elements are connected in a “star” shape. This is especially important when a space in your environment has a stubborn presence of an element that is negatively affecting your well-being.
Once you have decided which aspect of your life you are looking to improve (e.g. health, prosperity, etc.), you can apply your understanding of the feng shui elements to organise your home.
2.Knowing your feng shui birth element
Knowing your feng shui birth element is crucial to creating a balanced environment in your home. It helps in defining the Chi (universal energy) that you attract and understanding the influences that have shaped your life.
For example, if your birth element is water, you would need to introduce expressions of the water feng shui element, such as water-related colours, shapes etc. You would also need a powerful metal element in your home, as metal supports water in the productive cycle.
Your birth element is based on the year of your birth, but note that it is based on the Chinese Zodiac calendar, which means that the year does not begin on the 1st of January. Head here to find out your birth element.
3. Defining the bagua of your home
After you have determined the feng shui elements that complement your life, you can start to define the bagua of your home. Bagua, literally meaning “eight areas” in Chinese, refers to the feng shui energy map of your home. This energy map will help you to figure the right way to use the five feng shui elements in your home.
The feng shui energy map places the front door at the bottom of the map, unlike typical architectural ones that place them at the top. Matching the architectural map with the energy map will help your personal Chi energy move naturally into your home and improve harmony.
Including everything that is structurally connected to your home is crucial when defining your home’s energy map. Examples of these would be balconies, garages and decks.
4.Clearing the clutter
One of the most important things to do when creating good feng shui is to clear the clutter in your home. Clutter is considered to be low and stagnant, constantly draining energy from you. Moving clutter and furniture out of natural pathways would enable Chi energy to flow freely from room to room.
Having a quiet, clean place where you can sit still and meditate also helps in embedding positive energies in your home.
5.Letting in natural light and air
One of the basics of feng shui is to let in good air and natural light. These two elements are essential for good feng shui energy and health.
Opening your windows and keeping them clean will ensure that your home has enough good light and fresh air. Air purifiers and feng shui air purifying plants such as the Areca Palm, Bamboo Palm and Lady Palm can also help in regulating the air quality in your home.
Creating good feng shui in your home can get complex and overwhelming at times. Hence, it is also important for you to start small and go at your own pace. Trusting your senses will help you to feel empowered when you make changes in your own home.