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FENG SHUI .. some  more tips in simple terms

For around 5000 years the Chinese art of feng shui has been dealing with the principles of furniture placement and the associated flow of energy, known as "chi", to promote health, prosperity and good relationships.  All you need is common sense and practical application. and good use of the correct colours Turn your home into a haven with a few simple changes.  Use these ideas in conjunction with other detail written on my Feng Shui pages - all details from various articles and books associated with the subject.

Initially clear away all clutter as this hinders the energy.  A few hints now for the BEDROOM. This is where we rest, relax, and regain our strength and the position of the bed is important.  For ideal conditions it should lie diagonally opposite the main bedroom door, so the occupant has the widest view and can see anyone who enters, ensuring smooth and balance "chi" flow. Of course this is not always possible and corrections can be made by using crystals, and mirrors. The bedroom should be far away from the front door of the home to ensure calmer, more refreshing sleep. Never sleep with foot of the bed opposite a large window or doorway.

To bring greater romance into your relationship, burn essential oil or incense and positions lots of candles around the bedroom.  Keep fresh red or pink flowers in a white vase, as well as small red-coloured items around the room.  Using peach or pink sheets radiates romantic energy. Other colours for bedroom harmony include pale pastels or nature prints like flowers and leaves.

The bedroom should be a retreat from the world.  Keep clothes in a separate dressing room or storage area, or cupboard as they absorb outside energy. Never place anything under the bed - keep the space clear and ensure the bedspread does not reach the ground, so energy and fresh air can flow through easily.  You need to allow some space on either side of the bed, and side tables should be round, as square tables send out cutting "chi" that damage health.  Make sure bedside tables match, as pairing and balance reinforce relationships. Of course we know that furniture makers dont always made rounded bedside tables, so a crystal can be used as a cure.

For a happy secure relationship the bed should have a headboard attached.  Timber is the best material and this headboard should be placed against a wall, not a window. Otherwise you will become insecure and less grounded. Pillows make a bed a comfortable luxurious space.  Avoid stripes (they create arguements) and strongly contrasted walls of colour butting up against each other.  The best colours for a bedroom are pink, red, purple, yellow, orange, lavender or terracotta If someone is ill, hang a painting, photo or print of a peach tree or peach blossom near their bed, in their line of vision.

If you have space, arrange a separate area in the bedroom where you can read or relax. Avoid storing books in your bedroom, especially on open shelves, as they create confusion.  Keep the television out of the bedroom, and do not double the room as an office or study.

Restrict electrical items in the room as they create disruptive energy fields which discourage sleep An attractive extra lamp with a peach or pink shade will increase harmonious energy in the room. Feng shui reveals that the physical gap which occurs when 2 partners sleep in twin beds will, over time, create an emotional gap.  Double beds are better.

The LIVING ROOM (Lounge) is the most public room in a home.  It relates to the side of you that you show off to the outside world (so to speak).  Unfortunately, it is usually the room where the TV is kept.  Try to create a focal point in the room other than the TV or it will dominate the room.  Ideally it should be in abuilt-in cupboard where the doors can be closed to balance the enormous energy it gives out.

If you have space, it is best to arrange the furniture in 2 separate areas - one for chatting, the other for watching TV.  Position seating so it does not face a corner or anything sharp in shape, as the cutting "chi" will be unsettling and disturbing in the room.

Having a chandelier, will draw people in and help conversation sparkle.

Freshly cut flowers are a good investment as they keep energy refreshed and flowing.  Dried flowers store energy, so the rule of thumb would be to change them seasonally.

If you are lucky enough to have an open fire, it will enhance the friendly atmosphere of the living room, but for the rest of the year, it can appear as a rather dark area.  Try displaying seasonal plants during the warmer months to lift the energy.

Wherever an open fireplace with chimney is located in a room an energy leak results at this actual point of the Ba-Gua.  A mirror above the mantelpiece is a common remedy.

Warm colours such as yellow, orange, purple, pink and peach are best suited to this area, as is wood.  Glass topped tables with sharp edges are not a good idea. A Piano brings wonderful Feng Shui and harmony anywhere, and one sitting in the prosperity section of a room is even better.

Pay particular attention to the OFFICE or study area in your home, as this room deals with finance. Dont use it as the dumping room.  Keep energy flowing smoothly by getting rid of any clutter.  The best area for a home office or study is near the front door, with everything well organised and ready to start work. Ideally the room should have green in the colour scheme with small amounts of red.  Curtains make the best window coverings.  Other good colours for decoration are blue to mauves and purples - wisteria, kingfisher blue, peacock, etc.

Your desk should be made of wood and round if dealing with creative issues, and rectangular with rounded corners if dealing with precise issues. Position the desk so you are sitting with your back against a solid wall with a good view of the door and the window. Keep fresh flowers on your desk at all times, as they stimulate mental activity, cleanse the atmosphere and balance electro magnetic discharges.

Make sure your desk is well lit with a reading lamp and loads of natural light.

A paperweight is considered beneficial for strengthening intuition, but you need to place it at least one metre away from the computer. Computers can be good, enlivening, and stimulating to the office and can raise wisdom and knowledge.  But unless the worker is facing the door, he/she will suffer from stress and neurosis after a while. In your home office, beauty inspires and uplifts you.  Bring in colour, pleasant lighting, green plants and prints, and use some of your personal Feng Shui lucky charms somewhere in the decor. see below

The KITCHEN plays an important role in our lives.  Considered the heart of the home, it provides physical and spiritual nourishment.  The kitchen should be used for cooking and chatting only, so keep the energy light and bright and benches free of clutter.

As the kitchen deals with the elements of fire and water, the best design scheme is one that uses "tree energy" which will balance the two elements. For this purpose, the best colour scheme for a kitchen is some sort of green shade coupled with lots of timber.  It is best to avoid the glaring brightness of fast good-style kitchens, with shiny fittings and lots of stainless steel. Natural objects and materials, like timber chopping boards, wooden plate racks and cane baskets work wonders.  The location of the stove can have a large impact on the quality of the food and naturally, gas is the first choice for cooking. Try to arrange the stove, sink and fridge in a triangular shape.

Never place the stove  under a window, as energy is lost through glass and external walls. If, of course, your kitchen doesn't fit any of this criteria, use the various "cures" mentioned in other parts of my Feng Shui web pages.  Windchimes (with hollow tubes) , crystals, red, bamboo flutes, etc.

It would be ideal if the dining table was in a separate room.  If this is not possible, make sure you clear away clutter and cooking utensils from the kitchen before eating. Avoid placing the dining table in a busy crossroad area.  Always eat your meals in comfort, in a calm atmosphere and avoid mess. A dark kitchen lacks harmony and transfers gloom to all in the house, so add an extra light to improve the Feng Shui.

Aditional tips for energy, mental clarity, luck, etc try some of these "cures"...... * Placing some red material between the mattress and bed springs will help boost vitality, it is said. * Placing a mirror in the kitchen behind the stove so your hotplates reflect, is said to improve your financial position. * Keep toilet lid closed so money wont flush away. * Hang 3 I-Ching coins tied with a red ribbon on the inside of the front doorknob. * Placing a book in view of the front door will enhance intelligence. * Keep brooms and mops out of sight, to avoid having your livelihood swept away. * If you live in a dead end street or cul-de-sac, improve the flow of good chi by having some "movement", via windchimes, bird feeders, a windmill or whirly-gig in garden, a fountain etc. between house and letterbox area.

Matching Feng Shui Yin and Yang Lucky Charms.   Animal                         Daylight (Yang Chamr)                Moonlight (Yin Charm) Rat                            piano                                harp Ox                             teapot                               bell Tiger                         scissors                            shoe Rabbit                       cat                                    boat Dragon                      key                                   pearl ring Snake                       turtle                                 bird Horse                        duck                                 hat Sheep                       lantern                              sea creature Monkey                     masks                               moon Rooster                     moneysack                       wine bottle Dog                           mandolin                           butterfly Boar                          swan                                 water fairy

Updated 9 December 2003