Feng Shui Your Home

Feng Shui is the ancient art of placement. According to this ancient and effective practice, moving certain objects in your environment affects you very directly positively or negatively.

Here are two opportunities to give this incredible philosophical and practical process a try.

First opportunity: Many people--too many--are incredibly unhappy in their careers and jobs. To gain clarity and ignite the fires of positive change, let's concentrate on our career corner. Many careers are tied to our ultimate purpose during our lives. When combined, work CAN be play, and life is enjoyable and livable; not just bearable. We will use the word "career" which will include profession, purpose and life's work. Now, let's give this a go.

Check our reliable bagua, and find your career area (you can easily find a sample bagua/map which clearly shows you areas in words). As in any other area, you can have multiple career spaces. For example, you can have one in your office space and another in your home as a whole or within one of your rooms. As with your other areas you can have your career area in a small space like a desk. I will continue to emphasize that the point is the intent and energy you use within that space is what matters. You can usually find your career area on the center "north" geographically speaking or your personal lower area-in reference to your body, that is the middle/center spot of any of your spaces.

Once you have identified your career area, you can create and make adjustments that work for you. I cannot say it enough but the more creative you are and fun you have, the more enjoyable and effective it will be.

You can place objects and use colors which are of various deep tones such as deep blue, black, in this space. The color white can indeed also be used as well as metal as a secondary element.

Items that symbolize what YOU identify as professional success and happiness which are balanced with the rest of your life are strongly recommended. Try to use what is for your highest and greater good and what is truly meant for you. Symbols like fish, seascapes can be placed here. Also, conditions and ideals that are of personal significance can be used. For instance, you can put on a piece of paper pictures or written words of ideal salary, working conditions, schedule style, travel or lack of it, etc. Use general descriptions of qualities you want as well as values.

The element for this space is WATER. You can use a small water fountain or clear/white bowl of water in your corner too.

Second Opportunity: Whether you need outside help for your career, love life, health issues, social calendar, or something more personal, adjusting your helpful people corner will provide you with the energy shift you desire. As usual this works best when you stick with general requests not specific persons because sometimes we don't know who is best for our highest good. Let the universe take care of that part of things. Remember the helpful person(s) can take various forms so keep your eyes and mind open. Now let's proceed.

Again, check the reliable bagua, and find your helpful people area. We will continue to emphasize that the point is the intent and energy you use within that space is what matters. You can usually find your helpful people area on the "northwest" corner geographically speaking or your personal lower right hand spot of any of your spaces. You can begin to create and make adjustments that work for you.

Let's review examples of what we can use in your helpful people area. You can place objects and use white, grey tones and black colors, in this space.

Items that symbolize the qualities you want in a helpful person and are balanced with the rest of your life are strongly recommended. Try to use what is for your highest and greater good and what is truly meant for you.

Symbols like wind chimes, fresh flowers, paintings and pictures with spiritual significance like angels, Christ, Buddha, teachers, mentors, wise elders can be placed here. Also, conditions and ideals that are of personal significance can be used. For instance, you can put on a piece of paper pictures or written words of ideal type of assistance you need, etc. Use general descriptions of qualities you want as well as values.

The element for this space is METAL. You can anything made of metal and place it in this corner (stay away from knives or other sharp cutting objects. Have fun and be creative.

As always remember not to let the North, South, East, West directions confuse you. You simply go by the bagua and the space you are in. Not the outside world. So for instance when you enter a room or are looking at a specific space, see yourself in the center of the map. In front is Recognition, reputation and fame, to your right in the upper corner is romantic relationship, to you right/center is family, right lower corner helpful people, etc.

Do you feel as if all the bad stuff just seems to head for your door?

Is everything coming in the mail bills or final demands?

Don't you just feel that maybe it's time you had a break?

These are some of the common reasons that I am asked to carry out a Feng Shui survey. Now, here's a little trick. Next time you are out and making your way home I want you to imagine that you are a stranger to the area. As you turn into your street, whether driving, walking or cycling, just think what it would look like to a stranger. When you arrive at your house, what is the first thing a stranger would notice?

Is it easy to get through the gate? Or does it stick; need lifting out of the catch or pushing because it's stuck? Does it squeal with indignation when you do open it?

If you have a garden at the front of your house is it weed free, bright and welcoming? Or litter strewn and unkempt?

Would a visitor have to step around bins or brush past overgrown shrubs to make their way to your door? Are there leaves on the path just waiting to get wet and trip up your visitors.

And what would your visitor see when they got to the front door? Clean, bright paintwork? Shiny, clear glass? A clean door mat? Or maybe peeling paintwork, a ‘Beware Dog' sticker and the door knocker so dirty they would worry about touching it with their bare hands?

Would they be able to see the name or number of the house to check that they are in the right place? If not, would they be encouraged to knock anyway?

The same applies if you live in an apartment. Is your name there at the entrance so your visitor knows which bell to push?

Or if you're a business. Does your website and literature show exactly how to find you? Do you have a sign outside your building and do visitors know exactly where reception is?

Ramshackle houseStand outside your house, apartment or business and be honest with yourself. Would Lady Luck really want to visit someone who lives or works in a place like yours?

You see Lady Luck is otherwise known as energy. And if you want good energy flowing to you then make it easy. Make the energy want to come to you. Make it feel welcomed.

In Feng Shui consultations we look at classic form, or how the building fits into the landscape. We also look at compass school, or the orientation of the building, as well as building and people astrology, or the relationship between place and time, people and buildings.

However, when a Feng Shui consultant comes to visit, the simplest things need addressing before we get into the deeper layers.

So, if you feel that you're getting a bad deal at the moment, go outside and try to see why Lady Luck might just be passing you by.

So how does Feng Shui affect home energy, business life and office reply time?

Well, the principle of Feng Shui operates on the basic principle of Yin and Yang: harmony between the dark and the light. In order to have true harmony, practitioners of Feng Shui try to arrange things around them in such a way that they can manipulate the energy to a balance.

The most recognizable symbol of Feng Shui is the octagon. The octagon or Ba Gua represents the eight directions of chi that must be balanced in order for you to have good fortune. Recently, it has been discovered that octagonal houses are actually more energy efficient.

Quite a coincidence, wouldn't you agree?

Feng Shui influences home energy because of the theory that placing the different parts of a house such as the stairs, the furniture and the door can influence the flow of chi energy through your home. This would lead to different effects.

In Feng Shui, it is believed that blockage to the chi can cause pretty big problems concerning business. In this world today, many people are learning how to respect each other's beliefs on what affects business. We live in a global community. Hence, we all should know how to do business with each other.

Right now, many westerners are researching Feng Shui because of the simple fact that many Asian businessmen would stop a deal if they feel that something is not right with the energy of the environment.

Thus, Feng Shui influences business life by allowing people to relate to each other in the terms of business. When you observe the proper Feng Shui of a place, you show people that you have a respect for every tradition. This would put you in the forefront of your business community.

But how does Feng Shui affect office reply time?

We all know that in order for an office to function properly, communications must always be in order. This means that people should be able to talk to others within the office itself. Thus, office reply time is very crucial to every person working inside the office.

As mentioned before, Feng Shui has a lot to do with the placement of objects within the area. When designing a place, you not only consider the time factor but the Feng Shui as well. In many cases, these two are often conflicted.

Some Feng Shui experts, when noting building plans, often have stairways change places or even have steps added in order to have harmony. This means that your plans for speedy office reply time may be put on hold in favor of Feng Shui.Have you ever walked into a place and right away get a bad feeling? Some practitioners say that it is one manifestation of a place having bad Feng Shui.

Placement of objects is not the only factor that influences Feng Shui. The colors and materials used for certain objects also influences the way chi energy moves around the house. For example, wood furniture can enhance chi in the south, while ceramic or clay calms it.
Chi energy flows everywhere. However, you can actually make certain modifications in order to gather more chi and promote good fortune.

Water promotes chi, that's why you'll see that in every Chinese restaurant they always have an aquarium. Certain types of fish, like a koi, actually helps promote good fortune.

The concept of Feng shui affecting home energy, business life and office reply time may seem to be pretty fat-fetched to the westerner.

However, you need to understand that some Asians take this stuff pretty seriously, and if you intend to have harmonious business relations with Asians, you may want to brush up on the different concepts of Feng Shui.

Here's a final word: many things happen without any explanations. Feng Shui is one of those things that have neither been proven nor disproved. Thus, a person must properly respect another's beliefs in order for them to maintain a harmonious relationship.

After all, you do not want to be judged as you judge other people, do you?

Most of the commercial items fall into a very affordable price range, and are made of simple materials. You can also find exquisite presents made of gemstones and precious metals. In this article, we will cover gifts that can be made or purchased, and suggest where to place them.

The very first aspect is to decide what you would want to boost in the life of the person whom you will make a gift to. For instance, if you want to boost their wealth, you can present them a red ribbon with Chinese coins, a wealth vase, a god of wealth, or other similar items. If you want to boost their love relationship, you can present them with various paired figures, such as Koi carps, horses, elephants, and others. You can find gifts for boosting someone's career, health, or any other aspect of their life. Let's cover the gifts for one of the most important aspects of life – wealth.

Gold Ingots: This is one of the most powerful feng shui gifts, as well as it's probably the cheapest one to make with your own two hands. To make this wealth gift on your own, you will need an even number of smooth stones and gold paint in a spray bottle. All you need to do is wash the stones, dry them, spray them with paint, and let it dry. That's it, your gift is done. If you don't want to spend time on this, you can purchase a "Gold Ingot" amulet online. This amulet is best placed near the window (one stone or ingot on each side of the windowsill), diagonally across the main entrance door, or in the wealth zone – the southeast section of any room.

Money Tree: Money tree is yet another powerful wealth symbol, which is also easy to make. For a money tree, you would need a nice jar (maybe a pre-decorated jar), wire, wire cutters, play-dough, and Chinese coins. You need to make tree branches from the wire, and tie Chinese coins to them. Then connect the branches into something that resembles a tree. Place the tree into the jar and secure it with play-dough. Again, if you don't want to spend time, you can purchase money trees online. This amulet is best placed in the wealth zone – the southeast.

Chinese Coins: Chinese coins are a potent wealth attractor. They can be used for a number of different types of feng shui gifts. For instance, you can make a red neck ribbon with a number of Chinese coins tied to it. You can even use a red lanyard and tie coins to it – this will also serve practical purposes. For instance, the person can start wearing their glasses, ID, or keys on their new lanyard with wealth coins. Alternatively, you can make a string with coins to hang on the southeast wall - this talisman will add to the interior of any home, since Chinese coins are very attractive. And again, if you don't want to spend time, you can purchase presents with Chinese coins online.

Mandarin is a name that was used to refer to officials in imperial China, and later also in Korea and Vietnam. The name comes from the Portuguese word "mandarim" denoting a minister, and from the Sanskrit word "mandarin" denoting a commander. The word "mandarin" corresponds to the Chinese word guan. The Royal Mandarin ducks received their name for their extraordinary plumage and superiority over other species of ducks.

Ducks fly in pairs, so this bird is considered a symbol of marriage and relationship in couples. In Feng Shui, any paired symbol (two horses, two elephants, two fish) is good for a couple. The Chinese believe that Mandarin ducks choose their partner once and for life, and die if they have to be separated. Therefore, these ducks are also a symbol of fidelity.

Ducks are best placed in the sector of love and relationships - in the southwest zone of any room. For instance, you can hang an image or place a figurine of a pair of ducks in your bedroom. This talisman will bring prosperity and good luck to your couple, as well as it will help to improve the relationship between the two of you.

Activation: This charm works best when it's placed close to an aquarium or plants. You can activate it using your wedding rings, by putting them next to the figures at night. If you are not married or if you don't take your wedding bands off, you can put a picture with the two of you next to the charm.

Legend: A legend has it that one Chinese mandarin man decided to divorce his wife. In the evening, prior to telling her about his decision, he decided to walk along the shore of a lake nearby his home. He was walking for a long time and pondering how to put it to his wife, when suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by the noise of two Mandarin ducks landing on the water. The man started to watch the ducks, which gently bowed their necks to each other and brushed each other's feathers with love. While watching them, he remembered all the wonderful moments that he had with his wife, and his love broke out with renewed vigor. According to the legend, this is how the ducks saved his marriage.

Tips: The colors of the charm have to resemble the colors of their living counterparts, so Feng Shui recommends that you use orange ducks. Their element is earth, so it is best to use talismans made of materials found in the earth crust, such as semi-precious stones. The ducks need to be placed by two, since a single object embodies loneliness and sadness. Four ducks are better than three or five.

If you want to improve the relationship in your couple or if you are single and want to find a life partner, consider obtaining this powerful talisman and placing it in your bedroom. Soon, your love life may change for the better.

This system can also give advice for promoting health and traveling. In order to calculate this data, you would need to input your initial information into a special calculator. The information to input could be your date of birth (day, month, and year), your partner's date of birth, or a specific year or month of your interest. A special algorithm would identify the following 3 numbers: the Main Number, Personality Number, and Energy Number.

Potential of a Relationship: Nine Star Ki astrology can be used to evaluate the potential of any relationship between two people (dating, business, coexistence). First, it calculates 3 numbers for each one of the two people – the Main Number, Personality Number, and Energy Number; then it assesses the harmony that these two can have on 3 varied levels.

The Main Number relation allows us to see how well the two people can coexist; this is the most important level of compatibility for love relationships. The Personality Number relation talks about the ability to communicate and interact; this level of compatibility is important for co-workers. The Energy Number relation is the most superficial level of compatibility; this level of compatibility is used for short relationships, such as business meetings with new people. To use such a calculator, you would need to input your date of birth and the date of birth of the other person, and click "calculate".

Forecast for the Month and Year: The Nine Star Ki astrology can also provide a forecast for any year and month. This system assumes that the "quality" of time varies depending on the number that "governs" it, and on the Main Number of a person. According to the Nine Stars, in order to succeed in anything we need to do things when nature helps us. The good time is the month's or year's "summertime", when the sun shines and the wind is blowing in your direction. The bad time is the "wintertime", when we need to rest, recuperate, and not do anything big. The result of any endeavor depends on how well we time it. To use such a calculator, you would need to input the year and month you are interested in.

Favorable and Unfavorable Directions: Before going on a trip, ancient rulers of China would find out how good or bad any direction is in a given year or month. You too can summon assistance from the Nine Star Ki astrology, especially if you intend to travel to another city or country. If you are going on a trip that will be shorter than a month, it suffices to calculate the data for that month. There are years and months when travel is not recommended in general.

In ancient times, choosing the right direction was so important that someone could travel three times more, only to move in the direction recommended by the Nine Stars.

Today, this astrological system is used by many feng shui enthusiasts.