By SGhazala Siddique
Don’t break down those walls yet, or buy those frogs - there’s more to Feng Shui than just that, Christine Chang tells SGhazala Siddique.
Feng shui, originally known as Kan Yu , is the ancient Chinese practice of harnessing the forces of Nature, to promote prosperity, harmony and vitality. Feng Shui actually translates to ‘Wind and Water’, and observes the relationships between the forces of Nature.
Christine Chang, probably the only Chinese woman to practise classical Feng Shui in Mumbai, explains that the art involves managing the energies in places in which we spend most of our lives, be it our homes or the work place. It believes that our homes mirror our innerselves.
Everything in our homes is an article was put there consciously or unconsciously. When we are in harmony with our environment, we thrive in our personal lives, careers, finances and relationships. Feng Shui allows us to create a union between the forces of our homes and our selves to allow positive changes to begin to happen.
1. The areas outside and inside the entrance should be well lit and clear of any obstacles. This invites Sheng Qi (positive energy) into the house.
2. It is better not to collect clutter or useless articles, because dust is yin by nature, and logically, the house gets more organised in its absence.
3. In houses where the main door and window/balcony/verandah are exactly opposite each other, place a decorative screen between them.
4. The disharmonious energy from sharp-pointed edges of structures outside your house can be deflected with mirrors or tinted-glass windows.
5. A mirror should not reflect the bed completely. This could cause disturbed sleep. The mirror could be to one side of the bed.
6. Multiple mirrors in the same room are another definite no-no. As stylish it might appear, the presence of multiple mirrors in the same room may lead to insomnia.
7. In case there is a family member with a temper problem, you could try placing a little red or pink colour in the room he/she frequents the most. This could be in the form of a dash of red on the pillow cover, or on a wall hanging.
8. Place a lot of metal in the room of the person who is always unwell.
9. Don’t ever place red colour in the ill person’s room. You can also place a Wu-lu (calabash) to correct sickness problems.
10. Those who already have wind chimes in their houses should hang them in the East till February 4, 2003.
11. In your kitchen, make sure that the gas stove and wash basin are not next to each other. In case you cannot realign these due to lack of space, place a potted plant between them.
12. Your bed should not be in-between a door and a window. If this cannot be helped at all, then it would be a good idea to keep the curtains drawn and the door shut while sleeping.
Also, it is adviseable to position the bed against a solid wall.
From One Who Knows