Feng Shui Modern

1. Feng Shui is Instinctive Common Sense

While many people see feng shui as a mysterious practice, probably because it originated a long time ago, the ideas behind it are really very simple.

Beyond Mysticism. Feng Shui, at its core, is not about superstition or magic. It's a practical system rooted in observing how our environment affects our well-being. The principles encourage us to use common sense and intuition when designing and arranging our living spaces. It's about creating harmony and balance to optimize our performance and overall happiness.

Logical Principles. Every Feng Shui principle has a logical reason behind it. For example, positioning a desk to face the door allows you to see who's coming, creating a sense of control and security. Similarly, ensuring good ventilation and natural light promotes a healthy and vibrant atmosphere.

Personal Guide. If a particular Feng Shui theory makes you feel uncomfortable, it's not in the spirit of the practice. Your feelings should be your ultimate guide. Feng Shui is about creating a space that resonates with you, not blindly following rules that clash with your intuition.

2. Yin and Yang: The Dance of Opposites

You can’t have one without the other – you need to understand darkness before you can understand the light, and you need to see light before you can understand what is dark.

Interconnected Opposites. Yin and Yang represent the fundamental duality of the universe. Yin is associated with calmness, darkness, and the feminine, while Yang embodies energy, light, and the masculine. These aren't opposing forces but rather complementary aspects of a whole.

Balance is Key. Feng Shui emphasizes the importance of balancing Yin and Yang in your living spaces. A room that's too Yang (bright, energetic) can be overstimulating, while a room that's too Yin (dark, subdued) can feel depressing. The goal is to create a harmonious blend of both.

Examples of Balance. A living room might incorporate Yang elements like bright colors and lively plants, balanced with Yin elements like soft lighting and comfortable seating. A bedroom, on the other hand, should lean more towards Yin, with calming colors and subdued lighting to promote relaxation.

3. The Five Elements: Understanding the Building Blocks

To help us understand this further, Chinese philosophy gives us five symbolic elements: fire, earth, metal, water and wood.

Symbolic Representations. The Five Elements – Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood – are symbolic representations of different energies and qualities. Each element is associated with a compass direction, season, color, shape, and texture. Understanding these associations allows you to create balance and harmony in your space.

Element Characteristics.

• Fire: Represents heat, energy, and passion (red, triangle).
• Earth: Represents stability, balance, and grounding (yellow/brown, square).
• Metal: Represents precision, transformation, and density (white, circle).
• Water: Represents fluidity, depth, and coolness (black/dark blue, fluid shape).
• Wood: Represents growth, vitality, and life (green/light blue, rectangle).

Element Cycles. The elements interact with each other in cycles of creation and destruction. For example, water extinguishes fire, while wood fuels fire. By understanding these cycles, you can strategically introduce elements to counteract imbalances in your space.

4. Chi: Feeling the Energy of a Space

Chi, which means ‘air’, is a fundamental concept of feng shui.

Intangible Energy. Chi is the vital life force or energy that flows through everything. In Feng Shui, it refers to the feeling or atmosphere of a space. A room with good Chi feels welcoming, balanced, and harmonious, while a room with bad Chi feels stagnant, oppressive, or uncomfortable.

Types of Chi.

• Sheng (Life) Chi: Growth, happy thoughts, gentle breeze, plants.
• Si (Dead) Chi: Stagnant stillness, musty smell.
• Sha (Killing) Chi: Threatening, uncomfortable feeling, sharp edges.
• Movement Chi: Physical circulation of energy in a space.

Enhancing Chi. You can improve the Chi of a space by decluttering, introducing natural light and ventilation, using soft curves instead of sharp angles, and balancing the Five Elements. The goal is to create a space that feels good and supports your well-being.

5. Command Position: Taking Control of Your Environment

You are sitting in the command position, because you feel secure and at the same time in command of your space.

Optimal Placement. The Command Position is the most advantageous spot in a room, where you feel secure, in control, and able to see what's happening around you. It's based on the principles of the Five Animals: Tortoise (back), Bird (front), Dragon (left), Tiger (right), and Snake (center).

Animal Associations.

• Tortoise: Represents protection and stability (a wall or solid backing behind you).
• Bird: Represents openness and a clear view (space in front of you).
• Dragon & Tiger: Represent support and balance (support on either side of you).
• Snake: Represents your mental state and the need for balance.

Applying the Command Position. In a bedroom, the bed should be positioned with a solid headboard against a wall, a clear view of the door, and space on either side. In an office, the desk should be positioned to face the door, with a wall behind you for support.

6. Choosing a Home: Listening to Your Head and Heart

Remember that while your home may be the biggest financial investment in your life, it is also the place where you spend most of your time, so in selecting a home, you should listen to both your head and your heart.

Beyond Location. When choosing a home, don't solely focus on location. Consider other important factors like structural soundness, neighborhood, accessibility, and the overall feeling of the space. Your home should be a place where you feel safe, comfortable, and inspired.

Essential Factors.

• Structural Soundness: Ensure the home is structurally safe and free from leaks.
• Neighborhood: Choose a neighborhood that offers access to parks, green spaces, clean air, and a sense of community.
• Accessibility: Select a home that suits your current needs and lifestyle.

Direction and Orientation. In Feng Shui, the direction your home faces is important. Traditionally, houses faced south to maximize sunlight and good fortune. However, the best orientation depends on your personal preferences and the specific characteristics of the property.

7. Styling: Turning a House into a Home

Creating beautiful space is about a methodical awareness of the environment and establishing balance so that the space not only looks nice, but feels right, too.

Beyond Decoration. Styling is more than just adding decorative touches. It's about creating a space that reflects your personality, values, and aspirations. It's about creating a harmonious environment that supports your well-being and enhances your life.

Key Elements of Styling.

• Color: Use colors that evoke the desired mood and balance the Five Elements.
• Lighting: Create a layered lighting scheme that incorporates natural and artificial light.
• Art and Sculpture: Choose pieces that inspire you and reflect your interests.
• Plants: Introduce plants to bring life, energy, and a connection to nature.

First Impressions. The entrance to your home is crucial. It should be welcoming, well-lit, and free from clutter. This sets the tone for the entire space and creates a positive feeling every time you come home.

8. Clutter: The Enemy of Flow

Clutter is when things are strewn around in an uncontrolled fashion against our will.

Stagnant Energy. Clutter is more than just a visual annoyance. It represents stagnant energy, blocked flow, and a lack of control. It can hinder your mental clarity, creativity, and overall well-being.

Categorize and Organize. The key to decluttering is to categorize everything and create a logical storage system. Assign a specific place for every item and make sure it's easily accessible. Avoid "miscellaneous" boxes and find a category for everything.

Placement Matters. After decluttering, pay attention to the placement of your furnishings. Avoid blocking doorways or creating obstacles that impede the flow of energy. The goal is to create a space that feels open, spacious, and inviting.

Last updated: April 17, 2025