Using Feng Shui to Stage your Home
Literally translated, Feng means wind and Shui means water. Feng Shui is how the "chi" (the energy of the life force) flows around us and influences our lives. The goal of Feng Shui is to achieve optimum balance and harmony through the location and orientation of your home.
The most important aspect of Feng Shui is balancing the Yin and Yang, and the five elements. The shape of the property and house are very important. The ideal house is embraced by its environment.
To understand Feng Shui, it is important to understand the theories on which Feng Shui is based. This include Yin-Yang, the five elements, Ba-Gua, Chi, the ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches.
The ten heavenly stems are represented by the five-elements and yin-yang. The twelve earthly branches are the twelve animals in the Chinese horoscope.
Applying the Five Elements of Feng Shui
The five elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Using these elements properly and in the correct proportion is important.
- The Wood Element: Wood is the first in the Five Element cycle. Many people use wood furniture but it is lifeless. To harness the Chi of wood, it must be live. A shrub or bushy plant is ideal. Live plants have another advantage in that they recycle the air we breath. A bushy plant can retain some chi that is lost on a staircase that ends at a doorway. Place a plant either on the landing or at the bottom of the staircase.
- The Fire Element: The Fire Element is often denoted by the color red.
- The Earth Element: Terra-cotta pots filled with potting soil are an Earth remedy. Earth tone colors can be used, but are not as effective as dirt.
- The Metal Element: Copper, Silver, Gold, and Bronze are the most common Metal Elements. Make sure that your item is rounded and pleasing, not sharp and pointed. White, silver, or gold items can be used instead of metals.
- The Water Element: Water gives life. An aquarium, or a small metal fountain can be used. Do not use ceramic or other earthen fountains. The Earth element blocks water and neutralizes the positive effect. Water can be represented by blue or black.
Feng Shui Basics
Look at the history of the home and the previous occupants. Make sure it has a good history
Check the surrounding of the property. Does it have rear support? This can be a mountain, another house, a row of trees, a building, or a fence.
Look out from the front to the left. Does it have support there?
Look out from the front to the right. Does it have support there?
Is there open ground, a road, a roundabout even a circular flower border in the front?
Are there poison arrows directed at the property? Lamp posts, telephone poles, the corner of house pointing at you, a prison, or a hospital will require a Ba Gua mirror.
The back garden should be larger than the front. A larger front yard causes an imbalance.
Avoid a long narrow path to the front door. Trees planted too close to the front door will not let Ch’i enter freely. Some potted plants will break up the line of the path.
Avoid a spiral staircase. A faceted crystal sphere at the top of the staircase might help.
Avoid any structures that dwarf the house. This goes for inside and outside.
Avoid properties with odd shaped designs. The best shape is a rectangle or square. If a few extensions stick out they can be easily rectified.
This is not a complete Feng Shui guide. It is meant only for basic reference. If you are interested in the study, we have provide several resources below.
Resources:
Setting the Price on Your Home
