by Beth on March 12, 2010
The deepest secret in our heart of hearts is that… we love the world, and why not finally carry that secret on with our bodies into the living rooms and porches, backyards and grocery stores?
– Natalie Goldberg
One simple way to encourage good Qi, or the life energy that is present in all things, is to have healthy plants and fresh flowers throughout your home, and especially in the living room. Using feng shui principles, you should choose houseplants that are fleshy-leaved or rounded. Avoid prickly, or pointed leaves that would bring too much yang energy, or might even be “poison arrows” of negativity. And be sure to remove any wilted leaves or dead flowers right away, as their energy is quite detrimental.
Some practitioners suggest that you should avoid creating sharp angles in the room. Thus, if you need extra storage space, or a media cabinet, make it a corner cabinet if possible, to soften the edges of the room. And speaking of media, negative energy, called “Sha Qi,” arises from synthetic materials, artificial lighting, and media and electronic equipment like air conditioning, computers, and TVs.
Wood creates a very effective shield for the EMFs (electromagnetic field emissions) that can cause disruptions and disturbances, as well as Sha Qi. So keeping your home theater behind the closed door of a wooden armoire when not in use offers, not only a more aesthetically pleasing decor, it is a practical way to thwart the buildup of negativity in your living room.
Dark corners and cluttered rooms can also create stagnant Qi, which slows your energy and causes a loss of direction in life. Adding a bright light, mirror, fountain, strong colors, or an aquarium can help churn stagnant Qi.
Avoid having sofas or chairs with a door behind them. This not only blocks the Qi energy from flowing properly, having one’s back to a door creates tension and anxiety. If you ever look around at a restaurant, you’ll notice people prefer to sit with their back against a wall, preferably with view of the door, if they have a choice. We feel ‘safer’ and more in control this way.
Similarly, desks are best positioned in the far corner away from the door, with a solid wall behind you and good view of the door and window. And the best places around a dinner table are those with a wall behind you.
Speaking of the dinner table, if you’re still up for this, next week I’ll discuss the important areas of abundance and health that the kitchen and eating areas of your home embody.
And if you want to send me photos of your front door (or other areas of your home!), I’ll post them this weekend!
by Beth on March 11, 2010
A house that does not have one worn, comfy chair in it is soulless.
– May Sarton
Today, as we continue to work with the magic of our homes, let’s consider how feng shui can be used to enhance the energy in our living rooms. Most living rooms need to be versatile, because so many activities happen there. This will take some thoughtful planning on your part.
South-west facing rooms are favored because this direction is said to encourage good relationships, but within the room, your aim should be to create a spacious, welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. The amount of furniture depends on the size and shape of the room, and by all means, avoid creating a stagnant, cluttered environment.
Comfortable seating is the first consideration. If you are trying to attract or deepen a romantic relationship, make sure you have “conversation areas,” in which chairs are clustered together, preferably at gentle angles to each other, rather than directly opposite one another, which can feel confrontational.
Circular arrangements, and a grouping of comfortable seats encourages talking and other kinds of togetherness. A single chair, isolated from other seating, sends a message that the person sitting there wants to be left alone; perfect for a reading nook, but not so great for intimacy.
Other tips for your living room include using warm, welcoming colors to create a friendly atmosphere. Color influences the activity level of a space. Pastel and light colors have a calming influence, while bright colors bring in activity.
So while your bedroom might not be the best place for very strong, vibrant colors, a brightly colored “feature” wall can bring a welcome flow of energy into a living or family room. Dashes of strong color can bring life into a place.
By the way, some feng shui experts urge us to be careful with reds! While red tones can be wonderful and can bring radiant and healthy energy to an area and make it much more comfortable and alive, this is only true if that good energy is already present. If red tones are used where there is an inherent heavy or negative energy, they will make this area worse and you will feel even more drained and irritated there.
Depending on which energetic area it is located in, according to the ba-gua, you might wish to paint your living room yellow. A yellow room is a particularly vibrant, healthy cure for a sluggish area. Even if you’d rather your room be painted green, just a drop of yellow paint mixed in with the green can boost the energy of the room. Place the drop of yellow paint into the green with intention and that is all you have to do.
That’s because, as feng shui consultant Beverly Hlavka, writes, “In feng shui, the things you own and where they are placed make a big difference in the flow of energy in a space. This flow of energy also makes a big difference in how you feel. And one of the most important principles of feng shui is the act of intention. Energy follows what you focus on. If you are constantly thinking about feeling sick and tired, the universe will give you more of feeling sick and tired.
“The reverse is true as well. Keep your thoughts on feeling healthy and strong, and the universe will provide more of the same. Know your intention and keep your thoughts focused on what you want, not what you do not want. The energy of the universe will follow and support you, so be clear about having a healthy intention.”
Tomorrow, I’ll have some other easy suggestions for improving the feng shui in your living room.
