Feng Shui: the basics to get you started towards good Chi

Rumoured to be have been used by Meghan Markel to bring good vibes to Frogmore Cottage, the art of Feng Shui originated in China 6000 years ago. By following the principles behind the ancient method, you can optimise your space to bring about happiness, abundance and harmony. 

Feng Shui was originally reserved only for use by the Chinese Imperial Court and Feng Shui Masters were forbidden to share their knowledge with outsiders. 

There are three  primary schools of Feng Shui: Classical,  Black Hat Sect Tantric Buddhism Feng Shui and New Age Feng Shui (Modern, Western, or Intuitive Feng Shui.)

Feng shui is now mainstream hence the creation of New Age Feng Shui, and the ideas behind the practice are merely a Google search away.

We take a look at some basic ways that you can utilise Feng Shui in your home for the optimum Flow of Chi. 

Understanding the basics of Feng Shui

Before we begin moving furniture, buying more houseplants and painting, we will first need to familiarise ourselves with some primary concepts. 

You will hear the reference to Chi very often. Chi is the name for universal energy and is manifested in yin and yang as well as the five elements. It can also be expressed in different colours. 

Bagua, is an “energy map” of your space. It shows you which areas of your space are connected to the eight specific areas of your life. 

The feng shui compass, called Lo-Pan, is used to plot the Bagua map. In Western practice, the compass is not usually taken into consideration and a Bagua grid is used instead.

In order to successfully apply feng shui in your home or office, you need to define the bagua, or feng shui energy map, of your space

The Spruce

Next is the five elements theory. This states that creating a truly harmonious space cannot be done without ensuring all five elements are represented within a room. These five elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. 

Each of the elements is represented by a colour which is an important element of Feng Shui. It is also one of the easiest ways that you can get started with Feng Shui. 

Feng shui: how to begin

Clear your clutter

Remember Marie Kondo?  It seems that the principle of clearing out your junk and holding on to items that “spark joy” was a thing 6000 years ago.

This therapeutic yet time-consuming practice is essential for getting rid of the low, stagnant, and confusing energy that constantly drains energy from you. 

You should also get rid of broken items, which disrupt good Chi flow.

In your bedroom, ensure that closets are filled to capacity and provide “room to breath.” 

Open your windows

Air and light contribute to a room’s good Chi. Open your windows and get some air-purifying plants. Let in as much natural light as possible. 

Work is work and play is play

Keep your work energy and personal energy separate. 

Define clear boundaries, especially for those who work from home. 

Get painting

Feng shui uses colour to bring in good Chi. Each element has a corresponding colour that can be used when decorating or accessorising to add positivity to your home.

If you are looking to revamp a boring old room, look to use “earth colours.” Green and brown which are associated with wood, are the colours of positivity, new energy and rebirth.

Red, yellow and pink are the colours of passion and vitality. These are tied to the fire element. 

Bedrooms usually are decorated using hues of blue and black. Representing water, blue and black are linked to wisdom and are great for creating meditative spaces.

Is there a room in your house which you consider a space to recentre and decompress? Use brown and other earth tones to bring balance into the room.

The element Metal is best suited to offices and workspaces. These are places of concentration and focus and should be decorated in white or grey.

Individualise by decorating 

Although the primary focus is on the position of furniture over the adornment of spaces,  (remember we also want a clutter-free home) we can still use accessories to personalise our space and enhance Chi.

Mirrors can be used to redirect energy in your home and these are often positioned towards the front door. The front door is the most significant part of the home (mouth of Chi) and brings in the flow of good energy. The front door should never be aligned with the back door as all positive energy will flow out. 

Cures or lucky objects bring luck into your home. These objects are usually animals: turtles, lions, toads or cats. Turtles are symbols for longevity; a toad represents money and a lion is a symbol of safety.

Invite positive energy in

The front door is the most significant aspect of your home, thus the entrance hallway is also an important space. The “mouth of Chi” brings in positive energy and should be able to open to 90 degrees. Space should be uncluttered with minimal furnishings.

Ease into a new day

The bedroom is where we end and begin each new day.

Position the bed towards the door so positive energy can flow towards you. Pick your colours based on the corresponding elements and their individual contribution to Chi. 

Single and looking? Don’t position your bed next to a wall as this will symbolically block anyone from sleeping next to you.

Cook up prosperity

The kitchen symbolises wealth and is an important investment. White is the go-to colour for this room. It should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing but designing for the purpose should be the primary goal.

Arrange your kitchen so that you don’t constantly bump into corners. As with all rooms, a good flow is important. 

Energetic living

Aiming to create a space that is welcoming to children, pets and adults can be challenging, but again go for practicality over aesthetics. 

Make sure each item has its own space and having a clear organisational system is a must. Hang your art up higher up on the wall to counteract low energy levels and make sure you never leave any broken things in this room. Green is a good colour to implement here as it brings in energy and positivity. 

As you delve deeper into the art of Feng Shui you will come to realise that the intricacies of the practice go far deeper than just furniture positioning and colour schemes. 

For now, follow the tips above to get you started and to improve your Chi.