What is Feng Shui?

When people talk feng shui and trying to make sure their home has the right balance or chi, do we really know what that means? Feng shui is an ancient art and science that was developed over 3,000 years ago in China. The literal translation of “feng” means wind and “shui” means water. In Chinese culture, wind and water are both associated with good health. Thus, feng shui came to mean good fortune. Based on the Taoist vision and understanding of nature, the idea that land is alive and filled with energy, is called Chi.

Feng shui is essentially the interaction of humans and their environments. It enables you to influence these interacting energies to achieve specific life improvements. This influence is gained by positioning or designing your surroundings in harmony with principles of natural energy flow. Feng shui reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure health and good fortune for those inhabiting it. These systems of laws for spatial arrangement and orientation are taken into account when people are designing buildings, placing furniture and possessions and even bodies. It offers a unique way of looking at these elements and provides balance, comfort, and harmony into your environment.

The main tools used in feng sui are the compass and the bagua. The bagua, or the energy map, is an octagonal grid containing the symbols of the I Ching, the ancient oracle on which feng shui is based. The Compass , or Luo-Pan, is used to access the deeper information of a building. It consists of bands of concentric rings arranged around the magnetic needle.

It is important to know that there are several different schools of feng shui. Once you master the basics of feng shui you will start seeing powerful results and understand why feng shui is used in both homes and offices all over the world.

• 01 of 04 Philosophy of Feng Shui Element5 Digital / Unsplash The philosophy of feng shui is a practice of looking at our living spaces and working environment and striking a balance with the natural world. The Chinese words “feng” and “shui” translate to mean “wind” and “water,” respectively. This concept derived from an ancient poem that talks about human life being connected and flowing with the environment around it.In Asian culture, this philosophy is called the Tao, which translates to mean “the way.” Taoism is the way of nature and all the basic principles of feng shui reflect nature. Take a look at the essential principles of feng shui: the commanding position, the bagua, and the five elements. 
• 02 of 04 The Commanding Position mindfuldesignschool.com The commanding position is the spot in a room that is the furthest from the door and not in direct line with it. It puts you diagonal to the door. Ideally, you should have a clear line of sight to the door.The commanding position is where you want to spend most of your time when you are in that room. Feng shui guidelines suggest you determine this dominant position in the room, then place your bed, your desk, or your stove in diagonal alignment, if you can. These three parts of your house are critical since each represents an essential part of your life. The bed stands for you, the desk is an extension of your career, and the stove represents your wealth and nourishment.
• 03 of 04 The Feng Shui Bagua Map mindfuldesignschool.com A bagua is the feng shui energy map superimposed on the floor plan of your home. The Chinese word “bagua” translates to mean “eight areas.” Each of the eight areas relates to a different life circumstance, such as family, wealth, or career. And, each of these areas has corresponding shapes, colors, seasons, number, and earthly elements. At the center of the bagua—a ninth area—is you, representing your overall health and wellness.There are several feng shui schools of thought. All of them use baguas when analyzing your home; however, some may apply the bagua in different ways. The Western and BTB (Black Sect) schools usually lay the bagua so that the knowledge, career, and helpful people areas align with the front door of the home. The Flying Stars and other classical schools may orient the bagua based on the energy of the year or the compass.The Bagua Areas The easiest way to incorporate the bagua in your life is to identify one to three areas that need the most attention. Do not attempt to work on all areas at once. To strengthen your energy or improve flow in those areas, incorporate feng shui suggestions in that particular area. For example, if you want to encourage fertility, you might add a metallic, circular table in the part of your house representing children. Family (Zhen)
• 04 of 04 The Five Elements Mindful Design Feng Shui School The five elements—earth, metal, water, wood, and fire—come from the Taoist tradition. The elements are five interrelated phases in life that work together to create a complete system. Typically, the practice of feng shui works to balance these five facets in your home and each of your life areas or bagua.To incorporate the elements in your life and your home, you have to define where you want to focus your energy. Much like the bagua, you choose the one to three areas of your life you want to improve. Then, you strengthen your energy and your home’s energy by adding the suggested colors or shapes in that room.For example, your bagua shows that your bedroom aligns with your health, overall wellness, and the place where you rejuvenate. It ties into the earth element. Consider ways to incorporate earth tones, ceramic or clay pottery, stones, or crystals in that room. After you have made improvements there, focus on a couple of other rooms or areas of your life. Look at the corresponding elements in those rooms and welcome that positive change into your life by adding those elements. The intent is to bring positive energy to those rooms, those areas of your life, and, ultimately, your entire home.Earth

How to Create Good Feng Shui in Your Home

It can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to start when it comes to cultivating good feng shui in your home. What rooms should you begin with? How do you start fresh or what do you do if a room is already decorated? 1:24

5 Easy Ways to Create Good Feng Shui in Your Home

Thankfully, it doesn’t need to be challenging. We’ve compiled a few ideas that will kickstart your journey to a happier and healthier home. So whether you’re new to feng shui or an expert, here are nine essential steps to create good feng shui in every room of your home.

• 01 of 09 Brighten Up Your Entry Scovad/Getty Images In feng shui, your entry represents how energy enters your home and your life. We say the front door is the “mouth of qi.” Naturally, the entry is first place to start when you want to create good feng shui in your home. Start with decluttering and removing any debris. A lot of objects tend to accumulate at the front door. I’m not saying it needs to be completely empty, but rather uncluttered. Make it work for you. Next, sweep and clean up the area. The front entry (interior and exterior) is often overlooked. Wipe down the door and shake out the door mat. Take a good look around. Then can you make this space more inviting and spacious by removing or adding anything. This creates a place for the energy that enters your home to collect and gather.  Finally, make sure this space is well lit and bright. Add lighting or change the bulbs.
• 02 of 09 Clean Your Windows Hutomo Abrianto / Unsplash Windows symbolize the eyes of the adults in the home. For children, they symbolize their voice. To create good feng shui in your home, clean your windows on a regular basis. Clear, clean windows let in more sunlight. Sunlight naturally energizes and wakes us up. Sunlight also vibrantly renders all of the colors and objects that we see. Therefore, our homes become more expansive, vibrant, and energetic when we let in more light. Clean windows metaphorically wake us up to see the world around us with the most color, clarity, and precision. As a bonus, use non-toxic cleaners whenever possible. One of our favorites is a simple solution of white vinegar, water, and a few drops of essential oil.
• 03 of 09 Give Your Doors Some Attention Classen Rafael / EyeEm /Getty Images In feng shui, doors represent your voice and communication. Doors are also portals in which opportunities can come into your life. This is why your doors deserve a bit of your attention. There are two things to look out for. First, be sure that all your doors can open to at least a full 90 degrees. When there is a bunch of clutter behind a door, it can’t open all the way. This means that you’re only able to receive a portion of the opportunities life has to offer. There’s parts that you’re closing yourself off to. Second, check that all your doors are working properly. Make sure that the hardware functions effortlessly and the hinges are not squeaking. Look to see that the door can close well and with ease. All these details affect how the energy finds its way to you. You want the flow to be as smooth as possible. 
• 04 of 09 Commanding Position KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images One of the most important principles in feng shui is the commanding position. This governs how you can position yourself in life. Be sure to apply this principle to your to the location of your bed, desk, and stove.  The bed represents you. The desk represents your career. And the stove represents your wealth. When you are in these spaces, be sure that you can see the door without being directly in line with it. For example, when you are lying in bed, sitting at your desk, or cooking at the stove, you want to be able to see the door. Oftentimes this means you end up diagonal or “kitty-corner” from the door. When you are in a commanding position, you are in command of your life. You are in a position to receive positive energy and the best opportunities.
• 05 of 09 Remove Obstacles in Your Path Westend61/Getty Images Take a good look at your daily path through your home. Yep, we’re asking you to literally look at the physical path you walk as you move through your home. From when you wake up and arise from bed, then to the bathroom, and so on as you head out the door. Then from when you get home, make dinner, and end back in bed.   We become desensitized to all the blocks and physical obstacles we have in our daily path. Maybe it’s that light fixture that flickers or the door that always sticks and you have to slam closed. It’s an obstacle when you have to squeeze through a cluttered hallway. When you hopelessly peer into a closet jammed with clothes that don’t fit you anymore—all of this affects you! Like plaque in our arteries, over time these obstacles can accumulate and create problems for us. The first step is to notice the obstacles, then adjust with kindness. Be gentle. One thing at a time.
• 06 of 09 Be Spacious Plush Design Studio / Unsplash Clutter is often in the same sentence as feng shui, but we’d say that feng shui is less about de-cluttering and more about creating space.  How do you make your life more spacious? Start with your home. Find a physical spot: a drawer, room, corner of the refrigerator, desk—the size doesn’t matter—and let go of what’s no longer necessary. When you let something go, you create open space to invite a new, fresh opportunity. And don’t beat yourself up if the space gets filled up. It’s how the universe works. Life is not static or solid, there is impermanence. We can joyfully dance with the waxing and waning of our humanity. Our open spaces get filled up, then emptied, then filled again. Always be open to a fresh start. Find a new (or the same) corner to release and create some space over and over again.
• 07 of 09 Space Clearing Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash Hand in hand with being spacious is space clearing. Sometimes in feng shui, we call this a space blessing. Along with the physical space is the energetic space and both can be cleared. There’s a few techniques that you can use. My favorites are smudging with palo santo or diffusing sweet orange essential oil. In need of a simple space clearing technique that requires no materials? Visualize bright white sunlight is filling and cleansing your entire home. When you space clear your home, try to associate it with a positive intention. Hold an intention of what you want to cultivate and create in your life.
• 08 of 09 Plants Bring Life Energy Per Magnus Persson / Getty Images In feng shui, plants embody life energy. What does that mean? Well, living green house plants connect us to nature and bring vibrancy into our homes. Green plants are like fresh pressed organic green juice for our homes. Think freshness, health, and vitality. The most important thing to remember is to find plants that you can care for and are appropriate for the space. For example, take your lighting conditions into consideration. If you’re new to plants, try some easy ones like the golden pothos.  Continue to 9 of 9 below.
• 09 of 09 Offer Gratitude Caiaimage/Charlie Dean / Getty Images. Last, but not least, offer thanks to your home. Feng shui is a shamanic tradition that believes everything is alive, including our spaces! The same life energy (qi) that animates you, also flows through your home. Your home is your shelter. Your home gives you a place to rest, nourish, celebrate, and so much more. Offering gratitude to your home is simple. Just speak to your home with a humble heart and say thank you.