Q&A Sunday: Adding Fire to a Bedroom with Art

Dear Anjie,

Concerning your Favorite Things series on Fire element, can I add the Mars yantra in a bedroom to add a bit of fire? I'm looking for subtle way to add fire, as pure red color feels overwhelming to me. Thanks a lot in advance!

Giuliana G., Lille, France

Hello again Giuliana! You always send such great questions! Thank you! 

This is an interesting question. When you sent this in, I wrote you back and said that Mars is good, as is Durga, but now a few months later (sorry we have a long queue for these Q&A Sundays!), my intuition says that Mars is too intense, definitely not “subtle,” as you’re looking for. 

If you look at the Mars yantra, there are LOTS of triangles, and it’s very fiery. It’s almost as overwhelming as a pure red color, because it has the red, plus the triangles, plus the symbology of Mars. Mars is the god of passion and war! A very strong planet.

Another thing I wanted to mention is that last year I went to a yantra painting retreat where we had our Vedic astrology read. It was enlightening, and one thing I learned was that I was “manglik,” which, according to Wikipedia, means I have Mars in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, or 12th house of my ascendant chart.

Wikipedia explains:

It is believed to be unfavourable for marriages, causing discomfort and tension in relationships, leading to severe disharmony among the spouses and eventually to other bigger problems. This is believed to be caused due to the "fiery" nature of the planet Mars, named after the Roman god of war. Also, if two mangliks marry, the negative effects are believed to cancel each other out. However, Mars is not the only planet in Astrology that is supposed to affect the relationship and these effects should be seen in a broader perspective of overall astrological compatibility.

Now this is the funny part:

There is a belief that the negative consequences for a single-manglik marriage can be resolved if the manglik first performs a ceremony called a kumbh vivah, in which the manglik "marries" a banana tree, a peepal tree or a silver or gold idol of the Hindu God Vishnu.

What I gathered from all that, is that maybe it’s not a good idea if you’re “manglik” to have the Mars yantra in your bedroom, because it may increase the disharmony in a marriage, or with a single person, if they are manglik. I think if both partners are manglik, it’s OK.

So, after all that…I think that a subtle way to add fire can be with a red pillow, red throw, another fiery yantra like Durga (that’s a bit more mellow, and on the small side), or you could put a red sheet UNDER the bed, or put red somewhere it’s not visible. The fire element will still influence you, but it will be more subtle. Of course, one could use triangular shapes as well!

Even if your intuition (and mine) says that a solid red placement or an addition of Mars art is too intense for your bedroom space, there are still plenty of ways to welcome passion and fire. You can also take another look at the My Favorite Things post: 5 Ways to Bring the Fire Element Into Your Space. The pillow case there might be a great choice for you!

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

Q&A Sunday: Rose Quartz for Love

"Hi Anjie, when you suggest adding a pair of rose quartz crystals to your bedroom to promote trust and harmony with your future or current relationship, does it have to be a pair or will one do the trick?"

- Jill H., Brooklyn, NY

Thanks for your question, Jill! 

As a rule of thumb, my teachers answer most things with “it depends!” This is true for this question.

In general, I recommend a pair of rose quartz for love and harmony, to attract a partner or to support an existing relationship. But it really does depend. Without tailoring the question specifically for one person, it’s difficult to address most issues in a general blog post. However, most of the time the general answer is OK.

Generally, a pair would be most helpful for a current or future relationship. But, there are times when one would also be appropriate. For instance, someone who’s always in a relationship and never single may benefit from one, rather than a pair, since he or she may be co-dependent and have a hard time being alone. Another situation where a single stone may be more appropriate is when someone is experiencing a separation and needs to do some soul searching to see if they’re better alone or back with their partner.

Also, if one is all you have, there may be a reason for that. But if you are perhaps too lazy to get another piece, that says something too! I think your question is a great one because it’s not an easy one to answer and requires you to really examine your situation.

The fact that you're seeking to add rose quartz to your space at all is a very promising sign, whether for your love life or your relationship with yourself. Before you pick up a pair, spend a little time thinking about exactly why you're looking to make this adjustment in your space. Once you've got the intention pinned down, any addition you make will be that much more powerful. 

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

Q&A Sunday: Adding Plants to Your Bedroom

I was wondering which plants I can use in a bedroom space that faces east but windows are on the north wall.

Cami H., Atlanta, GA

Hi Cami

Thanks for your email and question. I practice BTB feng shui, which is one of the many schools of feng shui. One of the major differentiating factors with the BTB school is that we focus on the direction of energy rather than the cardinal directions (like north, south, east, west). With that in mind, in a mundane sense, I would recommend placing the plants as close to the window as possible to ensure that they get enough light. 

As far as best plants to use in the bedroom, it depends! If it’s for feng shui applications, such as to add more wood energy (as suggested in an early episode of our podcast), then it’s best to stick to plants that have round soft leaves rather than sharp pointy ones. These three plants are some of the best options to add for feng shui adjustments!

Practically, did you know there are many houseplants that are great for the bedroom because they release oxygen at night time? Snake plants, also known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue, are one of the best options for bedroom plants for this exact reason. You can also use Moth or Dendrobium Orchids, especially if you are looking for a stable relationship, Bromeliads, Aloe Vera or certain types of Cactus plants. Just keep in mind with the last two, if you're making a feng shui adjustment, avoid pointy leaves!

On another note, since your window is facing north, it won't likely get a lot of direct sunlight. To counteract this, aim for a plant that thrives in full or partial shade. Hosta, English Ivy and Hydrangeas are a few good choices!  

I'm happy to hear that you're considering adding plants to your bedroom space. Living plants are such beautiful and meaningful additions to any space. We'd love to see photos of the plants and arrangements you decide. Send them along!

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!