Q&A Sunday: Artwork in Pairs

Anjie Cho April 5, 2020

I have purchased the Venus mandala, and I want to hang it my bedroom, but just ran across a post on decorating a couple’s room, and it says to hang artwork in pairs. Do I need to get another mandala, or is this ok, since it symbolizes relationships?

Shayna G., New York, NY

Hi Shayna,

Thanks for your question! I’m so glad you got the Venus mandala. I really love that one. The Venus yantra was the first yantra I ever created; it’s so delicate and pretty. And yes, the Venus mandala relates to romance and emotions, which would be a wonderful addition to your bedroom.

Now onto your question! It is ideal to have things in pairs in the bedroom, such as pairs of pillows, or two nightstands, but it’s not a strict rule. For instance, it makes a lot of sense to have a pair of pillows and two nightstands because there’s something for you and something for your partner. But for instance, artwork of a single woman may not be the best thing for a woman who’s lonely and looking for a partner. In one case, I visited the home of a woman with several images of singular things. It was very obvious. But it’s perfectly okay to have things not in pairs, such as your Venus mandala, especially because the purpose of that mandala is to support your relationship. In fact, I have that first yantra I ever painted hanging in my bedroom, and it’s not in a pair.

Most principles in feng shui are highly personal, and this one is no different. If there is a beautiful piece of art that you want for your bedroom and really love it, it's most likely acceptable. In this case especially, as the art represents relationships. If you find that the artwork in your room is singular and much of it has to do with being alone or isolated, then you may want to take a look at what that reflects for your life.

by Anjie Cho

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Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui for a Quiet Lifestyle

Anjie Cho March 29, 2020

I'm moving unexpectedly due to a poor experience in my previous apartment. The manager feels it would be a better fit for my quiet lifestyle. Question: I desire peace, tranquility and an ambiance of water. I love citrus smells too. What feng shui suggestions do you have for a small apartment, family of 4 (3 kids & myself)?

Trina S., Las Vegas, NV

Hi Trina,

Thanks so much for your question. I’m so sorry that you had such a poor experience in your home that you need to move. I hope your new place does fit your quiet lifestyle better.

I find that so many of us seek peace and tranquility. I can’t tell you how many clients come to me, and they just want a relaxing home. You’ve also indicated you are attracted to water, which is related to dark colors (think black and very dark blue) as well as the Path in Life area on the feng shui bagua. It's also associated with fluidity, wisdom and intelligence. It's good news that you love citrus smells! In feng shui philosophy, oranges can welcome positive, life-affirming energy. Physiologically, oranges also help relieve depression and improve mood. Check out our orange peel ritual for space clearing that's perfect for the new lunar year!

I don’t have your floor plan, but you wrote that you’re searching for quiet. I can offer some general tips based on my intuition and what you have shared. If you love the ambiance of water, perhaps include a water element in your living room. The sound is soothing and brings water energy. Water elements, like fountains, can welcome wealth if you direct the water current towards inside or the center of your home (rather than out the door). As mentioned above, oranges are also are a great way to bring in life energy. We have some space clearing techniques on the blog or our orange Happy spray that is especially good for new homes. It’s also good to periodically clear the space no matter how long you’ve lived in your home.

Most importantly, because you have three kids, please review the commanding position and bed locations. If possible, try to locate each child's bed in the commanding position. This position is diagonal, or kitty corner, from the door with a clear view of what is entering. The commanding position is especially important for children. If you have bunk beds for the kids, and this is all you have space for, be sure to stay tuned for a future post. We'll talk more about that. But they're not ideal for kid's feng shui. You can read more about designing a kids' room with feng shui here.

I hope these help! Send us your floor plan sometime, and we may be able to offer some more specific tips.

by Anjie Cho

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

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Could Feng Shui be the Antidote for your Sleeplessness?

Guest User March 25, 2020

Anjie Cho was featured on Refinery29

Of the 8,760 hours in any given year, each must be dispersed amongst a fairly standard set of categories: Social Affairs, Business, Pleasure, Philanthropy, Other, and, of course, Sleep.

Alas, no matter how you choose to arrange your priorities, that last one remains a requirement; sleep is a prerequisite for functionality. And while many of us do, in fact, find slumber to be a decidedly pleasurable pastime, according to a 2016 survey, nearly 68% of Americans — I among them — have regular trouble falling or staying asleep.

There is, of course, a stock explanation here: Our screen dependencies make it near impossible to turn ourselves off (technology is to blame etc. etc.), especially in an era that places a high-stakes premium on productivity. Not to mention, stress and anxiety may also contribute to sleep disorders.

On the other hand, the catalog of professed sleep solutions is quite lengthy. CBD was last year’s buzziest acronym, direct-to-consumer mattress brands are trending, and boutique vitamin distributors promise more restful nights — in addition to the roster of prescription medications and OTC supplements available. And yet, for all the recent market growth in the sleep sector, plenty of us continue to lie awake at night. So perhaps, alongside the next seed-funded cannabinoid-melatonin startup, we should also consider something old-school — historic, even.

Enter: feng shui.

…read full article

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui check out the Mindful Design Feng Shui certification program. Laura Morris and I launched our program in September 2018. To get on the list about it, sign up at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com.