Feng Shui for Creativity

Guest User October 28, 2020

You may have noticed versions of the feng shui bagua map that have an area called “creativity”. In the BTB tradition that I practice, we call it “completion” or “children” rather than “creativity”. The Chinese word for this area is dui. Dui is associated with output and offspring, but I believe creativity is more than just what you put out into the world. Creativity can be found in all areas of the bagua map. Zhen, for example, which is related to new beginnings, may be the most relevant area to focus on if you’re starting a new creative project.

One way to work with your creativity and the feng shui bagua is to work with the bagua colors, not just in your home, but also in your creative practice. Each of the areas, or guas, as well as the center of the bagua, is related to a different color. You can either start with an area of life you’d like to work on, or start with a color that you’re drawn to.

If there’s a specific area of the bagua you want to work on—maybe you’re ready to invite in a partner and want to work on your relationship area—notice the color of that area and start to play with it. I’ve been working with watercolors to explore different colors and areas of the bagua. For example, I played around with oranges and reds here, which are related to the recognition area of the bagua:

Here I went with blues and greens, which are connected to family and new beginnings:

Working with the color of a certain bagua area helps to activate that energy in your life, and it also activates creativity. You can use watercolors like I did, or you can use colored pencils, markers, or any other medium you’d like!

You can also go the other way, and start playing with whichever colors you’re drawn to. This might give you a clue as to what area of life you may want to pay attention to. If you’re drawn to dark blue, for example, you may need to work on your knowledge, skills, and self-cultivation, since dark blue is related to this area of the bagua.

As you’re playing, remember to have fun! You don’t need to have a purpose or an end goal—your art isn’t going in a museum. You can even let it go, like a sand mandala, and give it away when you’re done.

If you’re interested in learning more about how creativity relates to feng shui, be sure to check our podcast episode on feng shui & creativity!

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Feng Shui for Beginners

Anjie Cho October 21, 2020

From real estate to renovation to simply redecorating, feng shui is gaining popularity in the west as a way to consciously shift your environment in a positive way. Many people believe that feng shui is just a concept of furniture placement, but in reality, it's a deep, philosophical practice around creating a sacred space that nurtures your very being. Sounds complicated, huh? It can be, but some parts of feng shui are very simple!

If you're new to the world of feng shui or just beginning to make some much-needed changes, try these easy adjustments first. They're powerful, effective and easy for anyone to understand!

Commanding Position

This concept may well be one of the most important in the practice of feng shui. When setting up your space, place the main pieces of furniture (namely your bed, stove, sofa, etc.) so that you can see the door. The ideal placement, called the commanding position, is diagonally from the door (not directly in front of it), in the furthest position, and facing the door. This comes from ancient Chinese safety measures as well as the psychological effects, even if only long term, of not being able to see what's coming towards you. Having major furniture (bed, desk and stove) such that you are located in the commanding position enables you to be prepared for what life brings you!

Plants

Adding plants to a space is a wonderful feng shui remedy. Plants represent new life-affirming energy and growth and cultivate compassion, kindness and human-heartedness. Not only are they excellent (and easy) feng shui adjustments, adding green plants to your space can help offset the toxic VOCs found in most indoor environments. Plants can beautify your space, add the Wood element and clean your air, and many of them, like bamboo and orchids, have even deeper symbolism in feng shui. Just remember to opt for softer, rounded leaves over spiky, pointed ones!

Clean Door

One of the easiest ways to welcome positive energy into your space is to make sure the entrance is attractive and clean. Plus, who wants to come home to a dirty door or entrance? For this adjustment, just spend a few minutes assessing your entrance area and cleaning your door. Check to be sure that the door is wiped down, buzzers and doorbells work and, if you'd like, add a clean welcome mat to invite positive energy (and you!) into your sacred space.

One Good Deed a Day

This feng shui remedy may be the easiest, but most powerful of all! It's one of the first adjustments I did when beginning to study feng shui. Each day, for 27 days, do a good deed for someone else. Why 27 days? It's a multiple of nine, which is the most auspicious number in feng shui! This adjustment helps you to put positive energy out into the universe, which in turn brings it back to you!

As you look further into the practice of feng shui, you may find you want to make more adjustments. Some of these are relatively easy and can be done with guidance, like from the Holistic Spaces blog or my book, 108 Ways to Create Holistic Spaces! For others, you'll want to find a feng shui expert who suits you. No matter what, I encourage you to take a deeper look into the amazing philosophy of feng shui!

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Q&A Sunday: What to Look for in Houseplants

Guest User September 27, 2020

I just moved to a new apartment and am excited to get some new plants! Is there anything in particular I should look for feng shui-wise?

Congratulations on the move, and thanks for your question!

Everybody is loving their houseplants right now, myself included! They’re also great from a feng shui perspective. Indoor trees and plants add positive qi, or life force energy, to a home. They also bring wood energy into your home, which is related to vitality and growth. They’re especially great additions to any area of the bagua where you would like to invite in new beginnings and flexibility.

It’s true that certain plants are better than others when it comes to feng shui, although it always depends on your circumstances. This is why it can be helpful to work with a consultant.

In general, you want to look for plants with soft, rounded leaves, and avoid plants with spiky leaves or thorns. This is because you want to invite in soft, flowing energy. Plants communicate a lot about the kind of energy they will bring to a space through their appearance. Think of the adjectives you would use to describe a certain plant—that’s also how you could describe the energy of that plant. This is why plants with spiky thorns or needles need to be used with more care, and are not usually recommended in feng shui.

I also always tell my students that not everything needs to be a feng shui application. You may have a cactus that came from your grandmother that you really love, and that’s ok! If you love something, it has positive energy around it. There are always exceptions to the guidelines.

It’s also important that the plants in your home, including ones you already have, are healthy and well taken care of. When you’re getting new plants, do a little research to make sure you are getting a plant that’s suited for the conditions of your space. You don’t want to have plants that aren’t thriving because they’re in the wrong environment. Putting a plant in a space where it can’t thrive is like putting a square peg in a round hole, and can cause difficulties and obstacles.

One last thing to keep in mind as you’re choosing a plant is to look for something you love and are attracted to. If you love your plants, they’ll be a source of positive energy!

by Anjie Cho