Q&A Sunday: Placing a Vision Board in the Bedroom

Anjie Cho December 29, 2019

image credit: Marissa Bracke — *image credit:* *Marissa Bracke*

Thanks so much for taking a look at my space. This is my bedroom. My boyfriend and I share it. He's Kua 3, I'm Kua 1, so I know we are supposed to have the crown of our heads facing EAST when we sleep. Currently the best wall to have the bed on is SOUTHEAST. I'm an entrepreneur; Will and I own a video production company together, and it's doing well but I'm still looking to enhance success in work. When sitting in bed I face NORTHWEST and I have a little vision board on that wall. Wondering if that's where I should have it and what I can put in my 'bad directions'?

Alli Saunders, New York, NY

Hi Alli

You’re very welcome, thank you for submitting your question and floor plan.

First of all, I practice BTB feng shui. There are countless schools of feng shui, all are valid and work, however in BTB we don’t use Kua numbers to determine the direction our crowns face while sleeping. This is often why there is a lot of confusion and even some conflicts when consulting with different schools of feng shui. Ideally it’s best to find a consultant that you really resonate with and go with their recommendations.

Interestingly enough, the school that directed you in this way seems to coincidentally work out with how we place beds in BTB feng shui. One of the main philosophies in BTB is called the commanding position. Using this concept, we aim to place our beds, as well as other important pieces of furniture and appliances like a desk or stove, facing the door, but not directly in line with it. This comes from an ancient style of building homes so that you can see what is coming towards you at all times. It actually helps to reduce your stress level as well, even if you didn't know it was affecting it! The location of your bed is ideal in the BTB school! Yay!

Since we don’t use Kua numbers, I cannot advise to any “bad directions”. But if we look at this from a BTB perspective, let’s look at what would be a great place for your vision board. I actually have a podcast about vision boards and feng shui placement. Be sure to check it out.

I know that you are an entrepreneur and you live here with your boyfriend. I overlaid the feng shui bagua map (BTB style) over your floor plan. I think the Path in Life (career) area of your bedroom is a great place for your vision board to enhance your career and the steps you will take to move forward in life. Perhaps your boyfriend can do the same. Looking at the photo, I would suggest that as long as it’s not too distracting for your sleep, maybe you get an even bigger board and share one board with both your visions. That little board looks so small on the wall. And your dreams need more space!

A final note, I also noticed that you’re not able to open the door a full 90 degrees because of all the things hanging behind it. I recommend you move all of that off the back of the door so it can open all the way. The door here represents how opportunities come to you. And you’ve only allowed in a portion of what’s out there! Open it up so you can have all the wonderful possibilities for clients, ideas, passion, and people to come into your life!

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.

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The Meaning of Moonstone and How to Use It With Feng Shui

Anjie Cho December 25, 2019

featured on The Spruce

The opalescent moonstone is a natural crystal mineral with the energy of the moon. The moon embodies yin feminine energy. Similarly, this stone promotes healing, balance and enhances your intuition.

Properties

Colors: Opalescent, milky whites with variants of blue, gray, pink or green
Chakra: Soma, Third eye, Solar plexus
Number: Vibrates to 4
Planet: Moon
Zodiac: Rabbit, Cancer, Libra, and Scorpio
Bagua areas: Relationships (Kun), Completion/Children (Dui)
Elements: Water, Metal, Earth
Origin: Sri Lanka, India, and Australia

…read full article

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Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Create sacred spaces that support, and nourish.

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Q&A Sunday: Finding a Place for Garbage Cans

Anjie Cho December 22, 2019

I'm really enjoying your podcast -- it's a wonderfully simple way to get into the art of feng shui, and I've started using some of the techniques and loving the simple tips and tricks you have provided. I wanted to ask something weird -- is there a good or bad place to put garbage cans within a room or home? I'm curious if the location of a garbage can affects the area and, if so, how?

Emily P., Milford, CT

Hi Emily

Thanks so much for listening to the podcast! I’d love to hear about how it’s going for you so far since you’ve incorporated some adjustments. Thank you also for writing in. The trash can question is not “weird” at all! In fact, you’re not the first person who’s asked me that. There are a few ways to look at the placement and use of the garbage bin.

First, let's look at the practical function of a garbage can. A garbage bin serves as a temporary place for things you want to remove from your home. It's something we all really need and it isn't a bad thing! It's great to put it in a place where it serves a practical function, like in the kitchen, where you definitely need one! I often recommend that people put it under the sink or incorporate it into cabinets near the sink, where it's best used.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that it shouldn't be the first thing you see or a main focal point anywhere. You wouldn't want to walk into a home and see a garbage can, as it can shift you toward negative energy, and the same goes for its placement in the kitchen. It may be something you need in your home, but it shouldn't take the focus!

Desks and bathrooms are also great areas for small, functional trash bins that can be emptied often as necessary. Again here though, avoid letting the bins be first in the line of sight.

On another level, if you view the feng shui bagua in a more advanced way, it's composed of circles, not squares. In this situation, there are areas in between each circle. These spaces are often used for placement of necessary, but maybe not "positive," items like toilets and, you guessed it, garbage cans! Take a look at this bagua map and see if the spaces correlate to anywhere in your home where you can place a trash bin.

Wherever you place your garbage cans, be sure to take them out regularly. I'm partial to smaller bins, rather than giant trash cans, since it's necessary to empty them daily. There's nothing wrong with having a space for trash in your home, but you don't want it to allow refuse to rot and stink as it gathers. If you have this situation now, take a look at where it's located on the bagua map. This can be a sign of where you're not taking care of yourself!

Finally, I would highly recommend taking a look at what is going into your trash can. Are you throwing things away that can be recycled or can lead to more sustainable living? If you have space, add in a recycling bin to the same area as your trash bin, and move a little focus toward living a bit greener by putting thought into what you're sending to landfills and what you're making available for reuse.

As with many things in feng shui, trash cans and their placement are very symbolic, and it's really all about your intention. Keeping mindful of your garbage bins and what they represent, and taking care to keep them emptied and clean can make a huge difference in how your space feels.

by Anjie Cho