How To Use Mirrors To Create Good Feng Shui

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Activate the Mouth of Qi

Mirrors are used in many feng shui applications. It’s often described as the "aspirin" of feng shui. "Put up two mirrors, and call me in the morning!"

The feng shui practice of adding a small object, like a mirror, to shift and improve the qi of a space is called the "method of minor additions" or Xie Zi Fa in Chinese. One of the key factors of the method of minor additions is that you also use your intention with the addition of an object to overcome the obstacle. Whenever you use a mirror, or anything to adjust the qi of your home, be sure to do so with a clear intention. This is key.

Mirrors themselves embody the element of water. The water element cultivates wisdom and introspection. The feeling of water is cooling. Water is formless and takes the shape of whatever container it’s in. Because of this yielding quality, mirrors are used in feng shui, for they can reflect without judgment or obscurations. They can expand your view as well as focus energies.

Mirrors can invite energy into a space. A strategically placed mirror can reflect the view of an element that is seen through a window into a room. For example, place a mirror so that you can see the reflection of a river (water element) and trees (wood element) into your office. This invites more water for wealth and wood for expansion into your career and work life. And again, mirrors are placed with intention, which makes them more effective feng shui adjustments.

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Q&A Sunday: Laying the Bagua Map on a South-Facing House

Hi! I have been a listener of your podcast since the beginning and I really enjoy your practical approach! I am reaching to you with a question: What to do when the entrance of your house faces south? Is it possible to successfully apply the bagua to a space without getting it all wrong/opposite of where it is supposed to be? 

Eight years ago, I had a consultant come to our house and help me map the bagua and cures. It worked wonderfully! We moved out of state almost five years ago to our current house, and our lives are completely different. I am mostly concerned with my husband's career. We went from having a lot of support and growth in our careers, to being overlooked and feeling completely stuck where we are now. Just yesterday he found out that he lost a big part of the compensation package that was the incentive that moved us to where we live now. How do I activate the career and helpful people areas without feeling like maybe I am doing it in the wrong place? 

Veronica H., Forest City, NC

Hi Veronica,

Thanks so much for listening to the podcast since the beginning! Your first question is: what to do when the entrance of your house faces south. There are dozens of schools of feng shui, and the one that I practice is called BTB feng shui. In BTB, we don’t use the cardinal or compass directions to place the feng shui bagua map. So, from my perspective, it makes no difference whether your house faces south in successfully applying the bagua to your space. 

As far as the layout of the bagua on your current home, I do think the “nagging feeling” is important to pay attention to. However it’s also useful to have trust in the feng shui consultant you worked with, because that’s what the universe has presented to you. 

From a BTB perspective, I think the best way for you to activate the Career and Benefactors areas would be to focus on the bedroom. It’s beneficial to start closest to you, and it’s also going to be easier for you to lay the bagua map in a room as opposed to the entire house. You would stand in the doorway of your bedroom, looking in, then divide the room into a three-by-three grid. If you’re interested in the helpful people (Benefactors) area, that would be on the nearest right corner, while the career (Path in Life) would be the center of that wall that the entry is located on. I think that career as well as Benefactors - helpful people definitely need activation, but also maybe consider the Recognition - Fame area. You said that you were being overlooked, and the Recognition area can help to improve being seen.

When I do consultations, I always ask clients to choose three things to focus on, so this might be a great trio for you to look to in making adjustments. I encourage you to re-listen to the earlier podcasts on these bagua areas and check the blog for suggestions on how to improve the Path in Life, Benefactors and Fame areas. There are many ways to make adjustments here, and I'm certain one will be fitting for you!

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 or Green Design questions!

Nine Star Ki for the Metal Rat Year 2020

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Happy Lunar New Year!

Soon, we celebrate the Year of the Metal Rat!

We have put together a top line review of the overall energy of the year and how it may impact each of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. There is an important energetic interaction between your birth year (your animal) and the current year (Metal Rat). Read here!

Be sure to check out our 2020 new year courses (available for a limited time):

New Year Reset Package

Golden Cicada and Welcoming the Wealth Gods

A new lunar year also means new Nine Star Ki forecasts! In addition to Chinese zodiac astrology, I like to use the numerology of the Nine Star Ki to prepare for the coming year and stay energetically balanced. This practice was developed in ancient China, so it logically goes well with feng shui, and is based on a number system of nine rather than the animal system. It also closely aligns with the five element principles and the I-Ching. 

Don’t forget to also grab one of our custom aromatherapy blends for each Nine Star Ki number . Each aromastick is created to provide support and enhance the energy for your individual number in the coming lunar year, and they can be used in conjunction with feng shui!

If you’ve never used Nine Star Ki before, have no fear! Use the guidelines below to find your number, and let’s get started!

You can calculate your principle number by using your year of birth. Beware: this requires a little elementary math ;)

As an example, if you were born in 1986:

  • Add: 1+9+8+6 = 24

  • Reduce to a single digit: 2+4 = 6

  • Subtract from 11: 11-6 = 5

*if you were born between January 1 and February 4, subtract from 12:  12-6 = 6

If you were born in 1940:

  • Add: 1+9+4+0 = 14

  • Reduce to a single digit: 1+4 = 5

  • Subtract from 11: 11-5 = 6

*if you were born between January 1 and February 4, subtract from 12:  12-5 = 7

Here's what all that calculating means for the Year of the Metal Rat in 2020:

If your principle number is 1, in 2020 you will be in the year of Stillness. This year will be much quieter than the last. It will be a time of stillness, like climbing up a mountain to meditate in isolation. This is a great time to focus inward and do some self-cultivation. As a 1 Water person, you will feel a little muddy in this 8 Earth year. This is a time to ground yourself and go deep and focus on self-care. Remember it’s ok to slow down.

If your principle number is 2, in 2020 you will be in the year of Recognition. This year you will be in the house of fire, where you have the best opportunities to be seen and recognized by others. It is a great time to receive any promotions or any other projects that you want publicity for. Be careful, as all things, good or bad, may be unveiled to the public. As a 2 Earth person, you will feel supported and excellent in the 9 Fire year. Take advantage of this time to work with what you’re passionate about.

If your principle number is 3, in 2020 you will be in the year of Planning. This year will feel quiet and is a time for planning. In the winter, it may appear that everything is dead on the surface, but underneath there is much life and activity. Similarly, it may feel slow, but take this time to reflect, review and plan for the future. As a 3 Wood person, you will feel very supported and rejuvenated in this 1 Water year. Take advantage of the quietness and rest up!

If your principle number is 4, in 2020 you will be in the year of Germination. This year will be the time to plant seeds. When you plant a garden, you germinate many more seeds than you need. Do the same this year. Put all your ideas out there into the universe and share them with others. Plant the seeds and see what comes up! As a 4 Wood person, you will feel grounded in this 2 Earth year. It will be slower than you’re used to but use the time to work on self-care.

If your principle number is 5, in 2020 you will be in the year of Sprouting. This year will be energetic and full of new beginnings as you catch sight of seeds that you planted last year begin to sprout and grow. Be open to new ideas and cultivate the projects that you start at this time. As a 5 Earth person, you may feel a little overwhelmed in this 3 Wood year. Remember that this is a time to sharpen and expand. It’s going to be a year of pushing through and working to move stagnant energies.

If your principle number is 6, in 2020 you will be in the year of Rapid Growth. This year will be a continuation of last year where you see your sprouts grow into strong, grounded trees. This year will be busy and active, so please take care of yourself and be careful not to get burnt out. As a 6 Metal person, you may sense some speediness in this 4 Wood year, but remember to take care not to get overwhelmed. Don’t take on too much and say no when you need to.

If your principle number is 7, in 2020 you will be in the year of Fluctuation. This year will feel a little chaotic, as this is a time of renewal and rebirth. You may need to reinvent yourself this year. It’s a great time to let things go that are no longer serving you. As a 7 Metal person, you will feel generally supported in this 5 Earth year. Emphasize some self-love and care this year.

If your principle number is 8, in 2020 you will be in the year of Prosperity. This year will feel strong and prosperous. You will begin to feel confident and be recognized for your knowledge and skills. There will still be a lot of effort, but you shall finally be harvesting the fruits of your labor. As a 8 Earth person, you will feel good in this 6 Metal year. Make the most of it!

If your principle number is 9, in 2020 you will be in the year of Celebration. This year will feel celebratory and playful. It is a great time to relax and pat yourself on the back for all the hard work that you put in the last few years. Enjoy yourself, rejoice and have some fun. As a 9 Fire person, you will feel good and enjoy this 7 metal year. It’s an auspicious year for you!

Each year holds lots of promise and positive energy for all of us, even if the year ahead appears challenging, remember that great things can come from difficulty. Interested in learning more about Nine Star Ki? Listen in on this Holistic Spaces podcast, and take a peek at the blog, too, for ideas on how to celebrate the Chinese New Year!

Regardless of your number or zodiac animal, remember to take care of yourself during the Year of the Metal Rat!

Start this off by grabbing a three-dimensional Ox/Cow charm to carry with you at all times for protection and support. Since the Ox/Cow is the Pig’s best friend, carrying this charm will keep you in their good graces. :) Happy Lunar New Year!

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui check out the Mindful Design Feng Shui certification program.

To get on the list about it, sign up at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com.

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our 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.