Feng Shui

Ancient Chinese philosophy is an inspiration to some people and mere superstition to others. There is a lot of interest in the practice of Feng Shui, both in the East and in the West. The guidelines affect every aspect of life for those who believe in it. Recently, the New Age movement has been influenced by elements such as wind chimes and crystals.

The energy flow or lack of it is the core of the philosophy. How objects are placed in relation to each other dictates this flow and has a positive or negative impact on the environment. The quality of the energy affects relationships, finance and health. Many people arrange the contents of their homes, following the rules and recommendations of Feng Shui.

Different rooms in the house have different requirements and cannot be treated in the same way. The bedroom should have just one door and the bed must not be placed in between the door and the window as this will result in troubled sleep. The bed should be constructed from wood and inhabitants should sleep at least 45cm above the floor and be facing the door. Mirrors and pictures of wild animals or water should be avoided. Thick curtains should drape the window and the walls should be painted in red, blue or green shades.

In the kitchen, the cooker and sink should not be adjacent as the proximity of fire and water can lead to conflict. Cookers should be positioned in the south corner, the room must have a wide entrance and microwaves are not recommended. Feng Shui is also applied to dining rooms and living rooms. There must be at least one wall without a window and the paintwork must be in bright colors. Elements that bring luck include mirrors to reflect food on the table, the hanging of family pictures and television sets or hi-fi systems that stand at the west wall.

Even the smallest room in the house, containing the toilet, has guidelines. To keep out negative energy, the toilet lid and door must be kept shut. The room must always be clean and it's bad luck to have plants or pictures. Stairs must be brightly lit as a dark stairway can bring negative energy. Good fortune will fall through open stairs and a spiral staircase will bring confusion. Entrance halls should also be brightly lit but be painted in muted colors. They should be warm and can be decorated with plants or water features. It's fun to experiment with Feng Shui and see its affects, if any.