Feng Shui: Redecorating

Feng Shui: Redecorating for Your Spirit
by Susie Michelle Cortright, http://www.momscape.com

The ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui (pronounced FUNG-schway) is
making a comeback in the modern world. But is it really possible
to change your attitude just by rearranging your living space?

Many people say yes. Feng Shui is an Asian philosophy that dates
back some 5,000 years. Practitioners strive to find the proper
arrangement of objects and furniture that will best suit your
personality and lifestyle.

The goal is to arrange a home in such
a way as to maximize feelings of safety and comfort, which
will, in turn, positively affect your health, attitude, even
your level of success.

Traditional Feng Shui revolves around placement and symbolism.
More contemporary Feng Shui also considers a number of psychological
factors, including the use of color, aromatherapy, and air quality.

A Feng Shui consultant locates the various energy centers of your
home, suggests new arrangements, and may use crystals, mirrors, and
chimes to achieve certain effects.

Like anything that's been around for thousands of years, the
practice of Feng Shui has a number of variations. While the
ancient art is complex, many of the concepts appeal to
common sense.

Before you call in a consultant, there are a few tricks you
can try on your own.

-->Optimum Feng Shui occurs when the life force (or ch'i) is
permitted to move freely around the house. Clutter is an
obstruction to this life force. Finding a place for clutter
may be first on your agenda.

-->People tend to feel uncomfortable--even unsafe--when
their view is blocked. Does your home have any seats that
don't allow you to see who is entering the room, or
that block you from being part of what is taking place
in another part of the room?

-->Feng Shui is about living in harmony with the earth.
You can do this, in part, by changing your decor to reflect the seasons
and by bringing natural elements inside. Plants, for example, can
have a calming effect.

-->Annoying sounds, such as creaking doors
and dripping faucets, can disrupt the ch'i (life force) of
your home.

-->Feng Shui in the Bedroom
Your bed should be positioned so that you have a clear view
of the doorway. Your headboard should touch the wall, many
practitioners say. And don't place the bed against the window
or your ch'i might escape.

Some Feng Shui experts point the head of the bed north to
induce sound sleeping, but different headboard positions produce
different effects. For example, a headboard pointing west
can make one lazy, while a headboard pointing south is said
to worsen family arguments.

-->Feng Shui in the Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home
because of the link between food preparation and the nourishment
of the body and spirit. Feng Shui practitioners believe, for
example, that the flavor of food will change if the cook is
startled, so they recommend placing a mirror nearby so you can
see who is entering while you are busy at the stove.

-->Feng Shui in the Family Room
Attract more light in the family sector of your living space
with crystals and mirrors. Position family room furniture so
your guests face either south or east when sitting, and make
sure no seats position your guests to stare at the wall.

-->Feng Shui in the Dining Room
Choose a round, oval, or octagonal dining room table because
angles on tables create shars (negative energy zones). Feng
Shui practitioners also say that these rounded tables create
a more welcoming environment.


Copyright 2003 Susie Cortright

Susie Michelle Cortright is the author of several books for women
and founder of the award-winning Momscape.com, a website designed
to help busy women find balance. Visit http://www.momscape.com today
and get Susie's *free* course-by-email "6 Days to Less Stress" as
well as the *free* pdf ebook, "Spa Recipes for All Seasons."