MJG DESIGNS FENG SHUI NEWSLETTER
THE BEDROOM - vol. I
A Feng Shui consultant’s ideal bedroom is comfortable and cozy with the relaxing sound of a waterfall in the background. Your bedroom should be a place of refuge. When we sleep at night, we replenish our ch’i or energy so that we feel revitalized the following day. Color, lighting, and fragrance all dramatically shift energy and mood in a room. Light colors are preferable to dark tones in a bedroom because darker colors tend to drain our energy. For a quick boost of energy, especially if you feel exhausted at the end of the day, spray some fragrances in your bedroom such as our Sacred Scents Relaxation or Energy Clearing, or your favorite cologne.
Many of my clients are confused about furniture placement. Feng Shui at it’s most basic level emphasizes correct placement. The position of your bed is the most important consideration when evaluating your bedroom. While lying in bed, you should always have a full view of the door so that you can see who is entering the room. If this is impossible, place a mirror on a wall so that you can see the door or entrance to the bedroom. If you are sleeping in a studio apartment or a temporary space, I recommend a screen around the bed to provide protection. When your bed is facing an open doorway or is exposed, a line of Feng Shui crystal balls effectively create an invisible, protective line of energy around the bed. Since it is considered undesirable to face a doorway directly, you can use crystals to shield yourself from the direct energy flow from the doorway. Nine small crystal balls (20 mm) in the center may be hung from the ceiling at the foot of the bed. Feng Shui crystals come with red strings for extra energy.
Don’t forget to keep the entrance FREE FROM CLUTTER and large pieces of furniture. Allow the energy to flow in and out of the room. This last point may seem obvious, but it is often overlooked. A Feng Shui client had spent months job hunting. After she cleared off the clothes hanging from her doorknobs and moved out a large piece of furniture, she was offered a job immediately!
In Black Sect Feng Shui, the BaGua is the primary tool used to evaluate your bedroom. The BaGua will help you determine correct placement of Feng Shui Crystals, Windchimes, and other objects. For a more detailed description of the BaGua map go to our Design Tips page.
THE KITCHEN - vol. II
A recent client moved into a studio apartment with a kitchen that had an old stove. He casually mentioned that one of the burners didn’t work, and it didn’t matter since he never cooked his own meals. Career was one of his main issues. After hanging a windchime and getting the stove fixed, he was promoted on his job and even though he still doesn’t cook, he will turn on the burners every once in a while.
Your kitchen is not just a place to prepare food, it is one of the most important rooms in your home since it can affect your career and your health. Even if your idea of cooking is microwaving a frozen dinner, you still need to read this!
Depending on where your kitchen falls in the BaGua map of your home, the color recommendation may vary. White is best since a clean simple look works in every kitchen. The kitchen is best situated in the rear of your home or apartment. If you live in a small apartment and the first thing you see is the kitchen and the fridge when you enter, you may find yourself reaching for a snack every time you come home. If this is an issue, then some kind of divider would be helpful. An alternative to a door is a "crystal door" placed in the kitchen doorway, composed of nine small 20 mm crystals .
Your source of nourishment comes from your kitchen, and more specifically your stove; so it makes sense to have a working stove. Your stove also has an impact on your career. A wind chime or bells- hung from the ceiling so that it falls above your head while you are cooking - is a great way to energize your career and enhance your public life. The ideal placement for your stove is in the center of the kitchen facing the entrance so that you can see who is entering the kitchen.
Like most Feng Shui Consultants, I love to recommend mirrors whenever possible. An easy cure for attracting money is to attach a mirror on the wall in back of the stove so that the burners are reflected. This “doubles” the burners and hopefully will have the same effect on your finances.
THE BATHROOM - vol. III
If your bathroom is in the lefthand corner of your home or office, you should read this.
A recent client asked me over for lunch. When I asked where the bathroom was, she pointed to the far left corner. This concerned me. Later on, I discovered that the inhabitants of this home have lived there for over 20 years and have never prospered. When money came in - it went right out. If they had known about feng shui, their financial hardships could have been prevented.
In the BaGua map, the lefthand corner of your home is your wealth corner. Read our Design Tips for more details.
Your bathroom, particularly the toilet, has an important impact on your life, especially your finances. The water element in Feng Shui is directly connected to money, so each time you flush your toilet, you may be flushing your money as well.
There are certain precautions you can take to alleviate this situation. First: always keep toilet seat down, including when you flush. Second: Place a mirror on the outside of the bathroom door, especially if your toilet is directly across from the door. This helps to pull the negative ch'i out. Many newer bathrooms place the toilet in a separate place. This is preferable. Place a small plant on top of the toilet bowl to help direct the ch'i upwards. Hanging a wind chime , over the toilet is another solution.
THE CHILDREN'S BEDROOM - vol. IV
Pink is for girls. Blue is for boys. The latest home décor catalogues for children reflect these traditional color preferences. Your color palette: however, does not have to be limited to pink and blue. Children of all ages respond well to a colorful environment. Don’t be afraid to introduce bright, cheerful colors into your child’s room – either with wallpaper or other design elements.
Crystals reflect all the colors of the rainbow when placed in direct sunlight. Kids love Feng Shui Crystals. In fact, at many craft shows, I’ve had kids glued to my table fascinated by the crystals and the jewelry. Recently, a little boy ran by my table and quickly grabbed a crystal. Before I could stop him, he was running in and out of the aisles. He reluctantly handed over the crystal to his mom after she caught up with him.
Studying and getting good grades is a priority for school age children. Both the knowledge area of the BaGua and the area where the child’s desk is placed are important. The knowledge area of the room is always the front left corner in relation to the door. (Read Design Tips for more information.) If possible, position books or a desk here. Hang a crystal from the ceiling over your child’s head to enhance clarity and concentration.
Remember to apply general feng shui guidelines to your child’s room. Minimize clutter whenever possible and avoid large oversized furniture. Positive energy flow in the room will enhance your child’s development.
FENG SHUI SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR HOME - vol. V
It’s time for spring-cleaning. Although it may be cold and dreary outside, spring is just around the corner. We are going to begin at the entrance to your home. Walk through your home or apartment beginning right outside your front door. Many people accumulate clutter on their walkway outside their home. Recent Feng Shui clients had several potted plants on their front walkway. Left over from the previous summer, the plants all had dry, dead leaves and stems. Dead plants outside your front door are not going to attract positive energy into your life. Remember that your front door is the conduit for all the positive energy in the universe to enter into your home and into your life. We don’t want to block this energy flow in any way.
Here are some solutions:
1) First of all, throw away the dead plants and reduce the number of pots. Two is sufficient for an average walkway. Replace the dead plants with evergreens.
2) Protect your home from outside negative influences with a BaGua mirror .
3) If possible, hang a wind chime right in front of the door. The ringing of the chime attracts beneficial ch'i (energy) into your home and your career sector.
4) Repair broken stones or steps so that your path is smooth.
Now, you are ready to enter your front door, foyer, or hallway. Shoes, bikes, umbrellas, coats, etc… are common sources of clutter in this area. Many foyers are dark and narrow, and insufficient lighting can negatively impact the energy in your home. Once you remove or reorganize the clutter, brighten up your entrance with lighting, Feng Shui Crystals , and mirrors. A large round crystal ball is a simple solution for a foyer because it enables both light and positive energy to circulate in your home. The Chinese often hang plaques to attract good fortune into their home.
Cindy, a feng shui client, asked me to evaluate her architect’s blueprints for an expanded, remodeled apartment. I expected a spacious foyer; however, on the contrary, the foyer was narrow and included space on both sides for custom-made shoe racks. When I explained to Cindy that the shoes were better off in the closet, she revised the plans with the architect.
Speaking of closets, the first comment from my feng shui clients is often: “Don’t open that closet door.” It’s very easy to just throw everything in your closet, especially if you are lucky enough to have a lot of them. My bedroom closet used to be full of clothing, much of it not worn in years. More recently, my local thrift shop has been the recipient of some great clothes. A good rule with clothing is – If you haven’t worn in three years, it’s time to get rid of it.
Now it is time for you to walk through the rest of your home. Keep in mind that your home is a reflection of your self and what you manifest into your life. If all your clutter collects in your career area (the front entrance) and you can’t find a new job, then it’s time to clean up. This concept applies to all the other areas of the Bagua as well. (Refer to the Bagua map for more details.) After you clean, spray Energy Clearing as you walk through the rooms to literally clear the air and lift your spirits.
Hopefully, you’ll approach spring-cleaning this year with a positive attitude. If cleaning the entire house is too overwhelming, try my favorite feng shui cure for clutter: Throw away or give away nine things that you no longer use or need. Don’t forget to add your feng shui cures. A new job or a bonus might be just around the corner.
FENG SHUI COLORS - vol VI
Color is an important element in both traditional interior design and feng shui; unless, of course, you live in New York City where almost everyone has white walls. Actually, white has different connotations in western and eastern cultures. In Western culture, white represents purity and cleanliness. Brides wear white wedding gowns, babies wear white at christenings, and most Americans love to paint their walls white or off-white. However, in China, white is associated with death; therefore, white flowers at a wedding, or in your home, are not considered lucky or auspicious. Brides traditionally wear red dresses – the most auspicious color - in China.
Cultural differences can also extend to personal differences. In a good Feng Shui consultation, the consultant individualizes color recommendations to the individual – taking into account their astrology (which includes an analysis of their five elements.) Color recommendations should create a mood appropriate to the function of the room,and enhance or balance the person or people who inhabit that space. Naturally, in Feng Shui we want to enhance a client’s ch'i and luck with our color choices.
The two most important methods of categorizing feng shui colors are: The areas of the BaGua and the five element colors. For the sake of brevity, we will discuss one color at a time. When I first started handing out my feng shui brochures, I received many phone calls. I should not have not been surprised, because I had recently added a beautiful cascading green water fountain with a plant to the “Family/New Beginnings” section of my apartment. (For more information on the BaGua go to Design Tips.) The fountain had a complementary combination of elements – both water and wood - in an appropriate section of the BaGua. The colors for this area of the BaGua are green or blue. The corresponding element is the wood element, which also relates to plants or the color green. When we see the first hint of a daffodil or grass in early spring, we are filled with optimism, hope, rejuvenation, and a sense of growth. Plants, including bamboo, are one way to increase this element. You can also wear green clothing or jade jewelry, such as our Long Life Jade & Pearl Jewelry or MarriageCharm Bracelet© . You can even think green in your aromatherapy selections. Spray Sacred Scents Relaxation , which incorporates green tea and cucumber, or use pine or eucalyptus fragrances in your space.
Finally, remember that color is light and energy. To experience the seven colors of the rainbow, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in your window on a sunny day. Positive energy and a rainbow of colors will fill your room and enhance your space. Feng Shui crystals are the most versatile Feng Shui cure because they are appropriate everywhere and can be used to accent specific areas of the BaGua or help with general energy flow.
Refer to the book Living Color by Master Lin Yun and Sarah Rossbach for more information.
FENG SHUI CLEARING - vol VII – Part I
Clearing clutter creates room for positive changes to come into your life. Every time I clear out the Benefactor area of my home-office, I receive a phone call to appear on television. The first time, I moved some packing materials; the second time, a huge computer box. Just the action of throwing stuff away, opens up the energy flow in your home, your office, and your life.
Remember that the flow of chi (or energy ) stagnates when there is clutter or chaos in your environment. Notice where the clutter accumulates. If it is:
• In the entrance or Career area, you may have difficulty in your career or in meeting new people.
• In the Family area, you may have issues with your family members or find it hard to start new projects.
• In the Wealth area, you may find money is tight.
• In the Fame/Reputation area, people may think or speak badly of you.
• In the Relationship area, you may be alone or stuck in an unfulfilling relationship.
• In the Children/Completion area, you may have problems with your kids, or find it hard to complete things.
• In the Benefactor area, there may be a lack of help from the universe or you may have negative people in your life.
• In the Knowledge area, you may have difficulty handling things – in your career or in your life in general.
You can start the clearing process yourself, but if you are stuck in a rut, call in a Feng Shui consultant to help you prioritize.
Here’s a quick checklist to help you start the process of getting rid of stuff:
*Is it broken ? Can it be fixed for a reasonable price and are you actually going to repair it?
*Do you dislike it, even if it has some value?
*Was it a gift from someone you dislike? If you associate the object with someone you dislike, it should be given away.
*Is it out of style or too small?
You should be able to throw away or make a donation of some books or a few articles of clothing to your local thrift shop each season.
Whether you live in a small apartment or a large home, you deserve to surround yourself with objects that you truly love. When you are done clearing clutter in each room, clean thoroughly, spray some Energy Clearing (a unique citrus blend that clears negative energy and creates clarity), and hang a crystal in the entrance to your home. This will bring in positive energy flow.
FENG SHUI CLEARING – Vol VII – Part II
Did you know that you can energetically and psychically shield and protect your home from outside negative influences? Once inside, you should treat your home as a sacred space and refuge. I am going to discuss this important issue in this part of our Feng Shui newsletter. We live in an unstable world so it is of utmost importance to protect ourselves in whatever ways we can. I have noticed a dramatic increase in sales of BaGua mirrors recently. The BaGua mirror is a traditional Feng Shui cure that is used for protection. It consists of an octagonal-shaped wooden BaGua with trigrams or lines from the I Ching and a mirror in the center to deflect any incoming negative chi or energy. The correct placement for a BaGua mirror is on your front door facing OUT. Despite it’s colorful appearance, it is not meant solely for decoration and should be used for protective purposes only. Many of our customers like to wear jewelry that is meaningful and protective as well. The BaGua Pendant is appropriate for men and women. In addition, use landscaping or shrubs and trees to shield your home – just make sure they are fully grown or matured because if they are too small they will not be effective at protecting your home.
If you feel comfortable with this, you may psychically defend your home by visualizing a protective shield of white light around your property or front door ( if you live in an apartment). Imagine that any unwanted energies, visitors, or negative influences are effectively blocked from entering this shield 100% of the time. Some people, especially those who live in big cities like New York City, thrive on chaotic, stimulating energies, so you have to decide what you need and what you want to shield yourself from. Whether you are exhausted or energized, will depend on your chi and what is best for you at the moment. Just visualize that only positive energies and visitors will enter your space. Hang a wind chime outside your front door – this will attract positive energy flow and boost your career.
Once inside the front door, you have a few options. The subtlest choice is a large Swarovski feng shui crystal or, alternately, a chime hanging from the ceiling in the foyer or near the front door. They will aid in energy flow throughout the house and can also be used to promote your career since the entrance of your home relates to your career in the BaGua map . You may want a religious statue or image to bless your home, or a Feng Shui candleholder for purification. Continue to your bedroom or bedrooms since these are the next most important rooms in your home. Refer to the issue about the Bedroom above – vol I.
When you have had a rough day outside in the world, it is important to enter a home that is safe, happy and a sacred space so that you are renewed and protected inside and ready to face the world the next day.
FENG SHUI COLORS – EARTH – vol. VIII
Here in upstate New York the vibrant tones of Fall are leaving us and the earth tones are becoming more prominent. In the BaGua (see diagram in Design Tips) the Earth element is in the center from which all other directions flow; and includes the colors – yellow, orange, beige, and brown. The center of your home or office often controls the rest of the space so avoid clutter in this area, and hang a large crystal in this area to assist in energy flow. The center also relates to your health; therefore, proper energy flow throughout the center will ensure better health of the occupants of the space.
My favorite earth element color is yellow, especially a sunny, happy shade of yellow. Yellow aids in mental alertness. I am now working in an office that was painted bright yellow, and despite its overpowering hue, it is a great energizer on grey, rainy days when you wish the sun was shining. The Chinese associate yellow with power. The emperor wore yellow robes (an Earth element color) since he received his mandate from heaven and lived on earth. Yellow fragrances include: grapefruit and lemon, the primary ingredient in our Energy Clearing Aromatherapy spray. Orange has the powerful nature of red and the uplifting nature of yellow so it is associated with both of these qualities. I associate it with fall leaves, pumpkins and the quality of confidence.
Brown is an earth tone that is heavier; and people who are extremely “earthy” may have a heavier, slower quality to them. This color can be very grounding to someone who feels unstable or needs more earth in their personality. Earth dominant people tend to be service-oriented, often overlooking their own needs. In order to balance this situation, add some Wood element or green to your wardrobe or home décor.
You may already have some Earth elements in your home such as wood floors, wood furniture or beige walls. In the Five Element Cycle, Fire supports the Earth element which supports the Metal element. An easy way to balance the Earth element is to add some other colors such as red accents in accessories or feng shui cures, white in trim or windows, green as plants or other design elements and black as well. When you balance the colors in your environment, you can enhance the feng shui of your life with increased good fortune and prosperity. Contact a design consultant if you need help with these decisions.
AROMATHERAPY and FENG SHUI – vol. IX
What Aromatherapy Do You Need to Feng Shui Your Space and Your Life?
Take this quick quiz to discover which essential oils and fragrances you need in your life right now!
Are you looking for more harmony, a better job, an improved love life? This quiz can help you choose the right scent.
1. Are you surrounded by clutter?
2. Do you need to feel more energized?
3. Are you sad or depressed?
4. Do you have problems sleeping at night?
5. Does your living or work space feel uncomfortable?
6. Were there recently a lot of arguments or is there currently tension in your home or office?
7. Do you feel anxious or stressed?
8. Could your love life use a boost?
9. Could your sex life use more sparkle?
10. Is your (lack of) income always a problem?
11. Do you spend more than you earn?
12. Would you like to get promoted at work?
If you answered yes to questions 1,2,3,5 or 6 try these Aromatherapy formulas from http://www.mjgdesigns.com:
Energy Clearing ,or the following essential oils*: Bergamot, lemon, orange, rosemary, sandalwood, peppermint.
If you answered yes to questions 3,4,6 or 7 try these Aromatherapy formulas from http://www.mjgdesigns.com: Relaxation , Violet Incense or the following essential oils: lavender, grapefruit, clary sage, rose, ylang ylang, vanilla, or sandalwood.
If you answered yes to questions 8 or 9 try these Aromatherapy formulas from http://www.mjgdesigns.com: Love Oil , Aphrodisia , Asian Aphrodisia , Love Incense , Violette Love Potion or the following essential oils: rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, palmarosa, rose geranium, vanilla.
If you answered yes to questions 10, 11, or 12, try these Aromatherapy formulas from http://www.mjgdesigns.com: Prosperity Spray , Money Oil , Business Success Spray or the following essential oils:
Patchouli, cinnamon, peppermint, bergamot, ginger.
*Please note that using essential oils may cause allergic reactions and photosensitivity in some individuals. Also, dilute pure essential oils in a vegetable-based carrier oil since many are too strong to be used directly on your skin. Our formulas do not need to be diluted.
LET US KNOW WHAT TYPE OF FORMULAS OR AROMATHERAPY PRODUCTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE US ADD TO OUR PRODUCT LINE! Email us at - mjgdesigns@earthlink.net.
IMPROVE THE FLOW OF CH'I: CLEAR CLUTTER, CLEAN, AND RECYCLE! – Vol X
Do you find yourself misplacing important items? Does stuff come tumbling out of your closet every time you open the door? Can you remember the last time you wore that expensive suit you bought five years ago? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you need to read the rest of this newsletter.
Once again, as the season changes, it’s the perfect time to clean out your home and your closets. I moved into a small house last year after living in a one bedroom apartment for years. Despite the fact that I doubled my living space, I don’t have room to accumulate lots of stuff since I lack large closets. Living this way requires me to clean out my closets, filing cabinet, and the rest of my home often in order to keep the ch’i flowing in the space.
Here is a cleaning and clearing schedule that will improve the flow of energy in your home:
Daily: Choose one small area of clutter to clear (i.e. – piles of mail on your kitchen table, old newspapers, one folder in a filing cabinet)
Weekly: Thoroughly clean one room in the house. Write this on your calendar so you don’t forget. If you are really organized, you will schedule this a month in advance. Do you feel overwhelmed already? Then focus on one aspect of the room ( i.e.- the refrigerator instead of the entire kitchen – many of us keep outdated food and condiments in our fridge and freezer.)
Monthly: Mark on your calendar areas that need cleaning and clearing in your home. Observe which areas have the most need. Your life is intimately connected to your home; therefore, the areas where clutter accumulates may be indicative of issues or problems that you are experiencing in your life. Apply a BaGua map to your home for best results. You may want to go through bookcases one month, filing cabinets the next, and a specific room or section of a room the following month.
Seasonally: Closets - Your favorite hiding place for clutter. It's time to talk about closets once again. Most people would rather let dust balls accumulate on the bottom of their closet floor, than clean and organize their closets. Re-organize your clothing with fall and winter clothing in the front and summer clothing at the back. Eliminate clothing that hasn’t been worn for a year or more. Donate to local thrift shops or friends. I recently filled three huge bags full of newborn clothes – most of which were hardly worn – to give to a friend who works with pregnant teens. There may be a real need for much of what you don’t want anymore.
Finally, after a thorough cleaning of your home, open all the windows to let the air circulate throughout your home. A breezy fall day is perfect. You will feel the flow of energy transforming and clearing your space.
Now it is time to add new Feng Shui cures and dust off your old ones. Soak all crystals in sea salt water overnight or clean any other cures you are using. Periodically add new cures for best results. Energize the areas that are most important to you with some Feng Shui incense or one of MJG DESIGNS’ aromatherapy sprays.
A New Look at Feng Shui Cures
– Vol XI
If feng shui cures conjure up the thought of crystals, chimes and Chinese charms, then think again. Contrary to what you may have heard or read about in books, the right feng shui cure for you can be almost anything. My clients who work in conservative offices say: “I don’t want anything that looks Chinese.” BaGua mirrors and Chinese coins are not the best choice for these clients. If Chinese coins, crystals and Chinese good luck charms are not for you, there are many non-traditional feng shui cures that are just as effective.
First of all, before you even begin to think about adding cures to your home or office, clear out all clutter and clean. Spring cleaning and clearing clutter are the subjects of previous issues of the Feng Shui Newsletter so read these issues before you begin. Just cleaning and throwing things away can release energy blockages and open up new opportunities for you. Once you have cleared whatever you are able to - and this may only be one section of your home or just one room of your home, you are ready to start enhancing different areas of the BaGua. Focus on one or two issues in your life at a time.
For instance, if you are concerned about your career, look at the entrance to your home and your Fame/Reputation area since both of these areas of the BaGua directly influence your career, promotions at work, and the success of a job search. When I ask clients what they want to work on, many people say everything. Choose one or two areas and target your cures to these sections of your home or office. A great career opener is a mirror placed in the career area of your home (front center location). If you have a front door to the left or to the right side of your home, then this is the perfect cure since a mirror can open up the flow of opportunity and people into your life and is a great interior design choice. You can also apply the same cure to your office at work. The style and design of the mirror may vary since your taste may vary; however, make sure the mirror is new and perfectly clear (avoid antique mirrors or poor quality mirrors). If your front door is directly in the center and you are not able to hang a mirror, then there are lots of other choices. My favorite cure for the entrance is a wind chime but this cure may be too dramatic for some or not appropriate for an office cure. Another possibility is a new light fixture with bright bulbs since light is an excellent way to boost the energy of a particular area of the BaGua. You can light up your career this way.
If you want to work on Fame and Reputation - the far center area of your home or office - then think red. A red flowering plant, silk flowers, or red fresh flowers are all appropriate cures to bring life and energy to this area of the BaGua. When you energize this area, you may be promoted at work or hear about a new job. If you want to add a red crystal then this would be a more traditional cure in the Fame area. I personally love the spicy scent of the Feng Shui Fame incense. It works best if you use it on a repetitive basis (i.e. for 27 days).
Here is a list of some items that make great feng shui cures for whatever area you need them in: Mirrors, Lights, Plants and Flowers, Paintings, Prints, Photos, Framed diplomas or certificates, etc…, Aromatherapy products (incense, sprays, candles). None of these are obvious feng shui cures so they are perfect for those who need to work on their office or prefer their cures to blend in with their decor.
HOW TO ATTRACT LOVE INTO YOUR LIFE WITH FENG SHUI – VOL XII
We all want to attract loving, positive people into our lives, whether they are friends, potential partners, spouses, or soul-mates. Feng Shui can help you both in projecting positive energy and creating positive energy in your home so that you are surrounded by a nurturing, supportive environment. You may not be able to control all outside events and people you encounter; however, you can utilize Feng Shui to increase your love luck.
Here are five steps that will help you to attract more love into your life:
1) The first thing you need to do is look at yourself and what kind of attitude you have towards your acquaintances, friends, lovers, etc… Are you behaving the way you want others to behave towards you? Working on your self may be more challenging than going out and buying a Feng Shui cure. You need to project a positive attitude in order to attract similar energy into your life.
2) Focus on your bedroom, your bed, and the Relationship area of the BaGua (the far right area in your home). You can start by cleaning these areas thoroughly and clearing any clutter that may have accumulated. Then, take a look at the objects and furniture in your bedroom. Make sure that you are surrounded by positive imagery and objects. Avoid single chairs in the far right corner of your bedroom unless you want to remain single. A love seat is more appropriate. Photos of couples or positive romantic images should fill your bedroom. Avoid disturbing art work or anything that depicts someone alone. Traditionally, Feng Shui consultants recommend mandarin ducks as a Feng Shui cure since they mate for life. The Chinese character double happiness is another popular Feng Shui cure. MJG DESIGNS features a brass double happiness plaque that is ideal for your relationship area, or you can wear our Marriage Charm Bracelet and Earrings in jade or rose quartz. To create a positive environment, you can use aromatherapy products with rose and ylang ylang. We feature several in our Love Cures section. Don’t miss our first issue of the newsletter - The Bedroom – vol I - for more suggestions.
3)It’s the height of summer and pink is in. You can also use this color to enhance your bedroom and the Relationship area of the BaGua. Many of the Feng Shui cures on the web site are pink (including: a pink crystal, rose quartz Marriage Charm Bracelet , rose quartz heart necklace , and our love candle .) You can start by painting your bedroom pink and wearing pink clothing. If this is not your favorite color; then there are plenty of ways to introduce pink accents into your home décor. I had a male client who wanted to attract a marriage partner into his life and agreed to add a pink crystal to his relationship corner. It produced positive results since a month later, he called to let me know he was dating someone. It’s always best to use cures that you like. Some suggestions include: pink candles, pink flowers (silk or fresh), pink pillows and linens.
4)No matter what has happened in the past, be positive and open to change and the joy of new possibilities.
FENG SHUI COLORS – BLACK- vol. XIII
Are you a creative, intuitive, thoughtful person? If so, you may have a predominance of the water element in your chart. It seems as if most people who are into Feng Shui have an abundance of the water element. Feng Shui consultants use color to create balance. In Feng Shui we use colors to adjust and enhance our personal chi as well as our living and work space. We take into account the balance of the Chinese Five Elements when making recommendations. Personal preferences aside, the goal of a Feng Shui consultation, or a cure if you are applying one yourself is to evaluate what is most needed not necessarily what you are attracted to. Each one of the Chinese Five Elements is represented by a color, and each color has its own vibrational frequency. The Ba Gua chart further explains how each element corresponds to different areas of the BaGua.
Black is a serious color. Women love to wear black since it makes us look thinner. Black symbolizes the water element - the element linked with wealth and wisdom. Black, however; can be a dark, depressing choice of color, both in interior design and in your choice of apparel.
In your home, black is an auspicious color for a front door. This color is associated with the career area of the BaGua and is the front center of your home. A black wind chime in the entrance to your home is an appropriate cure since it incorporates the corresponding BaGua color. Not only can it attract positive chi into your home, but it can boost your career and personal contacts. You may choose to add a water element such as a fountain or a fish tank, (include one black fish) instead of using the color black. The color green complements black in the Five Element Theory. For example, place a green plant in a black pot to incorporate both water and wood elements. When choosing design elements for your home, black can also be combined with red – the color of the fire element. When mixed with white, black is a good color for your bathroom. If you want to lose weight, avoid stimulating, bright colors in your dining room, and add some black accents. Finally, wear a black crystal bracelet to add some wealth and wisdom to your life today.
HOW FENG SHUI COLORS AFFECT YOUR CHI- vol. IX
Here are some Feng Shui color tips to influence your psychological and emotional state and ultimately your life. To enhance your attractiveness to the opposite sex, wear pink clothing or jewelry such as our Rose Quartz Heart Necklace. If you are single and want to meet more potential boyfriends or girlfriends think peach – peach colored clothing and bedroom walls and accessories such as candles are great Feng Shui cures. To enhance intelligence, knowledge, and performance on exams, wear black or black and green. Our
Black Swarovski crystal bracelet contains primarily black crystals – the color associated with the water element and wisdom. To increase Fame and reputation, wear the color red – even a red handkerchief or accessory such as red cinnabar jewelry is appropriate. To enhance your patience try earth tones or pale blue – these colors will ground you, make you less abrasive, allow you to open up to other peoples perspectives, and cool you down. A calm, earthy person may not need these colors, but if you are impatient and stressed out then they would be balancing. For those who are particularly hot-tempered and angry, add some black or green to your wardrobe or décor. New green healthy plants make a great Feng Shui cure. Do you want to keep your spouse faithful? Incorporate the colors white (metal element) and yellow (earth element) into your home décor. Finally, all of us, particularly children and expectant moms, can benefit from utilizing the rainbow colors and the Six True Colors (white, red, yellow, green, blue, black). Each one of these colors represents a sound from the Six Syllable mantra: “Om mani padme hum" and thus can be used to increase spiritual power. You can wear clothing with all of these colors or our Bracelet or hang a Feng Shui crystal ball enhanced with these colors.
FENG SHUI YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - vol. X
Hanukah and Xmas are just around the corner and December is the perfect time to decorate with intention. The brightly colored lights and giant Santa on your neighbors
lawn may seem tacky to some of you; but lights are one of the most popular and effective Feng Shui cures, particularly when they illuminate the entrance to your home. This area corresponds to the Career area in the BaGua. Adding a burst of energy with lights or other decorations around your front door can help your Career and
increase your social contacts.
Here's a list of some popular holiday decorations that make perfect Feng Shui cures:
lights, candles (red can be used in the Fame area), home fragrances, trees and plants add life force, Swarovski Feng Shui crystals (as Xmas tree ornaments or hung in
your windows or home), Xmas ornaments such as glass balls, religious statues, figurines, and whatever else you can think of - be creative!
Once you enter your front door, you have the Helpful people area of the BaGua on your front right. In my case, this is my living room. Add some angels or other
"helpers" to this room in your home. To the far center is the Fame or Reputation area of the BaGua. I love red cures for this area to boost your reputation
at work and help with promotions. Spicy cinnamon scented votive candles are a great holiday addition that also double as a Feng Shui cure. Same goes for poinsettias
- the red variety - or anything decorated with red ribbons or the color red. Red crystal balls are my favorite all around cure for the Fame area. Swarovski Feng
Shui crystals come in an assortment of colors - including purple and green - great holiday colors and look fabulous on trees as ornaments. Speaking of ornaments,
there are so many fun ones to choose from that you may want to add a glass ball or other ornaments to your Love/Relationship corner, Wealth Corner, Helpful People
corner,etc... Trees and plants can be used in any area to add life force to whatever space you need them in. Here's a link to the BaGua
map so you can determine your own personal BaGua.
FENG SHUI NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS- vol. XI
1) If you don't already have one, protect your home with a BaGua mirror on your front door.
2) Clean under all of your furniture, especially your bed since this is the place where you refresh your energy or ch'i every night. Don't store stuff underneath it either.
3) Throw away or donate 9 items you no longer need.
4) Attract positive ch'i into your home with a tabletop water fountain in the entry way or career area of your home. This can help your career and attract new contacts or friends into your life.
5) Get rid of old Feng Shui cures or clean the ones you would like to keep, such as Swarovski crystal balls.
6) Clear out any old or negative ch'i with MJG DESIGNS' spray Energy Clearing or a citrus based product. Citrus is used for cleansing in Feng Shui.
7) Change your diet this month by adding a double portion of salad greens to your lunch every day.
8) Think positive thoughts so that you attract positive energy into your life every day.
9) Reinforce your Feng Shui cures with positive affirmations to give them an extra burst of energy and make them more effective.
FENG SHUI TIPS FOR SELLING REAL ESTATE - vol. XII
Maximize your profits and accelerate the process of selling your home or apartment with these simple, inexpensive Feng Shui tips.
1) Clean and clear! No one wants to see piles of clothing on your bedroom chair, toys all over your house, or dishes piled up in the sink. Put away all of your stuff, even things that you use all of the time when showing your home to prospective buyers. All rooms should be organized and free of unnecessary objects. Clean your windows to allow the light to enter your home and improve the way it looks. Paint walls if necessary. It's worth the investment to buy a can of paint when walls are dirty or starting to look old. Read the previous issues of our newsletter for more helpful hints on cleaning and clearing. Aromatherapy products can be used to both clear old energy and attract new energy. Both sage incense and Energy Clearing spray are appropriate choices.
2) Look at your front door and front entrance. This is the first impression that your home will make on a prospective buyer. Add 2 new flower pots or potted plants to the entrance. Mums are good choice in the fall. Activate the ch'i in the entrance of your home with a windchime. This can help attract new buyers. Remove clutter. If your front door is not in the center of your home, then add a chime to this area anyway. If a chime doesn't work, use a large 40mm crystal .
3) Add a tabletop water fountain and Good Luck incense to the Benefactor area of your home to help attract the right buyer and increase the number of interested buyers. Use daily until the sale is finalized.
4) Activate your wealth area to ensure financial success with a variety of cures. Fortune incense or another cure of your choice can be used. Use daily for best results.
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