Quick Feng Shui Decorating Tips
Once you determine your lucky and unlucky elements, use the chart below to assist you in decorating your home or office. For example, if your element is METAL, use the color of red sparingly because red represents FIRE, and FIRE is destructive to METAL. Generously bring your lucky elements into your space and eliminate any unlucky elements.
The generative (nourishing) cycle of the five elements is:
Water provides moisture for wood to grow
Wood provides fuel for fire
Fire provides ash for the soil of the earth
Earth forms metals/minerals
Metal fills water with substances of life giving properties
The Nourishing cycle shows us how elements strengthen and feed each other in an endless regenerating cycle. When all five elements are present in an environment, a natural balance is achieved. In the Destructive cycle, we see how the elements can dominate and control each other.
The destructive (controlling) cycle of the five elements is:
Water extinguishes fire
Fire melts metal
Metal cuts wood
Wood consumes earth
Earth warms water
Lucky and Unlucky Aspects of the Five Elements:
WATER:
Lucky: water fountains, art portraying water, aquariums, things made of or representing water; the colors of blue and black; anything made from metal – white, gold or silver.
Unlucky: Pottery or anything made from the earth; the colors of yellow or beige; crystals and gemstones.
METAL:
Lucky: Objects made from metal – white, gold or silver; Objects made from the earth including stone and clay; the colors yellow and beige; crystals and gemstones.
Unlucky: Objects made from or representing fire including candles and fireplaces; bright light; the color red.
EARTH:
Lucky: Objects made from the earth including stone and clay; the colors yellow and beige; crystals and gemstones. Unlucky: Objects made from wood including plants; the colors green and brown.
FIRE:
Lucky: Objects made from or representing fire, including candles and fireplaces; the colors red, green and brown; bright light; objects made from wood including plants.
Unlucky: Objects made of or representing water; the colors blue and black.
WOOD:
Lucky: Objects made from wood including plants; Objects made of or representing water; the colors of green, brown, blue and black.
Unlucky: Objects made from metal – white, gold or silver.
CHI ACTIVATORS AND BALANCING TOOLS
Crystals are excellent chi activators and can be placed in all areas EXCEPT for your Career or Wealth areas. Placing crystals in these two guas will bring bad luck, however in all other areas, crystals can enhance good luck and dissolve bad luck. Use crystals that are round or orbs because of the light they catch.
Note: If your element is WATER, use crystals sparingly because they are from the earth, which is unlucky for you.
Flowers can enhance your Health and Relationship guas. Bring red and pink roses into the bedroom, but be sure to remove the thorns. When using fresh-cut flowers, always dispose of them as soon as they die. Dead flowers bring negative/stagnant energy. Silk flowers are a good alternative, as they never die and bring continuous good energy. Be sure to keep them clean and dust-free.
Plants are very auspicious for your Health area. Choose plants with healthy, green, rounded leaves. Never use cactus inside the home and avoid plants with spiked leaves. If your element is EARTH, use plants sparingly because too many can bring you bad luck.
Fountains should be used in areas where you want to create a lot of activity. Used correctly, fountains can provide numerous benefits. Used incorrectly, they can create too much activity or chaos. Do not place a fountain or water of any kind in the bedroom, as it can cause you to become restless and prohibit you from getting a good night’s rest.
Fountains are best used in the Career area of your home or office (as long as it’s not in the bedroom). If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed with activity or projects, turn the fountain off for awhile.
Mirrors can be used for many purposes, but should never be placed in the bedroom. Mirrors can be placed on walls in your unlucky areas to reflect (and return) the good luck from the opposite wall. Hang a mirror above your stove to double the size of your prosperity. This is beneficial if your back is to the door while cooking and will help you see when someone enters the room. If you sit at your desk with the door behind you, place a mirror where you can see the door – thus, seeing those who enter.
One of the most powerful “cures” for obnoxious neighbors is to place a mirror facing the neighbor’s home. This deflects their negative energy back to them and often causes them to move.
Coins placed in a small dish in your Career and Wealth guas to increase your wealth. Increase the power of this remedy by placing the coins on a red cloth (preferably silk) or tied together with a red cord.
Windchimes increase good chi in two ways: sound and movement. Windchimes are good for any area of the room because they enhance good luck and repel bad luck. If your element is WATER or METAL, use METAL windchimes. If your element is WOOD, use bamboo windchimes. If your element is EARTH or FIRE, use either METAL or WOOD windchimes.
