Modern Feng Shui: An Introductory Guide

The phrase feng shui, which translates to “wind and water,” originated in Taoism, a traditional religion of China. Some claim this philosophy has been in practice for over 4,000 years. The ancient art has many followers who believe in harmonious living by the arrangement and orientation of buildings, objects and space. Feng shui aims to create a balance of energy that promotes better health, prosperity, creativity, positive relationships and respect for others.

Modern feng shui distills its core philosophies into five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Water and Metal. These elements interact with each other and your home, all connected by Qi (chi), the vital energy of your space. The goal is for Qi to move freely, like a light breeze flowing effortlessly through your home. For beginners, imagine this energy as a gentle wind that you want to circulate without obstruction.

In addition to Qi, one of the main principles in feng shui is the Commanding Position, which governs how you position yourself in life. The objects in your home and their placement are tied to the core tenets of this practice. The bed symbolizes you, the desk signifies your career and the stove reflects your wealth. Most importantly, make sure you can view the door without being directly aligned with it in these areas. For instance, whether you’re lying in bed, sitting at your desk, or cooking at the stove, aim to have a clear line of sight with the door. Here are some ways to incorporate feng shui into your home.

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ENTRYWAY

The entryway represents how energy enters your home. Keep the space open, light and bright to welcome visitors. You don’t want your guests crowded next to bulky furniture. A console table with a decorative mirror above will reflect the positive energy.

TIP

If you have a staircase that leads directly to the front door, hang the mirror next to the door. The energy will bounce off the mirror and keep it from “running out” of the house.

LIVING ROOM

Make space by keeping the room free of clutter. Removing unnecessary items and obstacles allows the room to feel more open and the energy to move freely. Incorporate soft furniture with smooth and rounded edges if possible. Place the sofa and chairs in a commanding position with room for conversation.

TIP

Bring nature into the home, whether it’s a live-edge wooden table or beautiful plants and trees. Connecting with nature is important for our wellness. Seasonal flowers make this an easy fix, doing double duty with fragrance and color.

KITCHEN

Some say the kitchen is the heart of the home. In feng shui, it’s one of the most essential rooms in the house. The kitchen represents prosperity, abundance and health. How well we eat directly relates to how we appear in the world. The range/cooktop is connected explicitly to prosperity and wellness. Make sure your range is clean and in good working condition. Your cooktop is the star of the show.

TIP

If possible, do not have the stove across from the refrigerator. It creates conflict between the water and fire elements.

BEDROOMS

Have all the beds in commanding positions. This allows you to see who is coming into the room, making you feel at ease and enabling you to recognize opportunities. A solid headboard provides support and stability, both physically and energetically. A headboard made from natural materials, like wood, can help attract positive energy and promote restful sleep.

TIP

If you are single and looking for connections, remove any art or photos with only one person or object and replace them with images of at least two or more subjects. This will change your energy on a subconscious level. For example, artwork with a pair of cranes is thought to bring love and luck into your life.

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Of Course, We Can’t Forget Color in

Feng Shui

Color plays an important part in feng shui. The energy you aim to bring into your spaces depends heavily on conscientious color selection. Each element has its own colors and energy, though the specifics can vary slightly depending on the practitioner's career.

• Wood is associated with growth and new beginnings, upward energy. The colors associated with wood are blues and greens.

• Fire embodies bright, illuminating and passionate energy; as you would expect, reds are fire’s colors.

• Earth represents stability, feeling grounded and self-care. The standard colors for earth are brown, yellow and orange.

• The metal element embodies precision, focus, clarity and beauty. The main character colors are white, silver and gold.

• Water has an energy of movement and flow, representing peacefulness and calm. Black and deep blues are its color.

Paint is the easiest way to bring color into your rooms, but also consider decor: pillows, art, vases, and even draperies to capture energy.