Feng Shui

I think that I should emphasise that Chrissy decorations and feng shui placement do not normally occur within the same sentence! What I have done is taken the very basic rules of the compass directions/locations used in feng shui, which involves shapes and colours, as well as many other things for a full and accurate consultation session, and then applied them to the decorations. Feng shui an ancient Chinese ‘earth-science’ evolved through careful observation of and copying of nature and the whole of the environment, using its natural cycles and flows.

It is using the natural energies, the ‘chi’, flowing all around us in meandering rivers and by trapping and enhancing those energies in the various compass point directions, get that chi to harmonize our lives, helping with health, wealth, career and self confidence as well as relationships. What is that you say, you do not believe in invisible energy flowing around you? Well, I am sorry then because your TV, radio, phone and mobile phone will suddenly stop working! Of course the energy is there, hear the TV screen crackle when you switch it off, ever had a shock from a nylon carpet?! Feng shui has been around for over four thousand years and its principles and the application of its principles do work-whether you believe in them or not.

The effect you will get with your Christmas decorations will be one of a beautiful colour wheel, yet also in line with ancient Chinese feng shui tradition. To do it really accurately would involve knowing the position of your front door, your birth date, and many other individual factors about you home–so working out your favourable areas and elements. It takes a full, long consultation in you home (or garden/office) to do this really accurately.

With all that said, let us begin!

Use a simple compass and track the eight directions of the compass for your lounge area. Find the centre of the room and work out the sectors from the centre in the shape of wheel spokes or cake slices.
We are talking about putting decorations into areas, NOT facing them in certain directions. When you have the sectors of the compass worked out, follow the simple, basic guidelines given below.

In the north, which represents water, career and protection, put any blue or black decorations, particularly ones with wavy edges which symbolise water. In this sector too could be an ornament of a turtle or tortoise and a warrior figure which represent the north and bring security and protection. You can also use off-whites and creams in this sector.

In the north east, which is concerned with self knowledge, education and spiritual growth, place any earthy colours you have in your decorations-terracotta, yellows, browns—- in geometric shapes of squares and rectangles, but not triangles! A little splash of white in this area is OK as well. This would also be the perfect sector to place the nativity scene as it is connected with spirituality.

In the east of your lounge is the area of family, health and longevity. Fill it with greens. This part of your lounge should be filled with growth, freshness and vitality. The Christmas tree could be placed here if it is a real one or a green artificial one. Evergreens in this sector represent longevity. Decorate the tree with normal coloured lights, or with blue, -a touch of water in this sector is fine. Rounded baubles which look like fruit are excellent here, in natural fruity colours. Somewhere in the east should be some kind of bamboo and a small dragon ornament. Do not place the dragon above eye level-it would be too powerful.

The south east corner is the one most people have heard about. In feng shui, it is the wealth corner, once again fill it with greens. A small water feature in this sector is excellent as are any symbols of water, including fishes and frogs. The tree could go in this corner. Decorate with blue lights (for water) and leave the lights on, when you can and it is safe to do so, to attract wealth. Three pound coins, head side up, representing ‘yang’ energy are also good in this sector. Place them in a blue ceramic bowl or even under the frog ornament!

In the south, red and fire colours should dominate-as bright as you wish. A tree here should be decorated in red tinsel and have orange and red lights. Purple shades would be excellent in this sector. This sector represents fame and fortune, public recognition and social popularity. It should feel fiery and radiant. Any ornaments should be red ——–birds, phoenix, cockerel, pheasant are particularly good. The energy here is passionate and intense.

The south west is your relationship sector, sometimes called the earth mother corner. Use bright earthy colours here and put ornaments in pairs to attract really good realtionships in the coming year. The energy circulating in this sector is nourishing and supports life. To strengthen present relationships, have a pair of ceramic or crystal ducks tied together with red ribbon. A piece of rose quartz in this area is also very good, as are a pair of red candles for passion!!!

This would be the corner to put all your family and ‘intimate’ Christmas cards-any from your work environment will go somewhere else as I will explain later. Once again, keep it bright. If you have any Japanese or Oriental ornaments, place them in this south west corner.

The west represents children, new projects and pleasure—-so definitely the place for the presents. If you have your tree here, it should be silver, gold or white and very metallic.

Decorate in golds, silvers and whites, including the colour of the lights. Rounded shapes are good here, so the Christmas baubles in metallic colours would be perfect. Also good in this area are small bells and windchimes.

The north west is very important for your career prospects as it is an area which encourages influential/helpful people, important meetings, networking and mentors. Once again go for metallic colours, with added creams and off whites. Ornaments and decorations should be rounded and shiny. Here is the place to hang any Christmas cards from work and business colleagues and also any presents from work. Keep them separate from your family ones

There you go then, Christmas decorations, using the simple principles of the ancient Chinese art of feng shui. Once again, I would emphasise, detailed feng shui consultation is to do with the interior and exterior arrangements of your environment as well as colours and ornaments, so it must never be taken lightly!!

Paul Darby is a feng shui expert, a registered consultant with the Feng Shui Society(UK), who travels all over advising individuals and companies on homes, gardens and offices.
www.fengshuidoctor.co.uk
pauldarby@fengshuidoctor.co.uk