The Feng Shui Rabbit Hole

I love meeting people in Los Angeles. Everyone has the craziest careers that just don’t exist anywhere else and it’s fun to see how people make a living outside of the basic 9-5. This past Sunday at the last paint in the park meet up I hosted, a women attended who said she was a feng shui consultant.

The younger me would probably link feng shui as some sort of Asian karate class. The current, older, more knowledgable me, understands this is an interior design theory. The Netflix show featuring Marie Kondu telling people to donate all their stuff rings a bell?

I was curious. During our paint session, I asked question after question as she spoke for two hours on the basics of fung shui, how changing the position of your desk instills safety and evokes power, and how my relationship was in peril because we had a mirror in our bedroom.

The crystal charging, sage burning, astrology chart reading girl in me ate this shit up. I need more!!!

A few days later once I had a free moment, I took to Google to educate myself on what Feng Shui really was, why it’s important, and how to easily implement pieces of this into my daily life. I’ve decided to share what I learned here - for the reading and educational pleasure of my fellow SAD community in hopes that y’all might be interested as well.

OK SO - outside of a Whole Foods yoga mom favorite term - What is Feng Shui REALLY?

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice that involves arranging objects and spaces in a way that promotes harmony and balance between people and their environment. The goal of feng shui is to create a positive flow of energy, or qi, in the spaces where people live and work, which is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

Feng shui is based on the idea that everything in the universe is connected and influenced by the natural elements of earth, water, fire, wood, and metal. These elements are represented by different colors, shapes, and materials, and are thought to have specific energies that can affect people's lives.

In feng shui, the placement of objects, furniture, and decor is carefully considered to enhance the flow of qi and create a balance between the elements. For example, furniture placement and room layout are important factors in feng shui, as well as the use of colors and lighting. Mirrors, plants, and other decorative items can also be used to improve the flow of energy and create a more harmonious space.

Feng Shui can be utilized in your home or office by applying the following principles:

1. The Bagua Map: The Bagua map is a tool to determine the optimal placement of objects in a room or space. It divides a space into different areas, each of which is associated with a specific aspect of life being:

   1. Health & Wellness

   2. Wealth & Abundance

   3. Fame & Reputation

   4. Love, Partnership & Marriage

   5. Creativity & Children

   6. Helpful People & Blessings

   7. Career & Path in Life

   8. Knowledge & Self Cultivation

2. Clearing Clutter: Clutter is one of the most common issues in homes and workplaces that can block the flow of energy. To clear clutter, start by identifying items that are no longer needed or used, and then donate or recycle them. For items that are still needed, organize them in a way that makes sense and feels visually pleasing. So my initial thought about Marie Kondo was correct after all…

3. Furniture Placement: In feng shui, furniture should be arranged in a way that promotes a clear and open flow of energy. For example, in a living room, the sofa should face the entryway rather than have its back to the door, which can create a sense of insecurity. Additionally, furniture should be arranged in a way that reflects the function of the room, such as grouping chairs and tables together in a conversation area. The consultant at the paint event said that every area should serve a separate purpose. For example, you shouldn’t have a TV in the bedroom as it meant for sleeping and television confuses the energy in the space for an activity that is meant to do while you are awake.

4. Use of color: The use of color is an important aspect of feng shui. For example, blue is a calming color that can be used in bedrooms or other spaces where relaxation is important, while red can be used in areas where energy and stimulation are desired, such as a home gym or office. Additionally, it's important to avoid colors that clash with the natural elements of a space, such as placing a red sofa in a room dominated by the wood element.

5. Lighting: Lighting can also have an impact on the energy of a space. In feng shui, it's important to use lighting that is appropriate for the function of the room. For example, bright overhead lighting can be useful in a kitchen or workspace, while softer, dimmer lighting may be more appropriate in a bedroom or meditation room.

6. Use of natural elements: Feng shui emphasizes the importance of incorporating natural elements, such as wood, metal, water, earth, and fire, into a space. For example, a water feature like a fountain or aquarium can be used to promote the flow of energy, while plants can help to purify the air and bring a sense of vitality to a space.

In summary, while you might not be a super crunchy astrology girl, if you are stressed in your own home or having trouble sleeping or just moody in general, it seems like it might be worth it to align your home to a more feng shui layout/color scheme. Even if your life or mood doesn’t drastically change overnight, at least you can chat about what you learned or discovered in the process to make small talk a little more interesting. For the person who can bring an interesting topic into dead conversations such as venting about inflation or Becky’s relationship woes, society is all extremely thankful.