Feng shui

[PixelGirl]

Thinking about what you've said @Oops... about screens and front doors, I wonder if you had a curtain over the front door on the inside, would be thermally sound, plus would it stop the energy leaving the house, thinking thick velvet curtain here? Also, regarding the beams that @BeccaBanana mentioned, would the beams be less imposing if they were painted the same colour as the ceiling, would the 'weight' of them disappearing have a more positive effect?

NO! Beams are bad? I pine for beams, and dream of moving to England and having an old house dripping with beams. Curiously, my English MIL always says she would never buy a house that had beams in the bedrooms, or sloped ceilings, and I just thought her eccentric.

We do, do eccentric really rather well here LOL

 

[OutDamnSpot]

Thank you for the suggestions @PixelGirl and @Oops... I'm going to spend some time researching now
This is such a fascinating subject!

 

[Oops...]

This is fascinating. I have placed a mirror face down under my daughter’s bed - the one who is over the kitchen. I was just wondering- in the Lydia thread, @Oops, you mentioned that your staff members have a Chinese coin, held with red ribbon, on each of their laptops. What is this for?

The coins had holes in and the red ribbon threaded through and were to attract success and to ensure income from success. Red and grey are good colours for business. We went paperless some years ago and up until then they had the coins on their order books and the invoicing files too. In addition, I ensured all of them had their backs to the wall when sitting at their desks (to eliminate back-stabbing) and they all had money plants on their desks too to attract income. I was told by FSM to have a grey desk of a specific size (cant remember the measurements now but it was a large desk) and so I got a carpenter to make it for me and spray it light grey. Latterly, I put seaside paintings up on the walls (to make it feel like they were on holiday as imagery of moving water and fish is auspicious) and draped fishing nets and sea shells over the one beam in the office. I have been so blessed with such wonderful staff and the office was always a very happy place and everyone got on SO well and did very well in their careers. Also, no-one ever resigned or bickered. They are all extremely loyal and very supportive. Anyone who visited the offices commented on how calm it felt even though everyone was so busy. I couldn’t quite ensure that the men put the loo seat down!! I did put a funny poem over the men’s loos to remind/beg them to though..! Naturally they all work from home now so that has all become a little fragmented which is a little upsetting but it keeps them safe. The odd thing is that all of them are equally happy working from home and have remained fiercely loyal.

Thinking about what you've said @Oops... about screens and front doors, I wonder if you had a curtain over the front door on the inside, would be thermally sound, plus would it stop the energy leaving the house, thinking thick velvet curtain here? Also, regarding the beams that @BeccaBanana mentioned, would the beams be less imposing if they were painted the same colour as the ceiling, would the 'weight' of them disappearing have a more positive effect?


We do, do eccentric really rather well here LOL

Yes you are right about the front door that may have helped, but I don’t like the look of a curtain in front of a door so that’s why I didn’t do that. That’s purely personal to me though - it’s a lovely Georgian front door and I love to see it.

It might help painting the beam to make it less oppressive yes - however it may not stop the ‘fracturing’ - I am not too sure but know its better to make it less noticeable. In addition 3 red tassels over the bed hanging from the beam would help too. I did that in one of my guest rooms - they were actually dark pink but I got away with it. I was told wind chimes by FSM but I draw the line at wind chimes indoors. Somehow I just can’t do them. However, they do get the energy moving.

NO! Beams are bad? I pine for beams, and dream of moving to England and having an old house dripping with beams. Curiously, my English MIL always says she would never buy a house that had beams in the bedrooms, or sloped ceilings, and I just thought her eccentric.

Eccentric is good . She was absolutely right about the ceilings and beams though IMHO.

 

[Milking Keynes]

The coins had holes in and the red ribbon threaded through and were to attract success and to ensure income from success. Red and grey are good colours for business. We went paperless some years ago and up until then they had the coins on their order books and the invoicing files too. In addition, I ensured all of them had their backs to the wall when sitting at their desks (to eliminate back-stabbing) and they all had money plants on their desks too to attract income. I was told by FSM to have a grey desk of a specific size (cant remember the measurements now but it was a large desk) and so I got a carpenter to make it for me and spray it light grey. Latterly, I put seaside paintings up on the walls (to make it feel like they were on holiday as imagery of moving water and fish is auspicious) and draped fishing nets and sea shells over the one beam in the office. I have been so blessed with such wonderful staff and the office was always a very happy place and everyone got on SO well and did very well in their careers. Also, no-one ever resigned or bickered. They are all extremely loyal and very supportive. Anyone who visited the offices commented on how calm it felt even though everyone was so busy. I couldn’t quite ensure that the men put the loo seat down!! I did put a funny poem over the men’s loos to remind/beg them to though..! Naturally they all work from home now so that has all become a little fragmented which is a little upsetting but it keeps them safe. The odd thing is that all of them are equally happy working from home and have remained fiercely loyal.

Thank you, this is wonderful! I must look into the coins and red ribbon. I remember I told you long ago that my father was an avid sailor and you kindly remembered and paid a lovely tribute to him in Fur Babies. He was also an architect and, was, in fact, President of RIAI at one point. I was brought up in a Georgian house, constructed around 1838, and it was a very beautiful home. His pride and joy, however, was the holiday home he designed in West Cork. It was magical - the views of the sea were stunning and the design was impressive. Lots of windows and light and quiet ahead of it’s time.

When he died, the upkeep and maintenance on the Georgian home was relentless and my poor mother really struggled with being on her own. I would get phone calls daily about one thing or another requiring attention. I know it sounds selfish, but the phone calls were draining and I found myself resenting the house as well as my mum. I was the only family member nearby and my husband worked abroad Monday to Friday.

It’s interesting, though, because my younger sister, on returning home from Australia and later Paris, bought a Georgian house with her partner. Somewhere in my subconscious, I must have favoured the holiday home because when we bought our current house, even though it is in the city, emulates the interior of that house. It looks innocuous from the outside but is full of light and space on entry. I try to not fill spaces - I like restraint. I have a little thing for corners - I love to put some feature there but in proportion. Anyway, I digress. I suppose I just wanted to give you some background and explain that weird resentment that I feel guilty about and that it so influenced my own house choice.

Getting back on topic, I have lots of artwork of boats and sailing and I find them so calming so I’m delighted that they are also beneficial to the energy that surrounds us. The two work desks are also backed up against the wall, so that’s good. As regards the loo seat, my husband is the world’s worst. I cannot get him to comply no matter what.

Thanks, @Oops, and lovely to get the opportunity to share here.

 

[OutDamnSpot]

I couldn’t quite ensure that the men put the loo seat down!! I did put a funny poem over the men’s loos to remind/beg them to though..!

@Oops... I’m curious about this poem now! and I’m also assuming you wrote it after seeing your talent for excellent writing on The Other Thread

 

[Oops...]

Thank you, this is wonderful! I must look into the coins and red ribbon. I remember I told you long ago that my father was an avid sailor and you kindly remembered and paid a lovely tribute to him in Fur Babies. He was also an architect and, was, in fact, President of RIAI at one point. I was brought up in a Georgian house, constructed around 1838, and it was a very beautiful home. His pride and joy, however, was the holiday home he designed in West Cork. It was magical - the views of the sea were stunning and the design was impressive. Lots of windows and light and quiet ahead of it’s time.

When he died, the upkeep and maintenance on the Georgian home was relentless and my poor mother really struggled with being on her own. I would get phone calls daily about one thing or another requiring attention. I know it sounds selfish, but the phone calls were draining and I found myself resenting the house as well as my mum. I was the only family member nearby and my husband worked abroad Monday to Friday.

It’s interesting, though, because my younger sister, on returning home from Australia and later Paris, bought a Georgian house with her partner. Somewhere in my subconscious, I must have favoured the holiday home because when we bought our current house, even though it is in the city, emulates the interior of that house. It looks innocuous from the outside but is full of light and space on entry. I try to not fill spaces - I like restraint. I have a little thing for corners - I love to put some feature there but in proportion. Anyway, I digress. I suppose I just wanted to give you some background and explain that weird resentment that I feel guilty about and that it so influenced my own house choice.

Getting back on topic, I have lots of artwork of boats and sailing and I find them so calming so I’m delighted that they are also beneficial to the energy that surrounds us. The two work desks are also backed up against the wall, so that’s good. As regards the loo seat, my husband is the world’s worst. I cannot get him to comply no matter what.

Thanks, @Oops, and lovely to get the opportunity to share here.

I love that post! I love the idea of your dear father building you all a house he designed and I love the idea of you all enjoying it. I remember well you telling me about him and the song that spoke to you that he loved. There are some very good reasons why you loved the seaside house more than the Georgian one...
First of all not only was it designed by your lovely father but it was NEW! Therefore it carried no energy from the past. Secondly, it was filled with light - this is SO important! Thirdly you had views of moving water. Combine them all and you had all the ingredients for a perfect environment!
I have a passion for Georgian properties because of the scale of the rooms and the light and the symmetry. I love symmetry. However, FSM said houses with history are anathema to Feng Shui. He actually told me I have a family of French people living in my wine cellar and they play cards all day. They moved in in late 1700’s he said...He told me to move them on I have to have children playing noisily in the wine cellar. I thought long and hard about that but since I have never seen or heard them and since they don’t bother me at all or cause anything to go wrong (that I am aware of) I would rather they remained; as I hate the thought of displacing them and would worry where they would go. I must say I thought he was a bit bonkers when he said that. Also, the wine cellar and the gym next to it feels lovely (to me). I like the energy of it as it is.

Just to say, energetically - when someone else passes responsibility on to you it is very natural to feel resentment of the extra responsibility - so I get what you say about your mother. I don’t think you resented your mother I think maybe you resented the fact that it put pressure on you. I also understand what you say about the upkeep of old property. It is never ending. My dream at the moment is to have an architect design me a new house of Georgian proportions with everything built into it. It might be hard for me to leave my garden though. If it had sea views and a beach to walk Teddy Bear on I would be delirious. I have been really thinking about this lately. I found a house recently that would be perfect just outside Bath. It’s described in the blurb as a modern masterpiece and it looks Georgian from the outside. However, it is opposite a church and a graveyard. The Church is a poison arrow in FS because of its shape and a graveyard view is a big no no. I lived in Bath years ago and loved it and the house was in a Crescent and had 101 stairs. If I left my phone at the top of the house it might stay there for days because it was such a fag to go back up for it . That house had a sizeable Feng Shui story to it which I may refer to from time to time as we go along. Eventually and reluctantly I had to move. It was my perfect home but my energy and its energy didn’t always agree...despite my very best efforts. At the same time I had a London flat which was bright, ultra modern, overlooked the river and I LOVED it too. There I had my minimalist life. Everything was white and linear and if you put a newspaper down it made the place look untidy. I loved the simplicity of it and always felt very centred when I stayed in town.

Talking about corners (this is the second time corners have been mentioned) I thought maybe we could all get our heads together as a group and nominate a day when we could all clap our corners to activate the energy. I haven’t done that in the house I live in now but always used to years ago. In addition we could all get sage and smudge sage in our homes and then if we all did it on the same day we would have a very interesting topic to discuss together. If anyone would like to do that as a group endeavour do say. It might be really good fun and we may all experience some very good energy from it at the same time. Just a little idea, no pressure though...

@Oops... I’m curious about this poem now! and I’m also assuming you wrote it after seeing your talent for excellent writing on The Other Thread

It said;

POLITE NOTICE
Think about the energy when e’er you use this loo
The loo seat’s better down but know it’s always up to you...

 

[happyforest]

UGH, toilet seats. I guess there's mechanical ones now that you can preset to go down on their own. That's an idea at least.

My father was a severe germaphobe and developed OCD quite badly in his later years. One day, whilst in his 70s, he went into the bathroom and got his feet wet. You can imagine what it was. He calls my mum in and complains and she explains that the floor is always wet thanks to him, that she comes in after him to clean as best she can each time. Well he immediately started sitting to pee! He was the most macho, gruff, a of a man, so this was huge. Word got out to my sisters about it and we all tried to get our own husbands to follow suit. I mean if my father, Mr Macho could do it and not feel emasculated, then they could too, right? My husband just laughed his a off at me and walked out of the room. But my sister's husbands both pee sitting down now, and remember to close the toilet too. Seething with jealousy. LOLOL

I've ordered a money frog! I'm so excited!

@Oops... I would be DELIGHTED to participate in a clapping or smudge event. I have never smudged so would need instruction. I used to practice yoga a few years ago and at certain classes the wonderful English instructor would hone in on energy and have us work on intentions. The reality of the shared energy in the room was undeniably beneficial to all.

I've always loved houses that look unassuming from the street, but then are unexpected when you enter them. With great light and surprising open spaces. I thought this was because I felt the least assuming house on a given street would be burgled last. Having had a home robbery ages ago that could easily have been a home invasion since they came in during the day on a Saturday, it's been a real concern since. But now I wonder if it isn't just the energy that we feel when we view houses. Some houses just *feel* happy.

I had an old house ages ago here in the US. I should say it was old to Americans; it was built in 1907. I loved that house from the second I set foot in it. I had to have it, and didn't even bother making a low offer. We happily paid the full asking price which wasn't the norm at the time. Anyways, this house needed work, I pulled the fabric wallpaper off to redecorate and chunks of the walls came down with it. We had to re do the walls, the electric was a mess, live wires everywhere and only one outlet in each room at a weird mid wall height. But the house was such a happy energy house. It had amazing light in every single room, city views, and water views. I could feel the house almost sighing in happiness as we brought it back to its former glory, choosing fixtures that matched its era, etc. We had to sell it and move to another state due to work and the real estate agent organized an "open house" event but he couldn't be present so sent a different agent to oversee the event. Well this agent, a woman, walks in and says, "OH! There's ghosts here. Happy ghosts. Have you felt or seen them?" I remember feeling horrified that she might say this when buyers were present and scare them off. But no, we ended up having a bidding war and made so much money that we were shocked. Think over 2 years of an executive's salary of profit in one fell swoop, and the real estate market wasn't really all that hot at the time. The couple that bought it had shown pictures of various houses to his mother who was dying in hospice and she told them they MUST buy our house, that its energy was lucky. They kept upping their bids and even asked if we'd leave our furniture and artwork because their mum had implied it was exactly the right placement and scale for the positive energy.

The house had stairs, but at the back of the house, and what beams it had were as room dividers, not crossing rooms. No slopped roofs, despite it being 3 stories and having grand rooms. Looking back it's almost as if the builder or designer was following Feng Shui principles when it was designed. Even the front door was unique in the way one approached it, clear, with excellent light as you came through.

I'm so grateful to all of you for all these tips, since we're looking to move again in a couple of years and have already started looking at houses and contacting builders to maybe build something to our specs since we'll be empty nesters soon. I'm energized now to apply these principles to house hunting or the design we end up with.

 

[Gertrude]

Talking about corners (this is the second time corners have been mentioned) I thought maybe we could all get our heads together as a group and nominate a day when we could all clap our corners to activate the energy. I haven’t done that in the house I live in now but always used to years ago. In addition we could all get sage and smudge sage in our homes and then if we all did it on the same day we would have a very interesting topic to discuss together. If anyone would like to do that as a group endeavour do say. It might be really good fun and we may all experience some very good energy from it at the same time. Just a little idea, no pressure though...

I am really enjoying reading all of the posts on here. I like your idea of doing a clap in our corners as a group and would love to join in

 

[Oops...]

Since its come up I think it may help to say why its seen as important to put the loo seat down.
According to FS when the loo seat is left up you flush money down the open loo (this knowledge alone can have a dramatic effect on some men!)
Its also because flushing the loo when the seats is left up exposes the bathroom to certain unhealthy gasses in the ground via the plumbing pipes Which run into the sewers. So this can bring bad energy into the bathroom from below ground level.
So - the ideal way is to use the loo - put the seat down and then flush. Its actually a much healthier way to go to the loo and saves your money being flushed down the loo too - win win

UGH, toilet seats. I guess there's mechanical ones now that you can preset to go down on their own. That's an idea at least.

My father was a severe germaphobe and developed OCD quite badly in his later years. One day, whilst in his 70s, he went into the bathroom and got his feet wet. You can imagine what it was. He calls my mum in and complains and she explains that the floor is always wet thanks to him, that she comes in after him to clean as best she can each time. Well he immediately started sitting to pee! He was the most macho, gruff, a of a man, so this was huge. Word got out to my sisters about it and we all tried to get our own husbands to follow suit. I mean if my father, Mr Macho could do it and not feel emasculated, then they could too, right? My husband just laughed his a off at me and walked out of the room. But my sister's husbands both pee sitting down now, and remember to close the toilet too. Seething with jealousy. LOLOL

I've ordered a money frog! I'm so excited!

@Oops... I would be DELIGHTED to participate in a clapping or smudge event. I have never smudged so would need instruction. I used to practice yoga a few years ago and at certain classes the wonderful English instructor would hone in on energy and have us work on intentions. The reality of the shared energy in the room was undeniably beneficial to all.

I've always loved houses that look unassuming from the street, but then are unexpected when you enter them. With great light and surprising open spaces. I thought this was because I felt the least assuming house on a given street would be burgled last. Having had a home robbery ages ago that could easily have been a home invasion since they came in during the day on a Saturday, it's been a real concern since. But now I wonder if it isn't just the energy that we feel when we view houses. Some houses just *feel* happy.

I had an old house ages ago here in the US. I should say it was old to Americans; it was built in 1907. I loved that house from the second I set foot in it. I had to have it, and didn't even bother making a low offer. We happily paid the full asking price which wasn't the norm at the time. Anyways, this house needed work, I pulled the fabric wallpaper off to redecorate and chunks of the walls came down with it. We had to re do the walls, the electric was a mess, live wires everywhere and only one outlet in each room at a weird mid wall height. But the house was such a happy energy house. It had amazing light in every single room, city views, and water views. I could feel the house almost sighing in happiness as we brought it back to its former glory, choosing fixtures that matched its era, etc. We had to sell it and move to another state due to work and the real estate agent organized an "open house" event but he couldn't be present so sent a different agent to oversee the event. Well this agent, a woman, walks in and says, "OH! There's ghosts here. Happy ghosts. Have you felt or seen them?" I remember feeling horrified that she might say this when buyers were present and scare them off. But no, we ended up having a bidding war and made so much money that we were shocked. Think over 2 years of an executive's salary of profit in one fell swoop, and the real estate market wasn't really all that hot at the time. The couple that bought it had shown pictures of various houses to his mother who was dying in hospice and she told them they MUST buy our house, that its energy was lucky. They kept upping their bids and even asked if we'd leave our furniture and artwork because their mum had implied it was exactly the right placement and scale for the positive energy.

The house had stairs, but at the back of the house, and what beams it had were as room dividers, not crossing rooms. No slopped roofs, despite it being 3 stories and having grand rooms. Looking back it's almost as if the builder or designer was following Feng Shui principles when it was designed. Even the front door was unique in the way one approached it, clear, with excellent light as you came through.

I'm so grateful to all of you for all these tips, since we're looking to move again in a couple of years and have already started looking at houses and contacting builders to maybe build something to our specs since we'll be empty nesters soon. I'm energized now to apply these principles to house hunting or the design we end up with.

Love your post! Love, love, love it! Thank you so much.

 

[OutDamnSpot]

Yes! I love the idea of clapping corners or smudging sage as a group and reporting back

 

[Oops...]

Have given illustration of a bagua which shows the directions and areas in your home. Hope this helps...

 

[Milking Keynes]

I have read the wonderful posts here and will take time to reread @Oops response because I want to treasure it! I feel lighter already having read it the first time. In the meantime, just to say I would love to be part of the clapping in our corners! So looking forward to my money frogs arriving - I’ll take photos as promised.

 

[Oops...]

People can get a bit carried away with precision over direction and it takes a Feng Shui Master to actually work out the correct co-ordinates precisely Using a compass. So for simplicity’s sake if you hold the bagua in front of you standing in the doorway of a room this shows you where your wealth corner is, your relationship corner etc etc etc. So if you want a better relationship for instance place twos of items in that area. If you want more prosperity the SE corner is a good place for your money toad or coins. I have a gold bowl with chinese FS coins in mine for example. You might want to put your money toad there if you like it or a money plant etc.

Also you can overlay the bagua on each floor of your house so it could show you where to place children’s rooms or the best place for your own bedroom etc..

 

[happyforest]

People can get a bit carried away with precision over direction and it takes a Feng Shui Master to actually work out the correct co-ordinates precisely Using a compass. So for simplicity’s sake if you hold the bagua in front of you standing in the doorway of a room this shows you where your wealth corner is, your relationship corner etc etc etc. So if you want a better relationship for instance place twos of items in that area. If you want more prosperity the SE corner is a good place for your money toad or coins. I have a gold bowl with chinese FS coins in mine for example. You might want to put your money toad there if you like it or a money plant etc.

Also you can overlay the bagua on each floor of your house so it could show you where to place children’s rooms or the best place for your own bedroom etc..

OMG I had been placing things according to actual compass directions. So the Bagua is to be used from the front door, regardless if the house faces South?

 

[Oops...]

Looks like CLAP FOR GREAT ENERGY DAY might be a goer! Brilliant.

Just as an idea (let me know what you think and if the date suits) since we are going into a new month on 1st March I was wondering if either last day of February (a Sunday which might suit more people) or first day of March (a Monday) might be an auspicious time for us to clap our corners? Let me know what you think. Also, if we leave it until then more people might join us all and the more the better intention/energy wise. I have never sage smudged myself as a Reiki Master did it for me but I have clapped. Maybe @PixelGirl might be able to shine some light on the best way of doing things. It might be a good idea for us all to do it at the same time if that’s possible too (depending on time zones of course). x

 

[happyforest]

I'm in for any time that works. This is a worthy thing to set an alarm for.

 

[Oops...]

OMG I had been placing things according to actual compass directions. So the Bagua is to be used from the front door, regardless if the house faces South?

I would say for simplicity if you stand in the doorway of each/any room these are the directions of that particular room. For instance my house runs East to West. However, for room placements I do it by holding the bagua in front of me in the doorway of that room. So my sitting room faces East however all my placements in my sitting room are done from the bagua standing in the doorway of the sitting room.
This is a grey area in Feng Shui and it would take pages to explain all the different ways and approaches. Hope this helps and doesn’t confuse more.

 

[happyforest]

I would say for simplicity if you stand in the doorway of each/any room these are the directions of that particular room. For instance my house runs East to West. However, for room placements I do it by holding the bagua in front of me in the doorway of that room. So my sitting room faces East however all my placements in my sitting room are done from the bagua standing in the doorway of the sitting room.
This is a grey area in Feng Shui and it would take pages to explain all the different ways and approaches. Hope this helps and doesn’t confuse more.

Thank you, that is very helpful.

 

[Milking Keynes]

People can get a bit carried away with precision over direction and it takes a Feng Shui Master to actually work out the correct co-ordinates precisely Using a compass. So for simplicity’s sake if you hold the bagua in front of you standing in the doorway of a room this shows you where your wealth corner is, your relationship corner etc etc etc. So if you want a better relationship for instance place twos of items in that area. If you want more prosperity the SE corner is a good place for your money toad or coins. I have a gold bowl with chinese FS coins in mine for example. You might want to put your money toad there if you like it or a money plant etc.

Also you can overlay the bagua on each floor of your house so it could show you where to place children’s rooms or the best place for your own bedroom etc..

Ah, that makes sense - thank you! Anytime for me re the Clap for Energy Day.

 

[grumpycat]

Thank you so much for all this info. I find it so fascinating and I’m just off to draw a floor plan of our home to place a bagua on top.

I feel like much of this I’m already drawn to naturally, and it really excites me. On the plus side, our house is a perfect rectangle so that’s a little easier!