Remedies & Other Knowledge

What colour to paint my room, and which colour represents which element?The elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water are the foundation for Feng Shui balance and play a very important role in creating the perfect environment.

This is the productive cycle

Wood feeds Fire, Fire feeds earth, Earth feeds metal, Metal feeds water, and Water feeds Wood. This is known as the Sheng cycle.

Destructive cycle

Metal destroys Wood, wood destroys earth, earth destroys water, water destroys fire, and fire destroys metal.

Controlling cycle

Wood controls metal, metal controls fire, fire controls water, water controls earth, earth controls wood.

Dissolving cycle

Wood dissolves water, water dissolves metal, metal dissolves earth, earth dissolves fire, and fire dissolves wood.

<<<<< THE FIVE ELEMENTS >>>>>

Wood

The first element is wood because it is the beginning of new life; it is the creator of the five-element cycle. We have heard many times that people use wood furniture as a wood element, this is not a good substitute to use as furniture is dead wood it is lifeless and contains none or little Ch'i, although it can contain positive energy, if it has had a good history, remember furniture, books, virtually anything can contain bad energy from previous owners or even someone who has handled it, that is why we cleanse all our products we sell before we send them out, because we do not always know the history behind them whilst they were being manufactured.

You need to use live wood in the form of a bushy plant similar to a "money plant" as it holds so much live Ch'i and also retains it. Plants also filter the air we breathe; it is so much better to use a natural form when it comes to the wood element. Remember to feed and water it, because if it dies it will hold Sha Ch'i, even on any dead leaves, so keep it in good condition. The wood element can be replaced by the colour green.

I find that the colour is not as effective as the element of live wood though. There shouldn't be many times that you need to use a colour to replace live wood as there are so many plants that we can use indoors. You can of course use both together.

Wood represents the directions of East and the Chen Trigrams 3. It also represents the South East and the Sun Trigrams 4.

Fire

Fire Element is the most "Yang" of the elements. Because fire is so Yang, this is the one instance where colour does work well. A tea-light or table lamp with a red shade make excellent fire remedies, please be very careful when using candles. Fire represents the South and the Li Trigram 9.

Earth

Earth element is often confused with soil, which is only part of the element, it needs to be combined with rock, clay, and stone etc. i.e. a terracotta pot filled with soil is a perfect earth element, or a clay statue. Earth colours are yellow, beige but not as effective as the real element itself.

Earth represents the North East or the Ken Trigram 8. It also represents the South West or the Kun Trigram 2. In addition, it represents the "Centre" of the Master Trigram 5.

Metal

Metal can be found in many forms. Silver, Gold, Copper, and Bronze are just a few of the Metal Element. You can also be creative when using this element; you could use a brass Kwan yin, three-legged toad or a nice Dragon. When choosing an element try to look at the shape, don't use sharp points or unattractive objects just because they have the element you need, Feng Shui is about creating a harmony and balance and it should look attractive in the environment.

The colours you should use are white, gold, and silver. Metal is the Tui Trigram 7 in the West. It is also the Chien Trigram 6 in the North West.

Water

Water is the key element; we would not exist without it, our planet as our body is made up of mainly water. It is a very powerful element to use, it should always be clear and free flowing, never let it go stagnant, as this will create many problems. A fountain or aquarium is ideal or a simple fishpond in the garden. Water has always been associated with power. It has been used for thousands of years by Kings and Emperors in the form of protection as in a moat, or a powerful attraction for abundance. If you look at most Cities today, they are either positioned near the water or have large lakes or rivers close by. Most ocean-side and lakeside homes are also sought after. The colours blue or black can replace water. Water represents the Kan Trigram 1 in the North.

You should be careful when using the elements in certain areas, Ideally you should have a consultation for best advice, although in future issues I will be covering this again in even greater detail, because if used correctly they can have a major impact on wealth, health, relationships etc.

The Chinese have always emphasized on education. To them, education is crucial as it represents an opportunity of escape. The bedroom or study area is an important aspect of their development as well as the surroundings you give them.

Feng Shui has been used for thousands of years for a child's education, and if you follow the tips below you will notice an improvement in study and concentration.

Position of desk

Make sure your child is not sitting with their back against the door, if this is the only way of arranging their room place a mirror so they can see the door behind them.

Position of Study Chair

Make sure that nothing sharp or piercing is directed towards the chair, as this will create more bad energy. Even a poster with arrows or airplanes with weapons pointing towards room causes bad energy.

Study Table Surroundings

Have your child sit with his or her head facing the best study direction and with solid support behind or a painting of a mountain scene to give support. Place a Crystal sphere in the main window to slow down or activate chi. Try not to have your child sit straight in front of a window. Your child will lack in concentration.

Observe your child's study area and desk. Are there any, exposed overhead beams or edges, or sharp edges of furniture, pillar or protruding corner nearby? Be observant of these factors as it brings bad energy. Keep the desk area clear of clutter and place a Buddha on the desk or a crystal ball.

Child's Bedroom

This is a hard one, try and keep rooms tidy and clutter free (stop laughing) you will be amazed how they help you once you get them into a routine. Again this is where Feng Shui works when you get a balance in your life's, it also affects the people around you. You will find your family relationships will become stronger.

Feng Shui items you can use for children:

Lead Crystal Sphere

Activates Chi in your room or office, creating good for the occupants and increases the balance of chi, if placed in S.W corner can enhance relationships. Placing in a child’s room has the same effect.

Crystal Ball

A solid crystal ball can be used in the southwest corner or in a living room to enhance relationship, or place one in the main window to slow down or activate chi in a child’s room.

Laughing Buddha

The Laughing Buddha is a symbol of wealth and happiness; just looking at his jolly face will cheer you up. If you stroke his belly daily he will bring you good luck! Place him anywhere in the house or place of work. Good for child's bedroom.

Hematite

It is an energetic stone. Hematite would be efficient in all blood troubles. It would also help to find a deep sleep. Hematite wards off bad moods and depressed feelings. Beneficial to the circulatory system - increases resistance to stress - stimulates spleen - restores vitality - calms excessive energy. Wear with Black Onyx to get rid of the junk in your life! Great for children in early to late teens.

1) Always sit with a solid wall behind your back to ensure that you have support in your life, never sit with a window behind you.

2) In the office always place the fax machine, telephone, and computers in the wealth area and future wealth area for more Businesses.

3) The arrangement of tables and chairs should be in a harmonious position so that chi is able to flow smoothly.

4) If you wish to be the leader in your industry, place a Dragon on the right hand side of your desk facing towards the window or the door. The Dragon can also look into your water fountain. A Dragon always chases after a pearl, thus the window; water fountain can signify the pearl

5) If you own a shop try and place the till in your wealth corner, even your petty cash tin. Order books can also be placed here with Chinese coins held together with red ribbon.

6) You should not have any cactus or sharp looking plants in your office as these plants have small sharp leaves and therefore causes "shar chi" in the office. The chi that rides on the wind will have to pass through them causing chi to be fierce and sharp.

7) If your staff always fall sick in that area, then use a metal wind chime made of 6 or 7 metal rods about 1ft long are the best as the sound of metal is the best Feng Shui cure. Others like a metal sculpture or metal object would not be that effective although they are also metal in nature. Place a hanging crystal sphere to activate ch'i or disperse negative ch'i.

8) In your office, never have the main door opening into your table as the chi coming in will hit at your face causing you not to have good luck but instead more obstacles and problems. reorganize your office.

9) In a managers office you should try not to chose a room with two doors, because the ch’I will go into that room and out the other door.

10) The chi from the main entrance of your office should not meet a wall inside the office. This is because the chi once it hits the wall has to turn and therefore causing it to slow down hence your businesses will be slow and not vibrant. Try using a hanging crystal in your office entrance this will enhance ch’i.

11) Do not place the photocopy machine near to the main door. Heat near the main door is frequently not preferred and causes the chi to be hot and dispersed easily as more people are likely to walk in and out thus carrying chi in and out too fast because the chi is not allowed to stay for some time.

12) Do not place a paper cutter machine next to the main door. Cutter machine is to cut papers. Therefore if located here will cause staff to back stab each other and fight too if one is not careful.

13) Do not place an empty vase next to the main door, as the new chi once it enters your office will be sucked into the vase causing nothing much left for the environment.

14) For corporate clients a fish tank placed in the wealth area is the best for great results and success. However there are strict criteria's for the fish tank that one has to follow.

15) The company signboard should be in the wealth area so that no other competitors can be strong enough to beat you at your game.

16) Place an indoor fountain in your wealth corner, to activate ch’i. These also have medical benefits.

17) Do not have clutter in your office; desks must be kept tidy and clutter free. This is so important, an office in China would not have these paper trays on desks, and most American companies now employ the same approach.

18) Place a hanging crystal in your window, this will activate ch’I, as well as looking fantastic, when the hits them they produce the most amazing rainbows

19) Three legged Toad God. This figure is used for attracting wealth and abundance. Place this wonderful creature near your front office entrance, facing into your office for luck and wealth, or place it in the wealth sector of your office to magnify your wealth luck. Always leave the coin in its mouth.

20) Crystal ball, apart from looking into future you can place on top of phone to encourage more business calls. Also to attract wealth. Also to attract wealth and good luck, a great all round cure that every office should have one.

21) Fu Dogs Male & Female, these protective animals are placed near your doorway of your office to protect from evil influences. They are a symbol of valor and prosperity.

22) Ba Gua Mirrors,If you have any negative energy directed at your front office door, these Ba Gua mirrors will disperse the negative energy.

Water is used to activate or slow down Ch’i in a room, being highly beneficial for health, wealth, & relationships. These beautiful fountains copy the natural flow of water in a harmonious way creating the energy of Ch’i. Placing a tabletop fountain in your home or office is the easiest way to add Ch’i into you life and will significantly enhance the desires you are working for. They can have an amazing effect on your wealth, romance and general well-being. To enhance your wealth and prosperity, position your indoor water feature in the southeast element of your home or office. For career luck, place in the north.

Fountains also add the relaxing sound of a babbling brook to your environment and are recommended for homes that have central heating, as they increase the humidity level which in turn decreases dust, pollutants and static electricity. Flowing or moving water also increases negative ions in the air. Excessive amounts of positive ions (which are created by pollution and other factors) can result in sickness and depression. Water Fountains can help by balancing the negative and positive ions in the air. These high quality fountains all have the same effect and your choice of fountain should be one that appeals to you personally. Every home and office should have one.

Wealth & luck = south-east.
Good marriage = south-west.
Career = north.
Helpful friends = west.
Good health and family relationship = east.
Study & education = north-east.

Sleep is vital to your health and it determines how well you function in your day. As the famous mattress ad goes, "tomorrow begins tonight." From a Feng Shui perspective, there could be various reasons for this.

Your bedroom, your sanctuary.

This is an area where you spend a lot of time, which you rest, sleep, play, dress and dream in. So make sure you have everything you need that induces rest. Are your pillows clean and comfortable, and what about the mattress? Is the room warm enough? Do you have your favorite sheets on and do you change them regularly? Are you turning your mattress over regularly? Do you have clutter under your bed? If you have bed draws under make sure you keep them tidy and if possible only keep sheets or towels in them.

Health factors

Are you also getting enough exercise? Have you got a balanced diet? Remember that the foods you consume also need to have not just a balance from a dietary perspective but also from a yin and yang balance. For example, microwave food is usually too much yang. Coffee keeps people awake. When did you have that last cup and was it too close to bedtime? These are factors you need to ask.

Feng Shui & Sleep

Electronic items are not good to keep in your bedroom; they may give you sleepless nights. The television for example is something many people like having in their bedrooms, but what they don't seem to realise is that it produces too much yang energy which disturbs sleep patterns.

Yin energy is important in bedrooms as it encourages rest and relaxation. High also on the list are Hi-fi sets and even computers. So if you work from home and have a workstation in your bedroom, it is bound to affect your sleep. And to top it all computers and televisions also become a mirror when switched off and work as a reflector. A cure for these problems is keep them covered at night with a sheet.

Married couples could experience a strain in the marriage when the mirror reflects the bed and it could mean the marriage becoming "crowded." So in short it seem it is better to keep these gadgets out of the bedroom for good. Having said that though.

Your Bedroom Décor

Is your bedroom painted in a bright fierce colour? That in it represents yang energy. Rooms should preferably in soft pastel shades. Bed-sheets too should be in pastels unless you have been feeling sluggish lately, in which case red bed sheets should be just the right thing.

Lighting

Make sure that your room is sufficiently lit and yet not overdone. Soft lampshades are fine but spotlights and harsh lighting do not help. On the whole it is not easy to get everything right but trying something new each time helps. So try getting just the right feel and you would know what works for you. Make sure you hang some crystals in the window.

Your bedroom should have a romantic feel to it, with soft colours and lighting. Hang some romantic or saucy pictures on the walls, or some loving couples statues on your bedside or dressing table. Always keep it clean and tidy.

PS: If you have an en-suite make sure you always keep the door closed and toilet seat down.

Feng Shui plays an important part in your relationship and romance, follow the twelve tips below and you will be fighting them from your door.

1) THE SOUTH WEST CORNER - This segment of your house is where love reigns and you should pay special attention to it. It governs the luck of love, romance and family happiness.

2) SOUTH WEST CORNER - If you wish to improve your existing relationship, place a family photo in your south west corner of your home, make sure it is a happy photo or even a painting of a family. If you wish to enhance your romance luck place a Dragon headed tortoise with a piece of red ribbon in his mouth .

3) CHANDELIER - Hanging a chandelier or crystal sphere/ball in the Southwest corner of your home is wonderful for activating the chi energy that stimulates romance. This introduces fire into this segment, which has Earth as its presiding element to bring love luck.

4) SOFT LIGHTING - Soft or pastel colour lampshades with soft lighting in the Southwest creates an atmosphere of romance which in itself is known to "put you in the mood". Needless to say, harsh lighting and spotlights are definitely to be avoided here.

5) CANDLES - Candles in all shapes, sizes and color are suggestive of love. Apart from giving your area a warm glow, it also enhances the entire look of your home, while enhancing romance. Remember however, to put them out so that they don't pose a fire hazard in your home.

7) CRYSTALS - Natural crystals are one of the best symbols of mother earth. Rose quartz and yellow citrine are crystals that work well to bring you lots of love luck. Place these crystals in the form of pebbles or larger forms like the raw Amethyst in the Southwest corner of your living room to energize love.

8) PINK BED SHEETS - Pink sheets raise subtle yang energy, which enhances feelings of love and romance in those who seek conjugal bliss in the bedroom.

9) BE HONEST - Talk openly about your relationship and ways that you feel you could improve it.

10) Buy a indoor water fountain and place it in the south-west corner of your home, you will be amazed at the effect this can have on a relationship, or encourage a new one.

11) A wise man puts his foot down, only to shift positions when arguing with his wife.

12) Use Crystals spheres in your home to activate chi.

Here are 16 tips to Feng Shui your bedroom. Make this all-important room a sanctuary:

1) Ideally, the bedroom should be as far away as possible from the front door, mirroring the practice of our prehistoric ancestors who did not sleep in the mouth of their cave.

2) On entering your bedroom, note where the windows are located. Chi tends to travel between the door and any windows, so avoid positioning your bed in line with this ‘draught’ of chi.

3) Position your bed so that you can see the door from where you sleep. This gives you a deep sense of inner security.

4) If it is feasible, position your bed as far away from the door as possible.

5) Avoid sleeping with your head close to a window as your chi will dissipate through the window and make you feel more tired on awakening.

6) If you have a bathroom, toilet or shower leading off your bedroom, make sure that the toilet door is always shut while you are asleep.

7) To help you protect your own chi while you are asleep, to internalize it and recharge it, make sure you have a strong, stable headboard. Chi energy enters and exits the body through the feet, hands and the top of the skull, Having a solid ‘mountain’ behind you while you sleep is far more beneficial than a cold, blank wall or worse, the cutting chi of an ornate brass bedstead.

8) If you sleep with another person, note the position of your bed relative to the wall that it is up against. Is it equidistant--in the middle of the wall? This is vital in a relationship as it gives both individuals who share the bed equality in the relationship. A shared bed crammed into the corner of a room, is giving more freedom of chi to the individual on the open side whereas the partner will literally and symbolically feel up against a wall.

9) Make sure all bedside tables have rounded edges and not square to prevent cutting chi being focused towards the occupants. If two sleep in the bed, ensure matching beside tables on either side for added stability and protection in the relationship.

10) Ceiling beams above the bed are a Feng Shui nightmare. They can be a source of cutting chi and the beams carry a tremendous load, and this pressure is focused into the beams generating chi which continues downwards, placing direct pressure on you while you sleep. Some tips:
Paint the beams; drape fabric over the beams; hang bamboo flutes 2-3 inches below the beam to soften the load (the flutes are hung at a 45 degree angle to the beam with the mouthpiece downwards).

11) If you sleep with another, make sure your bed is symbolic of this relationship. Beds that are rickety or likely to fall part speak volumes about the state of the relationship.

12) Given that the bedroom is a more yin environment, the lighting that you choose needs to reflect this. Soft lighting is ideal. Avoid having ceiling lamps right directly over your bed.

13) Pastel colors are ideal.

14) Avoid sleeping with your image visible in a mirror. the worst scenario of all is a mirror at the foot of your bed.

15) Place something beautiful that inspires you where you first look in the morning.

16) Pay attention to what is under your bed. Keep the space clear and get rid of any unwanted items there.

1) There should be no shoes or slippers lying around outside the main door of your house. Remove it if you can. Allow that space at the main door to be free and clear. The chi (energy) rides with the wind and will collect all the smell of those shoes and slippers into your house causing sickness. Ch’i then travels about in your house looking for water to stay but if there are no water fountains or fish tanks, then the Ch’i will be dispersed by wind.

2) There should be no television sets in your bedrooms: If you cannot get rid of that habit then after watching the television cover it with a plastic table cloth. Remember it has to be plastic and not simply cloth.

3) There should be no mirrors opposite your bed or at the side of your bed. Mirrors opposite the bed can attract a third party to the relationship. Therefore, do not place mirrors anywhere you like and especially in your bedroom.

4) Place an indoor water fountain in your home, position in a favourable area to attract whatever you want in your life.

5) If you already have a fish tank in your house, be careful. A fish tank placed correctly can bring about greater fortune, as you will tap on the "Divine Water Dragon's Den". But if you tap wrongly, it can cause you to have lawsuits, bankruptcy, work pressure, troubles and problems. If you noticed any of these after placing the fish tank for approximately four months, shift your fish tank to another location.

6) In your kitchen, ensure that opposite your stove there is no refrigerator, washing machine, washbasin and toilet. The fire and water crash causing family members to have disagreements.

7) Try not to allow children to sleep on mattresses on the floor. Yes, this allows young children not to fall off beds but it also causes young children to fall sick frequently. The reason is: chi is not able to flow underneath the bed. Ideally, chi should circulate around the mattress where our children sleep to allow them to be healthy.

8) For young children, try to have their back to the wall when they write. It is important there should be a solid wall behind a children's writing table. This allows the child to have support so that he can sit there and study longer rather than for only half an hour and then they tend to move about because there is no solid wall behind their back. Adjust your writing table.

9) Do not allow children to sleep on double bunk beds even if it means saving space. The child sleeping underneath will not have "fresh chi" and so his health might be weak. But if due to space constraints, then monitor your child's health if not add in a metal 6 rods wind chime or a crystal sphere, to break up the "stale chi" around his bed.

10) Your bed should always have a solid wall behind you. This is important if you wish to have a good rest. A solid wall simply means that you can go into deeper sleep and therefore enabling you to have good rest so that when you wake up in the morning, you will feel fresh and well rested. This also allows you to be able to concentrate on your work better.

11) There should be no beam on top of your bed. The beam above causes chi to be pressured thus enabling you to have pressures in life. Therefore, don't place furniture underneath it or alternatively level the beam. But make sure if you choose the latter, it is important that you have enough height for that space.

12) If you have a lot of work pressure, maybe it's the marble table that you have in your dinning room that causes you to have those problems. Remove that marble table and change to a wooden one or alternatively live with that work pressure!

13) If your child usually falls sick in that bedroom: Then either change them to another bedroom or simply hang a six rod metal wind chime as the metal element will break all the earth energies in that room. After hanging, if the wind could not do the job for you then you will have to "chime" it yourself and then watch for the good results.

14) Do not use a red sofa set: The colour red represent the element of fire. And for Feng Shui, some places simply cannot have the colour red in that sector. For example: the wealth area or some other sectors which without a Feng Shui check would be unable to tell you where it is. A red sofa sets gives rise to heavy work pressure, troubles and obstacles.

15) Always open your bedroom windows at least once 20 minutes a day to allow fresh chi to come in, we do this so that it allows fresh new chi from outside to come into your bedroom, if not, you will be sleeping with stale chi every night. And if that happens, then how can you expect your life to bring in more good fortune to come to you? So open that window and never mind if dusts comes in! The great good fortune that you can have will far exceeds the time you take to clean off the dust.