15 Ways to Get Rid of Negative Energy in Your Home

featured this month on CountryLiving by Lauren Smith

Everyone experiences gloomy Sunday afternoon feelings from time to time. But if your home feels like it's been in a constant state of the blues, it's time to banish those negative, sad and downright depressing vibes that can have a dramatic effect on your mood once and for all. Trust us, you do want to try these techniques at home.

Be Sure to Repair or Remove Broken Things

Even though you've been meaning to get around to fixing that office chair, it might not be worth holding onto. "Broken things bring that stuck and negative energy into your home," says Anjie Cho, Feng Shui and holistic living expert and founder of Holistic Spaces. 

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An Introduction to Using Color in Feng Shui - Part 3

We've been talking all things color and feng shui lately, and we've made it to the final installment of our Introduction to Using Color in Feng Shui! This time we'll cover when and how to use the colors red, black, pink and peach to enhance your holistic space and let the universe know your needs and desires. 

Reds

Red is the most auspicious color in the world of feng shui, related to passion, fame and recognition, including the Recognition area of the bagua map. Shades of red can invoke passion in any sense from romantic to enthusiasm for work and more. 

Because it is such a strong color, adding shades of red to your spaces requires a bit more caution. In fact, the best way to add red to your home is to do so sparingly, adding pops of color in certain areas, like the Recognition area of your home, home office or desk. To add passion to your bedroom, opt for a new red blanket, artwork including red colors or some sexy underwear! 

Blacks

Shades of black are related to wisdom and knowledge in feng shui, so if you're looking for those in your life, consider adding a few dark hues! 

Black is also the most yin color on the feng shui scale, representing contemplation, but as in any situation, it's important to maintain balance. Too much black can lead to an excessively dark space, which can be very depressing. If you're looking to add some black shades to your home, look to do so with accent pieces, or even an accent wall. This way you can bring color into your space without darkening the mood and energy.

You can also add black tourmaline, a protective crystal, to your space to absorb negative energy (including that from EMFs) and provide a positive atmosphere. 

Pinks and Peaches

If you're seeking romance, as so many of my feng shui clients are, pay special attention to these colors! Shades of pink and peach are nurturing, romantic and soft and are related to the Relationship area of the bagua map as well as to the concepts of youthfulness and joy. In the feng shui remedy, "peach blossom luck," shades of peach can assist in attracting a romantic partner.  

Unlike stronger colors, like red and black, pinks and peaches are perfect as wall colors, as they flatter most skin tones and create the same effect as "rose-colored glasses." If you're looking for romance, opt for peachy colors on your bedroom walls to let the universe know you're ready to be part of a loving couple. You can even wear peach to enhance this desire, but be sure to change your colors (or at least the intention behind them) once you meet someone special!

If you've read all three parts of our introduction to color, you've essentially got the basics of color and feng shui down. When adding color to your holistic space, be sure to pay close attention to the meanings of each shade as well as your intention behind using it. If you're looking to go deeper with the feng shui aspect of your space, pick up 108 Ways to Create Holistic Spaces or seek out a feng shui expert who understands your vision!

by Anjie Cho


Q&A Sunday: Chinese Astrology for Tigers

I'm excited to have stumbled upon you via Pinterest. I found a link for your podcast, started listening, and it really fed my interest in feng shui and Chinese astrology. I'm moving into a new apartment next month and am soaking up all the knowledge and expertise you offer...thank you!! I have a small question related to astrology. I'm looking for a strong resource for a 2016 Tiger astrology reading. I'm confused about my career and the next steps to take and would love some clarity! Do you have any suggestions on this? Thank you so much!

Jennifer S., Madison, WI

Hi Jennifer, 

Congratulations on the move, and thank you so much for following the podcast and blog! I'm happy to hear you're finding them helpful. :) I hope you get settled well into your new apartment! Be sure to check out our tips for that too!

I can tell you some basics about the Tiger in a Monkey (2016) year. In the Chinese Zodiac system, there’s a wheel that shows the relationships between different animals. I’ve included an image above. You can see that Tiger and Monkey are actually diagonal from each other which indicates an opposing relationship. Now, this doesn’t mean it’s “bad,” but it does indicate a challenging year for you. Similarly, Horse and Rat are opposites, Dog and Dragon and so forth.

What does a challenging year mean? Well, you may need to face the qualities of the Monkey which are not as easy or natural for you. And challenges give you an opportunity to grow and stretch, right? Monkeys are playful and clever, they can maneuver through most situations. On the other hand, Tigers are more humble and grounded. So it’s possible that a Tiger in a Monkey year will feel a bit ungrounded and learn to be a bit more premeditative about how they move forward.

You can also carry a charm with you that is a three-dimensional representation of the year animal’s best friend. In the Monkey year, this would be the Snake, and you can find one in the Holistic Spaces store! The idea in Chinese Astrology is that when you carry a charm of the year animal's best friend, the year animal will see that image of its friend and be so enamored that it brings you no harm. So you can see why carrying one brings protection and good luck!

In my podcast with Doris Ingber, Welcome 2016 Chinese New Year with the Fire Monkey, she goes into her forecast for the Tiger in 2016, and we also chat about the Four Pillars, Chinese astrology that uses the zodiac animals. In the Four Pillars, you have an hour, day, month and year animal. So there is much more to learn! I’m not sure about any accurate online sources for the Four Pillars, but I highly recommend seeking out a practitioner for a Four Pillars reading. Doris Ingber is great. I also can recommend another good friend, Beth Grace, who also has a monthly newsletter with more info. They would both be great at giving you guidance on your career path. And of course feng shui always helps! Keep an eye out for an upcoming blog post about how to clarify your career path with feng shui! Thanks for the idea! :)

by Anjie Cho


Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday" (formerly “Question of the Month”).  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers.  Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!