Q&A Sunday: Prayer Wheels on Ceiling Fans

Thank you for your podcast. I have a question about making a prayer wheel from your ceiling fan. I have always been interested in prayer wheels, but I was wondering if the prayer wheel (ceiling fan) turning counterclockwise during the summer is still auspicious. Perhaps the direction that the fan spins does not matter, but I wanted to make sure that if I print mantras and attach them to the top that it is spinning in the correct way to enhance the benefit.

Barbra, Pittston Twp, PA

Hi Barbra,

Thank you for your email! I love that you are interested in making your ceiling fan a prayer wheel. I personally think this is a beautiful adjustment. Your question is very thoughtful!

It is thought that in order to utilize their ceiling fans year-round, people can switch the direction from counter-clockwise, during the summer, to clockwise, during the winter. This adjustment switches the fan from pushing cool air down, when it turns counter-clockwise, to slowly pulling cooler air up and redistributing warm air, when it turns clockwise during the winter. We're assuming you do this!

Traditionally the prayer wheel is turned clockwise. In Buddhist walking meditation, we also walk clockwise. The clockwise direction creates a tightening, whereas a counter-clockwise loosens. Like a screw, righty tighty and lefty-loosey, right? I just learned recently that most of the planets, including the sun, rotate counter-clockwise, which makes sense because the universe is constantly expanding. It’s loosening, rather than getting smaller. You can read about it here! 

But when we read in western culture, we read left to right, which corresponds to the clockwise direction. Therefore, I agree with you that it’s more effective to place the characters or syllables of the mantra so that when they're positioned, they are unfolding in a left to right direction. But if you've had it set up so it does not read in the left to right direction, remember, your intention is what's more important. Also the direction of the fan changes depending on how you look at the fan. Whether you look up or if you are above looking down, your perspective on the direction changes.

Creating a prayer wheel without taking this into consideration isn't necessarily wrong, but it can enhance this adjustment if it's something you've noticed and are thinking about. Whether the fan is turning clockwise or counter-clockwise is really all in your perspective, so adhering to this guideline is the best way to go. 

Ultimately, I would recommend not letting the process get too complicated and remembering the intention! Remember that BTB feng shui is all about intention, and if you're going through the effort of creating the prayer wheel in the first place, chances are you have this down! 

by Anjie Cho

The World's Favorite Color: 50 Shades of Blue

Thinking about using blue in your home? You’re not alone. The color of water and sky is universally popular.  Blue is consistently regarded as the color most people prefer. 

Blue is a complex and sometimes contradictory color, yet it is rich with rewards — if you know how to use it.  There are many shades of blue, so which do you choose?

The Many Moods of Blue

Finding the right blue is determined by matching the tone or shade to the occasion. Let’s explore some of blue’s moods so that we can find the right shade of blue for you and your room.   

• On the dark end of the spectrum, blue invokes trust, intelligence, and authority. 

• A bright blue, in the middle of the spectrum, can suggest cleanliness (thanks to associations with water), strength, or dependability. 

• At the light end of the spectrum, a ‘sky’ blue can inspire feelings of serenity and calm. 

If you’re thinking about how you can use blue, let’s talk first about the room in question and match the use of that room with specific characteristics of blue.  

Putting Blue to Work for You 

When choosing blue for a space, be sure that the room’s function matches the color’s tone. 

If the room is one in which mental stimulation is required, like an office, try a brighter blue – on the darker end of the spectrum. It will help to create an engaging and dynamic mood for the room. From a color psychology perspective, blue is reliable and responsible, so if you want to take on those qualities, work in a darker blue room.

If you have a room in which calm or peace is desired (bathroom, yoga or meditation room), opt for a light ‘sky’ blue. Pale blue can actually lower pulse rate and body temperature, evoking feelings of relaxation. There’s a reason that so many spas include blue in their color palettes!

If you are thinking of painting your kitchen or dining room blue, remember the physical effects of this color.  Because it relaxes the body and lowers pulse rate, it is also reducing metabolism. So food may not taste as good in a blue room. And since blue is rarely seen in fruits and vegetables, it is not thought of as an appetizing color. If blue is your choice for eating areas, try placing blue accessories around the room: rugs, seat cushions, placemats, plates, glassware, vases and flowers. You may find that this is ‘blue enough’ for you.

From ‘blue ribbon’ prizes and IBM’s supercomputer Deep Blue, to the Blue Room in the White House, there are many great reasons for using this soothing color.

by Anjie Cho

Q&A Sunday: Daybeds and Feng Shui

I was listening to your Episode #12 and was wondering what your feeling is on daybeds; I live in a studio and have a daybed that acts as a couch and my twin size bed. The space simply cannot accommodate a larger bed. Do you have any recommendations as it relates to modifying the space to make it more auspicious for attracting a partner?

Rita P., Queens, NY

Hi Rita! 

Thank you so much for listening my podcast (including Episode #12: Making Space for Love) … and also thank you so much for writing in!

Yes, daybeds. I remember they were so popular when I was a teenager. My sister begged my mom for a daybed so her friends could come over and sleep on the bed that you could pull out below.

In this case, you only have the twin bed and nothing below. I very much understand that in studio apartments you only have so much room, and if a twin bed or a daybed that acts as a sofa is all that you can manage, then it is what it is. 

As I discussed in the podcast, a twin bed, with the long end against a wall, is not the most ideal for attracting a partnership, because it’s not exactly open on both sides.

In addition, the twin size only accommodates one person comfortably, and with the long side against the wall, if you could somehow both squeeze in, one partner may feel trapped! We definitely don’t want that, do we? 😃

Some possible solutions may be: 

- Upgrade to a pull out sofa or futon that becomes a larger bed (I understand that you may not have room for that either).

- Get an additional twin bed that pulls out from under the daybed to make it a larger bed. When using this bed with the split, be sure to use a red sheet under any other sheets to mend the split.

If none of this is possible, listen to the podcast again. Look at some of the other love-related blog posts, and use the other tools to attract love, such as activating the opposite gua, self-knowledge, and keeping the bed clean underneath. I would also suggest the most basic feng shui cures, like making sure the bed is in commanding position. 

A bed that can comfortably accommodate two is, of course, the best option for welcoming love, but if your space doesn't permit that, there are plenty of ways to show the universe you're looking for a partner! If your daybed isn't going anywhere anytime soon, aim for these other feng shui adjustments and remember that intention is one of the most important aspects!

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday" .  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers.  Click here to submit any Feng Shui questions!