Q&A Sunday: Positive Thoughts with Feng Shui

Anjie Cho May 3, 2020

How do I create positive thoughts?

Balbir G.

Hi Balbir,

This is an interesting question. Since I’m coming from a feng shui perspective, I’ll talk about cultivating positive thoughts in terms of feng shui. My beliefs and my heart would lead me to suggest that the best way to create positive thoughts is to start a meditation practice. There are a few ways to look at this through the lens of feng shui. I’ll talk about two ways that feng shui can help you start a meditation practice.

First, you can activate the gen area of the bagua, which is related to self-cultivation, self-knowledge, and skillfulness. It’s the dark blue area on the bagua map. There are many ways to activate this area of the bagua; a few ways are to add dark blue, add a plant, ring bells, or declutter this area. If you’re not happy with the way your life is going, it may be time to reflect and get to know yourself better, so this area of the bagua can be a helpful one to focus on.

The other area you can work on is zhen, the green area of the bagua map, which is related to new beginnings and family. This is a good area to activate if you want to start something new, whether it’s a meditation practice, or a shift in perspective. This area is related to the colors green and blue, so you can incorporate those colors into your home or your wardrobe. You can also add the wood element, in the form of plants or column shapes in your home. Similarly to the self-knowledge area, you can also activate the new beginnings area by giving it some extra attention; try decluttering or spending more time there.

It’s always important to do these things intentionally. Know that the physical change you’re making in your home is a mirror for what will happen on the inside. That’s a key factor in feng shui; the inside and outside are interdependent, and they work together.

If you have any questions about how to lay the bagua on your home, check out our posts about the bagua map or sign up for Mindful Design’s next Practical Feng Shui class.

Thank you for your question, I hope that helps!

by Anjie Cho

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Five Wallpapers for the Five elements

Anjie Cho April 29, 2020

Here’s some of my new favorite wall papers that express the five elements!

FIRE ELEMENT

The Fire element is represented by the color red, and this is definitely a fiery wall paper.

This leaves form triangular shapes, which also represent the Fire element. Fire element is about inspiration, passion, and being recognized in the world.

Not only is this a statement piece for your home, it’s impressive how easy it is this put up this wallpaper. They take the headache out of a DIY wallpaper installation.

Available at: PHOTOWALL

special code: anjiecho25

for 25% discount on any product at PHOTOWALL good through May 29, 2020

WOOD ELEMENT

Wood element is all about new beginnings and is related the colors blue and green. This is a beautiful wallpaper, the blue is perfect to inspire the wood element in your home.

Also, Feldspar is a group of rock-forming minerals, one of which is my favorite Labradorite, which has a green/blue iridescence.

Gorgeous!

Available at: flatvernacular.com

WATER ELEMENT

Wavy patterns and very dark colors like black and charcoal invoke the Water element. This is an elegant example of both.

I also love that you can install it vertically or horizontally! Vertically it’s like a waterfall, and horizontally it feels more placid and still like a deep ocean.

Available at: Studioprintworks.com

EARTH ELEMENT

Earthy colors and neutrals are very supportive and stable. The square shapes in this wallpaper quiet and subtle wall paper also welcome the earth element.

It’s also good for your self-care because this “peel-and-stick” wall paper is forgiving and easy to install!

Available at: timberleaMineral-Etsy

METAL ELEMENT

We fell in love with this charming wallpaper. The cool and metallic colors as well as the circular shapes beckon the Metal element in your space. The metal element invites in beauty, joy and precision.

It’s lovely design is versatile and can be hung in a variety of rooms such as a nursery or foyer.

Available at: Aimee Wilder

by Anjie Cho

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Q&A Sunday: Laying the Bagua on a Room with Two Doors

Anjie Cho April 26, 2020

Hi!I am reading your Holistic Spaces book and I have tried to find an answer to this on your website but so far no luck.... what if your room has 2 doors? Which way do you put the map as that would totally change the outcome. I appreciate your help and if you have a Frequently Asked Questions page, please let me know!

Linsey R.

Hi Linsey,

That’s a great question. We often get asked how to lay the bagua, or feng shui energy map, when your home has more than one door. You always want to use the formal or official front door, because that’s where qi (energy) enters the home. You use this door to lay the bagua even if that’s not the door you generally use.

It’s very common, especially in many areas of the U.S., to not use the formal front door. Often people use a back door or garage door instead. Because the front door is where energy enters the home, this can limit the opportunities that are available to you, so it’s important to start using your official front door if you can. It can be as simple as making an effort to use the front door when you get your mail; opening and closing your front door will activate it, and will help you start to welcome more opportunities and resources into your life.

You can also place the bagua map on an individual room. I often recommend that people who are not practitioners start by laying the bagua on their bedroom, because it can be much simpler than laying the bagua on a whole house. If your room has two doors, you also want to use the door that feels like the official front door. It’s not ideal to have multiple doors leading to your bedroom, as it can mean that things are a little complicated in your life.

Doors also represent communication, the mouth, and how you connect with the world. I worked on a project where the original front door was closed up and made into a window, and they had added a side door that became the front door. This meant that there was a voice that was blocked or not being heard in the home.

I hope that helps!

by Anjie Cho