featured this month on Over the Moon

The Autumnal Equinox is on September 23rd and marks the end of summer. If you’re familiar with the feng shui “bagua” map, there is an area called “Completion” that’s related to the color white, the season of autumn, the element of yin metal, the number seven and the element of joy.

In the feng shui and five-element philosophy, this time of year is related to the after-harvest. In agricultural times, the harvest was the culmination of the hard work of tending to your crops. The harvest was also a difficult task, but afterward, the farmers could finally rest and relax. It’s a time of celebration and joy.

As we're moving into the Autumn, I wanted to share three ways to bring joy into your home using feng shui.

Bring in Fresh Flowers

Fragrant, fresh flowers attract joy and transformation into the home. My feng shui teachers taught me that the scent of fresh flowers can lift the energy in a home and alleviate depression. The vibrant colors bring beauty into the home and the harmonic, fractal patterns in nature, particularly flowers, soothe and comfort. Place fresh flowers in the entry, living room and bedroom areas of your home for joy. Be sure to change the water frequently and toss any dead material.

Clear Space with the Sound of Metal

In five element theory, metal is related to joy. I love using brass bells or tingsha (Tibetans metal cymbals) to activate clarity and joy into a space. You can also use a metal wind chime. Be sure the sound produced is pleasing to you. The easiest way to use the metal sound is to circumambulate the space, meaning walk around the perimeter. I start at the front door and walk clockwise through the entire space. That metal sound can cut through confusion and darkness and invite joy.

Nine Fresh Oranges

Oranges are used in many feng shui adjustments to bring happiness and joy into an environment. The color orange is related to the earth element which feeds and creates metal, and metal is related to joy. The scent of oranges also invokes feelings of wellbeing and joy. The life-affirming bright scent just makes you happy! The shape of oranges are round, which is also related to the metal element and symbolize completeness. The circle has no end and no beginning but is continuous and complete. Even the number nine is the auspicious number of completion in feng shui. Placing nine fresh oranges in a bowl in the center of a room in your home can inspire joy.

I hope these three feng shui adjustments will help bring more joy into your home and life.

by Anjie Cho