Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui Adjustments for Unused Doors

Thank you so much for answering my question! It is uncanny what you say about all the doors. We moved into this house 2.5 years ago with 9 people. We are down to 6 now, and we are indeed, all very loud and opinionated. There are often power struggles among the family members. The room in which I spend the most time (the kitchen) has doors to outside, a back hall, a pantry, a staircase, the basement, a bedroom, and the dining room. Is opening the door to let in light and solar heat sufficient, or should I open the storm door, too, and walk through it?

Judy S., Alstead, NH

Hi Judy,

It’s so nice to hear from you again. And…wow, that’s a lot of doors in your kitchen! 

In our previous post where we answered your question, we advised that even if you don't use your front door as the regular entrance, you should lay your bagua from there, and that it's also important to open that door on a regular basis. 

Your follow-up question regarding the door is “Is it enough to just open the door, or do you need to walk through it?” The answer is that it’s most beneficial if you walk through it. By walking through the door you activate it. A door is a portal for energy. In BTB feng shui we call your front door the “mouth of qi”. So, I would say, if possible, walk through the door. A little effort goes a long way!

And with regard to all the doors in your kitchen - as I said before there may be a lot of voices and opinions in the home, possibly conflicting. It would be helpful to place a feng shui faceted crystal ball in the center of the kitchen to provide clarity to those voices. We have them available at our shop here.

Perhaps it would be helpful to share your intentions with these adjustments with your family members so that everyone understands the significance of the doors and crystal and is on the same page. In either case, remember to walk through each door every nine days or so (not just once) and cut the cord for your feng shui crystal at a multiple of nine. These details will enhance your adjustments even more!

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 or Green Design questions!


The Household Items You Need To Throw Out ASAP (According To A Feng Shui Expert)

featured this week on MindBodyGreen

Did you know that the spaces around us directly affect the amount of stress and ease we feel in our day-to-day? The objects in our home speak to us on visible and invisible levels. The good news is that feng shui philosophy offers ancient wisdom on what we can let go of in our homes for more peace. Here are a few things that I recommend parting with as a feng shui practitioner:

1. Dried flowers

Dried and decaying flowers, branches, and leaves are a big feng shui no-no. At one point these living things held vibrant energy, but as they dried and decayed, they began to represent death and decline. There are, however, a few exceptions. If you have a bouquet of dried flowers that hold a lot of meaning for you, the memory and good chi associated with them can transform them into a positive object.

2. Pointy, sharp plants

Pointy plants such as cactuses symbolize a similar energy: sharp and prickly. If you seek to create a smooth and gentle flow in your space (and therefore your daily life), you need to get rid of plants that symbolize unease. Again, there are some exceptions, like when a certain cactus or prickly plant has a unique, positive association for you.

...read full article

by Anjie Cho


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My Favorite Things: 5 Indoor Planting Tools

Welcome to My Favorite Things! Each month, we highlight products to help you create a holistic lifestyle that inspires and nurtures you, so that you can be happier and feel supported.

April hosts one of our favorite holidays, Earth Day, coming up in a couple of weeks! There are many ways to go green, from making easy, small changes, to checking your carbon footprint or donating to great causes. You can also go green by adding a little actual greenery to your space! Look out for our list of indoor trees next week, but before then, take a peek at my favorite indoor plant necessities!


Hand Pruning Shears

Whether you're just keeping your plants up or sharing them through cuttings (which I love to do!), you'll need pruning shears if you're growing indoors. 

There are many varieties of hand shears, but it's important to make sure you choose a pair that is easy to use for you and strong enough for your plants. I love these pruning shears from Gardenite, because they're high quality, strong and the ratchet feature makes using them a breeze!

Available at: Amazon


Double Macrame Hanging Planter

Some of my favorite houseplants are hanging in windows in my bathroom and kitchen. Double hanging planters are the perfect tool for getting plants great light and brightening your space

This planter is handmade with natural cotton sourced locally in Canada and comes in three different lengths to match your space perfectly! I love the neutral color and gentle material. It's like cuddling your plants!

Available at: FreeFille


EM-1 Microbial Inoculant

My mother-in-law and her husband are plant experts who teach all around the world, and a few years ago, Hugh (her husband) recommended this conditioner for my houseplants. I love it!

EM-1 is great as a general conditioner for all plants and can fight issues like chlorine poisoning and more by creating healthy micro-organisms. Just add an ounce to a gallon of water!

Available at: TeraGanix


Recycled Glass Spray Bottle

Many plants, including at least one of our favorite indoor trees, require significant amounts of humidity in addition to just water in the soil. Keeping a spray bottle of water nearby is perfect for providing this indoors. 

This bottle is made from recycled glass and holds 8 ounces of water for small or larger houseplants. It's also BPA free, handmade and features a clean, holistic design that won't stick out like a sore thumb! 

Available at: Rail19


Ceramic Planter

Don't forget the most important thing for keeping nature in your holistic spaces - planters! The type of planter you use will depend on what your plant needs, but I love this handmade stoneware option from RehnWorks. 

These hand-thrown, hand-glazed planters are made to order, include drainage holes and are even available in larger sizes than listed. Not to mention they add a beautiful Wood element color to your space in addition to the plant itself! 

Available at: RehnWorks