Here's What To Put On Your Walls To Be In A Good Mood Every Damn Day

featured this week on MindBodyGreen by Emma Loewe

While a minimalist mentality will probably never go out of style, we're noticing a new trend in home design: one that's less stark and more showy, less uniform and more flexible. Color has found its way into the muted, hushed feeds of popular design blogs, and the homes we visit for dinner parties are starting to look like people actually live in them.

Instead of keeping the house incredibly tidy and organized, we're starting to encourage a little mess—granted, thoughtful mess. Spaces that are curated with items of personal significance are becoming the norm, and possibilities for creativity abound.

4. Add an element of sound.

In feng shui, metal represents clarity and freshness. Architect and feng shui expert Anjie Cho recommends working metal accessories like bells or wind chimes into your design to pull in some of this joyful energy. "Be sure to select metal accessories that make sounds that are pleasing to you and hang them slightly off the wall so they can actually make some noise when a breeze comes by," she adds. "You can also sing along to some uplifting music while you decorate to really imprint your intention into this new accent wall."

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The Incredible Healing Power of Palo Santo

Palo Santo.jpg

It's not news that we at Holistic Spaces love to use palo santo as a space clearing tool during feng shui adjustments and in general, but what's so special about this South American material that makes it so popular for this use and others? As it turns out, palo santo isn't just a better smelling alternative to sage smudging. Its meaning and uses have rich history and have been around for centuries. 

Palo santo, scientifically called Bursera graveolens after the tree from which it is derived, is a Spanish term meaning "holy wood." The Bursera graveolens tree grows in various parts of the South American coast, including Mexico, Ecuador and Peru's Yucatan Peninsula, and one of the things I love most about this tool is that it can only be harvested from dead trees or fallen limbs. The Peruvian government even has regulations to ensure this sustainable measure!

Palo santo has been used in spiritual ceremonies for years by folk practitioners and shamans and is widely recognized for its spiritual connections. The smoke of palo santo during a space clearing ceremony is thought to enhance creativity, bring good fortune, clear negative thoughts and evil spirits, and raise vibration. In fact, it is also used with meditation for all these reasons!  

While it is often used as a space clearing technique and insect repellant, the properties of palo santo are also beneficial in essential oil form. Palo santo is from the same family as frankincense and myrrh and can be helpful in treating colds, flu symptoms, depression and even some cancer symptoms. It is known for stimulating the immune system and fighting inflammation and, in Peruvian tradition, is used as a powerful oil for mental clarity 

Burned palo santo sticks can be reused (green living, anyone?), and the essential oils can be diffused or applied to the body directly with a carrier oil and as massage oil. It seems that the perks and uses for palo santo may be near endless! Have you used the sticks or oil in your holistic spaces?

by Anjie Cho

Q&A Sunday: Family Bedrooms and the Bagua

I love listening to your podcast! Our family has purchased a new home and are excited to be moving in, in a few weeks time. My children will have their bedrooms in the Abundance and Relationship areas respectively, with the Recognition area being shared by both of their rooms. I wonder if there is a more auspicious place to place each child?

My daughter is the first born, and I have heard you say that the Abundance area is represented by the first daughter. They have decided that my son will have that room, and she will have the room in the Relationship area which has no balcony and two smaller windows, compared to the bedroom with the big window and balcony. They want to swap bedrooms once a year so that they can each enjoy the balcony. I wonder if there is a better place for either of them and whether it is a good idea for them to swap once a year? My husband and I are on the other side of the house and our bedroom aligns with the Knowledge, Path in Life and Benefactors area.

Olga D., Brisbane, Australia

Hi Olga

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! 😃 

This is an interesting question, and I’m going to first comment on placing the two children in the rear of the home (with your room, the parents, in the front of the home). Ideally, you want to place the parents room further back beyond the center line of the home, because that places them more in command. With the children in the rear of the home, it may mean they are more in charge, or in command, of the family situation. But I’m guessing this is because the master bedroom is located where it is, and so we have to work with the situation, right? 

You are also correct that the Abundance area of the feng shui bagua map is related to the eldest daughter. The area related to the first son is actually the Knowledge area. My sense is that it's positive and encouraging that your son and daughter would like to swap bedrooms once a year so that they can both appreciate the larger window and balcony. It sounds like they have a balanced relationship. 

As far if there's a better room for either of them, in a full consultation we could look at the astrology and five elements of each child to see if there is a more beneficial area. However, I think the idea that your children came up with is a great idea, and I encourage it!

Please don't hesitate to let us know if further questions come up as you each set up your rooms and your home as a whole. You can also take a peek at Feng Shui Tips for Moving Into a New Home and Q&A Sunday: Kickstarting a New Beginning, Energetically and Spiritually for tips on moving!

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!

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