Q&A Sunday: A Blocked Entry

I have a small tree, or bush, right in front of my entry door. What does this mean feng shui wise and how can I remedy the situation?

Helena A., New York, NY

From a feng shui perspective, your entry door represents the face of your home and your face to the world. This is why it's so important to ensure that you keep a clean, uncluttered entry to your home so that positive energy and opportunities can easily find their way into your life.

A small bush or tree blocking your entry door may be problematic, as it may block the flow of energy and/or new opportunities into your home. Whether or not this is acceptable really depends on your personal preferences and circumstances. If you’re retired, maybe you do not want to be easily seen and you don’t need opportunities coming to you. But if you’re looking for work, for clients or for even a romantic partner, then a small tree or bush in front of your door may block the chi from coming in.

So what you can do to feng shui-wise to remedy this situation?

I would hate to advise cutting down a tree or bush. Instead, try making the object an attractive feature that will draw energy towards your home. For example, hang lights on the tree and transform it into something that attracts energy. Lights can invite positive energy and opportunities to your home.

Another option to treat the tree blocking the door is to clearly identify and differentiate the path to your front door. Even if the tree or bush is blocking the door directly, try adding natural stones, wood blocks or other elements of nature on each side of the walkway leading to your door. This will make your entry stand out, despite the tree. 

The feng shui goal is to create a welcoming doorway for positive energy, opportunities and good fortune to find its way to you. If you are faced with a naturally growing obstacle in front of your entry door, do take my above tips, if possible, to improve the entrance to your home. Always remember, much of feng shui is based on intention, so take care to establish an optimistic, welcoming intention for your entry.

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

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!

Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui for a Captain's Bed

We have a captain's bed in our bedroom, but it is built into the three walls, and the bed is not in command position. The bedroom is in the Benefactors area of my home. How do I adjust our room/bed to promote positive feng shui?

Brenda C., Ansley, NE

Hi Brenda, thank you for your question!

In New York City people are always trying to maximize their storage space, so this question comes up often. Although it seems like a great idea to utilize the space under your bed for storage, it is not positive for feng shui purposes, except in a guest bedroom. For those of you who are unfamiliar, a captain's bed is a bed that's typically on a platform of sorts with a lot of storage underneath.

Why are captain's beds, or loft beds, not good feng shui?

First of all, you are very close to the ceiling, which doesn’t allow much room for chi to move around you sufficiently. The pressure from the ceiling pushes energy down on you.

Second, the storage under the bed does not allow chi to flow around you and underneath. The best situation is one in which there is space under the bed as well as plenty of room above.

Third, this bed is tucked into an alcove, closed on three sides. Feng shui-wise, it's best if only the headboard is up against the wall so your growth is not limited.

In addition, because of the bed's location on the feng shui map, this may indicate and create stuck energy in regard to benefactors in your life. You may find yourself with fewer helpful people in your life. We make money, improve our careers and find a lot of success by surrounding ourselves with supportive and resourceful people. When we are having difficulties, it’s a great idea to surround ourselves with positive people. 

The best suggestion is to get another bed. If that cannot be done, can you move the storage above and the mattress below? Be sure to reduce the storage on top. Avoid any objects negative in nature under or above your bed. If possible, relocate the storage out from underneath the bed completely. Remember, what storage you do put on top, be selective about it, and if possible move as much of this storage as you can outside of your bedroom.

I hope this helps! I can only give so much assistance without a full consultation, but thank you so much for being such a great supporter of my blog. I know you read regularly, and I appreciate all your comments and support.

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

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!

Q&A Sundays: Using Feng Shui Crystal Balls

I bought a feng shui crystal a long time ago because it was pretty but I have no idea how to use it properly in my home. Help!

Jennifer K., Yonkers, NY

Feng shui crystals are used to adjust the flow of energy in a space. They are particularly effective for bringing light, brilliance and clarity to home or office space. Feng shui crystal balls are made of faceted glass, as shown here. I often recommend Swarovski leaded crystal glass balls, which refract the most light because of the lead content. Note, the lead is not harmful to you.

These feng shui crystals are easy to find online (check out the crystals at my store), and they come in various sizes. For feng shui purposes, most interior spaces should use crystals of 40mm or larger. In feng shui, it is also very important to hang feng shui crystal balls using a red cord.  Red is a very auspicious color and represents protection.  It’s even better if the cord can be a length that equals a multiple of 9 – like 9”, 18,” 27” etc.

Although there are many applications for feng shui crystals, they are best prescribed by a feng shui practitioner. However, there are some general uses that I can share with you.

Bring Light to your Entry 

Place a feng shui crystal ball in a dark or small entry to expand the space and attract positive energy, which then disperses the good chi into your home.

Clarity for your Mediation practice

Place a feng shui crystal ball above your meditation seat or just in front of you such that you can see it. It will expand and provide clarity in your practice to create harmony and peace within your inner and outer spaces.

Focus your Career

Place a feng shui crystal ball directly above your head while sitting at your desk. Be sure it’s fastened well and secured. The crystal will assist in focusing your energy specifically in light of your career and the work you do.

You can also click HERE to watch an eHow.com video on how to use feng shui crystals.

Thank you for your question Jennifer. It is actually a common one, and hope it helps you and the other readers. 

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

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!