Feng Shui & The Color Black

Guest User December 23, 2020

In feng shui, black is related to wisdom and knowledge, as well as the water element. It’s also connected to the kan area of the bagua map, which represents your career and path in life. Black is a very yin color. It’s a more passive color, rather than an active one. It can also be contemplative.

Black is also the combination of all colors, so it symbolizes depth as well as the incorporation of all things. I practice Black Sect Tantric Buddhist Feng Shui, also known as BTB Feng Shui. The Professor who brought BTB feng shui to the west said that it is inclusive of all schools of feng shui. We never speak poorly of any other school. Instead, we look at how to work with the best and most applicable aspects of all feng shui knowledge. This is one example of how black can symbolize depth and incorporation of many different things.

Too much black might not be the most appropriate for a home interior because it absorbs light, and can feel too dark and depressing. However, it’s a great choice for dramatic accent pieces. I would say that 95% of the home renovations I’ve done in the past three years include black. It’s quite a dramatic and beautiful color, and it’s really having a moment. I would definitely recommend including black in your home to bring in visual drama. You can also bring in black accents with intention to cultivate wisdom and knowledge. Black chalkboard paint is a fun way to incorporate black into your home decor, and it creates a lot of drama when paired with a contrasting white wall.

Another characteristic of black is that it absorbs energy. If you’ve ever been out on a hot summer day wearing all black, or walked on a black pavement on a sunny day, you know that the color black absorbs heat from the sun. Similarly, black can absorb energy. Black crystals like black tourmaline or obsidian have been known to absorb energies, especially negative energies. You can set up grids of black crystals under your bed or in your home with the intention that they will absorb anything negative and help to protect you.

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Q&A Sunday: Is a Spiky Cactus Good Feng Shui?

Anjie Cho December 20, 2020

A business colleague gave me this lovely little cacti garden in a little earthen ware pot as a “thank you” present. It is a gift that really touched me. I’ve had it in my little office on a bookshelf. It’s doing really well there in that corner, but I wondered if I could ask you where optimum placement would be. That seems to be "Relationship area" for the office, and I suddenly thought probably not great placement! It's got two spiky cacti, two succulents that I think are aloes, and one that I think is a little jade plant.

Sharon R., New York, NY

Hi Sharon,

This is a wonderful question to share on Q&A Sundays, because the question about spiky cactus plants comes up often. The general rule of thumb is that if you use a plant for feng shui purposes, it’s better if the leaves are rounded and smooth, rather than spiky and sharp.

In your situation, the sharpness of the cactus may cause spiky and touchy relationships in your business life, because it’s in the Relationship area of your office. Of course this isn’t ideal. But does this seem like this is something that is arising in your career relationships? A plant doesn’t always have to be a feng shui adjustment, and it doesn’t always necessarily affect your feng shui, especially if you have very strong and pleasant business relationships. And this might be the case since you receive this as a gift from a business relationship.

Another aspect to consider is that if you have very deep fondness for it, it may be okay. Or if you are especially attracted to this cactus, maybe you do need some spikiness in your business relationships to protect yourself. Maybe you can be a pushover and let people walk over you.

Also you mentioned that there are some aloe plants, which are spiky, yet very healing. So it really depends. If you really love this plant and the placement, you could also manicure it very carefully, maybe trim the sharp points from time to time, which can be a metaphor for giving attention to those difficult business relationships. Depending on your situation, there’s not necessarily a “better” place to put it, but I think all of this gives you many things to ponder on.

My intuition is telling me you should keep it there and remember that although the plant is sharp and spiky, you can offer it special attention and love to make it a positive thing. Sometimes being a little tough is good when it comes to business relationships, isn’t it?

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday". If you have personal questions, we encourage you to check out Practical Feng Shui or hire one of Anjie's Grads.

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Be Bright. Choose White.

Anjie Cho December 16, 2020

White is usually the default color for a space. But there is a big difference between leaving a room unpainted, and thus having the walls remain white, and deliberately CHOOSING white as your color.

A white room can be beautiful, luxurious, and rich. But more than just looking great, the color white affects us physically and mentally.

White represents innocence, goodness, cleanliness and simplicity. It encourages us to clear clutter and obstacles – in our home and our minds. In feng shui, white is related to the metal element. Metal is about precision and elegance. This pure color evokes purification of our thoughts and our actions and aids in mental clarity.

Classic white is bright and can create a sense of open space and cheerfulness, but it can also feel cold or bland. To assure that you don’t create a sterile, unfriendly atmosphere, here are a few tips:

Blend several tints of white (ivory, beige, linen) in the room.
Use various textures in your walls, floor coverings, and textiles to create an elegant, sophisticated room.
Layer your whites: add a rug, chenille throw, pillows, frames, etc.
Use other colors on the walls, but paint all your moldings white for a clean, fresh look.
To create a beachy atmosphere, use white accents in accessories, wainscoting, and gauzy fabrics.
Instead of pure white, choose creamy shades of white add to a cozy, warm atmosphere.
Use neutral white as an accent to make your other colors pop.

To enjoy the psychological effects of the color white, you don't need a lot of it. Accents like cream-colored window frames and doors can lift the look and feel of a whole room.

If you love the feeling of crisp freshness, remember to choose white deliberately. You can consciously add a sense of purity, cleanliness and spirituality to your home.

Here’s to hope, light, and fresh beginnings.

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com