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Ah!
The holidays are rapidly approaching. It's an exciting time of year where we gather
together with loved ones, exchange presents, partake in decorating our home and
Christmas tree, eat lots of good food, and yes, gain a few pounds. This time of
year is fun, right? Okay,
so making holiday preparations can be overwhelming. Many of us are dashing around
trying to find the perfect gifts for family and friends, stressing over the invitation
list, the table setting and centerpiece and deciding what to serve your guests.
Is the house festively decorated but clutter free? Oh yes, where should we place
that Christmas tree? Lots
to think about it, isn't there? Consider some of these Feng Shui tips to relieve
stress and help us to embrace the holidays. Tip
1: Clearing Clutter
In feng shui this is a very important step to take
prior to any decorating. During the holidays between the presents and gift wrapping,
decorations, and setting up the Christmas tree, we are accumulating more things
into our home so it can become quite cluttered. We need to take the time to sit
and feel the rooms we are decorating. Be conscious of things you do not need and
remove them. Keep in mind to feel balance and harmony we need to allow the chi
or energy to meander throughout your home. Keep things off the floor to prevent
stagnation and allow the chi to circulate freely. Tip
2: Space Clearing
Since this is an emotional time let's start off by space
clearing our home. I like using incense but you can burn some sage throughout
the house or spray with a pure essential oil of your choice. The idea here is
to alter the energy in the space which in turn will change the energy of your
guest who enters. Try keeping some sage or herbs burning by the front entranceway
to keep the outside energy, outside. Tip
3: Colors
Color plays an important role in determining our mood. The traditional
colors for the holidays are red and green; a lot of fire energy supported by a
lot of wood energy. Although red, in feng shui, is one of the most powerful colors,
its energy is aggressive. Too much red can provoke outbursts, so don't over do
it.
Since winter is a yin time of year because of less sunlight and cold temperatures,
using yang colors will help take away the holiday blues. Accent rooms you're entertaining
in with other strong yang colors such as gold, the spirit of love or browns and
earth tones representing home and comfort Tip
4: Tree Placement (Pine) East
(family), Southeast (wealth/abundance) - Since these directions are both wood
energy it would be a good idea to place your tree in the East or Southeast section
of your home. The Pine tree, whether real or artificial, is a Chinese symbol of
longevity. Although both will bring in wood energy only a healthy living tree
will add more vital chi.
If you can't use an East or Southeast direction for
any reason and you want to focus on wealth and abundance use the left hand corner
of any room from room door entry.
Decorate your tree with flowers, berries
or herbs, use colors of greens, blues, gold and browns, and include some columnar
shape ornaments. South
(fame/reputation) The South is another favorable compass direction for the placement
of your tree. This is the nurturing cycle of five element theory, wood generates
fire. Decorate with colors of red, green and purple. Yang up the tree with bright
lights, a sun, geometric or triangular shapes, ornaments of animal designs such
as the phoenix bird, reindeer and natural objects such as pine cones and acorns.
Keep in mind this is a fire element so you can balance out this energy by using
white lights, round shape ornaments and accenting with colors of blues, and silver.
Southwest (relationship)
Northeast (knowledge) Center (Heart) In the Southwest, Northeast or Center of
your home the Christmas tree will have a more neutral effect. These directions
are associated with earth. Here you can use lots of ceramic ornaments with square
and rectangular shapes, colors of yellow and earth tones, and touches of red in
your lights and bows. The Southwest is about relationships, so pairs of things
work well. Northeast is about knowledge so decorate with religious figures such
as the manger. West (creativity
& children) Placing a Christmas tree in the West section, will weaken the
metal chi associated with this area. Use colors of white and pastels in your bows
or lights, metallic ornaments in shapes of oval or round, and silver or gold tinsel.
Since it is an area representing children and creativity put a few Christmas dolls
there, hang some pictures of your children in round metal frames or ornaments
they might have made for the holiday. Northwest
(travel & helpful people)
Decorate with colors of gold, silver and white.
Use shiny ornaments and round or oval shapes. Cherubs, angels and chimes do well
here. The Wise men traveled to visit the baby Jesus so this area is a nice place
for the manger. North
(Career)-Placing your Christmas tree in the north (water element) will drain the
water energy so be sure your tree is always well watered. The color blue resonates
to this area so string up blue lights, crystal beaded garland and balls. Include
asymmetrical or wavy shape ornaments. Hang glass icicles and spray your branches
with snow to represent water. Tip
5: Promoting Harmony:
The front door and entry way are key points for opportunities
and bringing in good chi and a harmonious holiday. Make sure it is well lit, clean
and clutter free. Add a sense of calmness to those who enter by keeping some lavender
essential oil or Ylang Ylang incense burning by the front door. Have a basket
of ornaments in the foyer for your guests. Let them know you welcome their energy
by asking them to choose an ornament to hang on your tree. Remember
the idea is to keep balance and harmony throughout the holidays. In doing so,
we need to represent all five elements. The Chinese gave names to the different
kinds of energies at work in our environment. According to their characteristics,
shape, and color, these 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) were identified.
Here are some examples of keeping balance. Wreaths and trees (wood), candles,
stars and poinsettias (fire), white lights, gold tree skirt and silver tinsel
(metal), ceramic ornaments (earth), icicles, blue lights, glass and crystal ornaments
(water). The ancient and
universal symbol of unity and wholeness is the circle. Try rearranging your furniture,
creating a circular shape which will promote conversation as well. Avoid the "L"
shape which may give the feeling of detachment from each other. Same
rule applies for the dinning table. Round or oval shapes are feng shui friendly
and have no sharp edges. Your guest will feel comfortable and not be affected
by cutting chi. Finally
make some alone time for yourself. We all need to have some breathing space after
a house full of guests. Take a stroll, exercise, do some yoga or just sit quietly
by a salt candle. Oh, don't forget to shut off your cell phone. Safe
and happy holidays to all!
Shelley Mengo
Healthy Life Feng Shui. Shelley
holds a certification from the DeAmicis School of Feng Shui and is a member of
the International Feng Shui Guild. Her studies include professional training on
Flying Star Feng Shui with Roger Green. She practices Traditional & Western
Feng Shui, Geomancy, Earth Acupuncture, Dowsing, Space Clearing, Numerology, &
Western Astrology. Shelley
is a published co-author of Love, Happiness & Feng Shui, and has been featured
in numerous newspapers including the Associated Press.
www.healthylifefengshui.com
Shelley
Mengo, CFSC
Owner of Healthy Life Feng Shui and A Touch Of Everything
www.healthlifefengshui.com
732-513-4597
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