Where Energy Flows

Feng shui can be used on a personal level to instigate change in our lives. Working with the bagua is an excellent way to instigate change. Enhancements placed with regard to the bagua work in two ways. On a vibrational level they are in harmony with the element and quality of the gua. For example a lamp placed in the fame area is of the fire element, and gets you noticed. Enhancements also work because of the power of intention that we invest when we place them, and every time we see them.

Affirmations are a powerful way to bring about what we want. Instead of just hoping for something we clearly state out loud our intention. Affirmations can be used when placing objects, and also when we walk past them and notice them. When placing the lamp in the fame area you could say “I am placing this lamp to enhance my reputation”. When walking past the lamp area you could say “I am well known and well regarded”. Surprisingly, you don’t have to believe in affirmations for them to work, they do anyway.

Affirmations usually start with the words “I am”. For whichever gua you want to work with there are many possible affirmations. Just make one up that best fits your desires. It is probably easiest to work with one or two affirmations at a time, so you remember to repeat them. By using affirmations you’ll move out of a state of wanting, into a state of having.

Copyright Helen Harvey, 2008. All rights reserved

We all love giving and receiving presents, and can acquire  a lot of extra stuff at Christmas time. I encourage my family to clear out some belongings that they’ve outgrown, to make room for the lovely presents they’ll be getting.

Sometimes we receive gifts which don’t make our hearts sing. Every time we look at them they slightly drain our energy. I donate unwanted presents to charity shops as soon as possible, and find that they are very appreciative of having new items to sell. I don’t even think about feeling guilty for giving these presents away. The people who gave them to me would not want me to feel bad about their gift. It goes against the spirit of giving.

If you are doing some last minute shopping for gifts, think about whether the recipient would love and use the present. If you are not sure don’t buy it. If in doubt choose consumable items, such as food treats, or vouchers. Ask the cashier for exchange cards. You wouldn’t want the other person to feel bad about the present they are giving them. Nor would you want them to hide the item at the back of their cupboard and bring it out every time you came to visit.

Christmas clutter also has an environmental impact, so it is important to be eco-minded when shopping. Buy quality items which will last, and are repairable. Avoid products with excessive or non recyclable packaging, and those which require a lot of batteries. Use recyclable wrapping paper, not foil or plastics, and remember to put used wrapping paper in the recycling collection.

Have a clutter free Christmas so your mind will be clear to think about those New Year’s intentions.

Copyright Helen Harvey, 2007. All rights reserved.

All clutter has an energetic hold on us, even when it is not in our living or working spaces. Many of us have things stored in our parents’ or friend’s garages, or in paid storage space. This can be costly, draining, and a nuisance for the people storing it.

Sometimes we store things elsewhere because they don’t fit with what we are doing at the moment. This can be a temporary arrangement, for example, we are moving overseas for a while, or permanent, because our belongings have outgrown our space. When putting things in temporary storage it is important to set a time limit. Temporary storage can easily turn into permanent storage which we aren’t dealing with.

Businesses store archived records out of necessity. Archived records should be looked through occasionally to see if they are still needed for taxation purposes or other obligations.

Sometimes people borrow things and still have them years later. Try to get closure by gifting them the item or asking if they want to buy it. By dealing with off-site clutter you’ll also clear you subconscious mind of clutter and feel energetically free.

Copyright Helen Harvey 2007. All rights reserved. 

I spend a great deal of time in bed. In fact, I spend more time in bed than anywhere else. I think that my bed affects my health, and try to make it as healthy as possible.

My bed has a solid wood frame. It subconsciously makes me feel well supported. I used to have a metal framed bed, but changed when I learnt that metal beds conduct electro-magnetic fields. My mattress is free from springs for the same reason. It is made from natural latex, wool and coconut fiber. These fibers breathe and do not give off toxic gases. My bed covers are also made from natural fibers, which have the advantage of not building up static electricity.

I used to have an electric blanket, and since giving it away my immune system is much stronger. I no longer catch colds and flu from everyone I encounter. There are no electrical appliances in my bedroom apart from a crystal salt lamp. Ideally, I would like to have the power to my bedroom on an isolating switch, so that it would turn off at night unless needed.

There is space under my bed for air to circulate. This also allows room for my electromagnetic field to rejuvenate. I like to keep my bedroom clutter free, and I find a zen-like environment soothing to the mind. I love my bed, and it serves me well.

Copyright 2007, Helen Harvey. All rights reserved.

The bagua is a map of universal energy. It is a useful tool as a focal point for our personal intentions. Having visual reminders of our intentions around us helps attract what we desire. Inspiring words as art, affirmation posters and vision boards are good examples.

Combining the power of intention with the energy of the bagua is a powerful way to make life changes.

Many of us want to attract a significant other to share time with, or to spice up an existing relationship. The relationships area of the bagua can be used to focus our intentions. In this part of the home display happy pictures of yourself with your partner. If your don’t have any use images of other people. Affirmations about self love work well here.

It is important to love yourself so that the power of intention can work in other parts of your life. If you don’t love yourself you are giving out the message that you don’t deserve good.  

Making a vision board of relevant images that speak to you is an excellent way to attract love and romance. Look for pictures of couples doing things that appeal to you, such as relaxing on a romantic tropical holiday. Displaying your vision board in the relationship area adds power.

All rights reserved, Helen Harvey, copyright 2007

In feng shui both the visible and non visible affect our happiness and wellbeing. Many people focus on keeping their homes well presented for guests, but their cupboards are full of half read magazines and uncompleted projects. Some even dedicate a whole room to this purpose.

My first experience of feng shui was having a consultation for my own home. The consultant said it was good that I didn’t have clutter. I remember thinking that it was lucky she wasn’t looking in the cupboards, but I knew in my heart that the clutter was impacting on my life, even though people couldn’t see it.

Hidden feng shui also relates to cures an enhancements. They work in our favour even though we can’t see them. An example of a hidden cure would be burying crystals in the garden to compensate for missing areas in a floorplan. An example of a hidden enhancement is placing red fabric over the mattress of a couple’s bed. You can’t see it under the sheet, but it helps to spice up the marriage. Hidden cures and enhancements are great if you want to maintain a particular decor or don’t want to display things that others might think are wierd.

Copyright 2007 Helen Harvey. All rights reserved.

Working with color is a great way to enhance the feng shui in a building. Colors can be chosen to boost the helpful elements for different areas of the bagua, such as greens and light blues for prosperity, or to introduce a psychological mood to a room. When choosing paint colors it is important to plan a harmonious color scheme for the whole building. By following guidelines for good interior design there will always be harmony.

In an open plan building it is difficult to paint different colors in different areas. In this case, a color should be chosen which supports adjacent areas, or a neutral color used throughout. Different colors can be introduced with accents for accessories like cushions. Accent color is also good when using strong colors such as red and dark blue, as a little of these colors goes a long way. Consider whether colors in adjacent rooms will be in harmony when you look from one room to another.

Planning a color scheme for an entire building prevents a piecemeal approach to decoration. You may not want to paint all the rooms at once, but it is good to have a plan to work towards. An overall color scheme also that wall colors harmonize with ceiling and trim colors, especially if you want to use the same ceiling and trim colors throughout. Choosing a white or cream for ceilings and trims from the same colour season as paint colors is a good approach. For example warm whites work well with autumn colors. Paint lighter colors on the ceiling to lift energy and have darker colors on the floor for grounding. Choose light, warm colors to lift the energy of the cool part of the building and cool colors for a soothing effect in sunny rooms.

We go through  phases of liking certain colors, and sometimes this is because we are drawn to their vibrational frequency. We often choose colors to balance our chakras. Before rushing to paint walls purple think about whether purple fits your color scheme. There may be other ways to enjoy the benefits of purple, like wearing purple pajamas, or keeping an amethyst crystal by the bed.

Color is not the only way to enhance the areas of the bagua. Introducing shapes and patterns, sounds, scents and materials, and grouping things in numbers, can all be used to support gua.

All rights reserved. Copyright Helen Harvey 2007