It is not a good idea to buy a house built on cursed grounds. It is also not a good idea to buy one with poison arrows pointed at it, a cemetery across the street from it, or a dead end street that well, dies right where the front yard begins. All these unlucky locations would kindle sha chi, or a killing energy to you and your family, causing you grief, ill health, bad luck, and poor fortune. At least that is what the rules of feng shui say.
Feng shui (rhymes with oy vey!) is a 6,000 year old Taoist philosophy that prevents sha chi, and instead gives your family good energy, including health, happiness, and prosperity. So, how do you assure yourself of feng shui when choosing a new home? Well, the rules can be as numerous and complex as the Chinese alphabet, but here are a few of the major ones to get you started.
1. BREATHE. Your backyard should be larger than the front yard, and not slope away from the house so that all your good luck runs off. There should be no trees or shrubs blocking the curving walkway (yes, a curving sidewalk - feng shui likes to meander), and a couple potted plants on the front stoop will slow fast-flowing chi, and keep that luck around a little longer.
2. MAKE AN ENTRANCE. Like medieval England, a strong front door is a must. Once opened, the view must not immediately be of a staircase (where your luck will run up and away), facing a wall (which will stop all luck), or face a bathroom or closet, which would be, well just bad luck.
3. KITCHEN ELEMENTS. Feng shui pays close attention to the five elements of life . . . earth, fire, water, wood, and metal. Therefore, your sink should never be beside your stove . . . this water element would extinguish the oven’s beneficial fire element. Kitchens may not be close to front doors or facing bathrooms, and they must be airy, spacious and clean. Who DOESN’T want a large kitchen free of dirty dishes?!
4. NO LEAKY BATHROOMS. And we’re not just talking about leaky toilets or dripping faucets. Bathrooms are notorious for leaking energy. In order to maintain feng shui, keep the toilet lid down and close your drains. And because there is an overabundance of the water element in bathrooms, balance it out by adding an earth element, like gold, yellow, or taupe walls, towels, or accessories. Finally, the bathroom should not be in the center of the home . . . this is a position of importance!
5. PLEASURE IN THE BEDROOM. I mean happy thoughts and good dreams! This is a place to relax and rejuvenate, so pictures and colors should be soothing, and there should be ample ambient lighting – candles are best. Open windows when possible to let in light and fresh air. Make sure the bed is accessible from both sides, and keep doors – including closet doors - closed at night to keep the good energy in (and closet monsters out).
There you have it . . . a crash course in Feng shui. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to follow at least some of these . . . I need all the positive energy I can get!!!