Feng Shui and the Winter Season

Winter is a time of maximum Yin energy.  Yin dominates and Yang is greatly lacking in the natural world.  Plants and animals in nature adapt to this change in their living environment by going into a state of suspended animation.  Their movement and growth slows to give them the best chance of surviving in what has become a hostile setting for them.

In the west of the Northern hemisphere the Winter Equinox on December 21 represents the first day of winter; the shortest period of daylight in the year.  In the 24 seasons of the Chinese Solar Calendar the time of 'Frost' begins as early as October 24* with the 'Coming of Winter' period starting on November 7* and Winter Solstice beginning on December 22*.

*These dates may change by a + or -variation of one day.  To be accurate it is advised to check the 10,000 Year Calendar.

As well as representing hours, days, months and years, combinations of the 12 Chinese Astrological Animals also signify one of the four seasons of the Solar year.  The Winter season begins in November, the month of the Boar (Pig), continues in December, the month of the Rat and concludes in January, the month of the Ox.  The Boar represents early winter, the Rat represents midwinter and the Ox represents late winter.

The period from November to the end of January represents a time of Yin energy; the Earth is at rest with little or no growth in the natural world. 

Snow and frost on a sunny winter day brings a sparkle and a hint of Yang to the landscape but the chill in the atmosphere still has an overriding air of Yin energy.   Yang energy in the natural world is depleted.

How fortunate that this coincides with a season of celebration; with colour, light, noise and excitement created by manmade Yang energy.  From the latter part of November; Thanksgiving Day in USA and Canada; followed by the Christmas and New Year period in December and the beginning of January, there is an air of anticipation and excitement.  Sparkling lights, decorations, music, parties and family gatherings all combine to make up for lack of Yang energy in the natural world.

The growth colour of green, the colour of the Wood element, feeds and enhances the Yang colour of red.  The colour of the Fire element is one of the most popular at this time of the year.  It brings warmth, brightness and a sense of excitement, in contrast to the darkness of the short days.

These traditional celebratory colours give a helping hand during the season of celebration to help Yin and Yang balance.

Rather than viewing the Winter season as a depressing and dismal period, look on it as a time of transition and a necessary stage in the annual cycle.  Appreciate its unique beauty and embrace it rather than wish for it to be over.   Just as we will not thrive and survive without rest, the natural world also benefits from a period of rest to ensure it is replenished and ready to begin a new cycle of growth.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

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Magic Ratio in the Office

The Magic Ratio of Feng Shui is exactly the same as the Golden Ratio; the Golden Rectangle or the Golden Mean.

 

Historically in the West it has been incorporated into the design of buildings such as the Parthenon in Athens, the Taj Mahal in India and the Great Pyramid in Egypt. 

In Feng Shui terms all of these structures are Yin (still) Energy as they were built as either temples (in the case of the Parthenon) or burial chambers (The Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramid.)

  

However, as they are also a link with the heavens, by conforming to the 1:1.618 rectangle they were auspicious for their purpose and their external appearance is an attraction for millions of visitors each year.

 

This is borne out by the fascination that these structures have held for many generations past and will no doubt remain so for many generations to come.

Yang Feng Shui is concerned with the living, breathing world; with life and activity, with light and sound and with shapes and colour.

 

It is for this reason that using the Magic Ratio to create an auspicious and harmonious home will, by extension, create a happy home.

It is for this reason that using the Magic Ratio to create a productive and  flourishing business space will, by extension, create a profitable business, complete with happy and dedicated staff.

When you have your own office building, Hotel or even Restaurant, the first thing your clients will see is the foyer area or entrance.  In Feng Shui terms this section should be inviting and welcoming.  Ensure it is well lit, clean, clear and tidy creating a feeling of positive expectation for the visitor.  This is an area that will benefit from having each of the Five Elements present.

It is important however to remember scale, so if the space is small the décor and fittings should be chosen with care to maximise the dimensions without compromising on the attraction of positive energy.

Enhancing this area by utilising the Magic Ratio of 1:1.618 will invite positive Chi to enter and gather harmoniously before flowing through the rest of the building in a gentle and meandering way.

The staff in this area will be positively influenced by the effects of the Magic Ratio and they will greet your visitors and guests in a welcoming way making them instantly feel comfortable and important.

Flooring can be laid to demarcate the space and colour on the walls can mirror this. Place a seating area within the Magic Ratio in proportion to the size of the foyer to create unity.

When renovating or updating your office space, Hotel or Restaurant, aim to create auspicious spaces according to the Magic Ratio.  Not only will this attract success in your business endeavours, the benefits of creating these inviting areas will also ensure your employees are happier, work better and are more committed to supporting the business and its positive growth.

  

It will create a harmonious and productive working environment and invite endless opportunities.

To the fulfillment of your dreams

LynC

www.abundance-chi.com

HEALTH means Wealth in Feng Shui

In the practice of Feng Shui prevention is always better than cure and this is no exception when it comes to Health.  Whatever else you have in your life cannot be fully enjoyed if you don’t enjoy good health.

To energise your home for good health you can activate your Health Direction in harmony with the Five Elements, as shown in the table below.

Kua Number	Tien Yi (Health)	Energise
1	East	Bamboo, Crane, Pine Tree, Round-Leafed Plants
2	West	All-Metal Windchime, Smooth Crystal Balls
3	North	Metal Tortoise, Windchime, Small Aquarium
4	South	Scented Candles, Horses, Round-Leafed Plants
5 (Male)	West	All-Metal Windchime, Smooth Crystal Balls
5 (Female)	Northwest	All-Metal Windchime, Smooth Crystal Balls
6	Northeast	Crystal Gemtree, Natural Crystals, Scented Candles
7	Southwest	Bowl of Natural Crystals, Scented Candles
8	Northwest	All-Metal Windchime, Smooth Crystal Balls
9	Southeast	Bamboo, Small Round-Leafed Plants, Green Dragon

‘Tien Yen’ translates as ‘Doctor in Heaven.’  This energy strengthens the body, mind and spirit so that you are able to live life to the full.  

The number associated with the illness star in Flying Star Feng Shui (a more advanced practice of Feng Shui) is 2 and its element is Earth.  When it ‘flies’ into an area that is in conflict with the number and the element of the area illness can result.

As an example, if the number 2 illness star ‘flies’ into the South, it is both causing illness vibrations relating to the heart, blood, veins or eyes and at the same time exhausting the energy of the South which is Fire.  The solution to this is to introduce Metal energy into the area.  The Metal has no effect on the element of Fire however it will exhaust the Earth element of the illness star. 

This is where knowledge of the Five Element Theory of Feng Shui and its three cycles is essential.  To effectively neutralise the illness star it is necessary to know the element to use to counteract its negative energies.

At a more basic level, keeping the home clear and clutter-free will avoid the likelihood of Yin Energy forming which will in turn create negative vibrations.  Opening doors and windows on a regular basis to refresh and revitalize the energy of your home will help maintain good health.

Poison arrows can also create illness vibrations.  If you have an overhead beam ‘pressing down’ on the heads of your family either above a seating area or above their bed, this can cause headaches or migraines.  The edges of walls or free-standing structures such as open shelves can also cause illness in different parts of the body depending on where the poison arrow is pointing.

Keeping your bathroom clear and clean as well as ensuring you have no blocked pipes or blocked drains in your home is the equivalent of keeping the blood flowing freely through your body.

The universal direction for Health is the East and displaying the longevity symbols of the Crane, Bamboo and the Pine Tree in this area as well as lush large round-leafed plants is auspicious.

Next time – I-Interiors

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