Fengshui & Chi Energy

What is Chi? Chi is a Chinese term that, unfortunately, has no direct translation. Chi roughly translates to energy, but is also defined by saying that Chi serves as the reminder to humans that everything of this Earth is connected by Chi (energy).

Chi may also be defined as an awareness of energy around you. This energy can be felt in all of our surroundings and every living thing, but more importantly the furnishings of your home are said to radiate Chi. Chi is always moving, always changing, and always present. When entering a room in your home or someone else's living space there is always an energy presence to be discovered and fine tuned. Think about the last time you entered a Sports Bar or a living room full of eager sports enthusiasts as the final seconds of a play-off basketball game tick away. The energy levels in these two rooms are usually elevated as the tension builds. Similar results can be achieved when Feng Shui is implemented inside of any household space.

PERSONAL CHI

As an individual, you have a personal Chi, a personal aura. Anger, frustration, happiness, and other emotions are sensed by others around us. Even posture of how we walk, talk, or the tone in our voice can clue in others to our emotional state. A personal Chi is always changing depending on the attitude of a person.

FENG SHUI AND PERSONAL CHI

As we mentioned, Chi is found everywhere in a home, Chi can even be found radiating from a home's inhabitants in the form of personal Chi. Your personal Chi and your home's Chi complement each other like macaroni and cheese. A Hostile or unorganized living space creates chaos. This chaotic Chi will impact your personal attitude each time you find yourself inside of the chaotic room. As a result your home may be the cause of much unnecessary stress in your life.

Feng Shui is the bridge that links personality to the home and the great news is that it can be fine tuned to match everybody's personality. One of the main goals of Feng Shui is to integrate some basic principles of interior design with your own personality traits.

RECOGNIZING CHI SPOTS

Windows, wall paper, photos, electronics, cozy fire places, wall art, and flower filled vases are examples of furnishings or decor that radiate Chi. Everything radiates Chi, that much we are sure of. They all radiate very specific and very different types of Chi and that is another very important Feng Shui principle. The size, shape, and color are all factors that categorize decor and furnishings into very distinct forms of Chi - Yin and Yang.

CHI ENERGY – YIN & YANG

Chi energy manifests itself in two forms the Yin and the Yang. Each manifestation yields its own distinct set of attributes or "personality traits" if you will. Still, these opposites manage to attract each other like opposing sides of a magnet and when the two energies harmonize the result is pure brilliance. A classic Yin and Yang image may come to mind and it does serve as the perfect icon of what is to be achieved inside each and every room of the home.

Yin and Yang represent two opposite ends of a spectrum like fire and water. The majority of us gravitate toward one side or the other and the rest fall somewhere in between. As you will soon discover, everyday household things are classified much the same way as our personalities and only after developing a working knowledge of Yin and Yang traits, will you be able to mix and match furnishings in your home with your personality.

BASICS OF CHI

Here are some forms of chi that needs to be altered through a variety of Feng Shui remedies.

Sharp energy – Created by corners on furniture or walls, should be tempered with vines, live plants or something soft.

Rushing chi – Long hallways and staircases create this chi, which can cause opportunities to rush from your life. Crystals and Feng Shui windchimes and crystal can slow this chi.

Oppressive chi - Caused by beams, raise the chi in this space with a symbolically uplifting object such as crystal to be hanged under the beam or paste big metal nine pyramid at the both corner of the beam.

Missing energy - Created by missing sections of the Feng Shui ba gua, you can compensate for missing energy with any number of Feng Shui remedies, including light, color, live plants, crystals, wind chimes or water elements.

Harmonization begins by first understanding our own character and by associating personality traits with Yin and Yang energy. Previously, we mentioned that every individual tends to radiate either a Yin or Yang Chi. The type of radiation felt from one's personality depends solely on very specific personality traits associated with that individual. The next few paragraphs examine some of these traits in order for you to paint begin to understand yourself and your own Chi. As we begin to categorize some common personality traits please pay special attention to any of the traits that are present in your own persona.

YIN PERSONALITY TRAITS

Yin personalities are quiet, sensitive, and inwardly imaginative. These individuals enjoy the comforts of home and may not always be willing to go out for a night on the town. Instead he/she may choose to stay in for the evening focusing on personal matters. Introverted and shy, a Yin personality is independent, loyal, and easily distracted by an abundance of creative passion. In a household setting, one common pitfall among a Yin character is that these individuals hold on to family relics too long filling one's home with clutter and stagnant energy. A tendency like stockpiling should be avoided but can also be counterbalanced with a tremendous quantity of Yang decor.

YANG PERSONALITY TRAITS

Yang persona tend to be idealistic, outgoing, and interact socially with confidence. While these people have strong intellectual ability they tend to lack creativity and find themselves without an independent sense of security. A Yang personality develops a high value of self worth and yield an outstanding ability to stand up for one's self. A highly extroverted individual may find themselves diving into other people's affairs adding unnecessary stress to their own life. With higher levels of energy a Yang person will accomplish more things in a lifetime but not without consequence. These people tend to be at a greater risk of anxiety and stress disorders.

Utilize friends and family asking them what they think about who you are. Spend more time listening to what they have to say and taking notes rather than disagreeing and arguing about what they tell you.

YANG

Think open. A Yang floor plan is an open floor plan. Spacing is absolutely crucial here when trying to boost the presence of Yang Chi inside of any habitat. Aside from the coloring of the walls, the amount of vacant space inside of any given room is the best way to increase Yang Chi. The space in front of windows should be open and clear from obstruction. This increases the amount of natural light inside of a room and also promotes many other Yang possibilities. Natural light from at least 2 different sources is ideal but overhead, halogen lights may be substituted if necessary. Replace elaborate window sheers with vertical or horizontal blinds and always maintain that open floor plan.

YANG COLOR, SHAPES, AND MORE!

Bright, festive colors are Yang colors. These are eye-opening shades of unnatural color (colors not readily visible in nature) that leave a lasting impression on any visitors that you might encounter. Use these colors with tasteful moderation as they can become immensely overpowering. Wall paint is often the easiest and most influential way to alter the Chi inside any given room. A tremendous amount of time and thought should be exerted when deciding to go with a Yang wall color, since these colors are usually overpowering especially in smaller rooms like a bedroom. Sometimes only covering one or two walls with a fresh layer of paint is all that is needed to heighten the energy levels of a room.

Sometimes changing wall paint isn't an option be it financial reasons, have no fear, fresh colors can be added to a room through decor or furniture. Brightly shaded candles, flowers, or laying out a new rug can be just what is needed to bring a refreshing new spark to an outdated or dull living space.

Stone, glass, and mirror furniture fall into the Yang category. Replace a wood coffee or bookshelf with a glass or metallic equal. Even changing the arrangement of wall art can be a means to invite the Chi energies into a room. Elevate wall hangings 3 to 6 inches (10 - 15mm) and feel the room lighten with Yang. Larger sofas with plush, round arm rests should be exchanged for smaller, straight-backed couches with solid, square arm rests.

Vertical lines and edges provide the liveliest manifestations of Yang energy. Plants and vases are a great way to get started. Exchange plants that hang downward for plants that shoot upward. Pyramids and triangular shapes also boost Yang flow. Change from square end tables to triangular shapes.

This delicate balance requires an arrangement that is complimentary to one's personality. As we begin to explore what the personality traits associated with Yin and Yang, try to recall a particular place that you thoroughly enjoyed being in. This could be some exotic hotel, a family member's house, or even the house across the street. Try to remember the details that made it so pleasurable for you

YIN

Elegant and Cozy - Floral texturing, folded shades, and curtains all slow down the movement of Chi. Numerous furnishings in a small space promotes the feel of Yin. Fill empty table space with full, elaborate decor. Use old fashioned picture framing or maybe even exchange color photos for black and white. Cover metalic or glass tables with fabric will change its radiation from Yang to Yin. Keep things soft, cozy, and maybe a little bit old fashioned.

YIN COLORS, SHAPES, LIGHTING, AND MORE

Black is the most Yin of all colors while soft pastels or deep, dark colors such as maroon or a dark, sage green. Wood finishings should be colored dark and rich.

Soft curves and flowing shapes but never a circle are Yin. Rounded ceilings are advantageous to Yin while sturdy wooden furniture needs to be exchanged for soft, plush, or wicker furniture.

Use table lamps, preferably on dimming switches. Overhead lighting with the ability to dim is also categorized as Yin. Lighting should be kept manageable throughout the day. Use full length window coverings for the daylight hours and perhaps a semi transparent covering for the evening.

Furnishings are soft, plush, and cozy. Floral fabric on pillows and sofas are all Yin. Bookshelves, sofas, and other furnishings should be kept low to the ground. Also lowering wall pictures/paintings can increase the flow of Yin.