Chinese New Year Astrology: Rat Metal

Guest User January 29, 2020

In this episode I talk with Anjie Cho, architect and feng shui educator about the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration, as we transition into the Metal Rat year. Anjie describes the overall quality of this new year, as well as the characteristics of each Chinese astrological sign, based on the year you were born. She shares what this year will hold in store for you and I share the flower essence blend that will be most supportive for you during the year.

Anjie also shares some beautiful Chinese New Year’s rituals to intentionally invite in more auspicious energy into your life and space on Saturday, January 25th, 2020! Our conversation can help you be more aware of the changes that are occurring now and throughout 2020 through the lens of Chinese Astrology. Not intended to be superstitious, rather to help you be more intentional and self-aware -- and to give you new ways to celebrate this New Year! Happy Lunar New Year!

WE TALK ABOUT:

The intersection between Chinese astrology & Feng Shui
Chinese astrology: how the year, month, day and time of day you were born are important
Your Chinese sign based on the year and what qualities it magnifies in you
Overall characteristics of the Rat year for 2020
Qualities of a Metal year and what to be aware of
How each of the 12 animal signs can best adjust or equip themselves for the Rat year - overall, will it be positive, neutral or challenging?
Feng Shui Cures for Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year), on Saturday, January 25th
Rituals to intentionally invite in more positive energy for the year

Listen to the episode

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Q&A Sunday: Room with Two Doors

Anjie Cho January 26, 2020

How do I orient the feng shui bagua map on a bedroom with two doors? and what is the best bed position for this room?

Kristina W., Pismo Beach, CA

Hi Kristina,

Thank you for your question! In general, for any space, you always orient the bagua map with the Kan line aligned with the wall where your primary door is located. The Kan line is the side of the bagua with the guas Gen (self-cultivation/knowledge), Kan (career/path in life), and Qian (travel/helpful people). If you have two doors, you want to locate the bagua based on the formal door, or the door that is most like a formal door.

In this case, we’re looking at a bedroom with two doors. I can see from looking at this floor plan that the room was originally a dining room, and more of a pass-through space. It’s not an ideal spot for anyone to be sleeping, but since this is what you’ve been given, we’re going to work with it.

First, we have to figure out which door is the primary door. I would suggest using the door facing the hallway, because you probably want to enter your room through the hallway and not through the kitchen. Ideally, you want your bedroom to be in a more private area of the home, separated from more public spaces like the kitchen. I’ve drawn the feng shui bagua map on your bedroom using Door #1 as you’ve indicated.

Regarding the bed position, I’ve drawn up what I feel is the best bed location based on the information that I have. If you use Door #1, you’d be in command of the room with the bed positioned as shown. You also wouldn’t have a stove or toilet directly behind you when you’re in bed, both of which present some feng shui challenges. You do have a door partially behind you; I would suggest locking that door, and not blocking it. In feng shui, doors represent the mouths of the inhabitants, so locking or closing a door might mean that part of your voice is closed off. It’s not ideal, but this is what you have and we can work with it.

You also mentioned to me that you are getting a bed frame--that’s definitely the most important thing. You also told me that this is a more temporary living situation. This makes sense, because physically the room is a transition space. It’s not the best location for a bedroom, but do the best you can.

Good luck, and thanks again for submitting your question!

by Anjie Cho

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How To Use Mirrors To Create Good Feng Shui

Anjie Cho January 22, 2020

featured on The Spruce

Activate the Mouth of Qi

Mirrors are used in many feng shui applications. It’s often described as the "aspirin" of feng shui. "Put up two mirrors, and call me in the morning!"

The feng shui practice of adding a small object, like a mirror, to shift and improve the qi of a space is called the "method of minor additions" or Xie Zi Fa in Chinese. One of the key factors of the method of minor additions is that you also use your intention with the addition of an object to overcome the obstacle. Whenever you use a mirror, or anything to adjust the qi of your home, be sure to do so with a clear intention. This is key.

Mirrors themselves embody the element of water. The water element cultivates wisdom and introspection. The feeling of water is cooling. Water is formless and takes the shape of whatever container it’s in. Because of this yielding quality, mirrors are used in feng shui, for they can reflect without judgment or obscurations. They can expand your view as well as focus energies.

Mirrors can invite energy into a space. A strategically placed mirror can reflect the view of an element that is seen through a window into a room. For example, place a mirror so that you can see the reflection of a river (water element) and trees (wood element) into your office. This invites more water for wealth and wood for expansion into your career and work life. And again, mirrors are placed with intention, which makes them more effective feng shui adjustments.

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