Q&A Sunday: Improving and Starting Careers

We bought crystals from the Holistic Spaces Store recently to hang one each above main entrance door, study and bedroom (as my bed in line with the door). I want to move up in my career with higher education, and my husband needs to start his training/career/job. I feel like for the seven years we've lived in our current house, things have been stressful, creating anxiety and stagnant. Any feng shui help or suggestions are appreciated!

Arjun S., Muncie, IN

Hi Arjun

I hope the first part of your question that we answered last week was helpful, when you asked about pregnancy losses and feng shui. Thanks for your patience for part two of this question.

Your second question is in regards to improving careers for both you and your husband. You also noted that your last seven years have been stressful, anxiety ridden and you’ve felt stagnant. It sounds like you're seeking insight as to what the next steps are in your career, and you also suggested that you need to continue your education. Sometimes our career is not doing well or is stuck because we need to gain more skills, so going back to school or taking additional courses can be very helpful in kickstarting a positive change. Skillfulness in this case is associated with the Knowledge area of the feng shui bagua. I recommend that you study in this area of your home, and if this space is neglected, direct some attention there. Can you spend time there regularly or move nine items around to stir the energy in this area?

For your husband, you noted that he needs to start his career, so maybe he can also work on this same Knowledge area. If he has trouble getting started, he can also look to activate the New Beginnings area. You can do this by adding a new green plant, for instance. Our recent post on How to Grow Fresh Air suggests several options for welcoming new energy, promoting growth and cleaning the air in your space all at once. If your husband needs more clarity, he can also place a new feng shui crystal ball, available here in the Holistic Spaces store, in this area. 

Overall if you feel that your life has been challenging with stress, anxiety and stagnation, it may help to assess the condition of the trees and greenery around your home. Are they in good shape and healthy? Give some attention to the vitality of the natural landscaping around your house, because it can also affect your health, both physically and mentally.

It sounds like the past few years have been very taxing for you. I recommend trying a few of these feng shui adjustments. Be sure to note your intention when you make these changes and practice patience. Feng shui is not a magic pill, and you must do the mundane work as well!

by Anjie Cho 


Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!


New Beginnings with the Vernal Equinox

It may not seem like it, with our recent blizzards, snowstorms and cold temperatures, but it is finally spring! As of March 20, we have experienced the Vernal Equinox and are moving toward warmer weather and new beginnings. 

In fact, though we often associate the change of seasons with temperature, the equinoxes and solstices are actually all about sunlight! On the Vernal Equinox, the sun crosses the celestial equator heading north, and all around the world, regardless of time zone, the day and night are roughly the same length. Once the equinox (which is Latin for "equal nights") passes, the Northern hemisphere can finally look forward to longer days of sunlight and yang energy. In ancient times, these changes in the sun's position were the only way of determining the new seasons and calendar days! 

Practically, and in feng shui terms, the arrival of spring is symbolic of the new beginnings of life and growth throughout. Worms begin tunnel their way out of the earth, trees and plants show foliage once more, and the extra sunlight even makes birds sing more! With such positive energy, spring is a wonderful season for starting anew in any aspect of life. Renew your space with a good spring cleaning and/or space clearing, clean out your closet to make way for beautiful new pieces you love, or just move nine things around in your space to stir up new energy. Now is also a great time to add new plant life to your home, open your windows to fresh air and sunlight and consider bringing additional wood element pieces into your space. If you're starting a particular project or hoping to make changes, you may even want to add a new beginnings mandala to your space! 

Whatever steps you may take to welcome the spring season, be sure to express gratitude for the chance to start anew and offer thanks to your space for providing shelter and warmth throughout the colder months!

by Anjie Cho


5 Tips for Starting 2017 Off Right

It may be hard to believe, but it's already 2017, and with the stress of 2016, it's more essential than ever to start the new year off right. Aside from setting resolutions and goals for achievement during this year, there are a few feng shui-based adjustments you can make to welcome 2017 with inspiration and positivity. 

Choose a Word for 2017

At the beginning of last year, I was asked to choose a word for the upcoming year, and I chose "inspiration." Once that word was planted in my brain, it was amazing how many new ideas and how much inspiration in general came my way during the year. And chances are we'll all need a lot moving into this year as well. Take some time to think about what you want this new year to represent for you, then make that your word! You can even make a vision board as a reminder!

Clear Your Space

We recommend you do this for sure on Chinese New Year, but space clearing is always a great idea when you're beginning something new, like the year! Use any of the methods you'd like, orange peels, Happy mist, sage or palo santo, and clear your space of any stagnant 2016 energy to make way for new opportunities, inspiration and positivity in 2017!

Clean Your Front Door

While you're at it, take a few minutes to assess the state of your front door. In feng shui, the entrance at your front door represents your face to the world, as well as your career, and there are a few ways to make sure yours is wide open to opportunity and good qi. Three of the most important factors are lighting, cleanliness and visibility. Take time to clean your front door and entry way to bring in the positive energy of the new year, and ensure that there is adequate, even bright, lighting. You'll also want to make sure your door is easy to find from the outside, for guests as well as opportunities and qi. Finally, use it! Even if you enter your home from another place, open the front door from time to time.

Clean Out Your Beauty Cabinet and Bag

We've done a lot of work recently with MindBodyGreen around beauty and feng shui, and being mindful of this is a good way to provide a clean slate for 2017. Take a look at your beauty cabinet and your beauty bag, and make sure there are no expired products or items you no longer use. It's also a good idea to make sure your bag and cabinet lighting are in good, clean condition and consider adding a citrine crystal for radiance. Check out my MindBodyGreen articles for more tips!

Move Nine Items

Last, but certainly not least or most difficult, shake up some energy in your space by moving 9 things. You don't have to completely rearrange, but moving even small things in your home or office can adjust the flow of energy and stir up new energy, and you'll also have a chance to dust around spaces that are usually taken up by those items! 

I wish each and every one of you a very happy, inspiring and positive new year! Please feel free to share any adjustments you make with us and the effect they have on your space and state of mind. We love to see feng shui paying off!

by Anjie Cho