Q&A Sunday: A Blocked Entry

I have a small tree, or bush, right in front of my entry door. What does this mean feng shui wise and how can I remedy the situation?

Helena A., New York, NY

From a feng shui perspective, your entry door represents the face of your home and your face to the world. This is why it's so important to ensure that you keep a clean, uncluttered entry to your home so that positive energy and opportunities can easily find their way into your life.

A small bush or tree blocking your entry door may be problematic, as it may block the flow of energy and/or new opportunities into your home. Whether or not this is acceptable really depends on your personal preferences and circumstances. If you’re retired, maybe you do not want to be easily seen and you don’t need opportunities coming to you. But if you’re looking for work, for clients or for even a romantic partner, then a small tree or bush in front of your door may block the chi from coming in.

So what you can do to feng shui-wise to remedy this situation?

I would hate to advise cutting down a tree or bush. Instead, try making the object an attractive feature that will draw energy towards your home. For example, hang lights on the tree and transform it into something that attracts energy. Lights can invite positive energy and opportunities to your home.

Another option to treat the tree blocking the door is to clearly identify and differentiate the path to your front door. Even if the tree or bush is blocking the door directly, try adding natural stones, wood blocks or other elements of nature on each side of the walkway leading to your door. This will make your entry stand out, despite the tree. 

The feng shui goal is to create a welcoming doorway for positive energy, opportunities and good fortune to find its way to you. If you are faced with a naturally growing obstacle in front of your entry door, do take my above tips, if possible, to improve the entrance to your home. Always remember, much of feng shui is based on intention, so take care to establish an optimistic, welcoming intention for your entry.

by Anjie Cho

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Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

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!

Q&A Sunday: Bed Placement in Feng Shui

For YEARS I've been making sure my bed faces the door because I knew it was good feng shui. I didn't know why, and until recently I didn't know it shouldn't be directly in line with the door. Can you shine some light on why all this is?

Shanna G., Brooklyn, NY

Traditionally in feng shui, the position of the bed directly in line with the door is called the “coffin position." This is because if you sleep every night with all that energy, or “qi” coming straight at you, it causes health and other problems that may lead to an unhappy life or untimely death.

In feng shui we have a very important concept called the “command position." Ideally, your bed, desk, stove and other important areas should be positioned so that you can see the door and you have your back against the far wall. You don’t want to be directly in front of the door.  Rather, across the room, diagonally from the door, is typically the most ideal position.

Where does “command position” come from? From the physical and scientific perspective, there are areas of the brain that are more primitive than others. These areas are connected with the fight or flight response, also known as the “acute stress response." The feeling of danger and fear is a physiological response that you experience on a subtle level when you cannot see the door, or see what may be coming your way. This level of stress is especially activated when the back of your neck is exposed and facing the door. Your adrenals activate and anxiety levels increase, therefore affecting your mood and health.

Although not everyone is consciously aware of it, it does affect you. It is like a stone that has water dripping on it lightly for years; the stress levels begin to wear down at you. 

Metaphorically, the command position places you in command of the room, your home, and your life, because you can see what life brings to you, and you can move forward with your eyes open. 

Understandably, this furniture placement may not always be possible, so you can make an adjustment to a potentially unfavorable position by placing a mirror in such a way that you can see the door to the room. Now you’re back in command!

by Anjie Cho 

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Dive deeper into feng shui to transform your life!

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Create sacred spaces that support, and nourish.

visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com

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!

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Q&A Sunday: Creating Wealth with Feng Shui

I would love to know how to utilize feng shui to create more wealth in my business.

Tonja L., Twin Falls, ID

Wealth and abundance is probably one of the most common issues for which people use feng shui. There is a corner of the feng shui bagua map that governs this area in our lives. I am pleased to share some feng shui adjustments that I have personally found to be very effective in creating wealth in my business. I hope they can help you, too!

Your Desk

First, make sure you have a dedicated area for your work with a desk. If you work from home, a dining room table does not count as a desk. Make some space and get a nice desk to work on. Your desk represents your career and business.

Also, be sure to make sure you are in the command position while sitting at your desk(s). This means in your home office and any other office space. If space is a concern, you can adjust an out-of-command desk with a mirror. Read here for more info about the command position.

Citrine for Wealth & Abundance

The Abundance area of the feng shui map is related to wealth, prosperity and self-worth. Citrine, a natural crystal, is particularly effective at generating and attracting the same things! This stone supports the abundance especially well when placed in the corresponding area of the bedroom or desk.

Natural citrine, a light, yellow-colored stone, is known for its qualities in promoting wealth and success in a variety of ways. Wearing or utilizing citrine crystals directly promotes success in business and abundance in all areas. In addition, citrine is known to strengthen and improve many internal traits that ultimately lead to success in various areas of life as well. According to healing crystal properties, citrine promotes positive self-esteem and vibrant energy, and carrying citrine crystals harnesses the power of the sun, providing new life and sunlight while clearing the mind and making space for new pursuits. This crystal also doesn’t hold onto negative energy; instead it disperses negative energy, thus serving as a protective stone.

Citrine is invigorating and promotes joy. You can also carry the stone with you in your wallet to attract more wealth. Better yet, place a stone in all three areas: the abundance area of your bedroom, of your desk, and in your wallet.

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Dive deeper into feng shui to transform your life!

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Create sacred spaces that support, and nourish.

visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com

Note: I have many questions in my “question of the month” queue, so I will be answering a few questions per month until I’m caught up! 

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!

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