Q&A Sunday: Inviting Plants Into Your Home

Anjie Cho January 12, 2020

What plants can I invite to my home to eliminate stagnation? My rooms seem to be so cluttered. No matter how much I clean and clean and clean, there is still so much stuff.

Lauren A.

Hi Lauren,

Thanks so much for your question! It looks like there are really two parts to the question here. First, what plants can you invite into your home to eliminate stagnation? The second part is about clutter and feeling a bit stuck. This is interesting, because they seem to be connected. You feel a bit stuck, which, in turn, is manifesting in your home as clutter, and you'd like to invite plants to eliminate this clutter.

We do have some blog posts about different types of plants. You can check those out here. First, though, if your space is really cluttered, it might not be a great idea to add anything. Even bringing in plants is adding more things to your home, and caring for a plant is not easy! You have to take care of plants, prune them, there is upkeep and they need attention! So, you may actually add more clutter and stress to your life by including plants in your space. I do understand the sentiment, since, in general, plants invite growth and help eliminate the feeling of stagnation. In this situation however, this may not be the best move for you.

You say you "clean and clean and clean"... it sounds like you may feel a bit overwhelmed! May I suggest a few different options? First, you can eliminate nine things each day. If this seems like too much, you can reduce it to nine items per week. This will help get the energy moving and help with your feelings of being stuck. If you do want to add something, you can add fresh flowers. Fresh flowers can lift and open things up, especially if you're feeling stuck and overwhelmed. I love the idea of fresh-cut flowers, because they represent nowness, are cheerful and have a short lifespan. They uplift your space, but the upkeep is minimal, since you'll just need to change the water. And when they expire, you can let them go.

Another way to break up this stagnation is to ask for help. It's great that you've asked me for help, but is there someone in your space that can help out as well? Are there others in the home that can help you clean? You could even hire a cleaning person to help reduce the overwhelm. If you're having trouble thinking of someone to ask for help, try activating the Benefactors area of your home or bedroom. This might actually be a good place for the fresh flowers!

Finally, you can also cut through some of the clutter and stagnation using sounds, like a gong or tingsha. You can even sing! Go around your home, starting at the front door and moving clockwise, and circumambulate the space. I really recommend the metal bells, since that will welcome Metal energy to cut through the sluggishness and get things moving. I suggest using this in combination with activating the Benefactors area and adding fresh flowers. Let us know how it goes!

by Anjie Cho

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Chinese Zodiac for 2020: Year of the Metal Rat

Anjie Cho January 8, 2020

Happy Lunar New Year! Happy 2021!

To welcome the lunar new year, Mindful Design offers a New Year’s Reset Package, including a live ritual to peel away the old year and welcome the new one. This is an especially powerful ritual depending on your birth year animal, but everyone can benefit from these practices! To learn more about who can get the most out of this ritual, and more about what to expect in 2021 based on your birth year animal, listen to our podcast episode Welcome The Year of the Ox.

BTB Feng Shui always recommends carrying a three-dimensional charm to welcome good luck and protection each year. This year, since the Rat is the Ox’s best friend, we recommend a three-dimensional Rat charm, available in the color of your choice in the Holistic Spaces store!

*Please note, if your birthday is in January or February, your animal sign may be the preceding year. If you were born on the cusp, we we recommend you find your natal chart online .

Rat 子

Resourceful, like to be busy, can sniff out opportunities

Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

Rats are best friends with Dragons, Snakes, Monkeys, and especially Oxen! The Ox and Rat are considered best friends in the Chinese Zodiac, so this means it’s a good year for Rats!

Overall energy of the year: Good

What to do: Embrace the calmer energy of the Ox year. Don’t push riskier endeavours.

You are most compatible with: Dragon, Monkey, Rat and Ox.

You clash with: Horse.

Ox 丑

Steady eddy, hard working, ploughs through problems calmly

Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009

Oxen are great friends with Snakes, Roosters, and Rats. You may think that since it’s the year of the Ox, it would be a very lucky year for anyone born in the year of the Ox. But in fact, it may be a little more challenging for Oxen. In BTB feng shui we practice a protection ceremony called the Golden Cicada Ritual. Think of it as a way to smooth out the rough edges, and to bring more ease in the coming year. If you’re interested, there is a class available here, we also recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) with you for extra support.

Overall energy of the year: So-so

What to do: Make time for self-care and take breaks. Oxen work too hard!

You are most compatible with: Rooster, Snake and Rat.

You clash with: Ram/Sheep.

Tiger 寅

Dynamic, self-reliant, Tigers leap forward with creative ideas

Years: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Tigers are friends with Horses, Dogs, and Pigs. The creative and dynamic tiger finds the Ox’s stead-fast work ethic a little tiresome.

Overall energy of the year: Mostly neutral

What to do: Take advantage of the calmer energy (may feel boring to tigers)

You are most compatible with: Horse, Dog and Pig.

You clash with: Monkey.

Rabbit 卯

Easy-going, sociable, the rabbit hops along with grace

Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

Rabbits are friends with Rams, Pigs, and Dogs. Rabbits will enjoy the quieter, more stable energy of the Ox. For extra support and ease with Ox, we recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) the Ox’s best friend.

Overall energy of the year: Neutral

What to do: Gracefully bunny hop over minor set-backs, and enjoy the slower pace.

You are most compatible with: Pig, Sheep and Dog.

You clash with: Rooster

Dragon 辰

Energetic, strong, dragons fly through life with purpose

Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

Dragons are best friends with Monkeys, Roosters, and Rats. Dragons respect the Ox’s work ethic and tenacious nature.

Overall energy of the year: Pretty good

What to do: Align your powerful Dragon energy with the stable and determined energy of the Ox

You are most compatible with: Rat, Monkey, and Rooster.

You clash with: Dog

Snake 巳

Intellectual, Snakes slide through life with wisdom and grace

Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

Snakes are best friends with Rooster, Monkey, and Ox; this is good news for the Snake. Snake’s wisdom will serve them well, and is looked upon favorably by the Ox.

Overall energy of the year: Good

What to do: Use your subtle influence and keen intuition

You are most compatible with: Rooster, Ox and Monkey.

You clash with: Pig

Horse 午

Strong, active, horses will gallop by looking for adventure

Years: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

Horses are best friends with Tigers, Dogs and Rams. You just came out of Rat year, which was a tough one -- for all of us :) Horses are efficient and hard-workers which the Ox respects.

Overall energy of the year: Ease

What to do: focus on projects that were left undone in 2020 (Rat) and channel that Ox energy into tackling them.

You are most compatible with: Tiger, Dog and Ram.

You clash with: Rat

Ram 未

Gentle and kind, but under that soft, wooly exterior is strong determination

Years: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

Rams (Sheep or Goat) are friends with Pigs, Rabbits and Horses. The good-natured Ram is not a fan of the hard-working Ox. Because Ram clashes with the Ox, so it is important in BTB feng shui to practice the Golden Cicada Ritual. If you’re interested, there is a class available here. We also highly recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat)

Overall energy of the year: Might feel like Ox is a bit of a task-master

What to do: Tap into your strength and determination

You are most compatible with: Rabbit, Pig and Horse.

You clash with: Ox

Monkey 申

Clever, curious, Monkeys will charm others with their ap-peel

Years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

Monkeys are friends with Dragons, Rats, and especially Snakes. Monkeys will do well this year if they focus their energy and don’t try to take the quick way to doing things. Use the Ox’s hard-working energy to balance your curious nature, the Ox won’t tolerate any monkeying around.

Overall energy of the year: Pretty good

What to do: Use your clever Monkey and ways to channel your energy for success.

You are most compatible with: Rat, Dragon and Snake.

You clash with: Tiger

Rooster 酉

Articulate, astute, Roosters strut with confidence

Years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Roosters are best friends with Snakes, Oxen, and Dragons. Roosters like the solid work ethic of the Ox. They make a good team and appreciate each other's focus and determination.

Overall energy of the year: Supportive

What to do: Just because you have the opportunity to do a lot and accomplish much, doesn't mean you should. Don’t get caught up in working too hard, take time for yourself.

You are most compatible with: Ox, Snake, and Dragon.

You clash with: Rabbit

Dog 戌

Loyal, dogs look out for others and they are dogged protectors

Years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018

Dogs are best friends with Tigers, Horses, and Rabbits. They are in a mostly neutral relationship with the Ox. Dog and Ox see eye-to-eye on being fair and steadfast. For extra good luck and support, we recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) this year.

Overall energy of the year: Neutral

What to do: Don’t pick fights, instead choose to channel your inner peace-maker.

You are most compatible with: Tiger, Horse and Rabbit.

You clash with: Dragon

Pig 亥

Good-nature, trust-worthy, fun-loving. Pigs are always there to help ‘sn-out’

Years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

Pigs are best friends with Rabbits, Rams, and Tigers. Pigs are hard-working but know how to have to have a good time. Yes, Pigs work hard, but the Ox doesn't appreciate the Pig’s bon-vivant side, so we recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) to soften the relationship and give the Pig more support.

Overall energy of the year: So-so

What to do: Be selective of who you do business with, and use the stable and analytical ways of Ox to support you.

You are most compatible with: Sheep, Rabbit and Tiger.

You clash with: Snake

To learn more about the energy coming your way in 2021, be sure to check out our podcast episode Welcome The Year of the Ox!

If you're really interested in more personal, in-depth predictions, please reach out to a Four Pillars or Bazi practitioner for a consultation!

Don’t forget to grab your three-dimensional rat charm this year, here at Holistic Spaces!

Check out our New Year’s Reset Package here!

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

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Q&A Sunday: Being Overlooked at Work

Anjie Cho January 5, 2020

I find I get overlooked at work. Can you suggest a feng shui cure for this?

Giuliana G., Lille, France

Hi Giuliana

Thank you for your wonderful questions and support. I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling this way!

Nobody likes to feel overlooked, especially in the workplace. But you're in luck! There are many, many ways to approach this concern from the feng shui perspective. The fame and Recognition area is the feng shui bagua map area for you! I think this area came up for you before in a previous Q&A.

But before we work on the fame and Recognition area, it's helpful for you to look more closely at why you are feeling overlooked. We can give clarity to a problem by looking at it more carefully in light of the other feng shui bagua areas. Who is doing the overlooking? Why is it happening? Are there ways to work with it? Can you gain more skills and knowledge? Is there a relationship that can be improved? Etc., etc.

I challenge you to really look closely at that. If this were a consultation, I would of course like to know much more about the situation.

Now getting back to the Recognition and fame area, this would be the best area to address feng shui-wise to receive more credit and acknowledgment. My intuition tells me it would be best for you to place a new green plant in the Recognition area of your desk at work, the same area of your desk at home and in the same area of your entire home. Use matching black pots with a red ribbon tied around the pot or plant. The plant adds Wood to feed the fire of Recognition. The color combination creates a powerful feng shui cure as Water (black pot) manifests the Wood (green plant) and culminates with Fire (red ribbon).

You can check out some of our posts on green plants and the Wood element for insight on what kind of plants to choose based on feng shui, indoor air quality and much more. Please keep us updated and feel free to share photos of your new green friends!

by Anjie Cho

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.