Feng Shui for a Small Home

Guest User December 15, 2021

Have you ever wondered how to use feng shui in your small space? Even if you live in a tiny studio apartment, there are still ways that you can apply feng shui principles.

If you do live in a small home, I invite you to consider the metaphor of a plant. I used to live in a really small home, and I got a plant at the time that only had two very small leaves. Now, that plant has grown into a much bigger plant, and I’ve also taken many cuttings from it that have rooted and become bigger plants as well.

In feng shui, plants represent the wood element, which is about growth and generosity. Instead of thinking about how small your space is and coming from a place of lack, think about what you can cultivate in the space you do have. In life we have the opportunity to grow and cultivate and receive the gifts that the universe has for us. Then, you can also create many gifts to share with other people.

One way you can apply this concept in a small space is to actually find a tiny plant and bring it into your home. Learn how to take care of this tiny plant, and watch it grow. Once it gets bigger you can be generous, and create cuttings to give to other people.

You can also find a friend who you believe really exemplifies generosity, prosperity, abundance, and authentic kindness, and tell them that you admire and appreciate these qualities in them. If they have houseplants or a garden, you can also ask if they would be willing to give you a cutting of a plant. This cutting that you receive from your friend can be the tiny plant that you learn to cultivate in your home, and then share generously. In feng shui, we talk about the concept of qi, which is life force energy. When you receive a cutting from someone who genuinely embodies the qualities that you aspire to, that energy will also be in the cutting, and you can start to cultivate those qualities in your own life.

Make sure you start with a plant that you have the ability to accommodate in the space that you have. This goes for everyone, even if your space isn’t small. It’s important to do your research and make sure that the plants you bring into your space will be able to thrive in your home’s conditions. Then, take the time to learn how to take care of this other living thing, and see how you can start to cultivate your generosity, your qi, and the qualities that you admire in your friend, in your own way.

by Anjie Cho

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

Born During A Tiger Year? Here's What It Means + How To Thrive

Guest User December 1, 2021

Anjie Cho was featured on mindbodygreen

The Chinese zodiac is split into 12 signs, with Tigers third in line after the Rat and the Ox. Those born during Tiger years are known for their fierceness, and Tiger years themselves often have a similar feel. Here, we're diving into the year of the Tiger, plus everything to know about those born during this year.

The Chinese zodiac.

In Chinese astrology, the entire year falls under one of the 12 signs, as opposed to in Western astrology, which has 12 zodiac seasons that all sit within one year. For example, the upcoming Chinese calendar year (starting on February 1, 2022) will be a Tiger year followed by a Rabbit year in 2023, and so on.

Each of the signs is associated with different qualities, strengths, and weaknesses, and they're also further divided by their element, as well as where they fall in the yin-versus-yang spectrum.

.…read full article

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

Feng Shui for Autumn

Guest User November 10, 2021

We’re well into fall here in the Northern Hemisphere, when the weather gets cooler and things start to die away. The leaves on trees start to change color and fall, and things start to get slower as we wind down for the holidays. During this season, we also have more yin time. Yang energy is related to the sunshine, while yin energy is related to nighttime and darkness. During the fall and winter, we have more dark hours of the day and less sunlight.

At its core, feng shui is really about connecting to the cycles of nature. Applying feng shui principles can be a way to engage with these cycles and the changing seasons in our homes and our lives. If you want to really embrace this time of year, here are a few ways you can do this using feng shui principles.

The metal element

First, you can work with the metal element, which is related to autumn. Metal also gives way to water, which is connected to the season of winter that we’ll be moving into next. One way to embrace the metal element is just to understand that we are moving into a time where things are falling away, and that it’s okay to let go of things. It’s okay to be going through a transition. The metal element has the feeling of a sword or scissors cutting through something. What do you need to cut through? What do you need to let go of that is no longer serving you? Once you’ve done some reflection on this, take action. Metal is about movement and taking steps to move things forward, not staying still. It’s also about contraction and becoming more compact. Think of an acorn: it has all the energy and wisdom of an oak tree, but in a smaller package.

Protect your neck

My acupuncturist always tells me to protect the back of my neck during this time of year as it’s getting colder. It’s a good idea to protect this part of your body from the wind. There’s actually an area of the feng shui bagua that’s related to your neck and head, and it’s usually near the front door. To support this part of your body and your home, make sure you have extra protection from wind and drafts.

Accept sadness

With the change in seasons, some people start to feel more sad. The metal element is connected to sadness as well. If this resonates with you, I would encourage you to recognize that it’s okay to feel sad. If there were never any sadness, you would also never feel any joy. It’s a part of life. It’s not about trying to eradicate sadness, because there is always sadness in the world. Begin to embrace all parts of you, including the sad parts.

If you are feeling very low and sad because of the waning light, there are a few practical things that you can do. You might want to bring in more full-spectrum lights to use during the day, and go out in the sun more. You can also look at how things are placed in your home. Is your bed or the artwork in your home placed especially low? If your mood feels low, and especially if you have a tendency towards depression, you might want to pay attention to this, and maybe take some time to lift the qi of your home. You might want to get a taller bed frame, or add a box spring or lifts for your bed. You also might want to carefully rehang one or more pieces of art. Take it off the wall, dust it, and place it even just an inch higher to lift your qi and raise your spirits.

I hope these tips help you to welcome autumn!

by Anjie Cho