|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
The Asian philosophy that grapples with the role of color,
furniture
placement, landscape and geology which affects people is called
Feng Shui (pronounced "fung schway"). There are several schools:
Traditional, Form, Compass, Black Sect, Pyramid, Ch'i, Nine Harmonies,
Vastu. And, as the saying goes, all paths lead to a sizeable student loan.
But they're pretty much the same philosophically.
Feng Shui's earliest roots was grounded in nature and the elements.
Particular
traits were relegated to each compass direction. For instance,
it's decreed
that every true northern area of a room concerns what you
want to be when you
grow up: career. The south: support from peers and
other people's impression
of you. East deals with health; west concerns
those souls whom you adopt as
"family" (pets and step-relatives included).
Test-taking and improving
credentials is a function of the northeast;
help from pals in other area codes
is synonymous with northwest. Southwest
embraces loving, affectionate adult
relationships; southeast increases
investments, financial security and the
Almighty Buck.
Although some contemporary adepts ignore or homogenize compass directions
in pursuit of simplicity, "real" Feng Shui considers the movement of the
sun, moon and stars, personalizing space in cooperation with Ma Nature and
an "energy" called ch'i (pronounced "chee"). If you don't know east from
west, ask a neighborhood Girl Scout or buy a compass. Then, going
room-to-room,
superimpose all true directions over the floorplan of your
living and working
space (-- "east" is always east whether in the basement
or a penthouse. And
true "north" is north, etc.).
Since the nights are getting longer as December approaches, let's focus on
the location of your bed and note which direction the back of your head
lies -
not where you point your toes. (The following is a melange of data
from the
wonderful Simon Brown. And lots of others.)
- Head pointing SOUTH is said to fan the flames of family fights. While
it
may be a sexually stimulating direction for necking and resting the
head,
sleep will be restless. Here, yellow tones calm insomnia; purple
and lilac
stimulate. When passion starts boiling over, light a candle or
place a tall
plant on bedstand for amore. But when you need a break from
wind and waterbed
aerobics, toss a handful of charcoal in a low clay pot
and place near your
headboard (and take a cold shower).
- Head pointing SOUTH-EAST encourages social activity and clear
communication
in personal growth. Blues and greens are favored here.
Vertically striped
patterns of green and blue or a tabletop water chotscke
is said to activate
buoyant energy here.
- Head facing SOUTH-WEST creates and enhances peaceful partnerships,
although
partners are said to become more cautious, hesitant to take
risks. Drapes
,wallpaper or bedlinens with check patterns in shades of
yellow and brown
"ground" and enhance love energy.
- Head facing EAST is perfect for pre-Baby Boomers. Good for
increasing
career-luck and keeping life busy. In this situation, for job
opportunity,
sleep on sheets of light green or blue pastel shades;
increase intuition with
a wicker or bamboo headboard.
- Head pointing WEST tends to make one lazy: "wanting" the bucks or beaus,
but
lacking motivation or focus when going for the gold. Curvy patterns,
warm
pinks and maroons are said to increase intuition and non-verbal
communication
amongst bedpartners. Avoid grey or charcoal hues.
- Head pointing NORTH is said to relieve insomnia and dampen down
life
activities. Warm pinks, mellow burgundy can enhance feelings of
spirituality,
peace of mind. Boost social engagements by adding brighter
reds to the
bedroom. To calm activity and busy-ness, place tall plants on
either side of
your headboard.
- Head pointing NORTH-EAST stimulates motivation but is not conducive to
rest,
relaxation. This is known as "the nightmare bed direction". Calm
unsettling
vibes by using somber, rusty pinks, pale yellow. If bad dreams
or paranoia
persist, display a handful of sea salt in small white ceramic
bowl.
- Head pointing NORTH-WEST promotes deep sleep and is recommended for
parents
and elderly family members. When asleep, this head direction is
associated
with self control, leadership. Colors enhancers are yellow,
white and pink or
metallic copper or brass tones. To diminish
responsibilities, place ivy,
curved glass statue or a picture of water
lilies near the headboard.
There's no "quick fix" in Life or Feng Shui. To understand all tools
for
personal growth is a good thing. Start at home!
"To be a person of knowledge, one needs to be light and fluid." --
Yaqui Saying
About the author:
Dennis Fairchild is the Birmingham-based author of several books, including
Healing Homes:
Feng Shui - Here & Now,
the US correspondent for Europe's Feng Shui For Modern Living
magazine and spoke at the 3rd annual International Feng Shui Conference.
Also of Interest:
|
|
