Feng Shui Secrets Revealed

How to Use a Feng Shui Fish Tank

You have probably seen plenty of pieces of Asian and Chinese artwork featuring goldfish or koi carp. There are also Asian water gardens which you can incorporate into your home, including these beautiful fish. Fish are very important when it comes to Asian and Chinese culture.

When you are using the science and art of feng shui, you might wonder how you can use a feng shui fish tank in your own home. How should you introduce it and where should you put it? Are there areas where it should not be kept?

A Real Feng Shui Fish Tank Doesn’t Have to Be Big

A lot of people think wrongly that when you are talking about a feng shui fish tank, you are talking about a huge aquarium which will take up half your living room. This is untrue. The basic feng shui principles encourage simplicity and balance and trying to fit a massive tank into a tiny apartment is only going to make the room feel cluttered which, again, is very anti-feng shui. You should choose a tank which is going to look good in your house and not be too big.

Smaller fish tanks will do the same job, especially if they suit the room they are in and add the element of balance. You can choose from an aquarium and a small fish tank, depending on the space you have available and your preference. You might just want a little fishbowl with a couple of goldfish. If properly maintained and well displayed, this will be just fine.

Those of you on a tight budget who couldn’t afford hundreds of dollars on a huge aquarium can breathe a sigh of relief now you know that size doesn’t matter when talking about feng shui fish tanks.

Where to Put a Feng Shui Fish Tank

You might already be familiar with the five elements in feng shui, which are water, wood, metal, fire and earth. These are the embodiment of feng shui and the elements complement one another and stop each other from monopolizing a whole room. This is why your feng shui fish tank will be useful. With a smaller fish tank or bowl, the balance can be attained by using it as an accent to the room.

If your room consists of mostly browns or tans, the water element from the fishtank will balance it out. Bright colored fish are the best to use, perhaps orange or yellow, and they will offset warm earth tones.

It is a bad idea for your feng shui fish tank to have to compete with a stronger element. If you have a large fireplace in your family room, you shouldn’t have a large aquarium in the same room. These elements are both strong and will conflict with one another, resulting in a lack of harmony and balance. In this case, you can either choose a smaller fish tank or place a large aquarium in another room where it is not competing against anything.

Make sure that you place your fish bowl somewhere it can complement the room and the environment in it. This will ensure your feng shui fish tank is used to its best advantage.

Understanding the Five Elements of Feng Shui

Whenever people talk about the ancient art of feng shui, inevitably the five elements come up. What are these five elements and why are they important in feng shui? Read on for a quick rundown on the five elements and their uses in the practice of feng shui.

The Five Elements of Feng Shui Outlined

The five elements of feng shui are wood, water, earth, metal and fire. These five elements are all naturally occurring and indicate either construction or deconstruction in some way or another:

Construction: Wood can make fire; the energy of fire (e.g. – the Sun) feeds the earth; metal comes from the earth; water can be drawn from the elements of metal; water feeds wood.

Destruction: Fire can destroy metal; metal (in the form of tools) destroys wood; wood feeds off of the earth; earth absorbs water; water destroys fire.

Harmonizing With the Five Feng Shui Elements

The idea of feng shui is that these five elements should remain in balance with each other. Too much of any element in one place will be distracting and disrupt the flow of positive energies. Any given room is likely to have an overabundance of one particular element and would be well served by bringing in some of another element to achieve a balance. As a case in point, let’s take a common example: an all white bathroom. White represents water.

Now an all white room may have a clean look to it, but can also feel cold and unwelcoming. You can balance this cold sterile feel of the room by bringing in another element. Earth is a good choice here and will bring some warmth to the room. Artwork or even accessories such as towels and bathmats in warm earth tones can bring about the desired effect. Take as another example a den which is entirely in earth tones, which can make the room feel somewhat claustrophobic. Fire is a good element to balance out earth here, such as with red or orange accents.

Feng shui’s balancing principles can be applied to much more than home decor however. Think of personality traits. Some people are entirely too fiery; a little fire is good, but someone who is hot tempered consistently can be hard to deal with. Balance in all things is the idea of feng shui.

If you happen to be one of these fiery types, try to bring some earth into your personality. Try to nurture your personal warmth; it will make you a more balanced and all around pleasant person.

There is more art than science to feng shui, meaning you can apply its principles in a way that fits any situation or purpose. All you need to keep in mind is the five elements and how they work together to create harmony.

Using Feng Shui to Increase Wealth

If you are thinking about whether you can incorporate the ancient science and art of feng shui in your life for the purpose of building wealth, there are some important things you should bear in mind before beginning. First of all, what exactly are you trying to accomplish when you assume that feng shui for wealth will work for you?

Do you have some financial problems at present and think that feng shui can magically cure these problems?

When thinking about using feng shui to attract wealth, do you really understand what you will need to do? There is no ancient ritual, art, science or principle which provides you with money without you having to do something for it. Deciding to ask feng shui for money and have it arrive on your doorstep is not the way to go about things and will not work.

A lot of people believe that feng shui can be used to attract wealth and some people swear that feng shui really did help them with their financial issues but what did they do to bring about these positive results? What things must you avoid?

First of all, remember that feng shui principles include balance, calm and harmony. You must make sure that you are using these elements in your everyday life, at home and at work.

Can you think of any ways in which you bring a lack of balance or disharmony to your career? A lot of modern companies stress that teamwork is very important. If you don’t agree, you are risking your job. If you don’t have the correct attitude, you are risking your career and that is certainly no way to build wealth! If you aren’t comfortable at your workplace you need to decide whether to seek another job or whether to try harder to fit in.

Also, when talking about feng shui for wealth, you should remember that feng shui encourages positive energy for accomplishment. If you are trying to enhance the relationship between various members of your family, you should bring upbeat colors and elements to the family room. This will have the result of making everyone feeling alive and full of energy. This positive feeling encourages family closeness and satisfaction with one another.

If you want to use feng shui for wealth, you will need to apply your own positive energy toward getting the wealth you crave. This means not wasting your finances, working hard and being ambitious. You won’t be able to have one without the other.

There is sadly no magic cure when you are using feng shui for wealth. Hanging a crystal over your mirror or painting your front door red will not make you wealthy or fix your finances. In fact, your finances will just be down by the price of a crystal or a container of red paint. If you apply the real feng shui principles including positive energy, balance and harmony, you might find that your circumstances improve and your wealth, in turn, will increase.

Using the Ancient Art of Chinese Feng Shui

There are many people today who are very interested in the ancient art and science that is Chinese feng shui.  They are curious as to whether or not it can really usher in positive energy and vitality to their lives, and help with such things as wealth, health, and happiness.

While Chinese feng shui is no “magic bullet” that will cure any of your ailments or that will somehow cause a big bag of money to appear on your front door, there are many positive benefits one can receive when applying its principles to your life.  Let’s take a look at a few.

For one, Chinese feng shui encourages peace and harmony in the home, and along those lines, encourages people to de-clutter their environments and their lives overall.  Of course, it’s absolutely impossible to decide what exactly can and cannot be considered clutter in your home and your life; as the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”  However, the application of Chinese feng shui is meant to encourage positive energy and to get rid of anything that drains you of this energy, or that introduces negative feelings and energy in your life.

This is how the thought can be applied to not only your material possessions, but to your life overall.  For example, if you have a so-called “friend” that only calls you when he or she needs something, and has a tendency to be so overly emotional that you feel drained and empty when you’re done talking?  This person can be considered clutter in your life – adds nothing, and take everything.

It’s also true that the Asian cultures value hard work and applying one’s self to your family and your career.  Chinese feng shui encourages you to use your energy in these types of positive ways; by doing so, you will be only encouraging more positive energy in your life.  Think about how that might apply in your own family.

Do you use your time, your resources, and your energy to encourage strong family bonds?  Do you see your family as an investment opportunity for that energy?  If you understand and apply the principle being taught by Chinese feng shui that positive energy begets positive energy, then you won’t hesitate to work hard at making your family bonds as strong as possible.

It is true too that Chinese feng shui puts a great deal of emphasis on the use of color in one’s home and environment, however, be careful that you don’t fall for folklore and myth when it comes to this aspect of the art.  There is no real basis for thinking that a red front door is lucky or special in any way, or that certain colors will bring prosperity and wealth when used abundantly.

Colors used in rooms and areas of the home are simply meant to create certain moods; bright colors will energize you while darker colors will calm and soothe.

In these few ways, you can see how Chinese feng shui can add positive energy and vitality in your own life.

Decorating and Feng Shui – When Art and Science Meet!

If you are thinking about remodeling your home, you might be interested to know how feng shui can work together with decorating for great results and wondering if you can introduce some feng shui principles into your home.

Actually, feng shui and decorating are a blend of both art and science. There are no hard and fast rules about applying feng shui to your life. There are a lot of experts who can advise you but it will be up to you to make the final decisions about what you do and don’t like. A true feng shui guide will never tell you that you have to paint this room that color or put this object there. They can advise and give you tips but the end result should be something you feel totally comfortable and happy with.

This aspect of feng shui and decorating is the part which can be called art. The rest is down to subjectivity. There are no rights or wrongs because what is appealing to one person might be unappealing to another. We all have different personal tastes.

There is plenty of advice when it comes to using color to create tension, energy and mood and also when it comes to de-cluttering your living space, but there are no set rules about this either. One person might view their ornaments as prized possessions and feel happy every time they look at them. To another person, these items might be considered unnecessary dust collectors and serve no other function apart from being in the way.

When you are using feng shui in conjunction with decorating, you should show balance and exercise caution. What you might see as clutter-free, someone else might see as sterile and cold, or vice versa. There are no rules and no right or wrong answers. You just need to interpret the feng shui principles for yourself and decide what is appealing to you and what looks good in your home.

Decorating and feng shui are also to do with science as well as art. There are facts behind de-cluttering, color and so on. Scientists know how tense people feel when their environment is cluttered. Color does actually affect our moods. Warm colors can promote feelings of relaxation and tranquility. Bold, bright colors can be a great pick-me-up and promote vitality. Soft colors can be calming whereas vibrant shades can make you feel in control and full of energy.

Also, the entryway to your home and every room sets the tone or mood. This can be compared to the first impression you get when meeting somebody. The first impression can affect your whole relationship with that person.

When you are apply decorating and feng shui principles, you need to consider that first impression because it is very important. You can stand in the entryway to each room and see how you feel. Does the room in question feel inviting or does it feel off-putting.

If you apply these simple principles of decorating and feng shui, you can start experiencing the art and he science of this ancient practice, with highly beneficial results.

Feng Shui History – Separating Fact from Fiction

A lot of feng shui beginners or practitioners are also interested in the history and real story of how feng shui was developed. It is a very good idea to find out more about this because when feng shui was introduced to the western culture and began to gain popularity, a lot of untruths and misconceptions became mixed in with the real practice.

Feng Shui History in Ancient China

Various Asian cultures have always placed a lot of importance on peace, harmony and balance. Zen masters in Japan taught that hard work and simplicity were the keys. The Chinese believed that one needed to respect and feel happy with one’s surroundings to feel at peace.

Chinese experts, according to the true feng shui history, believed that the earth resonated a strong energy. They believed hat this energy should be attracted to, and welcomed into, one’s home. They also believed that certain practices fought this energy, bringing chaos and disruption.

By arranging furniture and buildings the right way, the Chinese believed that a good balance in life could be attained.

Feng Shui Arrives in the West

Feng shui stories tended to become mixed up around the time when the practice was first introduced to the western world. This is probably because there were plenty of unscrupulous characters who realized they could make money from unsuspecting westerners who weren’t sure what was and was not feng shui.

Also, there were a lot of new age elements that were introduced and mistakenly thought to be part of feng shui history whereas the truth is that they had nothing to do with it. Red front doors, crystals, star shaped mirrors and the like are included in this confusion.

Some people claim that feng shui can attract vast wealth, cure any physical ailment and several other similar claims but in reality these things are nothing to do with real feng shui. Feng shui history does not include any of these claims and feng shui practitioners do not claim such statements as being true.

They do believe that feng shui, when used correctly, can add positive energy to your life. This energy can result in good things coming your way but feng shui was never meant to be a magic bullet to make health, wealth and luck yours instantly. If it could, everyone would be using it!

Understanding True Feng Shui History

If you are interested in the science and art of feng shui, it is important to know its history and what it can and can’t do. If not, you might fall prey to one of these so-called feng shui experts who tell their version of the truth rather than the real feng shui facts.

Feng shui history is all about order, harmony, positive energy and balance. Stories you might hear which don’t include these elements are probably just folklore and you should ignore them. When you know and understand the truth behind this fascinating science, you will be better equipped to appreciate and use feng shui in your life and in your home.

How to Use Jade in Feng Shui

Everyone would like to have more energy; there’s no arguing with that. As for yourself, have you considered feng shui as a means for attaining this extra energy? This ancient practice could grant you more energy along with better health (and some say, wealth and luck too).

Many wonder, perhaps yourself included: can feng shui really do all the things its adherents claim it can do? Can tidying your home and moving around the furniture really have that kind of effect on your life and health? It’s good to have a healthy level of skepticism since there are a lot of unscrupulous types out there trying to sell so-called feng shui accessories, most of which have no relation whatsoever to the practice of this ancient art.

For instance, take jade. Is jade an element of feng shui? What is the use of jade in feng shui? It is a common gemstone in Asia, but what is the real reason some tie jade and feng shui together? What, if anything does jade have to do with feng shui? Let’s look at this question in a little more detail and see how and why jade and feng shui have acquired this association with each other.

The History of Jade in Feng Shui

It is certainly true that jade is very popular as a gemstone in Asia, particularly in Chinese culture. Jade was very abundant in past centuries and could easily be shaped and carved as desired due to its softness relative to other gemstones.

Jade and feng shui were not always intertwined and you will find no mention of jade in ancient texts dealing with the practice of feng shui. Feng shui in fact does not ascribe special properties to jade. Nonetheless, there is no mistaking the degree to which this gem is prized in Chinese culture.

Jade held the sort of place in the culture of the ancient Chinese empire that in the West was held by gold and diamonds. Not only used for luxury items and religious objects, jade was also used for the funerary accoutrement of royalty.

How Jade and Feng Shui Came to the West

Whenever a cultural practice lands on foreign shores, it is very vulnerable to becoming adulterated by contact with the new culture – and feng shui was no exception to this rule. Unscrupulous feng shui practitioners out to make money from as-yet feng shui ignorant westerners would try to sell them on the healing properties of feng shui – for a price of course. Jade was already associated with Chinese culture in the Western mind, making it easy for newcomers to feng shui to believe these hucksters. This cemented a relationship between feng shui and jade in the minds of many in the West.

As mentioned above, feng shui actually does not consider jade to have healing properties or any other special characteristics. Jade is considered to be a metal element and as such may be used in a decoration in the interests of introducing that element to a room, but its importance to the practice of feng shui begins and ends there.

The Rules of Feng Shui

Do you like rules? If you are like most people, you won’t. In general, people appreciate guidelines to keep them on track but we all like to have some room for free expression rather than feeling restricted in what we can and cannot do.

This is why the ancient science and art of feng shui is so enjoyable. There are some important principles to follow but there are no hard and fast rules which must be adhered to.

So if there aren’t any rules to feng shui, how can we apply it?

The answer is that there are no rules. There are only principles.

A rule is something rigid and harsh and does not allow for freedom, judgment, expression or personal choice. It is also something that you have to follow, whether you agree with it or not and whether you like it or not. A stop sign, for example, is a rule and not a suggestion.

A principle is different from a rule, in that it is guidance which allows for a certain degree of freedom. A principle can be compared to a ceiling with a lot of movement underneath it. You cannot come higher than the ceiling but you have the freedom to do what you want underneath it as long as you stick to the height guideline.

If you were thinking that feng shui is a set list of strict rules which have to be adhered to, you will be pleased to know that it is not like that at all. Feng shui is about making your home and work environments work for you personally. The personal factors that you can enjoy and appreciate the renewed energy and vitality they bring into your life are not the same factors that work for every person. Saying that there are feng shui rules is actually counterproductive to the entire feng shui science.

The feng shui principles are very different. Let’s look at the use of color. Feng shui practitioners will tell us that bring colors add vitality and energy to a space. In rooms where you want energy, such as the kitchen, you should use yellows, reds or oranges.

The way you use this principle depends on your personal taste. Imagine if the feng shui “rules” dictated that you have to paint your kitchen yellow and you hate yellow! What works for many people is to introduce the color in small amounts rather than painting the whole room. You might want some yellow or orange accents, such as chairs in that color or kitchen units or even the flooring. You can do whatever appeals to your sense of beauty and makes the kitchen a vibrant place.

Creating Your Own Feng Shui Rules

It is up to you how you use feng shui in your own home because it has to work for you personally. If your feng shui advisor insists that you follow the “feng shui rules” be cautious because there is no such thing.