FENG SHUI – ARE YOU READY TO MOVE FORWARD?
by Magdalena Brandon
Let’s go on a journey. Close your eyes and visualize your home. Do you know why you hung that mirror in that particular spot? Why do the red walls make you happy? Are those furniture pieces too big for your living room? When walking into your bedroom, is there a sadness that comes over you? When sitting in your family room, are you relaxed? Can anyone afford not to know about Feng Shui? If you are looking for answers to these questions, then please read on…
Having been an interior designer for over 25 years, I was introduced to Feng Shui a few years ago by several Feng Shui Consultants, who wanted my expertise in selecting paint colors for their clients. As we worked together, it was intriguing to me how Feng Shui worked. Listening intently to their comments and suggestions, I became aware that I had been practicing the art of Feng Shui intuitively for years without any formal training. I became certified in Feng Shui in 2004, my intuition was magnified and I gained an even greater understanding, awareness, and knowledge of the workings of Feng Shui. This gives me the ability to have complete clarity with my clients and know that we will accomplish their intentions.
Feng Shui
Feng Shui (literally translated as wind-water) is an ancient Eastern philosophy gaining a huge following in the West due to its beneficial and amazing results. Today’s westernized approach to Feng Shui enables you to balance your hectic life and create a sanctuary in your home and office. Using Feng Shui in your environment enables you to create a happier, healthier and more prosperous life. Feng Shui works with the energy surrounding you, or “Chi,” and allows this energy to flow freely and fill your life with positive results. Working with a Feng Shui consultant empowers your environment and allows the Universe to work for you rather than against you. Simple techniques are applied to allow “Chi” to travel through space without obstacles, thus creating a fluid journey through life. If the intention is clear at the time Feng Shui enhancements are made, the results are dramatic!
Harnessing the power of positive energy in your environment and allowing it to support your intentions and dreams in life is the art of Feng Shui.
The Bagua
The Bagua means eight sides that relate to nature, man, family, relationships, and all eight aspects listed below. It is used to both guide and interpret a person’s life and problems, and is used as a cure to resolve them. As you can see below, each area is outlined showing the quadrant, which element is predominant and the colors to use for paint, accessories and artwork.
Feng Shui Case Study
Currently, I am working with a client who was at the end of her “rope.” She had no feelings of hope; felt she had a hole in her soul; suffered physical health challenges, and was very unhappy with her life and where she was headed. After several failed relationships, she is single, has cats for her companions, and is passionate at what she can do for other people regarding health and nutrition through diet and exercise. A mutual friend recommended my services to her and told her that I could help her create a more harmonious environment, more wealth, the possibility of a fabulous relationship, and support her body in healing itself. We set up a time for our first meeting.
Before I meet with a prospective client, I have guidelines that I use to help me:
- First Impressions
I become aware of first impressions, feelings, and messages that I receive upon arriving at the site. These “hunches” that I sense most likely are something I have to focus on and signal a main Feng Shui issue.
- Alterations in my “Chi”
By keeping my senses alert, I note anything that alters my “Chi” through my five physical senses. If it catches my eye, it alters “Chi,” if it catches my nose, it alters “Chi.” Always remember that “Chi” is the leading factor affecting human life. Translated as “breath,” “Chi” is energy or force that creates mountains and volcanoes, directs streams and rivers, and determines the colors and shapes of trees and plants.
- Stay open
I keep open to receiving messages from the environment as I approach my destination. I take some time to listen, be silent and allow my intuition to guide me.
- Communicate and listen to my client
When I meet with the client, it is her turn to tell me what is going on in her life and home, and what she wants to accomplish.
Phase One – Declutter
The consultation with my client began with us touring her home and taking notice if there was clutter that had to be removed. Most of us consider clutter to be stacks of junk lying around. In Feng Shui, clutter can be more than that. It can be stacks or piles, numerous “little” things, clothing that doesn’t fit or must be repaired or having too much, in an area not big enough.
My client had several areas in her home that had clutter. Because the releasing process can be challenging, getting rid of the clutter became her homework assignment. I suggested that she play music during this process because it can set the tone and allow her to get into a rhythm of de-cluttering. She will complete her work with four options: she can trash it, organize it, donate it or give it to someone who will benefit from it, or she can either sell or return it.
As she went through this process, the energy produced from removing her clutter was unbelievably powerful. It became clear to her that having this clutter had produced a lethargic, tired feeling and kept her feeling depressed while living in the past, and even had produced health problems.
Don’t let this happen to you! When you de-clutter the areas in your home or office, here are the 10 steps that will support you during the process…the same 10 steps I gave to my client.
10 Steps to DeCluttering
- Hold and honor items – thank it for the place it held in your life; then let it go.
- List objects that you have in each room. Does each object have a place and is it something you absolutely love?
- Don’t buy anything without getting rid of something.
- Sell things before buying another.
- Burn items in a ritual.
- Give things away before you bring in new things.
- Limit your surface areas to 50% covered.
- Say NO to objects given to you that you won’t use or don’t love.
- Don’t store objects for yourself or others – use it or lose it.
- Move things around at least once a year. This helps the energy move and not become stagnant.
After my client completed Phase I (De-clutter), the next step was…….
Tune in next month when Magdalena Brandon continues her story of Feng Shui.
Read Magdalena’s Bio HERE.
Website: www.magdalenasvegas.com
- Interior Design Color Psychology - November 1, 2017
- Room Arranging 101 - February 29, 2016
- Feng Shui and Why It is Good for You – Part One - November 17, 2015
