Currently browsing: Feng Shui
EMF and Feng Shui: Bridging Ancient Practices with Modern Technology
While electromagnetic fields (EMF) occur naturally, they have been heightened by modern technology. Any device that runs on electricity emits EMF, whether they are wired devices or battery powered. For any of us living a modern life, electromagnetic fields are unavoidable.
We are almost always within a few feet of cell phones, computers, Bluetooth devices, smart devices, etc. That doesn’t even include the radio waves, television waves, cellular signals, and WiFi signals bombarding us from all directions. Is that necessarily a bad thing? What does Feng Shui have to say about it?
What is EMF?
EMF is a flow of energy, but it is an energy caused by a spectrum of sources that vibrate at different frequencies. These can include the Earth’s magnetic field, electrical power, radio waves, cellular technology, microwaves, sunlight, x-rays, and even radioactive sources.
We already know for certain that some of these frequencies of the spectrum are harmful. This is why those working with radioactive materials wear hazmat suits. It’s why you wear a lead apron when you get dental x-rays. It’s why it is recommended to apply sunscreen before spending time in the sun.
Extended and close exposure to at some other frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum may also have harmful effects. We just might not know it, yet. A deep dive into the differences between ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation aside, there have been a variety of contradictory studies about the effects of EMF on the human body. Then again, there were also several contradictory studies about the effects of smoking, asbestos, and leaded gasoline for decades before it was widely accepted that they were all bad for our health. Just maybe Mother knows best when she says not to stand too close to the TV or microwave.
Feng Shui Energy
While Feng Shui deals largely with balance, it is also concerned with the flow of an energy called Chi. In fact, Feng Shui literally translates to “wind-water”. We look for ways to guide the flow of Chi energy for our benefit. It’s like guiding river water to irrigate a farm while also preventing floods at home. While Feng Shui didn’t historically deal with today’s electrical technologies, its practices regarding Chi did interact with Earth’s magnetic field. It is only the past few centuries that humans have discovered other EMF sources, from electricity to gamma rays.
Effects of EMF
In my experience and from many clients’ experiences, electromagnetism from everyday devices can have at least an anecdotal impact. I’ve noticed that an electric alarm clock or a cell phone charging next to the bed negatively impacts sleep. In turn, that nighttime restlessness causes nervousness, fatigue, headaches, and reduced concentration during the day. Some clients are even convinced that extended exposure to wireless devices and unshielded electronics are harmful to them.
I can’t say for certain that EMF is a cause of health issues. But I can make and do recommend minor daily changes to reduce the potential risk — just in case. I don’t want to scare you or expect you to completely cut yourself off from technology. However, even minor changes may be very beneficial in the long-term. Here are some steps that I personally commit to and recommend to my clients:
Bedroom Changes
If possible, remove or significantly reduce all electronics around your sleeping area. I recommend to all of my clients that they not have a television in their bedroom, for instance. If you absolutely must have a cell phone in your bedroom, charge it during the day instead of next to you at night. Set your phone to Airplane Mode or another feature to prevent or limit wireless signals (including cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth) from emitting while you sleep. The only electronic devices I like to see in a bedroom are soft lighting and a white noise sound machine away from the bed.
Distance Yourself From Wireless Devices
At all other times, try to reduce your proximity to wireless devices like cell phones, WiFi routers, smart devices, etc. Keep WiFi routers in the most remote area of the house that still provides a decent signal where you need it. When working, keep your cell phone at least a few feet away instead of in your pocket or bra. When you’re on a phone call, try to use earbuds (preferably wired Air Tube headphones) or the speaker function on the phone. Limit or tuck away “smart” assistants, speakers, plugs, and bulbs, as well as other Bluetooth and WiFi-enabled devices.
Make Changes to Your Computer Desk
You spend a lot of time at your desk. Use wired devices instead of wireless ones at your computer workstation. Whenever possible, opt for a wired mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, speakers, and network connection. With computer screens, keep your distance of at least a foot away, if not more.
Be Careful of Larger Appliances
Sit far from TV screens, just like Mom used to tell you. Don’t stand next to cooking devices like microwaves when they are running.
Insulate Electrical Wiring
Use shielded wiring when possible and shielded wire looms to wrap several cables together. This not only blocks EMF, but also reduces the clutter.
Use House Plants
Use house plants to help absorb radiation. While specific plants should be chosen for certain areas of the home or office for Feng Shui purposes, studies have shown that there are some plants in general that have been found to best absorb radiation. These include cactuses, snake plants, stone lotus flowers, aloe vera, asparagus ferns, and mustard greens.
Take a Break
Take frequent breaks from electronic devices. Ten minutes here and there during the day certainly helps. Take some time to go on a walk, meditate, or have an electronics-free lunch or coffee break with your spouse or a coworker. Take an even bigger break by taking a vacation to a place where you can completely disconnect for a little while to allow your body to rejuvenate.
Get an EMF Reader
Get an EMF reader to check the electromagnetic readings of the various outlets and devices in your home and workspace.
For an eye-opening intro to your new device, place the reader near a microwave actively running and pull the reader back slowly until the EMF reading eventually goes away. You’ve just essentially measured the distance of the microwave’s electromagnetic field. Do the same with other devices like your WiFi router, cooking devices, computer equipment, cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, smart devices, etc. Some power outlets, fuse boxes, and wiring behind your walls may emit more EMF than others because of poor shielding around the wires and connections.
Use your findings to help you determine which devices and wiring to replace or further shield. You’ll also understand how large the electromagnetic fields are around the devices you absolutely can’t live without. This way, you can keep your distance, when possible. Note that consumer-grade EMF readers won’t be able to measure longer-range EMF like radio waves, television waves, and 5G cellular, but we all know that they exist. Otherwise, our radios, TVs, and cell phones wouldn’t work as intended.
Other Actions for Health
Besides EMF, Feng Shui deals with so many more situations that may impact your health and wellness, including homes at T-intersections, having a spiral staircase, sleep tips, and various bedroom layouts. If you are particularly interested in learning more about how to Feng Shui for better health in your home and office, be sure to read my recent blog post about health and all about the Health Area of the Feng Shui Bagua.
Next Steps
Think of your home as an energy magnet and focus on bringing in things that will bring positive, fresh energy into your life. May you and your family have a home filled with health, happiness and abundance.
If you need guidance to improve your space and your life, I’m always available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a virtual consultation. Better Feng Shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with Feng Shui. Contact me today!
Notes: I’m careful to link to products that I use myself and recommend to my clients, when those products are necessary. I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, which enables me to produce and publish free content for you to learn from.
How to Apply Feng Shui Design Principles to Cruise Ships
Cruise ships are floating cities that offer a unique blend of luxury and adventure, making them the perfect vacation destination for many people. But did you know that feng shui design principles can also be applied to enhance the overall experience on board?
Feng shui is a traditional Chinese practice that focuses on the balance of energy in a space. It is based on the belief that a well-designed environment can improve the quality of life and bring good luck and prosperity. The same principles can be applied to the design of a cruise ship to create a harmonious and comfortable environment for passengers.
One of the most important things to consider when applying feng shui to a cruise ship is the flow of energy. This can be achieved by creating a clear path for passengers to move around the ship and by ensuring that the layout of the ship is logical and easy to navigate. The use of natural elements such as plants, water, and wood can also help to create a sense of balance and harmony.
Another important aspect of feng shui design for cruise ships is the use of color. Certain colors have specific meanings and can evoke specific emotions. For example, blue is associated with calm and tranquility, making it an ideal color to use in areas such as the spa or relaxation rooms. On the other hand, red is associated with excitement and energy, making it a great choice for areas such as the casino or entertainment venues.
Feng shui design also includes the use of symbols and imagery that can enhance the overall experience on board. For example, the use of a ship’s wheel symbol can represent the journey and adventure of the cruise. Similarly, the use of imagery of sea creatures such as dolphins or whales can bring a sense of connection to the ocean and the natural environment.
Applying feng shui design principles to cruise ships can enhance the overall experience for passengers. By creating a harmonious and comfortable environment, using natural elements, appropriate colors, and meaningful symbols, the cruise ship can be designed to promote balance and well-being on board.
If you’re interested in applying feng shui design principles to your cruise ship, whether in the planning stages or looking for interior design help, contact me today. I will work with you to create a design that perfectly reflects the unique character of your cruise ship and enhances the overall experience for your passengers.
Health, Above All Else in Feng Shui
Have you ever studied or even looked at a Feng Shui Bagua? The basis of the Feng Shui that I practice is the Bagua. This is a tool used to analyze the energy of a space. Think of it like a map of your space. It helps show you which areas of your home are connected to specific areas of your life. It helps to think of this map as a tic-tac-toe board with nine segments.
Right at the center of this Bagua map is the Health Area. The Health Area touches every other aspect of the map: Career, Knowledge, Family, Prosperity & Wealth, Reputation & Fame, Love & Marriage, Creativity & Children, and Helpful People & Travel.
Using the colorful Bagua, we can now look at the individual areas so that we can determine how we affect and are affected by the Chi that flows through these segmented surroundings.
Your Health Area is in the middle of your home and should be the center of your life. With your good health, all other areas of your Feng Shui Bagua can be supported. Intrigued? Read on to find out how you can enhance your health with Feng Shui.
More Details on the Health Area of your Home
When looking at the different Bagua areas of your home, it’s important to always have good health in the forefront of your mind. With good health, you can better enjoy all the other aspects of your life like relationships, creativity, travel, abundant wealth, etc.
- Primary element: Earth
- Best color: Earth tones/yellow
- Best shapes: Horizontal, flat, squared
- Complementary items: Red, fire, pointed, triangular
- Destructive items: Green, wood, tall columnar elements
First Things First, Clear the Clutter!
Good Feng Shui is all about positive energy flow throughout your home. Having clutter is a sure fire way of creating low, stagnant energy that is confusing and draining. This is why it’s important to clear the clutter and organize the space before moving forward to the next step. Sometimes that can mean just completely removing the items from the area and starting fresh. Once you have a clear space to work with, you can start fresh and create a health-friendly area.
Now Let’s Clear the Air
As mentioned above, earth is the primary element in the health area. So placing a potted plant in a ceramic pot or even a picture of a luscious mountainscape can help improve or maintain good health. Good air quality helps with good health, so air purifying plants are a great way to go!
Some great air purifying plants include a Cat Palm, Parlor Palm, Rubber Tree, English Ivy, Boston Fern, and Peace Lily, to name a few. If you are unable to have live plants, then silk plants or pictures of plants will have to do, but attempt other ways to boost the air quality in your home to enhance your health!
Complement the fresh air with a diffuser and natural essential oils to further clean the air and promote your health. Start with a purification essential oil to freshen the air and neutralize odors. Use frankincense and thieves essential oils to support your immune system.
Other Items to Include to Aid in Good Health
Everything in our surroundings carries an energy and that energy is playing a part in moving our lives forward in that direction. So it makes sense then that our décor, photos, paintings, sculptures, etc., or the things we look at each day are working on a subconscious level to bring those things that we see into reality, kind of like the law of attraction. This is why it’s important to choose objects that bring joy and fulfillment into our lives with our décor.
Look for photos of happy, healthy times with joyous memories and display them in the health area of your home. Place personal artwork such as vision boards or objects that represent what you desire to bring into your life in terms of a healthy family into this area. To create a warm feeling for your space, try something like a Himalayan pink salt lamp, as long as it fits your general interior design.
Affirm Your Health
The health area is also a good space for written affirmations about ideal health. These handwritten affirmations can be placed in a health and family box. Affirmations should be written with gratitude and written in present tense as if they are true right now.
If you are struggling to make ends meet, it could help by writing an affirmation about your ability to support yourself and your family. Affirmations should end with, “this or something better for the good of all concerned.” Remember to keep it positive and write it as a thank-you note, like it has already happened to you.
In Feng Shui, it’s believed that by working with the energy centers, you can both identify what’s going on in different areas of your life and improve it by certain practices and by putting objects in the respective Bagua area to encourage the energy to become activated.
Next Steps
Think of your home as an energy magnet and focus on bringing in things that will bring positive, fresh energy into your life. May you and your family have a home filled with health, happiness and abundance.
If you need guidance on how to improve your space and your life, I’m always available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a virtual consultation. Better Feng Shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with Feng Shui. Contact me today!
Know someone who always seems to have bad luck with their health? Share this post with them on Facebook!
Notes: Some essential oils should not be used around small children, certain pets, and anyone with allergies. I’m careful to link to products that I use myself and recommend to my clients, when those products are necessary. I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, which enables me to produce and publish free content for you to learn from.
Get the Balance Right: Feng Shui Mirror Secrets
Mirrors are a powerful tool in feng shui. Using them, we have the ability to reflect energy as we want to bring balance to a space. However, it’s important to place mirrors carefully to maximize their positive effects and avoid negative consequences.
These are some of the do’s and don’ts regarding mirror placement that I advise my clients:
Do:
- Use mirrors to reflect positive energy. Use mirrors to reflect positive energy, such as natural light, plants, or other uplifting elements. This helps bring balance and harmony to your space.
- Use mirrors to create the illusion of more space. Use mirrors to make a room feel larger and more open. This is especially useful in small rooms, apartments, or in spaces with limited natural light.
- Place mirrors at the right height. The shortest and tallest people in a household should each be able to see themselves from at least their chests to above their heads in the mirror.
Don’t:
- Don’t place mirrors opposite each other. It’s bad feng shui to place mirrors opposite each other because this creates a feeling of instability or imbalance.
- Don’t place mirrors in areas with negative energy. Mirrors have the ability to reflect energy, so it’s important to avoid placing them in areas with negative energy. This includes areas with sharp corners, clutter, or other negative influences.
- Don’t place mirrors in the bedroom. In feng shui, it’s generally not recommended to place mirrors in the bedroom, as they can create a feeling of restlessness or disturbance. If you do need a mirror in the bedroom, it’s best to place it in a location where it won’t be directly reflected in the bed.
Types of Mirrors
Learn more about these types of mirrors, in particular, by following their links to specific blog posts:
Next Steps
By following these do’s and don’ts, you can effectively use mirrors in your home to bring balance and harmony, and avoid any negative consequences. Whether you’re looking to create the illusion of more space, reflect positive energy, or simply add a touch of style to your home, mirrors can be a powerful tool in feng shui.
If you need more specific and custom guidance to improve your space and your life, I’m available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a virtual consultation. Better feng shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation feng shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with feng shui. Contact me today!
The History of Feng Shui: From Ancient China to Modern Practice
Feng shui is an ancient practice that focuses on the placement of objects in spaces to enhance the flow of energy (called Qi or “chi”).
The purpose of feng shui is to promote personal well-being across all areas of life, including health, prosperity, career, love, family relationships, etc.
Feng shui has a fascinating history that spans over 3,000 years. It has evolved over time and cultures to become the popularized practice it is today.
The origins of feng shui can be traced back to ancient China where scholars often used its principles to design structures like palaces and tombs.
Over time, feng shui evolved and became more widely practiced in China and its concepts started to spread to places like India (vastu shastra) and Japan (kanso).
It was used to design homes, gardens, and other spaces in order to promote prosperity, harmony, and good fortune. Feng shui was also applied to the selection of locations for important events like weddings and coronations.
In the modern era, feng shui has gained popularity around the world and is practiced by people of many different cultures and backgrounds (I even consult with people in places like Kuwait and England).
While the principles of feng shui have remained largely unchanged, the practice has been adapted to fit the needs of modern living and the cultural contexts of different societies. Though there may not have been cell phones and electricity in homes 3,000 years ago, feng shui does tell us how to work with the energy created by these modern technologies.
Today, feng shui is widely recognized as a holistic practice that focuses on the arrangement of objects in spaces to promote balance.
Feng shui can be applied just about anywhere, including homes, offices, and public spaces, and is often incorporated into interior design and architecture. In fact, in addition to thousands of individual homes and offices, I have provided feng shui consultations for many different projects, including new home construction, hotels, corporate offices, wedding venues, land development, etc.
The history of feng shui is fascinating and it remains a very popular practice today. Whether you’re interested in the history of feng shui or are simply looking to bring more harmony and balance into your life, exploring the principles of this ancient art and science can be a rewarding experience.
If you need some specific and custom guidance to improve your space and your life, I’m available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a virtual consultation. Better feng shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation feng shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with feng shui. Contact me today!
Is Feng Shui a Scam?
Feng shui is a practice that involves creating harmony in your environment through the arrangement of objects, use of colors, placement of natural elements, etc. Think of it like ancient interior design with an Asian twist. Feng shui has been used for centuries as a way to improve well-being, promote prosperity, and create a positive living space.
Some people view feng shui as a scam or simply superstition. However, here are some things to consider about feng shui:
- Feng shui is based on ancient wisdom and principles. In fact, feng shui has its roots in ancient Chinese philosophy and has been practiced and improved for over 3,000 years. It is based on the idea that the environment has a profound impact on our well-being. By arranging objects and elements in a certain way, we can create a more positive living space.
- Feng shui has been scientifically studied. While much of the research on feng shui has been conducted qualitatively, there have been some scientific studies on the effects of feng shui on well-being and productivity. For example, a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people who worked in offices with good feng shui reported higher levels of satisfaction and productivity compared to those in offices with poor feng shui.
- Feng shui is a subjective practice. Like many other aspects of design, what works for one person may not work for another because everyone’s goals are different. It’s important to keep in mind that feng shui can be a personal and/or cultural belief. What feels harmonious to one person may not feel the same to someone else.
- Feng shui utilizes psychology. Feng shui uses the power of mental association to help you increase your surface area for luck. For instance, there has been ample research that shows that color can influence your psychology. As another example, people who surround themselves with imagery will often be influenced to behave in certain ways based upon that imagery.
- Feng shui principles often make practical sense. As an example, feng shui advises against living at a T-intersection where the headlights of approaching cars will disrupt your peace and where a car could quite literally crash into your home. Another example is the feng shui suggestion that you shouldn’t sit with your back to a doorway as doing so is stress-inducing because you are putting yourself in a vulnerable position. The command position, rather, is the suggested way to sit.
Feng shui is not a scam or a superstitious belief. Rather, it is an ancient practice that is based on ancient wisdom and principles that have been studied scientifically and just make practical sense. While it is a subjective practice, it can be a useful tool for creating a positive and harmonious living space.
If you are looking for a feng shui expert to provide custom guidance to improve your space and your life, I’m available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a virtual consultation. Better feng shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation feng shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with feng shui. Contact me today!