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Five Ways to Cleanse Your Home’s Aura (Whether You’re Into That Kind of Thing or Not)

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice completed with the purpose of aligning oneself with one’s home. Feng shui is premised on the idea that everything—even an inanimate object—has energy, and by arranging your home in accordance with feng shui laws, you can help to direct the flow of these energies. Good feng shui enables Sheng Chi, or positive energy, while a lack of feng shui can lead to Sha Chi, or attacking energy. A skeptic might scoff at the idea of a sofa emitting any kind of aura, but such a cynic has likely never fully contemplated the difference between a structured, regal, silk settee and an automated recliner with extra cushioning and a built-in cup holder. (Surely one lends itself better to a Netflix marathon than the other?)

The bagua is one of the main feng shui tools used to analyze the energy of a particular home. The bagua works like a map, sectioning off a space into different zones, each of which corresponds to a specific area of your life. For example, the north bagua is said to correspond to your career and path in life, while the east is linked to health and family. Feng shui laws for these areas suggest colours and elements that will establish Sheng Chi (AKA, the good energy) and promote balance in these areas of life. If inviting good Chi sounds too metaphysical, what it boils down to is this: a well laid out home will create a positive environment for both homeowners and guests. Even without a full bagua mapping, it is possible to incorporate feng shui elements into your home in order to create a harmonious living space.

Eliminate any mirrors that are directly in line with your front door. Feng shui says: mirrors bounce energy off their reflective surfaces. Any positive chi that enters the home will be immediately reflected off mirrors, and none will be absorbed in the home. Why even the skeptics should employ this tip: after a long and gruelling day, do you really want your own worn out visage to be the very first sight you see when returning to the sanctuary of home?

No sharp corners should be pointed directly at seating areas. Feng shui says: Sha Chi (AKA, the bad energy) can be created through sharp corners, like those on bookcases, mantles, coffee tables, and boxy décor elements. These points work best in corners or other spaces with less traffic, not central seating areas where the good Chi should be directed. Why even the skeptics should employ this tip: sharp corners and edges are culprits for bumps and bruises, aren’t they? They shouldn’t be in a frequented path where they might catch stray elbows and shins.

Incorporate crystals. Feng shui says: natural rocks, minerals, and crystals can bring out natural healing energies. Specific crystals have specific properties—rose quartz promotes love energies, while the multipurpose amethyst can be used to calm emotions and even aid learning. Why even the skeptic should employ this tip: crystals and rocks are beautiful features that can serve, if nothing else, as decorative bookends, paperweights. Not to mention, they’re great dinner party conversation pieces.

Clear out the clutter. Feng shui says: a cluttered and chaotic environment can block the flow of positive energy and disrupt the balance of your home. Why even skeptics should employ this tip: a cluttered and messy home can disrupt the balance of your sanity.

Finish your space with a corresponding scent. Feng shui says: scents can be powerful tools to create good Chi and ensure different areas of the home are properly balanced. Feng shui utilizes natural, rather than synthetic scents, to keep a home fresh. Lavender and chamomile are said to be calming agents, while eucalyptus and peppermint can provide a stimulating aroma suitable for a home office or workspace. Why even the skeptics should employ this tip: whether or not you believe in the power of aromatherapy, smudging, diffusing, and burning candles and incense can simply make your home smell good.

-GHJC

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