Feng Shui teaches how to create an environment that elicits positive energy to support our well-being, our health, our relationships, and our prosperity. To allow abundance to easily enter our life and nourish each aspect of it, it is extremely important to examine our surroundings and assess the current energy of abundance in our living and working environment. 

When evaluating what we have, we should not confuse quantity with quality. When we examine our basements, for example, what’s in our boxes that we have we been holding on to and can’t let go of? What do these items represent and why do we still have them? One of the main reasons why we keep too much stuff is that we don’t trust the future, and our self-defeating thoughts sabotage our prosperity. 

Clutter is anything broken, not used or loved, disorganized, and anything unfinished. Clutter is what we call “stuck energy” and it prevents us from moving forward, and from thinking clearly and creatively. Having too many things often leads to chaos and can get expensive because when we can’t find what we need, we go and get new stuff. Clutter pulls our energy down which in turn makes us procrastinate instead of taking action towards our goals. 

Releasing clutter is the first step to abundance as it opens the door to new possibilities to enter our life. Only then can we start enhancing our home with items that symbolize abundance for us. 

While the balance of our house as a whole is important, let’s focus on the entrance and the Abundance sector of our home. 

The entrance is considered the “Mouth of Chi” and the state of the entrance determines the quality of energy, and therefore opportunities, entering our life. Making it appealing and welcoming, and enhancing it with the appropriate Element should be a priority.

The Abundance sector (located in the far left corner when standing at the front door) is governed by the Wood Element. When choosing items that incorporate the Wood Element, the color, shape, and material are equally important. What matters most is its relationship to us and our intention to create our personal abundance. Creating collages and displaying quotes and affirmations are also powerful ways to put our attention to our goals and taking steps towards their manifestation. Ask yourself how your life would look like if you had all the abundance you wished for. 

And last but not least, develop an attitude of gratitude for the abundance that is already in your life. As the  definition says, abundance is the plentifulness of the good things of life. What are your blessings?

This is also an ideal time to take a look at your surroundings and bring a fresh breeze into your life. Evaluate what you have accumulated in the last year and get rid of what you don´t use, don’t love or doesn´t work. Do you wear all the clothes in your closet? If not, make space, donate or throw away, and make room for new. Check your bathroom cabinets for expired medicine or rarely used toiletry. Go through the pantry for expired food and clean the fridge. Vacuum the bed and remove any clutter that has accumulated under the bed. A good Chi flow around your bed will help you sleep better and feel rested in the morning. Look at your entrance and front door. Can your door open fully or have shoes, bags and umbrellas accumulated behind it? Is it inviting and welcoming? Bring your papers and files in order to unload your mental burden and clear your mind.

When you clear the clutter in your home, you will feel refreshed and invigorated to focus and take action towards new goals in your life.

Red and rose colors are associated with intimacy and romance and can be used in small doses to infuse the bedroom with warmth and love.

Most red shades can be overstimulating and orange is too powerful.

Peach in the bedroom is a no-no in Feng Shui as it initiates change and brings trouble in a marriage.

Yellow gives the human body a sicky look and should be avoided near the head of the bed.

Dark colors can sometimes be heavy and ponderous.

White walls as well as gray, black and blues can make the bedroom too chilly to be sensual if they dominate.

Experience with color combinations or different shades of a single color and choose those that make you feel most relaxed and comfortable. Have fun!

When your home reflects the changes that occur in your life and in yourself, you are in tune with your living environment. For example, if you surround yourself with items that had a sentimental value in a previous relationship, you will keep being reminded of the past instead of being in the present. On the other hand, displaying your goals in full view acts as a constant reminder to work toward these goals.

The New Year is a perfect time to evaluate your environment and check if it is in alignment with your goals and resolutions. Remove what is outdated, broken, not loved, not used anymore, or items that bring up negative memories or feelings.

Let go and let the objects around you reflect who you are today and who you want to be tomorrow.

Make room for your decorations and Christmas tree before you start unpacking your ornament boxes. You may have to store some of your regular decorations away to avoid overcrowding your home with objects.

While you look through these items, take the opportunity to evaluate if each item is actually being used or still important to you, or if you could donate it to a charity.

Look at your front door. Is your entrance area welcoming, spacious and neat? Can your guests feel the holiday atmosphere upon entering your house? Hang a wreath outside of your front door, add a couple of Christmas ornaments in the entrance area, and set the mood with enticing aromas. A saucepan filled with orange peels, cinnamon sticks and cloves that you keep on low heat will fill your home with a warm glow.

Be careful not to create an over-stimulating environment with too many different colors and lights. Choose a color scheme and add selected items in the colors representing the Five Elements to the appropriate sectors.

Here are some suggestions for your holiday decorations according to the principles of Feng Shui. You can locate the Bagua sectors in your house with this Bagua map.

Career sector: Snowman, snowflakes, snow globe, glassware.

Self Knowledge/Wisdom sector: Religious figures, Wise men of the Nativity scene.

Family sector: Nativity scene or creche, Christmas tree, family heirlooms.

Abundance sector: Gifts, valuable ornaments, golden chocolate coins.

Fame/Reputation sector: Poinsettia, stars, candles, twinklings lights, especially red, orange and yellow.

Intimate Relationships sector: Mistletoe, chocolates, 2 pink candles or 2 candles in heart shape.

Creativity/Children sector: Wreath with silver ornaments, decorations made of metal, silver bowls.

Helpful People/Travel sector: Angels, Santa.

Health sector: Fruit bowl or basket, aromatherapy burner.

Set your holiday table with a red table cloth and napkins, shiny silverware, brightly-colored china, and a low centerpiece to create a festive mood. Other ideas include sprinkling some golden star glitter on the table, tying the napkins with a ribbon and a pretty ornament, and arranging fresh pine branches around the plates.

Happy Holidays!