Managing a household, and creating a functional, self-supportive home really revolves around one thing—choice. And, to be more specific, making the right choices.

When it comes to Feng Shui, the choices you make can have a two-fold effect: 
Ideally, you want to make smart, informed decisions that can assist you in creating a living space that is beneficial to you and your family. Because in doing so, you actually create an environment that enables and supports you in making better decisions in life. 

In keeping with the spirit of this philosophy, what follows are a few Feng Shui fundamentals that can assist you in creating a healthy home, because a healthy home makes a invaluable ally when it comes to getting through your daily routine while it supports you for the future…
                                           
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One of the most intriguing aspects of Feng Shui is the connection it has with symbolism; and, in this case, using and understanding symbolism within your home. Several things can contribute (or combine) to the symbolism of a house, resulting in patterns. This can include, the physical structure of a building (layout and design), a buildings’ history, and any symbolism that you may unknowingly bring in by way of color-use, artwork and furniture.

Patterns & Symbolism ~

The philosophies contained within Feng Shui serve to remind us of the connection between all things in the Universe. And that, for better or worse, energy has the tendency to attract a similar or ‘like’ energy. The same can be said of symbolism. When you have a ‘pattern of energy’ the essence of that energy may actually begin to manifest itself outwardly (physically) over time. Which means that a ‘pattern of energy’ within your physical structure may present itself outwardly, within your life, over time. With this in mind, it is essential to set up your home consciously as oppose to unconsciously. 

I recommend doing a ‘walk-through’ of your home and property (inside and out), to see if you notice any patterns. Visually, there are two types of patterns to be mindful of:
1.Structural patterns (Which would include an architectural repetition or an ‘extreme’ that falls within the layout of the physical building.) 
2. A consistent theme within the setup or décor of the home

One example of a structural extreme involves a contractor who was seeking a loving, committed relationship with a woman, with minimal luck. Upon assessing his home I discovered that his house was ‘L-shaped’ (missing the Southwest corner), as were both his bedroom and living room (also missing the SW corner). In the traditional discipline of Compass Feng Shui, the Southwest sector of your home oversees and supports your romance/relationships. “I’ve been unlucky in love in this house.” Admits Scott Barney of Point Loma. “So I was open to anything.”

Physically and symbolically speaking there wasn’t a romance area to support him with his romance. I suggested he bring in some symbolism (such as artwork) that depicts romance and partnership to him. I also suggested that he pull-in and ‘anchor’ the missing SW corner outside ideally making it feel like a truer extension of the house. For instance, create an intimate seating area for two in that location. 

A short while after making the updates, Scott met someone very significant and they are still together today. In this particular scenario there was a structural extreme (and pattern) that included a consistently absent Southwest (Romance) sector within the floor plan. Up until the time he changed it, Scott’s ‘history’ within the house reflected this absence.

In a completely different example, this one involving an architectural repetition, a young couple I know bought a house in Palos Verdes, California. Their new home was magnificent, but what really captured everyone’s attention was the consistent pattern of 3s subtly, and not so subtly, imprinted throughout the detail of the house. As the story goes, the architect/builder/previous-owner’s lucky number was three and it served as his inspiration as he designed and built his beautiful custom home. After living in the home for several years, the new couple discovered that she was (unexpectedly) expecting … triplets. Although initially surprised, the couple was amused and delighted and looked at it as, “a good sign”. In this scenario there was a theme and repetition of ‘3s’ throughout the house. This theme carried over into the couple’s life.

The patterns/events that transpire for you in life (favorable and unfavorable) are often the result of the patterns/symbolism that support you at home, or so contends the traditional discipline of Feng Shui, which emphasizes the advantage of learning to read and interpret the energy and symbolism around you and whether or not it’s currently supporting you. Depending upon what the energy is ‘suggesting’, you can eliminate (or adjust) the symbolism/pattern that isn’t beneficial to you and replace it with something that is. 

For instance, having anything heavy directly over your head while you sit or sleep (such as low, sloped, or beamed ceilings, fans, lighting fixtures, even artwork or shelving) represents additional weight on your shoulders, which can create stress, headaches, and the inability to sleep well.  A beam that runs the length of the bed (down the center), suggests a division of the couple sleeping beneath it.  Ideally you should try to reposition yourself out from under these objects, or remove them altogether. If neither of these is possible you can use upward-directed lighting to soften the effects of the beams and/or the low or sloped ceilings. 

It’s also important to monitor the patterns within your home by assessing your use of color, personal items, artwork, and furniture placement. Physical clutter represents stagnation, which isn’t conducive to a healthy home, or moving forward in life.  Updating your environment regularly keeps things current and finely tuned. It also enables your home to be a truer reflection of you and the direction in which you are heading in life as oppose to, say, who you were five or ten years ago.

Big or small, complete your projects. ‘Completion’ (like, flow) symbolizes progression whereas half-finished projects represent non-action or being in a ‘holding pattern’. Which was the case with Michelle and Bart. Bart had been working very hard in his acting career, but didn’t feel that he had much to show for it. Upon assessing their, “Fame and Recognition’ area (located in the South sector of the home/Master Bedroom), I made several observations…

Externally, some construction had been started in this area of their home, but never finished. (Suggesting stagnation.) The couple also used blue as the primary color in their bedroom. Blue is representative of Water. The South sector of the home, however, is supported through the element of Fire (and the warm array of sunrise/sunset colors). Symbolically speaking, all of the Water (energy) was extinguishing the Fire (energy). Just after completing the construction on the roof, and changing the bedroom color, Bart received several acting opportunities and the couple subsequently moved to Hollywood.

Some symbolism can be very subtle like artwork, mirrors, furniture arrangement, and even numbers. With regards to artwork, make sure that the subject matter is consistent with what you want to bring in or maintain in life. For instance, individuals seeking a romantic partnership (or more friendships) should have artwork depicting couples or pairs, or even groups, rather than just single individuals. 

Also be mindful of what images your mirrors are duplicating. Is the image something that you want more of? From a Feng Shui perspective, it’s not advisable to reflect long hallways or stairways, both of which represent structural extremes. In doing so you actually create a hallway that’s twice as long, or two staircases, which unfortunately creates twice the problem. You also wouldn’t want to (inadvertently) duplicate a stack of bills, piles of clutter or anything that’s broken.

How you arrange your furniture can also be supportive or unsupportive. For instance, in the case of Scott the contractor, mentioned earlier, when creating an intimate sitting area in the Southwest area of his property, I recommended he arrange the two chairs side-by-side, angled slightly inwards towards each other suggesting closeness. This is opposed to having the chairs positioned directly across from one another, which represents opposition and confrontation. In China, sitting with your back to the door in a business setting is perceived as cutting yourself off from others. Worse still, it also suggests vulnerability to gossip and betrayal. (IE: Having others talk behind your back.)

Numbers are also symbolic, and they can provide an easy way to change (or set) a pattern within your living space. In relationships, one represents ‘independence’; two is a number of mated-ness and partnership, whereas three represents a third party or uninvited guest in your relationship. I’ve noticed that many people have a habit of decorating in 1s and 3s unaware of the symbolism.

When decorating with pairs of items, such as candles, having the objects close together signifies connection. Whereas having one candlestick at one end of the mantle and a second candlestick at the other end of a mantle, with numerous items in between, suggests things coming between a couple. In-and-of-itself this arrangement is not necessarily bad, however I wouldn’t recommend having a consistent pattern of it throughout your home.

In addition to monitoring for patterns visually, you can also review your history and experiences within your current home, as well as the experiences of those who lived there prior to you. This can be very revealing in terms of reoccurring events. Less auspicious patterns might include health, marital, or financial problems. Which, in many cases can be offset. (Such as in Scott’s case.) If you don’t know very much about the previous occupants of your house, talk with neighbors to find out more about its history. City Records can also be helpful.

When it comes to setting up your home, making a choice to use supportive symbolism can be a positive step towards the health and well being of you and your family.