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You need not limit yourself to indoor plants when being an energy detective. Look outside your house or home. A true feng shui energy detective will notice that there are both inputs and outputs of energy in various guises and forms. Energy input can be defined as what values an object's existence creates for you at a certain time and space. Energy output can be defined as what an object's existence takes away from your perception of value at a certain moment in time and space. Let me share an example of energy input and output analysis.
I used to have a gigantic tree in the backyard that stood about 3 stories tall and was blocking out a lot of the sun. It was great in that it created a woodsy kind of feeling for me. When I look out the window, all I could see were the leaves of this tree. I felt comfortably secluded in a getaway retreat. It was also great that I could hear the birds sing and see different kinds of wildlife, including squirrels, making a home in it.
Here, the tree, the woodsy feeling, and the wildlife features all serve as an energy input.
What I noticed, though, was that the princess tree and the lemon tree that were growing around the tree were not doing so well. A garden consultant even suggested making a tree sculpture out of the princess tree, which was not fruiting at all and barely producing leaves. In addition, the lemon tree was just producing about 10 lemons a year. Furthermore, I noticed that there was no grass around the tree at all, even though there was grass under other trees. In fact, what was growing around the base of this giant tree were even smaller shoots of the same species of tree coming off its gigantic roots. In fact, the trunk of this tree was so humungous, it not only blocked the much-desired winter sun from filtering in through the windows, it was also pushing the fence off to a tilt and the fence was leaning into the neighbor’s yard. Lastly, even the shed walls and foundation were being compromised by this tree’s roots. An arborist friend even confirmed that the leaves of this tree had a toxin in them that deterred growth.
In essence, all these factors contributed to the energy output: the lack of fruiting from other trees, the lack of grass even(!), the lack of diversity of shrubbery, the absence of sun, the offensive fence leaning into the neighbors' property, the toxin in the leaves, and the impending ruin of the shed walls and crumbling foundation.
Feng Shui Energy Analysis: I took the time to assess the energy input and energy output. I pondered upon my own life and realized that I had been secluding myself and not stepping out into my power as well. I ultimately realized this tree was actually sucking more energy out than it was giving in.
A feng shui energy assessment leads you nowhere if you are not ready to act upon the information presented to you. Thus, I took action: I hired a tree removal service to trim it down to below the roof level of the shed. The best part is that I still hear the birds sing and see wildlife in the surrounding trees. Only now, I also see the sunlight as well as the plum tree that was hiding behind it.
Warmly, Gloria P.S. You can get even more of my feng shui energy tips at http://fengshuigal.com/secret |
by Gloria Ng, The Feng Shui Gal
Like some people who get enthusiastic about changes, I myself may get too enthusiastic and go overboard. It's like stepping out of a famine and walking into a 5-star buffet. Only, I can become obsessive-compulsive about feng shui remedies! Let this not happen to you. Here's how I get compliments about my energy even if I changed nothing about my hairstyle or makeup or clothing. (Hint: The secret ingredient is in your environment....)
1. Employ the power of plants in your environment. Plants add energy and vitality to any environment.
2. Correction: healthy plants add vitality. Make sure these plants are well cared for and add to your energy.
3. Unhealthy plants sap energy. Wilting plants, insect-infested plants, and dusty plants all commiserate together and bring down the energy not only in the environment but also your vitality.
4. Plant care basics: Either get a gardener or housekeeper or get to it yourself by chucking the plants already weakened by insects beyond the point of return, trim the yellowed leaves of permanent wilt, and water the plants on a more regular basis. You can also run the risk of overwatering plants and thereby weaken their immune system to root rot and insect infestation. To minimize this, feel the soil to assess if it is damp enough before proceeding to water the plants. Remember that some plants prefer some level of dryness, as in the case of orchids. If in doubt, research before you buy or babysit.
Finally, the compliments will start flowing in. They really do. I have had folks visit me after a major indoor clearing to say: “This place feels so good and you look so great!” This has happened way too often enough for me to chuck it as coincidence. What did I learn from this? Well . . . when you pay attention to caring for your surroundings, in a way you are caring for yourself. When you beautify your environment, you beautify yourself. Thus, you just get more compliments from people.
Get more feng shui tips at http://fengshuigal.com/secret
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by Gloria Ng, The Feng Shui Gal
We live in a culture where more is often better and big is often more beautiful. When it comes to feng shui, the size and bounty of something directly relates to the environment in which it is housed. Of course we have heard of plants that help grow oxygen, purify indoor air, even filter out toxins. Even so, we need to be careful not to overdo it. Unless you own a home-based greenhouse or nursery business, you might want to take these precautions:
1. If putting plants in a bathroom, ensure that you can get to the shower stall, tub, or sink. Feng shui is about energy flow and movement. Too many plants can block the flow of energy and movement, even your energy and movement. So be strategic and mindful. Start small. Start with what you can easily sustain.
2. Avoid putting plants in the southwest and the northeast sectors of the house, as these sectors are governed by the Earth Element. Plants grow out of soil and therefore drain the Earth Element of nutrients and potency. Therefore, you minimize the opportunities that will come your way from these sectors of your home or office. (More on these sectors in a future article. Also note that these sectors may actually appear as corners in your home.)
3. Best to keep plants out of the bedroom, as this may actually drain your energy. Remember that plants operate differently in sunlight and in darkness. They may have their active generative cycles as well as their poop cycles. Guess when they poop? If you live in a one-room studio apartment and would still love to welcome plants into your bedroom-living room space, then start with bamboo. That is gentle enough of a plant that would not leave you feeling fatigued when you wake up.
4. The living room is a wonderful space to have plants. You have a wide variety of plants to choose from. Have fun and explore! My favorites are the peace lily and the Janet Craig. I have had trouble with the ficus indoors, but it does really well outdoors under the shade of a bottlebrush tree.
5. Know your plants! Know when to water them and how often, pending humidity and temperature changes. Know how to care for them and what a healthy plant looks like, in case they start developing water intake issues or other problems.
Above all else, make sure you have the capacity to care for them and that these plants actually add to your energy. Go shopping with a friend or ask a fellow green thumb. :-)
More feng shui flora tips at http://fengshuigal.com/secret
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by Gloria Ng, The Feng Shui Gal
One of the most common places that leak energy in any home, restaurant, or office is the bathroom. Case in point: When I walk into a restaurant, one of the places I dread going to is the restroom. The food might have smelled good, tasted good, and now maybe I need to go to the restroom to wash my hands or freshen up or even change the baby's diapers. Can you imagine?
The restroom is one of the most neglected areas in any place, public or private. I have high respect for janitors who clean them day in and day out in hotels and other buildings. When I walk into a restroom, I often notice my energy immediately plummet either through past association, immediate recall, or upfront notice.
In this lifetime, I recall only one bathroom I actually stepped into and would not mind stepping into again. In this bathroom, I actually took my time to relieve myself and give my hands a good full 20-second washing. The experience was peaceful, scentful, and calming to the nerves. If occasion warranted, I would have gone in once again before I left for the day. That bathroom, although small, took me on an indoor vacation! What was the secret?
Aah, enter the plant kingdom. This bathroom was the master bathroom of a healing arts colleague of mine who was a fanatic about essential oils and the medicinal uses of aromatherapy. She was purchasing and using high-quality, high end, therapeutic grade essential oils fit for use in clinical practice. This is not the typical kind of aromatherapy product you can find at any regular body shop but natural food stores. If you have used or purchased such products, you know it is a pretty penny and well worth its smells and uses. If you choose this route, then go out there and make sure to use your nose to sniff out the ones that are more pure. The deeper and richer the smell, the more certain you can be that it has not been adulterated in any way. Best of all, essential oils have antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, and other kinds of air-purifying qualities.
However, if you have no budget like that, then just start with a plant in the bathroom that will help bring the energy upward. I use a vine because vines don’t need much direct sunlight and are pretty hardy. They are very easy to care for as well as easy to replicate. They grow roots easily even if you trim a stem off and drench it in water for a couple weeks.
Get more feng shui tips at http://fengshuigal.com/secret
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