Harnessing the Holistic Powers of the Rainbow

Feng Shui literally translated means “Wind & Water”. It is often called the “Chinese Art of Object Placement”. The fundamental goal is first to achieve balance in one’s environment, then in one’s life.

Feng Shui’s objective is to cultivate positive energy called “chi” (pronounced “chee”).  The Five Elements comprise our natural environment, Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth.

Positive chi is achieved by strategically placing these elements in the environment.  When the elements are in balance, the occupant’s life improves.

Feng Shui principles can successfully be integrated into every environment, from a Mediterranean home to a contemporary law office.  By implementing the appropriate modifications within the design, environments become beautifully balanced.

Gaining in Popularity

Feng Shui is flourishing in the United States, however there are many misconceptions associated with it which, unfortunately, prevents some from implementing it.  It is unnecessary to jeopardize your personal taste when incorporating Feng Shui.

Feng Shui Facts:

Color Therapy

Color “chi” greatly affects us individually as well as in our environment.  Selecting the correct color is just as important visually as it is energetically.  Our body is surrounded by a field of electromagnetic energy called the “Aura”, which draws in and emits color energy.

Some people can see the aura, which is an egg-shaped sheath of color around the body.  Thanks to the modern technology of Kalian photography, which captures energy flow, we can all see auras.  Ancient Roman, Egyptian, Chinese and Greek cultures were aware of the importance of Color Therapy.

In fact, Hippocrates, the Father of Western Medicine, implemented Color Therapy in his practice.  He used different colored ointments and salves in his treatments and he painted his treatment rooms to promote healing.  Hippocrates discovered that red helped patients with circulatory problems, while blue helped in reducing the temperature of fevers in adults and children.

Ancient cultures as well as contemporary interior designers are aware that certain colors, such as red, excite us while blue calms us.
 

Emotional & Physical Effects of Color

While color preferences are very individual, colors have been scientifically proven to have consistent physical and emotional effects, which is worth considering when selecting colors for your environment or clothing.

Oranges and reds stimulate the appetite, which is why they are used in fast-food restaurants.  So they can work well in a kitchen or dining room - unless you are watching your weight.  In this case you might consider using green, a color associated with health and harmony.

The fastest color our eyes see in any situation is yellow, which is why yellow fire trucks are safer than red ones.  Yellow is a good color for counseling offices and conference rooms as it gets people to communicate.  However, on the down side, babies cry more in yellow rooms.

Pastries taste better when they come out of pink boxes or served on pink plates (it only works with sweets).  Pink makes us crave sugar.  So if you have a sweet tooth, don’t paint your kitchen pink.

Purple and violet are the colors of spirituality and creativity; so if you are having a creative block, incorporate these colors into your life.  Green stimulates the feeling of balance and harmony with nature and ecology.

Green interiors reduce stress, connect us to nature and make us feel secure.  It also makes most foods more appetizing (except sweets).

Blue is considered to be 35% favorite of the world’s population.  It brings a tremendous feeling of peace and tranquility, particularly to terminally ill patients.  A navy blue suit is the undisputed color authority of the western world.  It is not a good color for someone who has low energy or who is depressed as it magnifies their blue mood.

Brown connects us to the earth and makes us feel safe.  Brown continues to remain a popular hue and with our current world affairs, is there any wonder?

White encompasses all colors and is the color of cleanness and freshness.  Pure, non-tinted white interiors causes eye strain, headaches and difficulty in paying attention.  All white interiors are for those who are compulsively neat, critical, and detail- minded.

Black absorbs all light and is the color of sophistication, power and mystery.  Black focuses attention into the inner world, whether to pursue the spiritual realm or to process feelings of grief.  As an accent, black adds drama to any interior.

The bedroom demands special consideration when it comes to color.  My personal ideal color scheme would be tone-on-tone, or green-on-green, very calming.  However, if you want to spice things up, you can put some red sheets on your bed.  Red stimulates the adrenal glands and promotes passion.

Why people hire Feng Shui practitioners: 

• Health problems.

• Moving into a new home or office and need a Space Clearing to eliminate the previous occupant’s energy.

• Attempting to sell a home no success.

• Suffering financial difficulties.

• Experiencing relationship difficulties with a family member, co-worker or neighbor.

• Looking for love with no success.

• Selecting real estate or a building lot to attract the most chi.

• Gaining optimum power at work by repositioning the office.

• De-clutter.  By removing unnecessary clutter, the chi flow is stimulated which promotes new opportunities or objects to come in.

• Photos.  Surround yourself with photos of happy experiences and people you love.

• Music or pleasant sounds will increase the room’s energy.

• Re-plant.  By bringing plants indoors it promotes healthy environments.  So you don’t have a green thumb, use silk.  Plants that clean the air: Lady Palm, Ivy, Golden Pothos, Dwarf Banana, Peace Lily, Philodendron, Ficus.

• Toilet lid down; bathroom door shut.  Water is symbolic of money by shutting the lid and door it helps prevent loss of money.  Bathrooms are also a source of dirty chi that needs to be contained.

• Beautiful objects.  Accessorize with objects that lift your spirits; they also raise the chi in the environment.  This has an opposite effect on objects that make you feel bad.

• Rounded edged furniture and objects are preferred over sharp ones.  Not only is this a Feng Shui principle, it is also for safety.

• Pets improve the chi and can be great companions.  Studies have shown that petting animals can relieve stress.

• Moving objects such as mobiles, electric wind chimes and revolving doors activate the chi.

Denise Turner is an internationally recognized Color Forecaster, Certified Interior Designer, member of Color Marketing Group and founder of the Colour Turners.

A dynamic public speaker, Denise is an ASID National spokesperson and has been published nationally and internationally and regularly appears on radio and television.