Sun Signs Everything Under The Sun!
Top 8 Feng Shui Myths
The fact that a set of Feng Shui myths has been around for many centuries has positive and negative effects. On the plus side, the practitioners have a chance to refine the practice.
1. Front Door
The lucky red front door is not for every house. While there is no doubt that red is a potent color representing fire, painting your front door red will not always bring good luck; that is a misnomer. Some experts claim that doing this will increase the energy in that area, whether good or bad.
You are inviting terrible luck if the front of your house is a trouble spot. Others say that the direction your home faces should impact your decision.
If the home faces the northwest, which represents the heaven (or cosmic) direction, and the father (or breadwinner of the family), it will cause a “fire in heaven,” which is not a good thing. It may result in serious injury, accident, sickness, or loss of wealth. Some suggest you paint your front door a yellow, beige, gray, or white color if it faces West or Northwest.
2. Feng Shui Interior design
Feng Shui is not just interior design. Most Feng Shui has been discovered through observation and intuition over thousands of years.
Think back to people you have known who lived in beautiful homes, tastefully decorated. Were they always happy? Did terrible things ever happen to them? Chances are, the answer is yes. While Feng Shui has become very popular in the West in recent decades, it is often only used for aesthetic reasons.
The deeper meanings have been left out, which can be dangerous (see the notes on a red front door above). A simple search online will attract many Feng Shui interior designers, but not nearly as many masters. This lesson is simple; be careful from whom you get your information.
3. Chinese Feng Shui
Not all Chinese people practice Feng Shui. Just because Feng Shui came from China thousands of years ago does not mean everyone in China follows this practice. It is not taught in schools, for example. Not surprisingly, the government has suppressed Feng Shui since the Communists took control decades ago.
Most instruction happens outside China now in nearby Asian countries. General knowledge is available online and in books, but if people want detailed Feng Shui training, they must have extra instruction just like any other trade, and the training is not free. Only a few are allowed to learn the innermost secrets of the art.
4. Buddhism or Taoism
Feng Shui is not a religion. While Feng Shui may integrate facets of Buddhism or Taoism, it is not a central part of either religion. It is also not a religion on its own either. People of nearly any faith can and do practice the principles of Feng Shui without conflict.
While Feng Shui does concern itself with the nature of the universe, it is by no means one set of beliefs. However, there are many schools of thought and interpretations of how to do things. No deities or deities are involved; therefore, it is not a religion.
5. Mass Trinkets
Mass-produced trinkets are not necessary. Some websites sell cheap, mass-produced trinkets advertised to solve everything from “money troubles” to bad health. Keep in mind that Feng Shui is a complex set of beliefs.
There is more than one type of Qi: there is a human and a cosmic and earth or environment. Of all three, the human is the least powerful. Trinkets are primarily geared to human Qi. Also, since Feng Shui is not a religion, people of all religions may practice it, including faiths such as Islam, which does not permit the ownership or display of statues or other depictions of li.
There are other ways to change the flow of Qi. Also, consider that Feng Shui trinkets mass producers may not have the training (or respect) to make the items properly. You may end up doing more harm than good.
6. Features In The Bedroom
Do not put water and plant features in the bedroom. Yes, water and plants represent two elements out of the five, and they need to be present in the home. They need to be in the right places and used correctly, or they are counterproductive.
Western decorators (those who have not done their homework) may claim that water and plants are “calming” and “good Feng Shui,” but this is not true. Water features, such as fountains or even goldfish bowls, and images of water, such as the ocean, rivers, etc., should not be used in anyone’s bedroom, according to genuine Feng Shui. They may cause sickness or lethargy.
Plants, considered a wood element, will also disrupt the energy flow. The only exception to this is when the occupant is sick. If this is the case, only individual plants in moderation are suggested.
7. Crystals
Crystals will not solve bad energy problems. Unfortunately, Feng Shui practices have sometimes been confused with New Age ideas, especially since Feng Shui came out West. In this case, the ideal room shape is a circle. Since most rooms aren’t, crystals would need to be hung in corners.
Crystals are a prime example. Yes, there is some kernel of truth to the crystal idea. Since natural crystals come from the earth, they symbolize the earth’s elements. In that respect, they may have some small influence. Regrettably, most crystals you will see are synthetic, so they do next to nothing. Also, they are tiny compared with the rest of the house.
They are not able to produce large movements of energy. Some even claim that hanging crystals in windows or doorways weigh down the inhabitants and cause problems with sluggishness, perhaps even weight issues.
8. Good Sanitary Advice
The bathroom is not an evil place. Indeed, some concerns need to be addressed. Many experts agree that keeping toilet seats closed when not in use is advisable. Frankly, that is good sanitary advice anyway. People’s concern about bathrooms (toilets specifically) is when they are placed in the southeast corner of the house. This is considered a wealthy location.
When you flush the toilet, you wash away your wealth and luck associated with money. One suggestion to counter this is to add fire elements to the southeastern corner of the living room (or room bordering the bathroom) to counter the effects.
On the negative side, interpretations and differences of opinion cause a split in the belief system. Add to that the fact that Feng Shui is now a global phenomenon, and you have a clash of cultures adding to the mix.
The result is a beautiful but confusing mix of truth and myth. It takes detective work, but you can find the real thing yourself.