| Q:
How do you recommend that we clear old energies from our house?
We keep experiencing weird ghost like events and suspect that
the man who lived here before us is still around even though
he died here 12 years ago. Also are there other kinds of negative
energies to deal with in a house that can be dealt with from
a Feng Shui perspective?
A:
The energies that you are talking about are called "Ling"
energies in Feng Shui. These are like lingering energies according
to the Ling theory of evolution. According to this philosophy
when someone dies their Chi (life force energy) leaves their
body and goes into the astral plane for possible reentry into
another human body usually as a new born child. Often however
this process of the Chi leaving the body at death is not complete
and part of the Chi lingers as Ling energy. This Ling energy
often returns to its familiar territory as in the example
of the old man returning to your house.
To
some this is perceived as a pleasant event and for others
it can be quite disruptive. In either event it can be confusing
and intrusive to one's own Chi to be visited by the Ling of
a deceased being. Furthermore when a being leaves part of
it's chi earth-bound it tends to keep it from completing it's
soul's journey into the astral plane in preparation for it's
next incarnation. So it is my view that it is appropriate
to lovingly invite these Ling particles to return to the light
for completion of their soul's journey.
The
way that we do this in Feng Shui can be complex however, depending
on your awareness. It may be possible for you to clear these
energies on your own. First you need to learn the expelling
mudra: hold two middle fingers with your thumb and flick both
fingers in both hands ( see diagram) as you walk around the
house. At the same time visualize that the Ling energy is
lovingly returning to the light for completion of it's souls
journey. Sounding also helps if you know how to make sounds
that are helpful to clear old energies. Lastly visualize that
your home is filled with loving light and that only those
energies that are harmonious to your being are present in
your home.
Additional
techniques that you can use would be to burn candles, smudge
with incense or sage, play chanting music, chime bells, or
just sing, dance hoot and howl your way through the house
with the intention to clear all old energies! Above all have
fun and don't be afraid of these Ling energies.
These
same techniques can be used to clear other energies as well.
Examples would be what we call predecessor energies as in
the energies left in a house from those who lived in your
home previously. This can be subtle and then again not so
subtle but rather intense. For those who are sensitive to
energy you could walk into a room after there had been an
argument and you would feel this predecessor energy as an
angry agitated energy. If the predecessor had experienced
much depression and trauma this kind of energy could remain
in the house for the successors.
Above
all else claim your home as if it were a sacred part of you
which it is.
Q:
Please explain the Feng Shui theory of the use of colors?
A:
Feng Shui has much to say about colors. According to the teachings
of Feng Shui color is everything and color is nothing which
is similar to the Tao teachings and Yin /Yang philosophy.
Every color has a unique vibrational frequency and the objective
is to bring them all into balance with each other and all
other energies in the environment. The frequency of colors
goes from one extreme to the other with red at one end and
purple at the other not unlike the chakras which start at
the base as red ,then orange, yellow, green, blue , purple,
and then iridescent at the crown. This pattern can be used
as a reference for one way in which you can select colors
for your interior as well as exterior. In other words, have
a representation of each of the chakra colors in your home
with none of them over-powering and you will probably have
a balanced color pattern in your home.
Another
way to use colors is to use the colors of the five creative
elements in Feng Shui which would be Green (wood), Red (fire),
Yellow (earth), White (metal), Black (water). According to
this theory you would incorporate one of each of these colors
in each room. This could be in the form of a picture frame
, rug , bedcover, wall color etc.
Pay
attention to the exterior colors also. If you had a brown
roof, brown siding, brown trim, brown door your house would
not be in good color balance. The solution in this case would
be to paint the trim another color and then the front door
could be painted another contrasting color. White exterior
and interior walls are O.K. because you can then add other
colors to complete the colors. All in all there is much that
can be said about colors but not enough space to write about
it all here so if you wish you can purchase a new book called
"Living Color" by Professor Lin Yun and translated by Sarah
Rossbach to learn more.
Q:
How are mirrors supposed to be used in Feng Shui? I hear all
sorts of conflicting information and I want to be sure I understand
correctly. Thank You for your help.
A:
Mirrors are used in Feng Shui to redirect, attract, or move
certain energies. For different applications different kinds
of mirrors are used such as round, square, or octagonal. In
addition we use a special kind of mirror called a BaGua mirror
for extra powerful solutions. This is a mirror within an octagonal
frame with the Chinese trigrams displayed, special colors
red, green, and gold, and the wood element as it's frame.
We
use the BaGua mirror to re-direct intrusive energies such
as a road pointing right towards our front door, a cemetery
next door, or an intrusive neighbor. Simply point the BaGua
mirror with loving intention towards the intrusive energy
and it will loving re-direct it back to the source of the
intrusion.
When
we want to attract certain energies a mirror can be helpful.
An example would be the placement of a mirror in a place within
your environment where you want to attract more of something.
One often used place for a mirror is behind the stove to attract
prosperity and symbolically double the quality and production
of the food. We also use mirrors in retail stores to attract
more traffic into the store.
To
move energies as in a situation in which there is a wall close
to the door upon entering, then place a mirror on the wall
directly in front of you upon entering. Make sure this mirror
is positioned so that your head is fully visible from the
mirror. You want to avoid having your head cut off high or
low due to improper positioning of the mirror. A mirror used
in the front entrance will help expand your Chi and hence
your opportunities in life.
Avoid
over-using mirrors randomly placed because they are powerful
remedies and can cause chaotic energies when misused. In most
cases the bigger the mirror the better but in some cases a
very small mirror is sufficient such as when you want to stop
the Chi from going down the stairs too quickly with steep
stairs. In this case you would place a small square mirror
at the bottom of the stairs facing you as you come down the
stairs.
Use
solid clear mirrored glass panels as opposed to mirror squares
for all of the applications mentioned above. In some cases
it is possible to use reflective material such as foil paper,
shiny wallpaper, shiny tiles, stainless steel etc. An example
for this would be when you are looking to place a reflective
covering above the lower bunk bed to expand the constricted
Chi (see previous Earth Star Feng Shui Column).
We
used to say that mirrors were the aspirin of Feng Shui, but
now we have evolved. We now say that mirrors are the homeopathic
remedies of Feng Shui! Use them wisely and they will help
you to create balance and harmony in your environment.
Q:
So much is said about Feng Shui in homes but rarely do I read
about apartments. I am wondering how to use Feng Shui to find
a good apartment in Cambridge. What do I need to look out
for so I can be sure to find the right apartment?
A:
Pay attention, as you look for an apartment, to your inner
knowing (intuition). It will tell you everything you need
to know. If you are hesitating and compromising in the choice
then perhaps this is telling you that there is something about
it that is not harmonious to your being. On the other hand
when you find the right apartment it will sing to you, making
you happy and satisfied.
On
a more practical level, look at the neighborhood to see that
it is peaceful, quiet, healthy animals etc. Next look at the
building. Does it seem healthy, pleasing, balanced? Walking
in the lobby pay attention to smells, sounds, first impressions.
What do the people look like as you pass them in the lobby.
Is the lobby well lit and secure feeling? Upon entering the
apartment is the doorway clear, well lighted, easily accessible
with room to stand freely upon entering? What is your first
impression upon entering? Can you sense what the previous
tenants were like? Is the floorplan of the apartment even
with most areas fitting into a square or rectangular configuration
or is the apartment L-shaped? Look out the window and check
for powerless or transformers near the apartment. Avoid these
as they emit electronic pollution.
Check
the plumbing to make sure they drain properly and that there
are no dripping faucets as these represent the digestive/elimination
in the body. Electrical should work properly also. When running
an electrical appliance if the power dims then the electrical
is inadequate. This represents the neurological system in
the body.
Make
sure that ceiling clearance is adequate so that your Chi is
not compressed. Colors affect environment also so avoid dark
colors in an apartment except in isolated instances. Check
the sun orientation of the apartment. Best not to be facing
North as this is the cold side with relatively less sunlight.
Ask
about your neighbors also. Who are they and what are they
like? The energy of neighbors does not stop at the walls and
does affect abutters so it is helpful to know what you are
getting into.
There
is so much to share from a Feng Shui perspective but these
will help. Lastly, once you decide on an apartment be sure
to do a clearing of the environment when you first move in.
Many blessings in your next apartment. Stanlu | 
