Each season is associated with one of the five basic Feng Shui elements: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire. Winter belongs to the Water element, both being quiet and restorative. The energy that predominates this season is a slow and internal energy that encourages introspection.
Since North is the direction of water, you should make sure that this area is clean and uncluttered. Incorporate some black and dark blue colors in cushions, decorative objects, and artwork in the Northern zone for better cash liquidity.
By making your home a magnet to attract warmth and comfort, you allow yourself to get more energy.
The following Feng Shui suggestions will be very helpful in getting the best from the winter season and bringing out its positive aspects.
1. Keep an ornamental indoor/outdoor fountain or aquarium, live/artificial plants, or a bunch of flowers, or a bowl of fruit to encourage the free flow of positive energy (chi) in to your residence. Plants and flowers, either real or artificial, are symbols of life and growth. They breathe and boost new energy into any interior and help circulate the same, especially when placed on either side of an entrance because they attract good chi and bring in new opportunities in life. A plant placed under an open staircase in a home will draw positive energy to the upstairs area too.
2. Fish bowls and aquariums are also a small version of the life-giving ocean and evoke nourishing and money-enhancing chi. Tortoise, signifying finance and longevity, is the ruling animal of winter season. You may keep it in any form i.e. live or symbolic, in the North direction for great results.
3. You can benefit from nature even when indoors by opening the East/ South-facing windows in the morning and early afternoon to let in bright winter sunlight of VIBGYOR for more energy, confidence and good health.
4. As per the basic principle of Feng Shui, clearing out clutter is also very helpful in coming out of the winter blues. A messy house, especially near the main door, encourages stagnation. Shoes, coats, scarves, hats and bags dumped in piles near the entrance prevent positive chi from entering the home. While winter is a time of reflection, this does not mean it is a time to encourage stagnation. Always keep your house, especially the entryway organized and tidy.
5. The kitchen is one of the most important areas in the home, especially in winter and the warmth and aromas that emanate from cooking tempt appetite and nourish our senses of taste and smell. The best foods are those which warm the body’s core.
6.Natural sunlight is quite possibly the most powerful way to boost your mood. Keep the shades open, pull back the curtains, and invite the sunshine in. Try to wake up early and go out in the open to let the first rays of sun touch your skin.
7. Since a burning fire is a reminder to slow down, relax and regenerate, fireplaces are a great source of heat and can warm any room in no time. If you have an open fireplace or a wood fired stove, arrange furniture around it to create a focal point that fosters warmth and comfort.
8. Candles are the perfect way to add a warm feeling to your home. An easy alternative is to install a dimmer switch. Candles can create a friendly feeling in the living room, add sparkle to a dinner table and promote romance in the bedroom. Let the glow of candles fill your rooms and your heart with warmth and light.
9. Turn on your bedroom lights as soon as you wake up in the morning, as the winter season can make you sleep longer because you don’t feel like getting out of bed. It is advisable to switch on the lights, the moment your alarm rings.
10. Taking help of Feng Shui in choosing colors also helps in balancing the five elements in your home as each of the five elements suggests a certain feeling or sensibility. For example, wood evokes creativity and expansion, while earth signifies strength and order. Since it may not be feasible to include all the elements in each room, using color that suits a particular zone is the best way to create balance. For example, green-colored objects in the East/Southeast zone as green promotes growth and tranquility. Metallic colors – golden, silver and copper, in the Northwest/West for attracting more helpful people in life; earth tones – brown, tan, yellow and orange, in the Southwest zone harmonize a room. Water colors like blue and black colored-objects in the North attract financial stability, and you can also add more heat into a room by using colors like red, pink, plum and purple in the South direction. Red, symbolizing happiness and strength, is the most auspicious color and is the color most used in Feng Shui cures.
Luminary in many fields, Pt. Gopal Sharma, is a world renowned astrologer and Vaastu/Feng Shui expert. He is also an eminent consultant to a number of large industrial/business houses across the globe. His illustrious students and clientele include Hellmann Germany, Birlas, Thapars, Jindals, Suryas, Choice Group USA, Piramal Group, Marriott Hotel USA, Ansal Group of Companies, Patanjali Yogpeeth along with many leading banks. Moreover, he has to his credit 42 books including many bestsellers in Hindi, English and Greek. www.panditgopalsharma.com
