Art of Vaastu & Feng Shui - Dusting off negative vibes

TO CREATE a happy home, it is important to usher positive energy into a space.
Since feng shui is the art of creating a happy living ­environment, it is beneficial for the occupants to ensure a flow of positive qi.
Unfortunately, ­sometimes the flow can be ­disrupted due to certain ­elements in your home.
Hence, it is necessary to choose the right kind of ­furniture and select the right décor to make the space more vibrant.
When implemented ­correctly, the home is ­transformed, and you can e­xperience a feeling of ­serenity, peace and happiness, as well as enjoy better career prospects, relationships and wealth.
At the same time, you can also protect the home from loss, sickness or ­misfortune.
Here are some quick tips to boost the good qi in your home.
► Furniture
All furniture has an imprint of the past, and from a feng shui perspective, it can ­produce ­negative effects, especially when the furniture has never been ‘re-­energised’ with ­positive qi.
If this furniture is left ­undisturbed for many months, dirt will gather and the flow of qi becomes stagnant.
Over a period of time, the energy gets stale and generates sickness for the occupants.
► Library/bookshelves
Homes which have large book shelves along the wall filled with books will build ­negative qi, as they ­gather dust, ­building up ­sickness and afflictions.
They also collect allergens which can cause sickness. The room itself will smell musty and those using the space often fall ill.
Moving the bookshelves at least once a year, and ­cleaning the shelves with salt water dissolves the ­accumulated negative qi, and rejuvenates the space with freshness.
► Drapes
Window drapes are also prone to accumulating negative energy over a period of time, ­especially if the drapes are ­never drawn.
This not only creates stagnation, but breeds bacteria and attracts ­negativity.
Cleaning the windows and drapes and opening them ­regularly ensures there is no stagnation.
► Used or antique furniture
However unique or expensive the collection may be, used ­furniture or antique pieces need to be ‘cleansed’ before entering your home.
They are said to carry the energy of previous owners, hence, cleansing with salt water, or using pine needle incense to cleanse the energy, is important.
Sandalwood incense also helps.
For wooden furniture where the use of salt water may not be recommended, using ­incense and metal bells helps in ­rejuvenating the energy and clearing away the previous owners’ qi.
This is very important, ­especially if you plan to buy a­ntique beds, as they are said to ­carry the imprints of all the ­people who have used them in the past.
► The front door
Apart from the décor and ­furniture, one can also observe the main door to ensure that the energy is not ­stagnating.
Keeping the main entrance or door clean and unobstructed ensures that good qi will flow through, and also empower the furniture and support the ­occupants as well.
S.BS.Surendran is an accredited master feng shui consultant, ­bio-energetician and traditional vaastu practitioner. Readers can contact him at lifestyle.fengshui@thesundaily.com.