Harmonizing the energy in our home is one of the foundation stones of Feng Shui and one of the very first steps we should take when practising Feng Shui. Get this right and every other step starts to fall in to place easily and quickly. Although energy harmonization is a simple concept, it can catch us out if we are not careful and we often make it more difficult than it needs to be. In this article I share some practical advice on how we can all balance the energy in our homes.
Energy harmonization occurs when we have the five elements of the universe working together creatively in our home. The five elements; wood, fire, earth, metal, and water work together and balance each other in the natural world, and this natural flow of energy, clearly demonstrated by the natural flow of the seasons across and through the earth should be replicated in our own homes. If we have harmonized and balanced the energy in our homes so that it flows naturally and easily then life becomes easier and seems to flow effortlessly. If one of these elements is missing in our home, or in a particular room of our house, then we may find that the energy does not flow as well in this area leading to challenges or difficulties in certain areas of our life. If this is the case we need to take action to ensure that the element that is missing is brought in to our home if we are to bring about natural balance.
It seems on the surface an easy process to bring natural balance by adding an object that represents the missing or under represented element to the home. Adding metal objects to an area in the west of our home where metal is under represented, or a few plants to an area in the east of our home which takes its energy from wood seems like two of the simplest things in the world. The problem is though, if we have not given careful thought as to how this object is going to affect the balance of our whole home, quite often what we have added looks out of place in the overall design theme of our home. What was placed with the intention of harmonizing energy actually casts a jarring note and negatively affects the space. The longed for benefits do not materialise and we think that the “Feng Shui” hasn’t worked.
This approach to energy harmonization is what I call logical Feng Shui, and it doesn’t always work. Taking the logical approach is not always the best approach when using Feng Shui in our home. Feng Shui is all about balance and harmony so whatever small changes we make have to fit in with the whole. Our home has an existing style and décor that matches our personal preferences or the shape, style and size of the house and anything we add needs to link with the overall décor and the existing furniture and objects that we have in place. While ensuring that the five elements are represented in our home is vital to positive energy flow, it is also important that we place objects and pieces of furniture that we like and that fit in with the overall look. Nothing disrupts the energy in the home more than a piece of furniture or an object that looks out of place. If we add something with the intention of harmonizing the flow of energy and then find that it looks out of place, it is best if we look for other ways in which certain elements can be strengthened to balance and harmonize the flow of energy around our home. For energy harmonization to work to our benefit then it is not only important that the five elements are represented and are working together but that everything feels as though it belongs and is a natural part of the whole.
Master this and you are well on your way to understanding the basic principles of positive Feng Shui.
