Feng Shui, literally translated as “water-wind” sounds like what it means—the art of placement in the rooms where we dwell so that chi (energy) flows freely to maximize our comfort, ease and health. Feng shui is one the eight branches of Classical Chinese Medicine with the others being acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, exercise, dietary therapy, meditation and astrology. This makes perfect sense as medicine from a classical eastern point of view takes into account a persons place in the world—how they fit, the external influences acting upon them as well as the internal issues. Each organ in the body is connected with the environment and influenced in specific way by the seasons, sounds, smells, colors, directions, and the Five Elements (fire, earth, metal, water and wood). Understanding how all of the “correspondences”, as they are called, work upon us is a complex yet basic foundation of Chinese Medicine. Once we are aware of our sensitivity to surroundings, it becomes natural to want to arrange it in ways that are beneficial. An clean room with soothing colors, fresh air and southwestern light filtering through the windows might align us much differently than a cluttered, damp and dark one.

This is a good time of year to begin changing the rooms we spend lots of time in. Start small, perhaps with just a corner. Clean it thoroughly and then use your imagination and intuition. Paint it a color that soothes (blue or green) or excites (red and orange). Hang a framed photo of someone you admire, or love or just looks very, very cool! A bamboo branch shooting from a crimson vase might add some life. Place a stone, something sacred or a simple piece of beauty on a strategically placed shelf. No doubt your creativity will eventually spread into other rooms once you see/feel the results. Perhaps it will even move into other areas of your life as well. Here is to the coming seasons when you will be spending time in rooms that reflect who you are and that support your well-being.

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