As much as I love to put a positive spin on things we can do to change the Energy in Feng Shui to flow in a positive direction, there are several things most clients seem to be stuck on. They won't change them no matter what. Are they hard or difficult? No. Do they cost any money? Again, no. But even begging hasn't worked. They stay...period.
All I can do is leave them with WHY I would like to make the changes and allow them to make their own decisions. And this is where experience kicks in as well. I have seen issues occur over periods of time because I keep in touch with so many clients.
So what am I rambling about NOW? Two things, actually, that I would love to change in client's homes, businesses, corporations or anywhere they happen to be. Ceiling Fans are one. And the "newest" trend of constant use of the Garage Door to come in and out of the house. Those garage doors are convenient and most homeowners want them, they DO make life easier. And certainly when you have groceries or the weather is bad they are wonderful.
Never addressing the front door in Feng Shui, however, is a mistake. It is called "The Mouth of Chi" and VERY important to use on a regular basis to allow the good energy for every area of your life to enter. It's not difficult, it doesn't cost a cent and it actually, to me, makes GOOD sense. Just TRY it, I'll tell them....some will and many won't. They love the ease and convenience of their garage doors.
My other concern is Ceiling Fans. I have never had one as I have very high plaster ceilings and years (and years) ago when I had wanted one installed, I was advised against it by a friend. One who had the same type of walls and ceilings. It made a mess, she said and cracked the rest of the plaster; that was enough for me to hear. But they are very popular in both Long Island AND New York City.
In certain places and when a client won't be under them for long periods of time, I don't mind them very much. But I'm sure many of you will relate that they are often in BEDROOMS directly over the bed. This is a cause for concern because from a Feng Shui perspective, they are sharp blades with the ability to cut Energy. It is called "Cutting Chi" or "Cutting Sha" and I'm sure you've heard the terms before. Particularly when your body is at rest, it is most Open (or most vulnerable) to this type of Energy and it can, over a period of time, take a toll on your health. Leaving the fan but not turning it on is one alternative; even having a regular standing fan which has "barriers" in front of the blades is a better solution for those who absolutely are addicted to the fans.
They now have room air conditioners as well that can help for these areas. But clients love their fans. They look at me in horror at the thought of removing them or even just leaving them off while they are lying under them. I am afraid the must become addicting judging by some people's reaction to the suggestions.
This is not a post to scare anyone but to make them aware of what WE consider harmful---and WHY. And give you some simple alternatives to replace them that perhaps you won't mind. They do not cause illness overnight but CAN possibly cause it over TIME. And it's something to be mindful of....especially if you are thinking of installing one.
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, New York providing New York and Long Island Feng Shui Consultations on site and others at a distance by phone for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations, New Construction and working with Realtors.
Hi Carole,
I was never a big fan of ceiling fans myself. I find them to be quite unattractive and can easily see how they would compromise the integrity of a plaster ceiling....some of them really vibrate!
Thank you for talking about the 'cutting chi' of ceiling fans...I hadn't realized that before, and now that you've explained it, I realize why they've always bothered me. In fact, I've woken up feeling exhausted when I've slept under a ceiling fan before.
Jo
Joan, I'm glad your door is opened again and thrilled you don't have a ceiling fan....people love them, I'm glad I don't have one as well.
Joan, I'm glad to hear you're not sleeping under them....now use the front door and watch some things open up for you.
Teri, I'm so glad the fans are not directly over anyone. I really have seen health issues with people that have the fans over the beds and they are not at all good from a Feng Shui Perspective. Now can I get you to use the front door?
Rosario, You seem to have a natural instinct on Feng Shui issues, maybe you are intuitively "Feng Shui." I've seen it (and written about it).
Gary, I certainly don't mind when you have groceries or the weather is bad but if the front door is where all the good and new energy comes in, don't you want to let it in? You'd have to open the door often.
Fernando, They are not good in Feng Shui....nothing that is sharp or "cutting" into you energetically is--I'm glad to hear you won't be using it--and that your room has good vibes!
Jo, You're probably more sensitive to it then others as well....it's something I've seen over and over again so I do caution people about it. They seem to be addicted to them though and continue to use them although several of my clients have stopped and I'm very glad to hear that.
Missy, Can you shut it when you sleep? And even get a floor type stand that has some "protection" in front of the blades? It will be a wise decision in the long run I believe. I have seen health issues and energetically they are not good for us.
Hi Carole,
I will try to use my front door more often. We have a side door that is close to the detached garage so we tend to use it all the time.
We live in an older home and have ceiling fans but only use them if it is very hot and rarely do we use them at night if it is hot we will use our window A/C. But I am afraid to change them as we also have plaster ceilings and walls. Our Kelowna home has ceiling fans too, but I will change them. Thanks for this advice.
Hi Carole - I just 'popped over' to this post by way of today's blog, but I find this theory both understandable and interesting. In my 'old' house, I DID have a ceiling fan directly over my bed and had that thing on every night (for the 15 years that we lived therre) as I slept (even in winter!).
I need to have moving air in my bedroom at night in order to sleep. Even in this new house, I have a standing fan that blows right on me every night. In the warmer weather I turn on the air conditioner AND the fan (I'm nuts, I know!). I am trusting that the barrier in front of the blades is protecting me from any dangerous energy....????
Val
I must admit that I am guilty of using the garage door too. It is where I park so it is easier to walk right in from there rather than walking around to the front of the house. I will have to be a bit more aware of this and use the front door on nice days. As for ceiling fans, I just read your post on them today and am intrigued. I think that the use of fans is more of a habit, and habits are difficult to break. When the weather has cooled, I will turn the fan off and enjoy the cool breezes. Otherwise is tends to remain on constantly. Thanks for the info.
Carole: I am going to have someone take down my ceiling fan in my bedroom. It is right over my bed and I am always tired. I don't turn it on, but I guess just by it being there is harmful. Thank you for posting.