As a Feng Shui Consultant on Long Island and New York City, there are many things we have to work around. And some things we need to tell clients we just hope they will believe us and make the changes, although they may be a little more difficult then the usual ones we can choose.
A huge principle of Feng Shui is "To Let the Outdoors IN." We need to allow the New Energy to enter and create a balance of the Yin/Yang forces. The first thing I myself do every morning is to open up my blinds and curtains. I want the outside to come in....and I recommend my clients do the same.
Another thing, if possible, is to open some windows and doors, even if only for a short time. New Energy (otherwise known as CHI) can't get in if you don't allow it in. Often when I am doing a Feng Shui Consultation for a home, one issue comes up frequently: when there is a door or a bush directly in front of the front door.
It is known to "block" the Chi as the Front Door is known as the "Mouth" of Chi, where all the good energy ENTERS. Bushes can often be moved but trees can be more of an issue depending on their size-and branches. *A note to Realtors on showing homes to buyers with an interest in Feng Shui: If the Front Door has branches from a tree in front of it that cast a shadow on the front door, a buyer will take that as a sign of bad luck. Have your homeowners trim branches.
And please stop using the garage doors that are so easy to get into. I know they're convenient and it's fine when you've been shopping and have groceries or the weather is bad. Otherwise, use the Front Door (the little walk may do you good : )
This beautiful home was particularly problematic for me: I love the colors this beautiful tree exudes but it's covering windows and obscuring the home itself. It needs to be cut back. And the bush? Right in front of the Mouth of Chi. We discussed relocating it to another area.
Feng Shui Home in Long Island, New York
I can't always tell clients what they want to hear, but I can point out things I truly believe will help them and explain the reasons why. And they "get it." It is always wonderful to open my emails in the morning or answer my phone, I never know when it's going to be a client I have worked with who is going to share some wonderful news with me....and that's often the best part of MY day!
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island. Along with Feng Shui Consultant Laura Cerrano, on site Feng Shui Consultations provided for New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. Workshops and lectures are also provided for small and large groups and companies.
*Phots by Laura Cerrano, Feng Shui Long Island & New York City Consultant
Carole- We created a pathway up to our front door in the shape of a running stream with beautiful flowers that attract butterflies up to our front door. We have our doors and windows open during the winter. In the summer it is much too hot but we do early in the morning for a moment or two just to freshen up the chi. We ALWAYS walk up our pathway and go into our front door even though it is easier to walk from the driveway to our door. We never walk in through our garage, it is now our office! And we have a wonderful entrance surrounded by white jasmine and many butterfly attracting plants. We love it! The chi is great!
Thanks Carole, this is really interesting. I've also read that you shouldn't be able to see out the back from the front door. Is this true? So many homes are like that, and it's a very dramatic view when you can see the back yard as you enter.
Interesting stuff, wish I knew more about it. I would like to get my own home compliant at least...
Carole, we use going through the garage all the time as that's where we park the cars. Are we supposed to walk around to the front? I know I am probably like many who seem like we never use the front door.
Carole - Thanks for the interesting information. That's a topic I'd like to learn more about - please keep sharing.
Our front door is open, inviting and certainly not blocked by anything. Our back has a open airway to the door and gate.... I love what you are saying...the whole area around us is affected...not just the inside :)
Carole,All I know is that every morning I first go to open the windows... Never knew what I was doing. One day @4years ago a bird flow over in my room. It was a little cockatoo... He never left
His name is: DUDE
Tell me there is a meaning in that?
Carole: thanks for a really interesting post. I open all my blinds and curtains immediately every morning. I planted a lovely garden right outside my dining area window which is floor to ceiling. My husband says we eat dinner in my garden every night even though we are inside. Just a little problem, my husband, although very evolved in all ways has one tiny throw back....he prefers the house to feel like a cave! Buttons everything up, uses very few lamps..it is a constant battle for us, but always a pleasant one, no bad karma from negative energy.
Hi Carole...Did you suggest that the owners trim that beautiful tree and did it need to be cut down?
Now that I asked the question I am not sure I want the answer.
Kathleen
good morning Carole,
This is a very fascinating subject matter and I didn't realize this before about trees casting shadows on front doors. A large percentage of the houses I tour through in my business have trees just outside the front and they are casting shadows on the front door....
I can't open my front door since it opens into a common hallway, however I do open my balcony doors every morning and they look out over the pool and my balcony garden. That being said, there is a very large and beautiful maple tree in front of my balcony off to one side and I enjoy the shade it casts over my windows in the afternoon sun. I wonder if this is a negative thing? I've always loved that tree.
Jo
Great post Carole! I am opening my front door right now!! I could use all the fresh Chi I can get! Thanks for the tip. Have a great day!
Carole, I have 2 trees in front of my windows. Both are really overgrown. They were suppose to be dwarfs, hummmm they grew up. I have called about moving them to the side yard, expensive. I'll take a photo and email to you to see your thoughts.
Carole--This is one problem I have with my own house...Our front door opens to a wall! It is the staircase so it is angled with a railing but what can you do? Our home has been a Feng Shui nightmare everyday we open the front door...Maybe those bells would help...? :)
Carole ~ I am guilty of coming in through the garage door too. We started doing that after a very strong wind storm pulled our storm door apart and now we keep it locked unless a guest/visitor is coming over or leaving. I'll try using it for when I go out to get the mail - will that help?
I also open all my shades as soon as I get up in the morning. I love to not only look out at the day, but let the light in. So, at least I'm doing something right! : )
Carole, great post. Letting the outdoors in is so important. I don't even like blinds, but neighbors dictate that part at our home. Argh.
Carole - It always puts a smile on my face that without knowing anything about Feng Shui I inadvertently do something right!
If you ever wanted to do a "Feng Shui Don't" house, it would be mine! Something must be right about it, though, because our family is great! But Oh, the humanity clutter! Yes, I am blocking my own chi. Yes, I am working on it!
Great points Carole! I always feel like opening windows and letting in as much natural light as possible. I guess that is how I judge a home personally, by how much natural light it has all day long. Now I know why!
Katerina, Your Chi sounds wonderful! Some people don't realize the importance of letting the outside in or why the Mouth of Chi is considered so important. I'm glad you do!
Gretchen, Hi, it's a good question. From a Feng Shui perspective we don't like to see the back door in alignment with the front, our feeling being is that the chi will come in....and move out just as quickly. You can put a lovely floor plant in an earthenware bowl to stop the flow of energy outside and keep it grounded inside.
Chris, It's always helpful to learn a little about it, you will benefit and so will your clients.
Gary, That comes up all the time with my clients. It's your Front Door where the good energy enters and it's an important principle. It needs to be used and opened so unless it's inclement weather or you have groceries, take the walk :)
Lynn, Thank you, I do try and share information and ideas and always love when someone sparks an interest from a post to learn more about Feng Shui.
Sally, I somehow knew you already "had it." If we are affected so deeply by our surroundings, that includes the outside as well as the inside. I'm glad your home feels wonderful.
Arina, I see all pets and animals as pure FIRE energy which is good. I would say it means you are attracting good things and energy into your life. (and yes, I see "signs" in almost everything)
Diana, I would open things up for a few minutes if possible when he's out. It does allow from a Feng Shui Perspective, the good energy to truly flow through your space.
Kathleen, I didn't want them to cut down that tree, it is gorgeous but it's hiding the house, it does need to be cut back a bit. And the bush in the front would be best moved, it is right in front of the "Mouth of Chi" and blocking it. It's not that bad and there are valid reasons for it.
Jo, No, the tree is not blocking you, you have good aspects particularly because of the water element. In the FORM school of Feng Shui (not widely practiced anymore) it was water in your front to draw in the energy and a mountain at your back to keep you strong. That always made sense to me along with the other methods.
Susan, Open it every day, even if only for a few minutes....and read Katrina's comment, she is surely bringing in the good Chi :)!
Missy, I would be happy to see it, send it in a jpg form. If they are blocking too much light or too much of your home you might want to cut them back...I know it's expensive but would be worth it.
Teri, The bells would help and possibly a mirror to intentionally draw energy inside. Sometimes we use a crystal. It's difficult to say without seeing it but think of a plant if you have a corner for "life force" as well....Without seeing how your staircase is, it's difficult to suggest something for you.
Kathy, I'd try to use it more then just getting the mail...ALL doors in Feng Shui are "voices" so they shouldn't stick, creak or be broken especially if you have children it is said---their may feel as if they cannot express their feelings.
Duane, I'm with you, I don't like blinds but I am too close to the street in the front and neighbors on the side. I have to use blinds for when it gets dark and I don't want anyone seeing in.
Maureen, Good, it always puts a smile on my face when I read something like that!
Elaine, If you have great energy WITH the clutter, I can't imagine how you'd be without it!! Try it although be prepared to hire help :)
Diane, I too like a lot of light and want as much natural light as possible. And it is a big FS principle to let the outside IN. I love this time of year when it is light longer!
There is nothing like hearing the birds sing and the leaves rustle in the wind when the windows are open in the morning Carole - very informative post!
Sincerely,
Grace
Carole - this all makes perfect sense. But sometimes people think that by obscuring the front doorway that they are creating a "sanctuary" like space when in reality they are doing just the opposite. Thanks for sharing yet another valuable bit of info on your craft. You are aces in my book!
Carole.... this is a great point. I even did landscaping for several years and I would never recommend something like this.... wondering what kind of landscaper would. You always need to look at the future when planting.... good post.
I have been loving my open windows with the breeze blowing through with spring here. What do you suggest for people who cannot make the change of a blocked or difficult 'mouth' - ie: renters?
Carole--No worries...I keep learning from you. Hard to deal with a bad floor plan. Maybe you want to fly out sometime and take a look? :)
Carole-I love your interpretation... Dude indeed brings good energy and make me smile every morning when I get him out from his cage. He is so funny! He dance, he sings and make all those funny sounds.
Carole ~ I used this advise today at a consultation I did in Stuart, the curb appeal is beautiful but a Gardenia Bush had taken over a lot of the view and I suggested to the client, that the "CHI" of the house needs to be cleared, she immediately said If I knew about Feng-Shui and of course I replied that the little I know I owe it to my good friend Carol from Feng-Shui Long Island. Thank You for continuing to educate me in this fascinating subject !!!
XXX
Hi Carole,
I've been having problems posting comments, so hopefully this one will get through to you.
I know that we have had a conversation about the importance of opening windows to let in the good chi and oust the stale energy. I told you that my house is set down a hillside and that there is a circular driveway at the top of the steps which lead down to the front door. At the top of the hillside and directly in line with my front door, there is a tall oak tree and about 6 inches from that tree is a utility pole (which actually looks like the trunk of another tree when the leaves are in bloom). I hung a Bagua mirror over my front door to correct that 'negative' energy because I remember reading somewhere that I should. Can you explain if what I did is correct and if so why..if not, then please tell me what I SHOULD have done.
Thanks Carole!
Val
Grace, When I opened my windows the other morning I smelled the new flowers that just bloomed--how nice it is!
Carol, Thank you so much! You can create a beautiful oasis in the backyard, it's actually highly recommended. But the front needs to allow the light and a clear pathway so the new Energy can come in.
Jeff, When I picked out my tiny front Japanese Garden for the front I never thought THAT far ahead :) But they are not blocking my door or windows in any way and they can be trimmed.
Deborah, If you have no control over the front door and you have another door, you can use that. Otherwise I would just open up as much as I could to let the outside in. There are many New York City apartments that don't have much light, you can only work with what you have.
Teri, All I need are pictures, I do distance consultations all the time. There is nothing in Feng Shui that you can't find a way to work around, it is based more on Intention and how you live your life.
Arina, I love that and absolutely take it as a positive sign. FIRE energy is postive, enlivening and enlightening energy....and you're getting a good dose of it every day :)!
Fernando, So many people are in touch with it now, it will add to any business. Personally, if I didn't truly believe in it I never would have been able to stick it out years ago when no one knew what it was!
Val, It's a little difficult to answer without photos and it usually is correct to hang a Bagua mirror over the front outside door IF you have negative street energy or impossible neighbors...otherwise it isn't needed IMO. I would look to see if the mirror is hitting the tree in any way in which case you are doubling the energy of being "blocked." I love solar lights that go UP to reflect and pave the way to the front door if you have some obstacles. And WELCOME BACK!!
Carole,
Thank you for sharing your insights on the importance of Feng Shui for, in and around a home. It does matter. I am not an expert in your subject, however, the little I do know, will affect a home for the sale or not.
Have a Colorful Day!
Thanks for your insights. I always had an interest in feng shui, but I realy became a believer when I saw a TV show that showed 3 homes that had been on the market for a long time, and each of the 3 did something to get the homes sold. One of the homes brought in a feng shui specialist to redesign the home. I found myself thinking "yea right". It was the first home that sold! Another one of the homes sold after a longer time back on the market, and the last home didn't even sell!
Very informative post. I was unaware of the implications of overgrown trees and/or shrubs in front of the front door. It is interesting to note that a few weeks ago I did remove three very overgrown cypress trees that were placed where small shrubs or flower would normally be grown very near my mother's front door. They were so overgrown that her front door was in permanet shadow. I also severly cut back her front bushes that were partially obscuring most of her first floor windows. It is so important that people consider the mature size of plants before they go in the ground!
Irene, Feng Shui consultants are often called in when a house has been sitting on the market and sometimes as soon as it goes up. We instill good energy into the home through different methods and it does work!
Pam, We redesign from a different point of view which is to ensure a positive flow of energy. Homes are filled with energy and imprints of former occupants which we want to "purify" the home to leave it open to another prospective buyer. Since we all have different methods, I would have been curious to see the show.
Rich, If you just did all that work for your mother, I would expect some "unexpected" good things to come into her life, big or small. It is very important to think ahead when planting but even I didn't realize how huge my "little" japanese garden would grow....but nothing is blocking my front door :)
Carole. I have always been interested in the energy nature of chi. When I painted my house I tried to paint the right color within each room. My husband has his chair (the room is very small) sitting about 6 feet from the front door with the back of the chair angled. There is plenty of room around the chair but could this be blocking chi?
Where do you recommend that I learn more? Thank you. I love reading your posts.
Later in the rain~Deb
I always enjoy your post and am always on the lookout for "blocks", including a bad date still standing in the doorway. Do you think I'd have any luck placing one of those octagon mirros on my forehead? Some days when I feel 'everything' is coming at me, I think maybe that's all that might help! Seriously though, thanks ALWAYS for your inspiring posts!
Carole, I am stopping bact to tell you that I think of you every morning now when I go to open both the front and back doors to let some chi in!! My kids think I'm nuts, but hey... it can't hurt right! Thanks for the tip.
Deb, It's hard to say without seeing it but it could be blocking some energy....if it's not a big chair and there's nothing else around it the energy is likely to just flow around it. My Ebook should be coming out soon or there are books by William Spear or Karen Kingston that are pretty easy to understand.
Mara, I've had a few of those bad dates myself---but I hadn't thought of the octagon mirror on ME...then again, it will push EVERYONE away, not something we want to do :)
Susan, That is SO sweet, thank you. It's funny when I open a door or window or ask Laura to do it I just say I need some new Chi (some people may think laugh) but it sure does help.
Carole - I still can't begin to thank you enough for advising me to stop parking my car in front of the walkway leading to the front door from the circular drive!!! Talk about blocking Chi!!!
And what is this about an eBook?! Sign me up!!!
Jackie
Oh I'm so glad i found you through Gary's WIR! What fascinating info......something I don't know much about but would love to! I'll have to subscribe and delve in! :-)
Carole,
I read your blog a few days ago and felt compelled to do a little research. I have noticed that I already practice several of the ideas (plant between the front and back door, opening up the house first thing in the morning) without even knowing about this, is that pretty common? I am looking forward to your eBook!
Carol,
Your info about the tree is very helpful. I'm going to use your advice on a New Listing. I hope they listen.
Thanks!
Carole, thank you! I will look forward to reading your ebook! When does this happen?
The chair isn't too big but I need all the chi I can get!
Later in the rain~Deb
Jackie, Good, I'm glad to hear it :) Now if I could stop my neighbors from parking in front of MY house...I am writing an Ebook and very excited about it as it comes together.
Pam, I have absolutely seen this before, we call it "intuitive" feng shui. I have seen it in several clients homes and they knew nothing about it but had such good placements of things!
Deb, Thanks, it will happen as soon as I feel it's good enough---I want it to be very understandable and comprehensive and I'm getting there slowly :)
Carole: My husband and I park our cars in the garage and then walk into the house from the garage. It doesn't make any sense to go to the front door. However, I will try to take your advice and start entering through the front door... I need the exercise anyway. I want all the good "Chi" that I can get. I will also start opening my blinds more often.
Jan, It may not make sense now, from your perspective. Looking at it another way, if you believe in Energy it needs a place to flow in and circulate....the Chinese (and many other cultures) believe strongly that it can enter only through the front door...I'm glad to hear you'll try it.
HI Carole! I love this post. I always insist on using the front door when I enter a home for a consultation. Many homeowers want me to come in through the garage and have this door open for me and I tell them I want to enter the correct way. I also insist on trimming the shrubs and trees to clear the energy. I have nice doormats, matching pots for the front door and also recommend new paint for the front door/Black, Red or Dark Green/great Feng Shui colors! I cannot wait for your ebook either to learn more!!
Hi Carole...I park my car in the garage all the time. Does that mean I need to go out of the garage, walk to the front door (OK, OK, I know it is not miles away) and go in to front and then try to remember to go to the garage and close the automatic garage door opener closer?
We never have to bother pulling up the blinds as most of our windows do not have anything on them (sorry Stagers) and the few that do seldom have them covered. Is that a bad thing also.
Our front door is always open though there is a long glass storm door there. Hope that is not working against us also.
There is one good thing I can report. We have trees fairly close to the sides of the house, we don't in the front and back. At least I hope this is a good thing.
Kathleen
P.S. Guess you better not tell me all the things I'm doing wrong because I really don't want to shut my house up at night. I love waking up and looking outside from my bed. We have windows/french doors on three sides of our room.
WOW...this is so over my head. Totally interesting, but where do I begin to research this stuff?
Cathy, Good for you, do the sellers want the potential buyers to come in through the garage doors as well? How silly. You can't get a good perspective of the home coming in any other way then the front door. The "Mouth of Chi" is very powerful and leaving a clear path to it as well as addressing the front door is more important then many people realize. I'm glad you're "got it."!
Kathleen, Please give it a try....give up the convenience of the garage door and use the front door...think of all that GOOD energy not being allowed to come in! If it's raining or you've got groceries I think you can use the garage for convenience but otherwise, take a walk around....think of the wonderful exercise :)! Having NO blinds if you don't need them for privacy is wonderful, from a Feng Shui Perspective it is "Letting the outdoors IN." Creates a balance in the home....So it's great to leave the front door open but you need to USE it!
Casey, Good question, all the books are so different because there are so many methods of Feng Shui---and you're likely to get confused. I've explained a lot in my previous blogs and write often about it....you might pick up some useful advice right here.
Carole: As always, another wonderful post. My front door is on the side where the carport is. What can I do?