Tip for the week

n While designing a home, the basic Feng Shui thumb rule is to balance all energies that are present ? that is wood, fire, earth, metal and water elements. The trick is to keep a bit of all.

n Wood energy may be obtained through wooden furniture and floors.

n Fire is derived from touches of red in furnishings.

n Earth from the yellow and brown colours in homes or marble flooring.

n Metal from fixtures, tables and lamps.

n Water from aquariums, fountains, or by the simple presence of the colour blue in the interiors.

n People, who are predominantly of one energy, should surround themselves with the presence of other elements as well, to balance their lives and careers.

Q&AI am a budding interior designer practising independently. Most of my clients want to do up their house following Feng Shui rules. Please guide me on how the five elements of nature can be brought in balance in the immediate environment.

Akriti

The home environment is harmonious and pleasant where there is a balance of the five elements of nature. You can create this by bringing in elements of each one in different ways.

Wood energy is brought into the house in the form of wooden furniture, panelling, flooring, fresh healthy green plants and any painting with symbols of upward movement like tall trees.

Fire energy can be introduced in the form of lights, lamps, touches of red in furnishings, textured walls and vibrant paintings.

Earth energy is best incorporated in the form of yellow and brown colours, marble flooring, wide and low furniture, long and heavy comfortable sofas, big soft cushions, square and low tables, earthen artefacts, statues, sculptures, heavy stone vases and crystals.

Metal energy is extensively used in modern decor these days in the form of metal fixtures for lights, handles, knobs, laminates, tables and sofa base.

Finally, water energy can be introduced through the floating shape of the sofas, chairs, upholstery, and irregular design of floor lamps, blue colour, fountains and aquariums.

Q&AI was born on November 11, 1983. I have completed my graduation and will soon be joining an MBA course. Please guide me on my field of specialisation. I also suffer from acute skin problems and frequent stomach disorders. Please suggest a way out to overcome these problems.

Arun

Your pillars of destiny reveal that you are a weak water person where metal and earth elements are totally missing.

Lack of metal element in the body makes you prone to sensitive skin and missing earth element gives a very weak stomach. You should strengthen your weak metal and earth elements by surrounding yourself with white, metallic and earthy colours like brown, beige, yellow and cream. Regular exercises will help strengthen the weak stomach.

Wear a metal ring, band or chain to compensate for the missing metal element. At present, you are going through a metal period, which represents high qualification for you. You should excel in banking, finance and marketing.

Q&AI have read in your column that mirrors should not be hung in the bedroom where one is directly reflected while sleeping. But can I hang them on a wall where our bodies will not be reflected?

Sarika Agarwal

Feng Shui is certainly against mirrors on a wall where our bodies are reflected while sleeping. Mirrors are powerful energy expanders and we should be very careful about their placement in the bedroom. The basic principle is that mirrors should never reflect the bedroom door from where the cosmic energy flows in. If this energy gets reflected and bounces back instead of entering the room, it leaves the occupants starved of the nourishing chi. Again, it should not be placed on any wall where it reflects the toilet door. Here it would multiply its negative energy. It is also not considered auspicious to place them on a wall where you would see yourself first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Q&AI live in a single-storied house that has a big playground at the back and a building in front. Recently, two highrises have come up on either side. Ever since, there has been a lot of unhappiness in the family due to ill-health and financial problems. Is there any way I can get out of this situation?

Suchitra

It is your bad luck that your house is not only sandwiched between two buildings on either side but is also blocked by one in front. Adding to this is a playground. Tall structures behind the house are considered auspicious because they give support to the house. Open areas are welcome in front where the chi energy gathers in abundance to flow into the house.

The best Feng Shui remedy in such cases is to install lights all around the boundary wall at regular intervals. Lights here will open up the tight areas created by the tall buildings. Also raise the height of the back wall with a wrought iron fence or plant tall trees.