‘Jade plant placed near the entrance invites good fortune and prosperity’

Q Do sharp objects have an effect on vaastu/ feng shui? I’m asking this because my neighbour has placed two dagger-like objects on either side of her entrance and these point directly to my flat. She says the daggers are guarding her flat and refuses to remove them. I feel threatened by these sharp objects and their negative vibes. Please advice how I can get some relief from this situation.

Surjopriya Barua

A: You are right Surjopriya, sharp objects emit negative energy. You can overcome the negative energy flowing towards your flat by placing an image of God above the doorway. A cloth panel with symbols of God or eight auspicious objects also work as an excellent antidote when placed above the doorway. They shower blessings on the home and on each individual stepping inside this sacred entrance. These eight objects have their origin in India and Tibet but have been embraced by feng shui.

The mystic knot signifies long-term good fortune

The canopy is a powerful symbol of protection from harmful influences

The wheel represents the wheel of life, truth and cosmic energy

The vase contains the nectar of bliss and contentment

The double fish signifies material riches

The lotus signifies purity

The jar symbolises accumulation of prosperity

The conch signifies travel luck.

Displaying all the eight objects together is important because they bring luck and provide mental peace and happiness.

Q: My flat, which is on the ground-floor, has a large room in the southwest and it stretches all the way to the southeast corner. I would like to convert this room into a chamber for my son who will start practising as a doctor this year. He doesn’t want to divide the room into two parts and yet wants to have separate visitors’ area in the east. The eastern side of the room has large windows and erecting a wall from this side will block sunrays from entering the southwest part of his chamber. Please suggest which part of the room can be used for his practice and which part should be used as visitors’ area.

Mitali Mukherjee

A: The sunrays should not be blocked from entering his room by any means because they bring new opportunities. The best solution would be to demarcate the visitors’ area by placing screens made of carved wood or handmade paper or clear glass partitions that do not extend from the floor to the ceiling. These screens will add beauty to the room by allowing the sun’s rays to filter through them and will also act as dividers and give him and his patients the required privacy. Divide the room in such a way that the southwest corner is occupied by him and the southeast can be used as visitors’ area.

Q: Is it auspicious to have jade plants in the house? I have a small lawn behind my house and am planning to have jade plants, too. Why is it valued and where can it be placed?

Suresh Khurana

A: Yes Suresh, green jade plant is valued by the Chinese because its leaves resemble the precious jade stone and its presence in the house is considered auspicious. If they are placed near the entrance they invite good fortune and prosperity. They energise monetary luck when placed in the southeast.

Money plant is a good substitute for jade plant, but you should ensure that they grow on their own and not with support from trees or walls otherwise they will lose their positive qualities.