December is a wonderful month as it marks the beginning of the much-awaited festive season. It is a time to rejoice and celebrate as the spirit of the season fills our hearts with love, forgiveness, gratitude and humility. Feng Shui principles and their applications make the Christmas celebrations, get-togethers and worship more meaningful and powerful.

Decorating our homes forms an integral part of our Christmas celebrations. Energy that flows into our homes through the main door is best tapped by decorating it according to the direction it faces. The following tips may be kept in mind to enhance the energy associated with these directions.

The northeast is associated with knowledge, wisdom, insight and intelligence. Introducing yellow and red colours in the form of lighting and candles enhances the energy of the entrance and endows us with intellect and wisdom.

The east is connected with family bonding and love. To harness the energy of such an entrance, we may use combinations of green and blue. These may be in the form of lighting or a variety of plants.

The west is related to children. Placing empty earthen or metallic pots at the entrance can ensure their success, prosperity and affluence. The pots are filled with the auspicious energy of Christmas and symbolise wealth and good fortune for children.

Heavenly blessings are bestowed on us if our main gate is in the northwest. This sector is best energised with gold, silver and white bells, chimes, twinkling stars and more.

The southeast invites the flow of riches and blesses its residents with wealth and abundance. The entrance may be decorated with fresh green plants and lights. We may also place a lemon tree beyond the threshold as it is symbolic of fruitfulness. However, caution must be taken to place it inside the house and not outside to prevent our fortunes from flowing away.

The southwest entrance should be well energised to ensure marital happiness. Two earthen pots with red designs may be placed at the door. Light some red and yellow candles and pray to Jesus to bless your relationship.

The northern entrance needs to be stimulated to give your career a boost. This is done by introducing blue in the decor with touches of gold, silver and white.

The south is related to name and fame. We may decorate it with plants, red and green candles and green garlands.

The Christmas tree is an evergreen tree that symbolises perennial happiness and growth and should be placed in the eastern sector of your living room. Arrange photographs of your near and dear ones around the Christmas tree along with gifts for them. While decorating the tree, a balance of all the five elements should be used. As the Christmas tree is green in colour, it represents the wood element. Lighting candles around it would bring in the fire energy. Water element is introduced by decorating it with blue ribbons and streamers. Twinkling gold and silver stars all over the tree give a touch of the metal element to it. A few earthen symbols of angels and round-faceted crystals hanging from the tree complete the cycle of five elements. Symbols of angels on the tree fill the atmosphere with purity, peace and benevolence. The angels take away from our hearts any feeling of hatred and jealousy and encourage us to spread love and goodwill. When a family gathers near such a tree, each member gets the energy of his most beneficial element without even realising it. Worshipping in this sacred area and singing Christmas carols helps in spreading good vibes to the world.

To bring hearts together, make sure everybody participates in the decoration of your home. Ask children to put up photographs of your close relatives and friends in the house as this helps create a bond with people other than their immediate family. Click photographs of guests and send them mementoes to help them relive the joyous moments.

Christmas time is usually a very hectic period as we spend most of our time buying gifts, decorating houses and making sumptuous dishes to feast on. A balance of the five elements can also be created at the dining table so that we may enjoy our feast and celebrate to our heart’s content. Take a glass plate and float tender rose petals in some water. Now light a floating candle and place it in the centre. This brings water, wood and fire energy. Lay the table with blue tablemats, blue napkins (water element), crockery (earth element) and cutlery (metal element). Sit around the table in a circle if possible as this promotes the flow of conversation. However if one has a rectangular table, care should be taken to see that couples are not seated opposite each other as this can result in arguments which can dampen the Christmas spirit. Before eating, you must thank Jesus for providing you with your daily bread.

Christmas celebrations can never be complete without a visit to the Church. Trust in God and you can rest assured that happiness is bound to follow. Fill your mind with feelings of peace, love, humility and kindness and simply surrender yourself to the will of Christ.

Merry Christmas and a very Feng Shui- prosperous New Year to you all.

Tip of the week

Place the Christmas tree atop a round green coloured base and then place the presents on it. Each one of us has our own animal sign, so place an animal representing each family member under the tree and above each present belonging to the recipient. This will work towards bringing harmony and unity among your family members on Christmas.