By Sally Philips
Provided by Tarot.com
Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of attracting energy to create more peace and harmony in your life. You can use it to improve your home, office or any space where you spend a lot of time. Some practitioners believe that up to half of the energy, or, chi, in a space is influenced by its entrance, so that's the place to begin any feng shui makeover.
The front door to your home is called the "mouth of chi" because it's where all the good energy comes in. Some people building new homes consult feng shui experts to assess the best direction for their front doors and to design their landscaping ... but most of us don't have that luxury, so we have to work with what we have. No worries! It's easy to improve any entrance with these simple, inexpensive "cures."
A Welcoming Walkway
The pathway leading to your front door should be clutter free. Don't leave bikes, hoses, garden tools, newspapers, toys, garbage bins or any other outdoor gear lying around where they can block the flow of chi. First impressions are lasting impressions, which holds true both for you and your guests. A tidy front yard and walkway creates a nurturing sense of peace and comfort.
Feng shui says that the best walkways are curved or meandering, but most of us have linear walkways that create a straight shot to our front doors. You can soften yours by planting flowers or groundcovers that spill over onto the concrete as they grow, or place a few planters to break up the energy along the path. It's also a great idea to light your walkway. Solar lights are efficient and inexpensive and soften the shape of paths at night.
Outside the Door
The landing where visitors wait for you to open the door should feel spacious and provide a pleasant experience. Consider placing a fountain or birdbath nearby, since water enhances chi. You can also hang a wind chime to prevent sha, or, negative energy, from coming near your house. On either side of the door, place flowerpots or planters with wide-leaved plants. These "greeters" will help balance energy.
The color of the door is important, so give it a fresh coat of paint if possible. Many practitioners recommend red because it attracts wealth and prosperity, but other colors also work well depending on the direction your door faces. If it's on the north side of your house, you might want to paint it gray or black to enhance your career. South facing doors benefit both from fire colors -- reds and oranges -- and wood colors, like brown, because wood feeds fire. For east, try blue or green, and for west, white or another neutral tone might work well.
Make sure all of the hardware on your door functions properly and keep it oiled and polished. If you have a doorbell with an annoying sound, replace it with one that you like to hear.
Inside the Door
The inside entrance area should also feel spacious, even if it's a small area. Keeping it clutter free goes a long way in this regard. If you have a coat rack, don't let out-of-season coats and paraphernalia accumulate and pile up. If you have a table where you drop keys, mail or packages, use baskets or small bins to organize the area and tidy them up daily. Seeing clutter every time you enter your home does not provide the sense of ease you need, and it can also block chi from entering the house.
What do you see first when you enter? Hang a picture that pleases you here. If you want a mirror in this area, do not place it opposite the door. Put it on a side wall instead. If you look down a hallway when you enter, keep all the doors closed, or consider placing a screen to block the view. If you confront stairs immediately upon entering, place objects or symbols that represent protection to you on either side of the base of the stairs to stop the flow of chi down the stairs and out the door. Consider placing a fan, crystal or mobile overhead to help circulate chi.
A welcome rug is a nice touch and signals your visitors where to stand while they remove their coats. Earthy colors and images are always best because they help us feel supported and grounded.
Finally, many of us don't use our front doors, entering instead from our garages or backyards. Try to change this habit and use your front door at least some of the time. The Chinese believe that the front door is where opportunity knocks most often, so you want to keep the chi flowing there.
About the Author
Sally Philips is a professional writer who has been using Astrology, Tarot, I-Ching and feng shui to enrich the lives of friends, family and clients for over two decades. An Aquarius with Cancer rising living in Portland, Oregon, her life is characterized by both wild escapades and fireside coziness.
