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Ask Stanlu Feng Shui Q&A Articles

Part 1

Q: How do you recommend that we clear old energies from our house? We keep experiencing weird ghost like events and suspect that the man who lived here before us is still around even though he died here 12 years ago. Also are there other kinds of negative energies to deal with in a house that can be dealt with from a Feng Shui perspective?

A: The energies that you are talking about are called "Ling" energies in Feng Shui. These are like lingering energies according to the Ling theory of evolution. According to this philosophy when someone dies their Chi (life force energy) leaves their body and goes into the astral plane for possible reentry into another human body usually as a new born child. Often however this process of the Chi leaving the body at death is not complete and part of the Chi lingers as Ling energy. This Ling energyoften returns to its familiar territory as in the example of the old man returning to your house.

To some this is perceived as a pleasant event and for others it can be quite disruptive. In either event it can be confusing and intrusive to one's own Chi to be visited by the Ling of a deceased being. Furthermore when a being leaves part of it's chi earth-bound it tends to keep it from completing it's soul's journey into the astral plane in preparation for it's next incarnation. So it is my view that it is appropriate to lovingly invite these Ling particles to return to the light for completion of their soul's journey.

The way that we do this in Feng Shui can be complex however, depending on your awareness. It may be possible for you to clear these energies on your own. First you need to learn the expelling mudra: hold two middle fingers with your thumb and flick both fingers in both hands ( see diagram) as you walk around the house. At the same time visualize that the Ling energy is lovingly returning to the light for completion of it's souls journey. Sounding also helps if you know how to make sounds that are helpful to clear old energies. Lastly visualize that your home is filled with loving light and that only those energies that are harmonious to your being are present in your home.

Additional techniques that you can use would be to burn candles, smudge with incense or sage, play chanting music, chime bells, or just sing, dance hoot and howl your way through the house with the intention to clear all old energies! Above all have fun and don't be afraid of these Ling energies.

These same techniques can be used to clear other energies as well. Examples would be what we call predecessor energies as in the energies left in a house from those who lived in your home previously. This can be subtle and then again not so subtle but rather intense. For those who are sensitive to energy you could walk into a room after there had been an argument and you would feel this predecessor energy as an angry agitated energy. If the predecessor had experienced much depression and trauma this kind of energy could remain in the house for the successors.

Above all else claim your home as if it were a sacred part of you which it is.

Q: Please explain the Feng Shui theory of the use of colors?

A: Feng Shui has much to say about colors. According to the teachings of Feng Shui color is everything and color is nothing which is similar to the Tao teachings and Yin /Yang philosophy. Every color has a unique vibrational frequency and the objective is to bring them all into balance with each other and all other energies in the environment. The frequency of colors goes from one extreme to the other with red at one end and purple at the other not unlike the chakras which start at the base as red ,then orange, yellow, green, blue , purple, and then iridescent at the crown. This pattern can be used as a reference for one way in which you can select colors for your interior as well as exterior. In other words, have a representation of each of the chakra colors in your home with none of them over-powering and you will probably have a balanced color pattern in your home.

Another way to use colors is to use the colors of the five creative elements in Feng Shui which would be Green (wood), Red (fire), Yellow (earth), White (metal), Black (water). According to this theory you would incorporate one of each of these colors in each room. This could be in the form of a picture frame , rug , bedcover, wall color etc.

Pay attention to the exterior colors also. If you had a brown roof, brown siding, brown trim, brown door your house would not be in good color balance. The solution in this case would be to paint the trim another color and then the front door could be painted another contrasting color. White exterior and interior walls are O.K. because you can then add other colors to complete the colors. All in all there is much that can be said about colors but not enough space to write about it all here so if you wish you can purchase a new book called "Living Color" by Professor Lin Yun and translated by Sarah Rossbach to learn more.

Q: How are mirrors supposed to be used in Feng Shui? I hear all sorts of conflicting information and I want to be sure I understand correctly. Thank You for your help.

A: Mirrors are used in Feng Shui to redirect, attract, or move certain energies. For different applications different kinds of mirrors are used such as round, square, or octagonal. In addition we use a special kind of mirror called a BaGua mirror for extra powerful solutions. This is a mirror within an octagonal frame with the Chinese trigrams displayed, special colors red, green, and gold, and the wood element as it's frame.

We use the BaGua mirror to re-direct intrusive energies such as a road pointing right towards our front door, a cemetery next door, or an intrusive neighbor. Simply point the BaGua mirror with loving intention towards the intrusive energy and it will loving re-direct it back to the source of the intrusion.

When we want to attract certain energies a mirror can be helpful. An example would be the placement of a mirror in a place within your environment where you want to attract more of something. One often used place for a mirror is behind the stove to attract prosperity and symbolically double the quality and production of the food. We also use mirrors in retail stores to attract more traffic into the store.

To move energies as in a situation in which there is a wall close to the door upon entering, then place a mirror on the wall directly in front of you upon entering. Make sure this mirror is positioned so that your head is fully visible from the mirror. You want to avoid having your head cut off high or low due to improper positioning of the mirror. A mirror used in the front entrance will help expand your Chi and hence your opportunities in life.

Avoid over-using mirrors randomly placed because they are powerful remedies and can cause chaotic energies when misused. In most cases the bigger the mirror the better but in some cases a very small mirror is sufficient such as when you want to stop the Chi from going down the stairs too quickly with steep stairs. In this case you would place a small square mirror at the bottom of the stairs facing you as you come down the stairs.

Use solid clear mirrored glass panels as opposed to mirror squares for all of the applications mentioned above. In some cases it is possible to use reflective material such as foil paper, shiny wallpaper, shiny tiles, stainless steel etc. An example for this would be when you are looking to place a reflective covering above the lower bunk bed to expand the constricted Chi (see previous Earth Star Feng Shui Column).

We used to say that mirrors were the aspirin of Feng Shui, but now we have evolved. We now say that mirrors are the homeopathic remedies of Feng Shui! Use them wisely and they will help you to create balance and harmony in your environment.

Q: So much is said about Feng Shui in homes but rarely do I read about apartments. I am wondering how to use Feng Shui to find a good apartment in Cambridge. What do I need to look out for so I can be sure to find the right apartment?

A: Pay attention, as you look for an apartment, to your inner knowing (intuition). It will tell you everything you need to know. If you are hesitating and compromising in the choice then perhaps this is telling you that there is something about it that is not harmonious to your being. On the other hand when you find the right apartment it will sing to you, making you happy and satisfied.

On a more practical level, look at the neighborhood to see that it is peaceful, quiet, healthy animals etc. Next look at the building. Does it seem healthy, pleasing, balanced? Walking in the lobby pay attention to smells, sounds, first impressions. What do the people look like as you pass them in the lobby. Is the lobby well lit and secure feeling? Upon entering the apartment is the doorway clear, well lighted, easily accessible with room to stand freely upon entering? What is your first impression upon entering? Can you sense what the previous tenants were like? Is the floorplan of the apartment even with most areas fitting into a square or rectangular configuration or is the apartment L-shaped? Look out the window and check for powerless or transformers near the apartment. Avoid these as they emit electronic pollution.

Check the plumbing to make sure they drain properly and that there are no dripping faucets as these represent the digestive/elimination in the body. Electrical should work properly also. When running an electrical appliance if the power dims then the electrical is inadequate. This represents the neurological system in the body.

Make sure that ceiling clearance is adequate so that your Chi is not compressed. Colors affect environment also so avoid dark colors in an apartment except in isolated instances. Check the sun orientation of the apartment. Best not to be facing North as this is the cold side with relatively less sunlight.

Ask about your neighbors also. Who are they and what are they like? The energy of neighbors does not stop at the walls and does affect abutters so it is helpful to know what you are getting into.

There is so much to share from a Feng Shui perspective but these will help. Lastly, once you decide on an apartment be sure to do a clearing of the environment when you first move in. Many blessings in your next apartment. Stanlu