Fast Feng Shui Blog
Welcome to the Fast Feng Shui blog. If you are new to this blog or to feng shui, please start by reading the Q+A Guidelines (see sidebar on left) for an overview of my feng shui philosophy and style. If you would
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October 31, 2008
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Stove-Dishwasher kitchen layout |
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Q: In my present home the stove is facing the dishwasher, which I only use a few times a year. It this the same as the sink facing the stove?
A: A dishwasher that you rarely use is much less of an issue than the kitchen sink, even if it is directly across from the stove. Yes, there’s water involved, but when in use that water is not only fully contained (vs. an open sink), but is swirling and swishing around quite vigorously during the wash cycle so there’s an active quality to the energy compared to the more draining effect of a sink.
StephanieLabels: Feng Shui Q+A, Kitchens
posted by Stephanie R. #
10/31/2008 11:01:00 AM
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September 29, 2008
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Q. Our master bathroom is on the second floor above the kitchen, and our sink is directly above the stove. Is that a problem? Is it “fixed” because I have a microwave and a wood cabinet above the stove and other wood cabinets that cover the complete length of the kitchen?
A: Yes, it’s a problem (water-fire conflict, especially since water is overhead and likes to run downhill). Fortunately, having the sink above the stove is less serious a problem than when the toilet is directly above the stove.
And no, your wooden cabinets are not fixing this. The cabinets do create a bit of a buffer, which is better than nothing, but they don’t correct the problem.
Just because wooden furniture is made out of wood, that doesn't mean it represents the wood element. I know some people say it does, but I strongly disagree on that point. For one thing, any kind of furniture made from wood has no living wood chi left in it, and when we want to add "wood-type cures" to a space what we're looking for is that natural vitality of plants and tress. Keep in mind, too, that wooden kitchen cabinets are brown and rectangular which means they have “earth-type” color and shape.
When a bathroom is in a tricky position, such as over the kitchen , the recommended remedies are to:
1) Hang a faceted crystal ball in the center of the kitchen
2) In the bathroom, place a three- or six-inch round mirror on the ceiling directly above the toilet to visually reverse the downward flow of water (use double-sided tape to hold the mirror in place)
3) Place earth-type objects in the corners of the bathroom to stabilize the energy
4) Add an image such as a bird or tree to the downstairs area below the bathroom to help lift the energy there. For example, perhaps you can file a decorative tile with a bird or tree motif that could hang on the wall between the stove-top and the cabinet.
Thank you for your advice. I’ve enjoyed your books and web sites very much.
You’re very welcome, it’s my pleasure to help,
Stephanie R.
Q+A POLICY
The purpose of this Q+A service is to clarify modern feng shui principles and remedies, and to help you make sense of contradictory teachings you’re likely to come across. If you are new to this blog, please read the Q+A Guidelines (see sidebar on left) before sending me a question. Do expect that I will edit your message for clarity and focus, and that it will be several days (often longer) before I post a reply. Keep in mind, too, that you’re getting my personal opinion on the topic. If you ask someone else, you might get a different answer.Labels: bathroom, Feng Shui Q+A, Kitchens
posted by Stephanie R. #
9/29/2008 12:24:00 PM
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Angled Front Door |
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Q. Our front door is on an angle at the left corner of the house. Where do we place the bagua: at the angled front door entrance or at the front path step that leads to the porch?
A: The ba gua is always determined by the door, not a path, step, or porch. But when the entry is on a corner angle, you also have to look at what side of the house is the “front.” Unless you are on a corner lot (as discussed here), that’s probably fairly obvious based on the relationship between the house and your street. You might find my discussion of a single room with angled entry, here, helpful as well.
Q (con’td): As you enter our front door and walk into a large entry hall, on the immediate right is our dining room. The dining room has 3 large arched entrances with one into the kitchen and the stove is clearly visible as you come in. I believe the kitchen view of the stove from the front entrance is a problem. Is that correct?
A: Not if the kitchen and stove are off to the right when you come in. A stove visible from the front door is only a problem if it’s directly ahead of you when you step through the door, and if you stand with your back to that door when cooking. Because your door is on an angle, you don’t have that layout. If you want to remedy this anyway, a faceted crystal in the kitchen archway will interrrupt the flow of chi between door and stove.
Hope that clears things up,
Stephanie R.Labels: ba gua, Feng Shui Q+A, Kitchens
posted by Stephanie R. #
9/29/2008 12:11:00 PM
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September 24, 2008
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Bed Above Stove |
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Q: Is it true that the bed in the master bedroom should not be placed above the kitchen oven/stove? That would be the "power" position in my bedroom & I'd like to move it to that spot. But I've read that it's not good for the heart for the bed to be above the stove. Placing the bed against the other available wall would require that you walk all the way around the bed to get to the master bathroom.
A: Yes, it is considered potentially harmful to sleep in a bed that is directly above the stove.
The stove is a very active (yang) energy. A bed is for sleeping, which is a very yin state of inactivity. When the bed is above the stove you may find that you do not sleep well or that you feel tired and irritable much of the time. It could also indicate heart or blood pressure problems (the stove is a strong fire element, and fire is associated with the heart) for anyone sleeping in that bed. However, that's just an indication, not a guarantee of problems.
Whether that’s of sufficient concern that you are willing to move your bed to a position where you will have to walk a few extra feet to get to the bathroom is up to you.Labels: bedroom, Feng Shui Q+A, Kitchens
posted by Stephanie R. #
9/24/2008 09:41:00 AM
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July 21, 2008
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Sink-Stove Opposition |
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Q: In my kitchen the sink is exactly opposite the stove. I have read that this creates a lot of conflict in the house. Since it is impossible for me to shift the position of the appliances I would appreciate if you could recommend a cure for this.
A: The secret to figuring out how to remedy this and many other feng shui situations is to understand why it has earned a position on the “don’t” list. This case is one of many in which the problem lies in the elements represented.
The stove is associated with FIRE, and the sink with WATER. Fire and water are natural enemies: water extinguishes fire, and fire evaporates water. That conflict between the elements is why a sink-opposite-stove kitchen layout is said to lead to arguments and tension in the home.
Sure, you could invest in a kitchen renovation and move your appliances around, but that’s a very costly and time-consuming solution. The standard cure for this feng shui problem is to introduce the WOOD element as a peacemaker. The WATER chi of the sink will go to nourishing the WOOD, and WOOD will feed FIRE. Everybody’s happy, and water and fire aren’t getting in each other’s face any more.
In a spacious kitchen, you might have a table or island between the sink and stove. In that case, a nice (healthy, green) houseplant on the table can be the cure. (A wooden table, BTW, does not count as a wood-type object: it has no living chi; is either a metal (round, oval) or earth (square, rectangular) shape; and usually an earth (brown) or metal (white) color.)
In a smaller kitchen, where there’s no room for a table, a green area rug in front of the sink, in front of the stove, or half-way between them, will provide the same benefit. The rug can either be a solid green, or might have a pattern of green vines or leaves.
If you can’t use a rug, hang a green (or leaf-patterned) kitchen towel over the oven door handle.
As a last resosrt, if you can’t find any way to place something green between the sink and stove, put a small plant or two near the sink, and something else to represent the wood element near the stove.
This is very basic feng shui advice, BTW, and just one of the many common situations I discuss in Fast Feng Shui. I strongly recommend that feng shui beginners take some time to study the five elements as well as the ba gua if they wish to apply feng shui successfully to their homes.
Hope this helps,
StephanieLabels: Feng Shui Q+A, Kitchens
posted by Stephanie R. #
7/21/2008 09:20:00 AM
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