Question: We had a water feature placed on the right side of our living room as you walked in. It broke after three years and we replaced it with a bowl of water, placed six ceramic green fish in the bowl with some pebbles. Do you think this water feature is as ‘lucky’ as the previous one?

–Donna from San Diego, CA

Answer: It sounds to me like it may have been time for your previous water feature to break.

The first thing to look at is what was going on in your life when it broke, like (for example) were you in a transitional period when it happened? Things always happen for a reason and signs can be a powerful tool in assisting us on our life’s path.

As far as the replacement, here’s my opinion. A running water feature symbolizes the movement of energy in your life, particularly around money. It is more active.

On the other hand, a bowl of water is water that is still and symbolizes the pooling of resources. It denotes more of a waiting period and a time of reflection. You need to decide which one fits better with who you are and where you are going. They are both lucky in my opinion.

As far as the 6 ceramic green fish in the bowl, my question to you is this: Do you resonate with the fish? I believe that when we practice any school of feng shui, the person living in the space must feel connected to the objects that are placed in that area.

My recommendation to you is to call a professional feng shui consultant in your area. Visit the International Feng Shui Guild: www.ifsguild.org to find someone in your city that can help.

It’s that time of the year again. I’m changing and shifting internally and I’m expressing it by painting my living room and fireplace a new color. (After photo shown at left.)

Fall is almost here and the changing of seasons makes me want to start thinking ‘cozy.’ This time, it’s back to warm chocolate ‘Hasbrouk Brown’, from earth friendly (and my favorite) Benjamin Moore’s Aura line of paints that I purchased from the wonderful folks at Powell Paint Center. I’m so in love with the color, I want to eat it. Before I started, I set the intention of releasing anything old and not serving me to allow growth and new opportunities to take their place.

Prior to painting, I set intentions by writing positive affirmations and symbols on the walls and above my fireplace. What a difference. The space now feels much more aligned with where I am at in my life and I love it! I highly recommend painting a room to shift the energy in a space. It’s easy and cost effective.

Question: I heard it’s good feng shui to have a small water fountain in a special place in your house. Is this true and if so where is the best place to put it?

S.L. –Norfolk, VA

CJ: Here’s my answer. Yes, it is very good feng shui to have a running water feature in a strategic location in your home.  For example, a small water feature on your desk in your office symbolizes abundance and the flow of money into your life. Water has properties that move energy that is stuck and helps to get things rolling. Make sure that the water is moving towards you or at 360 degrees (which is moving in all directions.) You don’t want the water moving away from you hence directing energy away.

Traditionally in feng shui, water is associated with weath and abundance. In ancient times, the Shamans of the land in China and other countries understood that to live near water where crops grew and fish was abundant, translated to an abundant livelihood where their goods could be traded at market.

There are other areas in your home where placing a water fountain is good feng shui, like in your career and/or wealth areas. However, those areas should be determined by a professional Feng Shui Consultant. If you need any referrals, just let me know. I’m happy to help.

Question: Is there something special that you should see when you open up your front door? A mirror or a flower vase or something else?

G.L. –Portland, Oregon

C.J.: Ahhh, I love this question. Thank-you for asking it. Entryways serve as greeters each time we walk into our front door. It’s such an important area as it sets the tone for our experience inside, sending us secret messages. If the area is cluttered and ugly, well you can imagine how that will affect how we feel and contribute to lower energy levels. However, if the area is beautiful, for example set up with a beautiful vase of flowers on a special table or our favorite bold print is hanging on the wall, that will bring joy to our hearts even on the most challenging of days. For many of us, the entryway is an area where we leave our ’stuff’ like our purses, keys, umbrellas, etc. and can get cluttered. If this is the case, first get organized. Keep what you don’t need and get rid of the rest. Think of this area as your personal welcoming station where you have that special bowl for your keys and a sweet mood light that draws you into the area. Whatever you decide to place in your entryway, make it something you love, or a collection of things that bring peace and love into your heart. Keep me posted!

Question: Today I wanted to rearrange my living room. It’s a big room, however, gets almost no sun light and I wondered, “What do I do first?” I’ve also always wanted to know what a red front door means.

–Beth from somewhere

CJ: Here is my answer. That, my dear is a very big question in a few short sentences. Thank-you for asking. My advise to you is to first get in touch with what activities you are going to do in that room. For example, will a TV be in there? Or maybe it will be a place for you and your friends to gather around a coffee table surrounded by comfy pillows and good conversation. Take a few minutes and some deep relaxing breaths to gather your thoughts and feelings about how you would like the space to look. Remember, it can be anything you want it to be. It’s your space. That’s the first step. Because (as you mentioned), it gets little natural light, consider a brighter happy color on the wall. Also, when considering wall art, you might include images of the sun and places of nature, thereby bringing nature indoors.

Regarding your question about the meaning of a red front door, in Feng Shui, a red door symbolizes the mouth of the home. It is the entry point in which abundance and opportunities find us. When we paint our doors red or a bright color that stands out, the idea is that positive energy will be drawn to us. The front door is also considered the threshold of the home in which we cross over from the external world into the sacred space of our private lives. It is an important area to consider.

Have fun decorating and let me know how it goes.

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