Are you getting into the holiday spirit and ready to start decorating? This installment in my series on how to incorporate Feng Shui into your holiday traditions can help to make it the best season ever!
For many folks, decorating outdoors is a first priority. It signals to the world that we are focused on the joy and meaning of the season and ready to share the cheer. Keeping these simple Feng Shui guidelines in mind while you’re decking the halls encourages a smooth flow of energy, activities and emotions during this busy time of year.
In Feng Shui the front door is the star. Called the “Mouth of Ch’i”, the front door is where this vital energy flows into your home and life. If anything outdoors requires your full attention, it is the front door. The first step is giving it a good cleaning. Wiping it down or washing it will revitalize the Ch’i of the actual door. Now you’re ready to start the fun.
Will you add a wreath or swag? Maybe a full door panel with a festive design would be more your style.
Next, move to the surrounding area. Give the door’s landing a quick tidy then assess. Is there room for an additional feature like a pot of greens, a waving Santa or wagon filled with faux presents?
Many options can serve as your front door’s festive greeter. A greeter is an item near the entrance door that catches the eye, sets the tone for the home and uplifts the energy of those entering by its additional welcome. Having a greeter is a Feng Shui suggestion year round.
One very important Feng Shui essential I encourage all of my clients in Maine to do throughout the winter months, not just at Christmas, is to keep the path to the front door shoveled. Nothing says, “Go away good energy!” like a foot of snow frozen in a path to the all important front door.
It may seem an inconvenient chore, but, if you want to have good Feng Shui, the Ch’i must be able to easily and smoothly flow to your front door. Those in warmer climates aren’t exempt as the path to the front door can become overgrown with vegetation. Again, keep the path open!
If you live in an apartment or condo and have restrictions on what you can do at your entrance door, perhaps you could tape a large photo or sketch to the door showing how you’d like it to be decorated . Hanging a string of bells on the doorknob to jingle hello or placing a bright, seasonal doormat at the entrance will welcome both Ch’i and visitors alike. No bah humbugs!
Lighting is a Feng Shui energy boost that is a natural at the holidays. If that’s not on your list, simply keeping your front door light illuminated longer into the darker winter nights can call more good Ch’i into your life. If you like to add a few extra strings of lights, I recommend focusing on the front door or the path to the front door first.
Should your house be hidden by vegetation or be far from the road, lights or other decorations at the entrance can more precisely direct good energy into your driveway. This identifies the path for both Ch’i and visitors to enter your life.
Do you love lots of lights and decorate to the max? Go for it, but remember, lighting is a Ch’i enhancer. This means it increases and heightens the flow of energy. You may want this if your life is sluggish or even at a “normal” pace for you. Should your world be on overload, think about adding outside lights in moderation.
I’d love to see photos of your outdoor creations. My post, Feng Shui for the Holidays, will give you tips to improve your Feng Shui for Christmas or Hanukkah. Incorporating even one of the suggestions above into your outdoor decorating scheme can help to make this one of your best seasons ever. Fa la la!
Have fun,
Carol
I did the front door clean up and bright light at the entrance. Then added a wreath. I wasn’t going to this year, but now I’m so glad I did. Thanks for the inspiration.
I also heeded your advice about focusing on any gua that seemed out of sorts. Lately I have had a couple of relationship miscues where I was “blindsided”. I looked into my relationship gua which is in the kitchen. It had things piled up on a high shelf so deep that I couldn’t see what was stored in the back of it. Cleaned out the dust and grime and am now storing only one deep. I also put a set of red cardinal salt and pepper shakers on the space in the front that opened up.
Judy, you are a Feng Shui star! What great analysis and use of so many Feng Shui principles. I love how you combined clutter clearing with enhancing your Relationship area in the Bagua. Well done!
Also, a wreath on the front door is a good way to call in healthy Ch’i any time of year. I’m sure you will enjoy your holiday wreath well into the New Year. Happy Holidays!