Spring is here! My flowers are blooming, and I’ve just had my front door and walkway repainted. I’m ready for the positive energy to flow my way. Why was this such an important step? I went out of my way to spruce up the front because in Feng Shui the Entrance Foyer is one of the two most important areas of a home; the other being the master bedroom.
The Entrance Foyer is more than just the entry way inside your home or business. The area leading up to your front door, the actual threshold itself, and the area immediately inside your home or business (the foyer) are all considered part of your front entrance. This area is critical – this is the place of your guests’ first impressions and where the vital energy, called Ch’i, enters your home. The word “entrance” means to “en – trance” your guests and welcome them with beauty. By making your entrance fabulous you also attract and nourish the Ch’i entering your home.
Entrances and the Bagua
The Feng Shui Bagua , is represented as a grid of nine sectors. The Bagua comes from the Chinese philosophy,
“The I Ching,” and literally means “eight trigrams,” with the center being for
grounding. Entrances should take on the
qualities of the Bagua area they reside in.
In each of the three areas it is important to remember that traditionally in Feng Shui the best art in the household is displayed by the front door. This is to honor everyone who enters your home. When you have space, consider setting up a welcoming arrangement that may include a table appointed with a flower arrangement. When your foyer is small, hang an attractive mirror on the side walls. Do not hang a mirror directly facing the front door as it will send the energy back out. Create a token place of welcome even when there’s no foyer. Do whatever you can to present your guests, and yourself, with a warm and welcoming first impression.
Entering from the Front Middle – Career Area
This area is especially important if you desire to energize your
career:
* As always, ensure that this area is
clutter free.
* Hang art depicting water, such as
streams, ponds, rivers, or oceans
* This is a great location for a small
fountain or aquarium
* Display items, such as statues,
accessories, or furniture in black or very dark colors or in asymmetrical
shapes.
*Hang mirrors, and/or display
glass/crystal items, such as a crystal vase or a glass table. A round faceted crystal hanging from the
ceiling helps the energy flow in small more confined spaces.
Entering from the Front Left – Knowledge and Self Cultivation Area
* Keep this area clutter free since
clutter does not act to soothe the mind.
* Items in the colors of blues, greens,
or black
* Items in the shape of columns or
stripes
* Hang art representing mountains,
woods, or anything that depicts a quiet outdoor space or meditation gardens
* Wooden tables or bookcases
* Healthy plants with rounded soft
leaves
Entering from the Front Right – Helpful People and Travel Area
* Art or figures representing spiritual guides, mentors, or places you have traveled to or would like to visit
*Items that have a personal association to your spiritual beliefs
* Items in the colors white and/or grey
* Items made of any form of metal
* Circular or arch shapes
Outside of your Entrance:
This is the first thing your guests see. It is imperative that it
is kept clean and clutter free. Here are some other fun decorating ideas to
create an auspicious first impression in your entrance:
Landscaping: Make the
landscaping around your front entrance especially inviting, with only healthy
lush colorful plants.
Pathways: If
possible, design a curved, meandering path to your front door. Place seating or
interesting garden art
by your front door.
Ornaments: Hang
wind chimes to call in the Ch’i, and especially in the Career area place a
bubbling fountain that flows toward the home, or 360 degrees. A beautiful wreath and/or doormat also act to
welcome guests. By placing a pot with a beautiful plant on either side of the
door, or two like sculptures you create “greeters” to welcome your guests.
Lighting: Good
lighting is very important for safety as well as beauty.
The Color Red: In Feng Shui, the color red is often suggested to attract prosperity and joy into the home. You can paint your door any shade of red, or place red objects or flowers near the door. The choices are endless!
Entrances and Staircases:
When staircases point directly at the front entrance, they create
rivers of Ch’i flowing out of your home, along with health, vitality, and good
fortune. You can stop this flow by installing an aesthetic barrier between door
and stairs such as a screen, plant, furniture, or art. When there is no room
for this, the easiest fix is to hang a mirror directly facing the stairs or
hanging a round faceted crystal above the bottom step to recirculate and send
the Ch’i back into the home.
Enjoy the many blessings of Spring and welcome the Ch'i into your home!
