Ah! The holidays are rapidly approaching. It’s an exciting time of year where we gather together with loved ones, exchange presents, partake in decorating our home and Christmas tree, eat lots of good food, and yes, gain a few pounds. This time of year is fun, right?
 
Okay, so making holiday preparations can be overwhelming. Many of us are dashing around trying to find the perfect gifts for family and friends, stressing over the invitation list, the table setting and centerpiece and deciding what to serve your guests. Is the house festively decorated but clutter free? Oh yes, where should we place that Christmas tree?
 
Lots to think about it, isn’t there? Consider some of these Feng Shui tips to relieve stress and help us to embrace the holidays.
 
Tip 1: Clearing Clutter

In feng shui this is a very important step to take prior to any decorating. During the holidays between the presents and gift wrapping, decorations, and setting up the Christmas tree, we are accumulating more things into our home so it can become quite cluttered. We need to take the time to sit and feel the rooms we are decorating. Be conscious of things you do not need and remove them. Keep in mind to feel balance and harmony we need to allow the chi or energy to meander throughout your home. Keep things off the floor to prevent stagnation and allow the chi to circulate freely.
 
Tip 2: Space Clearing

Since this is an emotional time let’s start off by space clearing our home. I like using incense but you can burn some sage throughout the house or spray with a pure essential oil of your choice. The idea here is to alter the energy in the space which in turn will change the energy of your guest who enters. Try keeping some sage or herbs burning by the front entranceway to keep the outside energy, outside.
 
Tip 3: Colors

Color plays an important role in determining our mood. The traditional colors for the holidays are red and green; a lot of fire energy supported by a lot of wood energy. Although red, in feng shui, is one of the most powerful colors, its energy is aggressive. Too much red can provoke outbursts, so don’t over do it.

Since winter is a yin time of year because of less sunlight and cold temperatures, using yang colors will help take away the holiday blues. Accent rooms you’re entertaining in with other strong yang colors such as gold, the spirit of love or browns and earth tones representing home and comfort.
 
Tip 4: Tree Placement (Pine)
 
East (family), Southeast (wealth/abundance) – Since these directions are both wood energy it would be a good idea to place your tree in the East or Southeast section of your home. The Pine tree, whether real or artificial, is a Chinese symbol of longevity. Although both will bring in wood energy only a healthy living tree will add more vital chi.

If you can’t use an East or Southeast direction for any reason and you want to focus on wealth and abundance use the left hand corner of any room from room door entry.
Decorate your tree with flowers, berries or herbs, use colors of greens, blues, gold and browns, and include some columnar shape ornaments.
 
South (fame/reputation) – The South is another favorable compass direction for the placement of your tree. This is the nurturing cycle of five element theory, wood generates fire. Decorate with colors of red, green and purple. Yang up the tree with bright lights, a sun, geometric or triangular shapes, ornaments of animal designs such as the phoenix bird, reindeer and natural objects such as pine cones and acorns. Keep in mind this is a fire element so you can balance out this energy by using white lights, round shape ornaments and accenting with colors of blues, and silver.
 
Southwest (relationship), Northeast (knowledge), Center (Heart) – In the Southwest, Northeast or Center of your home the Christmas tree will have a more neutral effect. These directions are associated with earth. Here you can use lots of ceramic ornaments with square and rectangular shapes, colors of yellow and earth tones, and touches of red in your lights and bows. The Southwest is about relationships, so pairs of things work well. Northeast is about knowledge so decorate with religious figures such as the manger.
 
West (creativity & children) – Placing a Christmas tree in the West section, will weaken the metal chi associated with this area. Use colors of white and pastels in your bows or lights, metallic ornaments in shapes of oval or round, and silver or gold tinsel. Since it is an area representing children and creativity put a few Christmas dolls there, hang some pictures of your children in round metal frames or ornaments they might have made for the holiday.
 
Northwest (travel & helpful people) – Decorate with colors of gold, silver and white. Use shiny ornaments and round or oval shapes. Cherubs, angels and chimes do well here. The Wise men traveled to visit the baby Jesus so this area is a nice place for the manger.
 
North (Career) – Placing your Christmas tree in the north (water element) will drain the water energy so be sure your tree is always well watered. The color blue resonates to this area so string up blue lights, crystal beaded garland and balls. Include asymmetrical or wavy shape ornaments. Hang glass icicles and spray your branches with snow to represent water.
 
Tip 5: Promoting Harmony

The front door and entry way are key points for opportunities and bringing in good chi and a harmonious holiday. Make sure it is well lit, clean and clutter free. Add a sense of calmness to those who enter by keeping some lavender essential oil or Ylang Ylang incense burning by the front door. Have a basket of ornaments in the foyer for your guests. Let them know you welcome their energy by asking them to choose an ornament to hang on your tree.
 
Remember the idea is to keep balance and harmony throughout the holidays. In doing so, we need to represent all five elements. The Chinese gave names to the different kinds of energies at work in our environment. According to their characteristics, shape, and color, these 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) were identified. Here are some examples of keeping balance. Wreaths and trees (wood), candles, stars and poinsettias (fire), white lights, gold tree skirt and silver tinsel (metal), ceramic ornaments (earth), icicles, blue lights, glass and crystal ornaments (water).
 
The ancient and universal symbol of unity and wholeness is the circle. Try rearranging your furniture, creating a circular shape which will promote conversation as well. Avoid the “L” shape which may give the feeling of detachment from each other.
 
Same rule applies for the dining table. Round or oval shapes are feng shui friendly and have no sharp edges. Your guest will feel comfortable and not be affected by cutting chi.
 
Finally make some alone time for yourself. We all need to have some breathing space after a house full of guests. Take a stroll, exercise, do some yoga or just sit quietly by a salt candle. Oh, don’t forget to shut off your cell phone.
 
Safe and happy holidays to all! 
 
 
by Shelley Mengo 
 
Article Source:  Slip into Some Feng Shui for the Holidays
 
 
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