‘Don’t Move – Improve’ is often suggested to property owners and extensions are an ideal solution to add more space. But such a decision can have a devastating effect on the energy of the home. Find out more in this awesome 2 part article on home extensions – what they are, how they change your energy, what you can do before or after you build – by Jackie Notman
So what happens if you love the place you live in, the location is ideal but you just need more space? An extension is usually an ideal situation isn’t it? It’s much cheaper than moving and don’t even mention all the stress involved of trying to sell your home, find another one and then physically move!
But, what many people find after they’ve built the extension is that the character of the home changes. It feels like walking into a separate place, false or just different somehow.
From a feng shui perspective there are clear energetic reasons for this so, if you are planning an extension or have experienced this change since adding an extension to your home, here are some tips to help you integrate an extension into your home.
Seek permission first
Your home is an important part of your life providing security and shelter for you and your family. Think of it as a living organism; an energetic entity in its own right. Treat it with respect and it will continue to support you. That means keeping it maintained and clean. It also means asking permission to rip it open and add some bits on!
I call this energetic entity the Spirit of the Place and often connect with individual ones when I carry out feng shui consultations.
There is no right or wrong way to do this and, as the owner, you are easily able to make that connection because you already have it.
I suggest finding a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed for 5 – 10 minutes. If you meditate focus one of your sessions on connecting with the spirit of your home and seeking permission for the building work to go ahead.
If you’re new to meditation just find a quiet spot to sit comfortably where you won’t be disturbed. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Don’t try to change your breathe, just follow it in and out. When you are ready ask (out loud or to yourself) to connect with the spirit of your home and notice how you feel. Do you feel content, calm and relaxed or do you feel anxious or fearful? Content is good, anxious isn’t so good so it might be best to postpone the connection until another time.
If you feel okay though go ahead and say hello to that spirit. It sometimes helps to visualise your house (if you’re a visual person) whilst you’re doing this. Remember the spirit represents the energy of your home, nothing more. Don’t confuse it with ghosties and things that go bump in the night.
Now just talk as you would to anybody. Explain that you love living here but need more space because…….. Instead of moving you would like to extend the house and go into details about what you want to do.
Then simply ask for permission. ‘Are you okay with that?’
Again, notice how you feel. This is the best indication of how the energy feels about your plans.
At this point let me tell you, from my experiences of doing this, that it is very rare that the spirit would have a problem with this. The problems come from not asking permission and being disrespectful rather than the action itself. Very much like us humans actually!
Ask the spirit to help make the work go smoothly and don’t forget to say thank you when you’ve finished your conversation.
Now, if you’ve already done the work and you are living with a problem extension, you really can’t go back and seek permission retrospectively. What you can do though is make the connection and apologise for not seeking permission before. Then ask the spirit of the place to help you with the next step.
Bless the work
When the building work has been completed, the decorating done and all the paintbrushes dried and put away it is time to give thanks for the work and really bring the extension into the energetic entity of the home.
Now, if you have an existing extension it is not too late to carry out this step although it is best done upon completion of the work.
Once again go into a calm placed and connect with the spirit of your home. Thank it for allowing the work to take place, for its smooth progress and its completion. Now ask the spirit to embrace the extension and bring its energy into the energy of the home, making it a harmonious environment for all concerned.
Again go with your feelings as this conversation is taking place. Don’t forget to say thank you and it’s a nice idea to place some flowers in both the extension and the main home.
Now, this is a very simple blessing. My personal preference is to carry out a complete space clearing of the whole home and, if possible to involve all members of the family: children especially bring a vibrant and fun energy to the proceedings. You may want to bring in a professional space clearer to do this or you can do it yourself.
Read the rest in Part 2.
Jackie Notman is an intuitive advisor, coach and energy reader who works on an energetic level with individuals and businesses using tools such as Feng Shui, Numerology, Dowsing, Astrology, the I Ching and the Tarot.
Article/Image Source: 7 Home Extensions – the Feng Shui Way
Kristi Stangeland is the founder of FSC, a company dedicated to helping corporate and private clients realize their goals using Feng Shui practices. Kristi holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a CPA license and trained as a Feng Shui practitioner with the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program. She is also IFSG Board Treasurer. Read more about Kristi.
Carmel Malone-Quane is a feng shui consultant and wellness coach who works with women to transform their physical environment to create more time and freedom. She is an entrepreneur and mom herself with a background in nursing, so she knows how challenging it can be for women who are juggling it all. She is also on the IFSG Board of Directors. 
