THE EIGHT REMEDIES

If the Chi flows through your home too fast it will cause disruption and angry feelings; if it is too slow it will stagnate and cause lethargy and depression. Chi likes to flow gently through open spaces, and if your home is full of clutter and untidy areas it will become confused and unfocused. Chi likes harmony and beauty, cleanliness and balance.

Chi dislikes straight lines that cause it to pick up speed and flow too quickly. It also dislikes being trapped in small confined areas. If the Chi is not flowing freely, it may manifest as loos of money, unsatisfactory relationships, an inability to relax, lack of friends, disruptive children or ill health.

LIGHT
Light is energy in one of its most obvious forms. Traditionally in China, special octagonal mirrors have been used to deflect unpleasant Chi, which is known as sha or “unpleasant vapour”. The mirrors are placed facing outwards towards whatever is regarded as incorrect. If your house faces a factory or a graveyard then a small mirror placed to reflect the sha, will improve the Chi entering your home.

Any dark areas or corners of your home can be livened up by placing good quality lamps in them. Soft lighting is best to create harmony. You can also use mirrors to encourage light into darker areas or place them at the end of long corridors to slow down the Chi. Crystals suspended from windows encourage rainbow light to fill a room. Light remedies are traditionally associated with your recognition and fame enrichment, which is the South.

LIFE
When Chi is weakening or causing a depletion of energy or life-force you need to introduce some element of life into this area. Plants are best and those with rounded leaves are preferable. Cut flowers and dried flowers have no life in them. Plants should not be left untended or allowed to get dusty. Traditionally they have been associated with money enrichment and the South East. The Chinese use fish in tanks to introduce life into an area. Normally 8 goldfish and one black fish are recommended.

MECHANICAL DEVICES
Anything mechanical or manufactured that does a job of work, or is a tool, can be used to stir up dull Chi. A computer is ideally placed in the North East which is the education enrichment area.

COLOUR
Any area in which you feel stressed or irritable should be decorated simply in pale colours. White is best, with a single, simple flash of bright colour introduced to focus the Chi and keep it vibrant. Colour is traditionally associated with children enrichment and the West.

MOVEMENT
When Chi stagnates it needs to be enlivened, and you can use anything that will stir it up – mobiles, wind chimes, flags, silk banners, even the smoke from incense. Flowing water would be best, like a small fountain. Movement is associated with your relationship enrichment and this is where you always need movement to stop things getting stale and being taken for granted. The South West is the relationship direction.

STILLNESS
Traditionally in China there would be an area in the home where a statue would be placed to provide a focus for spirituality. This would often be a Buddha but you could use any large beautiful object. It should be simple but exquisite and it will slow Chi down and help purify it. Traditionally associated with your pleasure enrichment, a still object will allow you many happy hours relaxing and contemplating natural beauty, or perfection. The centre of a room is associated with stillness.

SOUND
Harsh noises cause Chi to become inharmonious and jangled. You can use wind chimes, bells, even the sound of water fountains to create a harmony of sound and soothe the Chi. This remedy is traditionally associated with your friend’s enrichment. The North West is an ideal place for a CD player for example.

STRAIGHT LINES
Although Chi dislikes straight lines, there are times when it needs to be enlivened or interrupted. If your house has beams that Chi can flow along too quickly, you can use bamboo flutes, scrolls, and fans, even swords to break up the Chi and deflect it into the room. Straight lines have traditionally been associated with your health enrichment and the East.

RECOGNISING WHEN YOU NEED A REMEDY
Think in turn about the eight areas of your life. If you are experiencing problems you may need to do some work on that area.