Are you burning up your wealth?

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n Feng Shui, the kitchen represents nourishment and prosperity. How you design your kitchen can dramatically influence your health, and, surprisingly, your wealth.

For example, Wood is the element of Wealth, and it belongs in the Southeast corner, according to ancient Feng Shui precepts. So, if your stove in the Southeast, you are figuratively "burning up your wealth". When we analzye a person's home, the very first thing we do is take compass directions throughout the house and come up with a game plan for balancing out all the elements.

The first thing to bear in mind when considering any Feng Shui advice is that ultimately, Feng Shui is a complex practice with several different schools, and the recommendations will vary from school to school and from one practitioner to another. So too, advice will differ depending upon the unique home - and the unique people living in it. Despite the fact that different schools may have diverse views on some topics, there are basic Feng Shui principles that apply to all kitchens.

At Feng Shui Style, we use the Compass School, Form School, and Eight Mansion Theory. For more information about these schools, go to:

Feng Shui Schools

Doors - How the World Sees You

In Feng Shui, your door is how the world sees you. It's hard to believe your door can improve (or hinder) your reputation, but in my many years as a Feng Shui expert I have found it to be true.

Here are our top tips for pumping up your door:

• Your front door should be in proportion to your home. If the front door is too big, you can miss opportunities, and if it is too small, it can cause disharmony.

• Avoid a "shotgun shack" - which means that you can see straight through the front door out to the back through another window or door. Symbolically slow down the the energy flow to the back by adding a curtain, mobile, or plant.

• A front door should open inwards to allow Chi to enter.

• It is important that the front door opens easily without obstacles or difficulties. If the door doesn't open all the way - it means your opportunities are hindered. Doors with broken elements must be fixed or replaced. Hinges should be oiled regularly.

• Make certain that the name or number of your house is clearly visible by day and night in order to maintain harmonious relationships with visitors.

• Take a look out your door, and see if there are any 'poison arrows' - which is anything sharp or dangerous that points towards your door. If you feel you have poison arrows directed at your home place a Bagua mirror (see below) above the door to deflect them.

• Make sure the front door bell is easily located and works, and has a pleasant sound.

• Get a Feng Shui consultation, and find out which door is best for you to use. Use your best door exclusively. Having two main entry doors can cause unnecessary bickering and arguments. It is OK to use the other door if you need to take the trash out, etc.
  

The color of the door should reflect whichever compass direction it faces according to the Five Elements. A list of directions with their respective colors follows: 

• South (Fire) = Red 
• Southwest (Earth) = Earth colors, or red/pink for relationships
• West (Metal) = White, silver, copper or gold
• Northwest (Metal) = White, silver, copper or gold
• North (Water) = Black or blue
• Northeast (Earth) = Earth colors, black, blue or green
• East (Wood) = Green, brown
• Southeast (Wood) = Red, blue, purple, green

Note: If you have had a Feng Shui consultation, your Practitioner may recommend a color that differs from the above, but they will know which elements are needed to weaken or enhance the area, and they may be using the "constructive" or "deconstructive" cycle of the elements.

Do not keep shoes near your front door; they constitute clutter and create stagnant energy. You may put shoes at the back door, but try to put them out of sight.
As for the front, make sure the pathway is clear, clean, colorful, and the way is obvious. This is your visitor's first impression and you want it to be a good one.