Feng Shui alters Bay Area city's rules for addresses

Developers worry residences' digits may clash with ancient beliefs about good and bad luck.

By The Associated Press, Found on democraticunderground.com

HAYWARD, CA -- Developers looking to maximize the marketability of their homes are complaining about the city's street address rules, which they say can scare off buyers who practice the ancient Chinese art of feng shui.

Under a numbering system established by Alameda County in the 1950s, addresses are assigned based on how far the homes are from downtown Oakland, a method that puts five digits on almost every mailbox in Hayward and other cities in the county. Home builders recently raised concerns that they may decrease property values because the odds are greater that an address will carry a number considered unlucky by feng shui practitioners.

City Council members voted unanimously last week to allow the builders of an upscale development to use shorter street numbers. In seeking the waiver, the builders cited convenience concerns as well as the potential for violating feng shui precepts, according to Richard Patenaude, a Hayward city planner.

Hot Feng Shui Tips

• For maximum curb appeal, plant some colorful flowers, especially red ones.

• Make sure to fix anything that is broken or dirty.

• An imaginative paint job is another way to play up your house. If you are lucky enough to have interesting architectural details, use different coordinating colors to maximize the effect.

• In China, red is supremely powerful. It represents relationships, fame, reputation, and wealth.

• It’s also a fabulous color to paint your door. Guests will be able to find the door quickly and easily. It also conveys that the owners are powerful, and even thwarts burglary!

• Go for S-P-A-C-E by clearing out EVERY unnecessary item from your home. 

• The definition of clutter is something that you have not used for 18 months or so, but you are hanging on to, just in case it comes in handy

• When buying a new home or office, look for a regular shaped property. Avoid properties that have odd looking shapes. The best shape is a rectangle or square. If there are a few extensions sticking out, don’t worry too much as they can be easily rectified.

• Keep your porch and outside lights on at night! Make sure people can see your house numbers - make them large!

To get a full-blown Feng Shui Consultation, visit our website, Feng Shui Style.

Are you burning up your wealth?

I

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.

Too many mouths and not enough eyes.......

In Feng Shui, the windows of your house are the eyes of your home.

The doors are the "mouths". Windows allow you to look out, and breathe in Chi, or vital energy. Windows also let in the welcome warmth and sunshine - the Yang Chi.

If you have a room that has too much yin and is dark, foreboding, and depressing, install an extra window if possible, or make an existing window opening larger. If renovations to your windows are not possible, you can paint the room a sunlight yellow or hang a mirror opposite a window to "create" another window. Other enlivening elements include bright colors, lights, crystals, flowers and plants. Wherever possible have two windows that open in each room. From a practical point of view, this creates cross ventilation and a more even distribution of light and Chi.

Privacy is vital to a sense of well being. Make sure that your window coverings, plants or ornaments screen the inside of your home. If "poison arrows" of negative Sha Chi are aiming towards your house - such as pointy rooftops, corners of buildings, etc - it is best to place a plant, vase or statue on your windowsill to help prevent the negative Sha Chi from entering. The very best cure is an octagonal Bagua Mirror which will bounce the negative energy away from your home.

A good view is even better Feng Shui. It not only serves to increase the value of a property but brings about Sheng Chi (the most auspicious Chi). If you have a blank wall outside of your windows, this will generate negative Sha Chi. Plant some colorful flowers, creeping vines, or shrubbery. Install window boxes and fill them with cheery flowers. Spring for pretty curtains, and other smart decorating details which can detract from even the most gloomy outlook. You might consider install "faux" stained glass windows (decorative window film from Home Depot - $19.97) to block an ugly view. They not only let light in, they are colorful and gorgeous.

Your windows are your outlook on life.

Your doors, on the other hand, are the "mouths" of your home.

There is generally a suggested ratio of "eyes" to "mouths" (windows to doors). If you think about it, you certainly wouldn't want to have 5 mouths to every pair of eyes! This would mean that the occupants of the house would constantly be bickering, yelling, and fighting. Do a quick count and see what you're working with.

Go outside to the street and make your way towards your door. Is it easy to find or do you have to meander around the side of the house looking for it? Does it feel safe? Is it well lit at night? Does it look appealing or scary? Does the door look happy or tired? Is it greeting people, or is it saying "Go away," or "I’ve got something to hide," or "My owner doesn’t care about me."

Here are some quick tips for creating a great "mouth" for your house:

Moving objects (flags, whirligigs, etc.), sounds (chimes) and color (fresh coat of paint or colorful flowers) can easily attract people and chi toward a door. Shiny objects can catch the eye of guests too. A fountain outside the door is the ultimate. Face it - everyone's #1 gripe is not being able to see house numbers at night!

A red door (I suggest "Heritage Red" by Benjamin Moore - a classic beauty) can be used to welcome guests. Believe it or not, homes with red doors get broken into much less often than homes without red doors. A red door says "My owner cares about me - so watch out!".

Bonus House Tip of the Month:
Check ALL doors for squeaks, and stickiness. Use WD40 to banish squeaks and sand down sticky doors as necessary. Don’t forget closet and cabinet doors! Anything that doesn't work in your home represents your life not working. Don't let these things go!

To get a free estimate on a full-blown Feng Shui Consultation, visit our website, Feng Shui Style.