What is Chi?
In Chinese philosophy, Chi is the circulating life energy that pervades all things. For balance to exist the Chi must be able to flow gently and freely and if it does not, disharmony will be the result. When Chi cannot flow smoothly it stagnates or causes harsh swirling pools and this has a negative effect on us.
Things that can have a negative effect
There are many things that can block or disrupt the balanced flow of Chi here are some of the more usual ones:
- Badly positioned furniture
- General Clutter
- Long straight edges or harsh straight lines
- Sharp angles
- Long passageways
So, gentle curves help the Chi move slowly and purposefully, whereas straight edges and sharp corners can cause it to move too quickly causing harmful 'Poison Arrows'.
Achieving a Balance
A major factor in achieving harmony in your life is to ensure you spend quality time in areas where the Chi is flowing freely and key to achieving this is to ensure obstacles to free, smooth flow are removed or counteracted (in Feng Shui parlance, remedied or cured).
Achieving a balanced of Chi is particularly important in the environments where you spend a lot of your time such as your home or office. When an area is in balance it just feels different, it feels alive and vibrant and has an uplifting affect on your spirit.
As you might expect, in keeping with the principles of balance, every aspect of an environment which is negatively affected can be counteracted and balanced by a 'Cure' which has a positive effect.
Cures can take many forms - Moving (or removing) a piece of furniture, Adding Light, hanging crystals, Mirrors, adding movement, adding or moving potted plants and many other things.
Using Crystals to activate the Chi
Hanging Crystals are a powerful cure when it comes to balancing Chi and some common places to hang them are:
- In a long hall ways with several doors, the Chi can become "trapped". Hang a crystal from the ceiling half way down the hall to disperse it.
- When a doorway is directly in line with a bed, desk chair, or place you spend a lot of time. Hang a crystal between the door and bed/desk/chair so Chi slows.
- Where stairs lead directly to a door. Hang the crystal between the bottom steps and the door.
- Activate the Chi in a room by hanging a crystal in each window to allow sunlight to pass through.