By S.B.S. Surendran

The process of controlling the movement of Chi was conceived during the emperor days. When Chi moves too quickly, it invites natural disasters like precipitous slopes that threaten avalanches in the winter or raging of rivers that overflow their banks in spring. One of the greatest achievements of the first yellow emperor was building of the Yellow River flood — Control System. Equal in effort to the Great Wall of China, which he completed in the North, this system consisted of a series of dam, locks and diversions of the river’s course, segments of which are still in use today.

Today with scientific advancements, these practices could sound like a Chinese folk tale and ritual, yet this could be described in the objective terminology of science. The veins of the dragon are nothing but what the physicists call potential energy, energy contained within the body which is not in motion, like water held.

What we see affects us either positively or negatively and at times, we may not even be aware of the effect subconsciously. What we see or what we are surrounded generates that kind of energy and influences us. A good view, clean air, colours which are bright and interesting, pleasant décor, warm lighting are all said to create a positive feel and usher in happiness. The converse of the above situation would be a smelly home, dark, cluttered, improper lighting, which would bring in a sense of resentment, dejection and negativity in the minds of the occupants.

The internal layout in a building is quite important in ensuring the right Feng Shui to a living space or office. Staircase positioning plays a vital role in ensuring unhindered flow of energy, harmony and aesthetic design. The shape, size and location plays a vital role in determining the type of energy movement in a home or office space.

A simple approach to activating good energy in a home is the use of intelligent lighting. Lighting is an effortless Feng Shui cure for the home. Lamps, scones and chandeliers are simple home decorating items for the home. Bring Yin or Yang lighting into your home to activate or deactivate the energy of a specific life area. Along with lighting, placement of furniture, room shape and colours have an influence on the movement of energy within a space.

In most homes, the space in and around the stairs leading to higher or lower levels are often the most neglected space. Clutter and dumping of unwanted items under the staircase is also quite common. When your staircase has good Feng Shui, it distributes good fortune to the rest of home. However, when it is bad from a Feng Shui perspective, it spreads harmful energy causing illness, robbery and misfortune.

To ensure good energy into the home and especially activate the staircase area you can adapt:

• Use up lighting to light up dark corners, under stairs and beams so that the effect of negative energy is reduced.
• Avoid water under the stairs either in the form of storage or aquariums.
• Place healthy plants at the beginning and end of the stairs which helps in moderating the flow of energy.
• Avoid carpeting your stairs with the colour red, as this brings said to be bad Feng Shui

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