The front door sets the tone for everything that comes into your life. Meaning 'wind and water,' Feng Shui invites us to tune into our natural environment, and to appreciate our place in it.
Simple Shui practioner Amanda Gibby Peters reminds us that our homes are always talking to us - are we listening? Here's her podcast on loving up your front door. Think of what you wish to invite in, and what needs to stay away!
A great practice to do 2-4 times a year - stand in front of your house and observe, as of it were your first visit:
- is the number clear, and the front door obvious?
- does the path invite you forward?
- do you feel like you'll be welcomed in?
- if there are steps, are they safe?
- is their a rail?
The Lunar New Year is nearly a month away, with the new moon Febuary 17th. There are several things we can do as we prepare for the year of the Fire Horse.
First - spruce up your entrance! Our front door offers opportunity for Chi (engy) to enter, and for luck to find us.
Here are some ways you can clear & bless the entrance or 'Mouth of Chi:' clear clutter by your front door (inside and out). Sweep the porch and any steps, making sure the door can open, the street numbers are visible, and no plants are hanging over the path.
In a recent Instagram post, Amanda comments that "while we can certainly zhuzh it up with a fresh coat of paint and a new doormat, there are also some wildly simple but potent ways" to spruce up the entrance!
- Wash the door and sweep away cobwebs - (weather allowing, you could repaint it) .
- Birds symbolize opportunity: sprinkle a line of birdseed along the path to invite well being and prosperity to "follow you home"
- Add a bit of salt and lemon or orange essential oil - or a peel from fresh citrus to the water with a bit of natural cleaner, and 'wash away' any troubles experienced in the old year.
- Sprinkle a line of salt along the threshold, to create a clean slate for the coming year
- Put a few drops of cinnamon oil on the broom bristles, before you sweep inside or out.
- Dust or wash your porch light fixtures - and replace bulbs with a brighter wattage, if it's dim. (LED bulbs are energy efficient and bright!)
- Shake or replace your 'welcome mat.'
- Place several Feng Shui coins in a Red envelope under the mat, to welcome abundance.
- Take a pinch of cinnamon in your palm, stand outside and blow it on the door to welcome good fortune.
- Clear any clutter inside the door, be sure it can open fully. Oil /WD-40 the hinges if they need it.
- Create / tidy a landing zone for your keys and wallet or purse
- Do you have a place to hang your coat? If you remove your shoes - is there a place for them?
- Open doors and windows in each room for 5-10 minutes, letting fresh air circulate (if air quality and temperature permit)
- Play happy uplifting music or cheery podcast
- Put out a wee bowl of salt for 24 hours
- Turn on the entrance light for at least 3 hours daily (in daytime) to attract good luck
I like the idea of sprinkling cinnamon on the broom Nayda, I love that smell. I try to keep my front entrance welcoming by changing a vase of flowers that are on the small bistro set net to my front door.
ReplyDeleteOoo, that vase of flowers on the bistro table sounds so welcoming!
DeleteI love using cinnamon!
I often use a dust mop - just realized I can use cinnamon on that, too, by sprinkling a little on the floor!!
Nadya
I think how your front door and stoop look is really important. I simply decorate for the season and try to keep the area clean. When I moved into the house I realized no one could tell what the address number was. So I bought a decorative light up item that I was able to customize with the number so all visitors were welcomed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great realization and simple fix, Cindy Rae!
DeleteBefore I moved to my Galloway house in 2003, my Co-worker's thoughtful hubby Rick got a frame, and the digits on 3 beautiful Mexican tiles!
I hung it near my porch light, and loved coming home to them for 19 years!
The new owners hung them on a little tree in the front yard - I'm glad they still show the way!
My wife is Greek. Their tradition was that when people first entered the house in the new year, they would put a coin in their shoe for good luck.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that, John!
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