Kim Gandy’s chat with feng shui expert Kenny D’Cruz shattered a few common myths about the ancient art. Apparently it’s as much to do with yourself as it is with how well-endowed your money area is; so chuck out those unnecessary items you bought in a frenzied attempt to de-clutter your life and free up some space instead – in your mind as well as your home.

When most people decide to ‘feng shui’ their homes, the first thing they do is rush out and buy pakua mirrors, three legged toads, statues and all manner of related objects, then festoon their homes with these trappings in the vain hope that they will offer some mind of protection or cure.

The fact is that feng shui is based just as much on the person as his or her environment and involves the clearing of the mental space just as much as the physical.

Even when looking for a new property, it is good to, literally, spy out the land first, not just in terms of the obvious but, for example, check whether the property is close to energy spots, such as ley lines (invisible lines that criss cross the earth – at the junctions of which are electro-magnetic fields that can cause negative energy). Church conversions are an example, as church buildings were often situated on former pagan sites (pagans positioned their settlements on ley lines). Single rows of trees are also a give-away as to the location of ley lines.

Another no-no is the proximity of power cables; it is well documented that these can cause all manner of malaise: again electro-magnetic fields is the culprit.

Three of the most important elements in a home or office are:

• The presence of lots of good clean air, so, in the event that the windows have to remain shut, there is at least an ioniser which can take the positive ions out of the atmosphere. These are created by electrical equipment and have a negative effect.
  
• An oil burner vaporising eucalyptus – a great mind-clearer.
  
• Running water, in the shape of an indoor fountain can stimulate creativity.

The important point is that the items you are surrounded with are pleasing to you. For example, many people are motivated to buy ornaments such as three legged toads, to place in the ‘wealth area’ of their homes. If your only motivation is fear (eg losing your money if you don’t have the right feng shui objects), yet you don’t particularly like this ornament, replace it with something else, such as an empty crystal bowl. This creates more positivity because you find it aesthetically pleasing and the emptiness of the bowl creates a vacuum into which more positive energy – and hopefully money – can flow.

Top Feng Shui tips

• Remove that digital alarm clock from the side of your bed. It eats away at your energy whilst you sleep.
  
• Negative ions make us feel alive. First, open windows and let the air flow. If your home or office is stifling or stuffy, up your creativity levels with an ioniser to counteract the effects of electromagnetic fields caused by computers, photocopiers, televisions, etc.
  
• Do not work facing a blank wall. Leaving your back exposed makes you subconsciously vulnerable.
  
• Working opposite a busy entrance such as the main door means you are always in the firing line.
  
• If that feng shui ornament is not aesthetically pleasing to you, remove it and replace with something that is, such as a cut glass bowl.
  
• If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. Don’t overdo the feng shui items in your home: most people are never really sure if they are in the right place. This in itself is a worry.
  
• Don’t give your power away to another. If you are uncertain of a situation, close your eyes, take a deep breath: earth yourself.
  
• Nothing will change unless you create space in your life as well as your home. Attract changes by creating mental space for new changes to take place.
  
• Position crystals between yourself and screens such as TV or computer, to absorb electro-magnetic interference. However, crystals themselves must be ‘cleansed’ in water or earth occasionally.
  
• For sleepless children, place two drops of lavender oil on their pillows.
  
• Under-bed clutter stores negative energy. Chuck it out.
  
• Do not sleep with mirrors facing your bed; these reflect your negativity back at you.