“True joy is experienced by those who are strong within and gentle without.”

Seasonal Feng Shui Tips & Thoughts

Summertime Ideas

Summertime can be a very yang, high energy time for many people.
This season is associated with the fire element and we see lots of fire activity: BBQs, large groups of people congregated for festivals, fireworks, etc. Therefore we need to balance this time of year with yin elements. If you find yourself feeling drained or just want to take advantage of this season, consider some of the following ideas.

Balance the hot and bright yang of summer with darker, yin, interior accents
Consider using navy or charcoal colored sofa throws, tabletop fountains, darker tablecloths, etc. Think of the interior of your home as a cool oasis.

Create a darker, more yin interior – balancing the yang of summer
Keep drapes or shades over windows, particularly in the afternoon and always on the west side of your building. The afternoon sun is very powerful chi. Many buildings in Hong Kong do not have windows on the west side.

Balance the fire element of summer with water
This is a great time to add water fountains in your home. Being around water is balancing for this very “fire” time of year. Also cool baths or dips in a pools help offset the yang heat of summer. Consider changing out artwork with those depicting water and cool environments.

Eat cooling, “yin” foods.
These are: raw foods and food that grows quickly (lettuce, celery, radish, cucumber, tomatoes and most leafy vegetables.) Try to avoid heavy foods like root vegetables that retain heat and make you feel heavy. Look at ethnic food of peoples who live near the equator. Spicy foods increase perspiration which helps cool you. The Japanese have discovered great cooling foods like chilled gemmai cha (green tea with roasted rice) and cold noodles in cool broth.

Siesta time is a great idea, particularly in the summer.
Have a brief catnap in the heat of the day. Naps are more important in the summer when the days are the longest. Close the drapes (dark is yin) and put on some soothing music (water element).

Use the fire element of summer
Use the added daylight and high energy of summer for outdoor projects and fun – don’t forget to balance this with quiet times and rest. Also, line dry your clothes – take advantage of the heat and the sun and hang wet clothes outside. Using the yang summer sun energy to dry your clothes will keep your house cooler and your clothes will smell heavenly!

Circulate the chi
Use fans for cooling – with or without the AC on. Particularly in the summertime – but anytime – fans can help circulate the chi (energy) in a building.