“There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving and that’s your own self.” So said Aldous Huxley and our experiences would agree with him. It is likely that your front door opens into this section as does our current apartment door. This is an area often overlooked being the area for skills, self study and understanding of other parts of your life. It can involve study, developing knowledge and also finding a better sense of your world.
Currently, many friends are moving into a new stage of their lives. Some have lost careers and are pondering the next steps and finances and their sense of identity. Others are reinventing themselves due to divorces and sadly, loss of loved ones. We are on the threshold of moving back to our home country and yet after twenty-one years, it feels like another adventure and life. When I look back over the last decades of moving to different cities and countries, we usually moved without knowing anyone and often struggled with another language and different bureaucracies. It feels as if there is a hall of mirrors reflecting a different identity at each time and place with a different sense of self. This is interesting to reflect upon when reviewing this sector of the Bagua Map.
Feng Shui First
As with the Wealth sector I recommend defining what Self-Knowledge and Cultivation, Spirituality and Wisdom mean to you as it will differ from others’ ideas of what this means to them. It can be seen as an inward or external journey to knowledge and balance or a resolution or solution to various emotional and psychological needs. For those who are drawn to spirituality in any form or faith, it can be part of this sector. This doesn’t mean setting up a shrine or putting up icons in this sector although we often saw an altar in this area when living in Malaysia. Ideally, it does mean encouraging this area by using the Wood element and blue or earth colours to achieve a sense of balance.
A key Feng Shui tip; sometimes your front door opens in this sector and goes straight to a staircase, or has the ‘corridor effect’ resulting in the Chi energy rushing out the back door or a window, especially in European architecture. See the posts on this aspect but what it means is that the energy goes straight out the back without stopping to move around your home and space resulting in sectors with stagnant energy or none at all. Slow the Chi down using remedies such as placing a small table or bookcase which attracts attention. Another idea is to place a standing lamp by the wall or add interesting pictures to look at that catch the eye and makes you stop before moving on to the next space and area.
Earth, Wood and Water
The key element is Earth and the element cycle of Wood and Water works well in this area. This is a good place to put a small, gentle fountain but choose one wisely! The water mustn’t stagnate, gush, overflow or have a light underneath adding a Fire element as that is seen to be ‘drying’ up the water energy. If a fountain isn’t for you, find a picture of a gentle waterfall or an image that says to you that this is the ‘fountain of knowledge’. A wooden bookcase with self-knowledge books is an option but remember to avoid clutter.
I‘ve Got the Blues
Colours to use are sky blue, fresh green and cream tones. Don’t forget that the Bagua map matches colours with elements so note that Fire colours would not be recommended in this area. For those renting, see what you can do on a budget. Add hints of these colours in picture frames, a blue vase, rugs or linen. The colours don’t have to dominate. It is all about activating the energy, the Chi, of this area.
Check out posts on the Earth, Wood and Water cycle and elements and also the recommendations for the colours blue and green. It makes sense as a cycle of life and rebirth is happening and activating positive energy.
The Kitchen
If your kitchen is here, there is potential that you could be a good cook! Think expertise and lots of cook books. As with the bathroom, it is a key area of your space and there is a section about the kitchen. Just keep it clean and a Feng Shui clutter tip; keep those magnets and pictures off the fridge. I haven’t seen anyone able to stop at one or two!
We have had a kitchen in this area and we renovated the space with earth tones and stone adding hints of green and wood. What was interesting is this became a happy place where people gathered and cooked together. For some, inner knowledge and food is a key part of their community and sustenance. For us, food has attracted friends from different cultures who are passionate about cooking and ingredients and know what makes a good meal to share.
The Bathroom
As readers will know, the bathroom is always a room for a Feng Shui conversation due to being seen as the room where money and life can go ‘down the drain’. It is often the area that prompts the most questions about water, decor and general usage. By now you should know to keep the door shut, the place clean and check out other sections on how to ensure that the Water element is reduced. If you have a bathroom in the Self Knowledge and Wisdom area, don’t start putting Buddhas in the bathroom. Also avoid shells and anything to do with the sea as this just adds more water energy. Plants, green towels and decor are ideal and any stone or earth elements can be used as they are seen to ‘soak’ up the water aspect.
I have had a bathroom in this sector and it is a good placement. Green towels and prints of trees and plants made it a very restful place. Just remember, glass is also considered to be water so try to avoid too many glass panels or mirrors and as always, balance the Water element.
The Office
Of course this is a positive area to have your office. Keep it uncluttered and hang certificates and display books of knowledge and other images that signify knowledge of your work. Treat the desk as a room, placing items around the desk in the same way using the Bagua map and your seat is as the entrance to the desk.
The Bedroom
This sector is in our current main bedroom and we have lovely artwork depicting happy couples as this is important to us. Having moved to different places, we have often grown together when experiencing the good, the bad and the ugly of each experience and the strength of our relationship is key to having managed the experiences. The bed linen is bright and sunny with birds and leaves depicting growth and happiness and the colours are shades of green and lemon. It is a calming room with gentle light ensuring a sense of restfulness and peace.
Final Thoughts
It is a sector that is often overlooked but one that is important for asking who we are, what we represent and what our identity is. As Carl Jung stated, “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens”.
