Feng Shui Desk Organization
Feng Shui, the ancient practice of situating ourselves and our homes and businesses in order to attract and maintain a positive flow of Qi/Ch’i/energy. Qi/Ch’i is composed of both the positive and negative life force of which everything is composed. Before the compass was invented for determining direction, Feng Shui practitioners used astronomical information to help site sacred locations and determine the most auspicious ways to use energy. Like the magnetic field, energy is composed of both the positive or creative exertion of energy, Yang, and the negative or receptive form of energy, Yin. When we breathe, our inhale is the Yang, or activating form of energy, and our exhale is the Yin, or releasing, relaxing form of energy. Since everything we are and all that exists is composed of energy, we function better when we are aware of our need for balancing our energy in all we do.
For many of us, our work space, is where we spend a great deal of our time. Whether our office and desk is at home or away from home, it serves as a focal point for much of our energy. Take a few moments to look at your work space, your desk. Your desk may be on the dining room table, in your home office, on the coffee table, or in some corner of a coffee shop or library. Wherever you are working, notice how your space is organized. Notice the lighting, the direction you are facing, the colors and views you have, and most of all, notice how the space right in front of you is arranged.
Using the Bagua, a Feng Shui organizing tool, you can arrange any space to activate, energize, and balance the Ch’i of your desk. A Bagua is an eight-sided shape that represents eight areas of life. You may have used a bagua to design or organize your home or a room. The same holistic symbol can be used to arrange any space. Using the symbol of the Bagua (mentally or physically), imagine the space in front of you laid out like a room. The space directly in front of you is your Career sector. Moving counterclockwise around the surface of the desk/space, the next sector represents Helpful People and Travel. Next is the sector of Creativity, followed by Relationships, Fame and Reputation, Wealth and Good Fortune, Health, Family and Relationships, and finally, Knowledge andWisdom.
Career Sector. The space in the career sector needs to symbolically attract to you, what you are seeking. Note pads, stationery and pens in this sector remind you to contact people with whom you wish to communicate. Keeping this space clear attracts new projects. Something inspirational attracts new ideas and support to your work. The key point is to allow this space to be free of clutter, piles of papers and other distractions. Even though we have times when our work is spread out all over the place while we’re working, it is a good idea at the end of each work day to clear the space in this sector so you have a fresh start and free-flowing energy in this area.
Helpful People and Travel. Placing items that represent helpful people and travel can encourage more of each. Photographs of places you want to visit, photographs or reminders of helpful people, address books and other forms of communication are good to have in this sector of the desk. A passport, itinerary, or tickets also provide a symbolic representation of opportunities to travel. It is important to Remove anything from this sector or your work space that reminds you of negative people or experiences. For example, we may pile bills and receipts (money owed or spent) in this sector, and that is to be avoided at all costs.
Creativity. Objects that are in motion on the desk or workspace, provide the energy of Yang activity that we need for inspiration, imagination, and artistic ideas. Silver objects also provide an attraction to positive energy in this sector. Metal is the element of this sector, and would attract positive Ch’i. Keep the silver polished to keep the inspiration fresh and clear.
Relationships. In the relationship sector of your workspace, place a crystal vase with fresh flowers to symbolize nourishing this area of your life. Keeping fresh flowers in your house, and on your work space, provide you with uplifting and very positive energy. Spring is the perfect time to go out and pick a bouquet of flowers (Daffodils are blooming now, Tulips are coming soon), or clip a small branch from a tree just coming into bloom and watch the blossoms open before you. Last year I got a Shamrock that has been growing all year. Whatever represents new growth, bring it into your work space to encourage and lift your spirits. Putting something silver in this space is also a good idea. Perhaps a small silver dish or bowl to hold business cards, or a silver letter holder or pen to write friends.
Reputation and Fame. The Reputation and Fame sector of your space is energized by the element of fire. Keeping a candle in this sector, or a lamp with a aromatherapy ring to emit a sweet fragrance, enhances this sector of your life. Having a candle burning while you are working enhances the Ch’i for your work and creativity. Keeping in mind that energy comes not only from ourselves but from the objects which we have around us. Candles that are not burned, give off no energy by themselves. Using candles is like using the stove in the kitchen. The more we use energy, the more we attract energy to us. Use your art, your objects, your appliances to encourage and generate more energy. Consider creating a Feng Shui intention box for this sector of your desk (Watch for upcoming article on Creating a Feng Shui Intention Box).
Wealth and Good Fortune. Placing something signifying great value in this sector of your space, is good Feng Shui. A crystal paper weight or stone, a silver letter opener, a Dragon statue, Chan Chu (the Money Frog), a Lucky Cat, or Ho Tai (the Laughing Buddha) all represent wealth. I put three Chinese Bagua coins in a red and gold envelope in this sector of my desk. It’s also a good idea to put a large bill ($100.00) in this sector. Some people put a fake bill; a real bill symbolizes real money, and gives you a greater sense of feeling wealthy. For those who dip into the ‘poverty mentality’ when they are low on funds or worried about money, it is important to move our energy and our thinking up into a greater sense of abundance. As my Godmother used to say, “Fake it ‘til you make it.”
Health and Family. One friend reminds me that she inherited a large portrait of her mother. For years she kept this portrait behind her desk. Her relationship with her mother, had not been very supportive, and one day she realized she had placed the portrait behind her work space, so that her mother, symbolically, was looking over her shoulder. In my friend’s case, that was not a positive experience. Once she removed the portrait, energy was released for her to come more into her own with her work and her art. We sometimes hang on to ‘valuable’ heirlooms, portraits, or pieces of furniture, without realizing that each piece carries its own history and energy with it, and if that energy is not good, it has an effect on us. This sector of our desk and work space needs to have something that reflects a healthy and positive relationship with our family members and with our goals for balance, harmony, and health.
Knowledge and Wisdom. Crystals and other gemstones are also good for attracting positive Ch’i into this sector of your space. Regularly clean and polish the stones as this helps activate them. The turtle, elephant or snake are positive Feng Shui symbols for this sector. A globe is also good for the knowledge sector. This sector is ruled by Earth, so pictures of landscapes or mountains with waterfalls are also positive for Feng Shui.
For ideas, accessories and beautiful artwork and jewelery to enhance you and your workplace, visit Artisana Gallery in Pacific Grove. Artisana owner, Adriane Jonson, carries a wide array of items that would be helpful for you in creating a more Feng Shui-friendly environment for your home and office.
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