Feng Shui Archives - Natural Life News & Directory

Feng Shui— Chinese New Year • February 17th, 2026

The Year of the Fire Horse

Michele Lewis, CFSP
January – February 2026 • Vol 4, No 20

Looking forward to an exciting and fortuitous New Year? I am! The Chinese Lunar New Year for 2026 is celebrated on February 17th this year, which is the first day of the new moon in the first lunar month. Also known as the Spring Festival, the New Year is an extended holiday in China—their biggest celebration. It will be happily honored for 15 days, through the March 2nd dinner on the Eve of the Lantern Festival, which brings home and highlights the reunion of families.

And, of course, the Lantern Festival itself on March 3rd is a vibrant, celebratory event marking the end of the New Year festivities. Check in your local area for Lantern Festival activities! And the honored animal for this New Year is the Horse—a Fire Horse! Expect adventure! Expect action!

The Horse is an energetic animal, and you can fully anticipate that the fire element will bring a blazing passion and drive to what you hope to accomplish this year. Have you been desiring to break free of imitations, both self-imposed and otherwise? Now is the time to seize opportunity—no wishy-washy floundering for you! Act with determination and decisiveness. Of course, every choice you make must be tempered with the knowledge that a horse with fire can be impulsive, throwing caution to the wind, so carefully thought-out plans will help avoid errors in judgment and decisions made hastily. Trust your gut instincts, but also take accountability for the results of either inaction, or of action that is not thought through. The reward for this can be significant life transformation, that will bless you for years to come.

This year will benefit those who happily embrace change, and this new year promises to bring it constantly. Be proactive and take command of your life, your home, and all habits—positive or negative. Expand and reinforce those positive habits and utilize the dynamism and enthusiasm of the Fire Horse to finally vanquish those pesky, energy-draining, negative habits you’ve wanted to banish for years, but just never seemed to be able to, because you felt stuck in them. This is a time of new beginnings—embrace them!

Some notables born in the year of the Horse are Joe Biden, George Soros, Nelson Mandela, Vladimir Lenin, Neil Armstrong and Davy Crocket, as well as Al Sharpton, Nikita Khrushchev, Meriwether Lewis, and Thomas Edison. Personal opinions aside, all of these individuals acted with decisiveness, determination, and passion to make their ambitious choices.

Much Good Fortune to You in this New Year! If You Are Ready, You Are the Master!

Trained in China and the US, Michele Lewis is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and has been a Feng Shui professional since 1998. She is available for consultations onsite or via phone. By using the timeless principles of the art and science of Feng Shui, Michele can help you bring balance and beauty to every aspect of your life. She is also a Certified Qigong Instructor of Ling Gui Healing Qigong School, Liu Dong’s Method. Michele Lewis can be reached at 406-224-0803, or at taodesigns@ymail.com.

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2025-12-22T08:48:49-07:00Feng Shui|

Using Feng Shui

to Transition from Summer to Autumn

Michele Lewis
September – October 2025 • Vol 4, No 18

As summer makes its perennial transition to autumn, we are compelled by nature to go increasingly inward. The yang, active qi energy of summer, which is at its highest peak on summer solstice, has been gradually decreasing to make way for greater yin energy.

All the fullness and abundance of nature we experienced in spring and summer is decreasing as nature prepares to return to the earth and rest. This is the perfect time to begin returning our attention to our own “earth.” By cultivating our inside space to be a haven for our soul and spirit, we can create good Feng Shui energy in our home and business environments.

There are many fun, creative ways to increase positive energy and bring greater harmony and peace to our homes and to our- selves. Why not try listening to a new type of music? Numerous studies have shown that various types of music have very distinct effects on our bodies and moods. Peaceful and calm music can have an enormous impact on how we feel and respond to our environment. Both Chinese and Native American flute have a gentle way of directing our attention inward.

Do you prefer stringed instruments? The harp is wonderful for opening and expanding the spiritual heart. All instruments can be vehicles for helping us to calm down—the key is to choose music that has an energy of harmony and balance.

Art is another fantastic way to increase good Feng Shui. The important concept to understand with any type of art is that it is visual. Whatever we put our attention upon is what we bring into our homes and allow into our consciousness. (That includes computer and TV monitors!) With that in mind, have some fun and try some new art on your walls for your eyes to look upon.

Another way to improve the energy of your space is through fragrance. A great way is with fresh-cut flowers, but these can get pricey in the fall and winter. Try using essential oils. They are fragrance in one of its purest forms and are fantastic at clearing spaces and lifting moods. Different oils have different effects. Peppermint is stimulating (and good for digestion), while lavender is calming. There are numerous books available that outline what different types of effects can be achieved with scent. You can also research any type of fragrance on the internet to find exactly what you’re looking for. High-quality incense is also wonderful for transforming stagnant air and it’s available in numerous varieties.

How a room is arranged has a direct impact on the energy it creates and how it makes you feel. With cooler weather coming, try making things cozier by moving seating a little closer together. Softer lighting can also create a sense of warmth. For more ideas, a trained Feng Shui consultant can assist you to transform your home and work space into shelters of good energy, helping you make a smoother transition from summer to autumn!

Trained in China and the US, Michele Lewis is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and has been a Feng Shui professional since 1998. She is available for consultations onsite or via phone. By using the timeless principles of the art and science of Feng Shui, Michele can help you bring balance and beauty to every aspect of your life. She is also a Certified Qigong Instructor of Ling Gui Healing Qigong School, Liu Dong’s Method. Michele Lewis can be reached at 406-224-0803, or at taodesigns@ymail.com.

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2025-08-27T13:14:48-06:00Feng Shui|

The Feng Shui of— Summer’s Fire

Bathing in the Yang Qi of the Season

Michele Lewis
July – Aug 2025 • Vol 4, No 17

I LOVE everything about summer! Lots of sunshine, gardens in full bloom, and plenty of daylight hours to spend as much time as possible outdoors—all part of the yang energy at this time of year, although the peak is actually at summer solstice when Earth experiences the longest day of the year.

All this yang qi that we are bathed in for a season makes us want to “get out there and do it.” Whatever you like to do, enjoy it to the “max”—but don’t let the peace in your heart become disturbed with overexcitement. Overexcitement? If your heart starts to pound when you go on thrill rides, you know exactly what I mean! We are often drawn to activities that produce excessive excitement, which mimics the exhilaration of being one with the entire Universe—and loving it!

Summer, the heart, and the south sector of the feng shui bagua all have one thing in common—fire!! Fire represents extreme yang energy and must be a steady, controlled flame that develops strength as it expands—not an out-of-control bonfire that goes every which way. If our heart’s fire is out of balance, we lose control and have no firm direction in our daily lives. A strong, steady flame gives us the inner strength to face life’s challenges with equanimity.

The southern, fire area of the bagua is associated with fame and reputation. This is not fame as in being famous; it is how we present ourselves to the world and how others perceive us—our reputation. When fire is weak or out of control, we lose sight of who and what we are and what we want to be. Unfortunately, this less-than-perfect image adheres to us like glue! No surprise there. The I Ching trigram li is associated with the fame sector and has the attribute of the “clinging” quality of fire—whatever a fire is consuming, it envelops.

It doesn’t take long to get a positive or negative reputation in the eyes of others and that reputation, whatever it may be, loves to stick around! In the case of a negative reputation, it takes far longer to “undo” others’ perception of us than it did to get the original label. It requires much more effort on our part to correct or change what others think and feel about us.

There are ways to boost the qi of the southern part of the bagua. In moderation, tones of red will bring pleasant warmth. Windows in this exposure let comforting sun in, especially in winter. During the summer, use landscaping to temper that southern sun coming through. Hang diplomas and awards here to enhance your standing within your community. If hanging mirrors in this area (or any area), be sure that the top of your head is not “cut off” when viewed in the mirror. That would “lower” your standing.

Cultivating the heart through conscious practice of selflessness and kindness works both inner and outer miracles to mold who we are and what we can become. Our actions speak volumes and are the key to molding the true reputation we desire to have in the eyes of others. Most importantly, it gives us an honest reflection of who we truly are—to ourselves.

Trained in China and the US, Michele Lewis is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and has been a Feng Shui professional since 1998. She is available for consultations onsite or via phone. By using the timeless principles of the art and science of Feng Shui, Michele can help you bring balance and beauty to every aspect of your life. She is also a Certified Qigong Instructor of Ling Gui Healing Qigong School, Liu Dong’s Method. Michele Lewis can be reached at 406-224-0803, or at taodesigns@ymail.com.

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2025-06-24T17:29:17-06:00Feng Shui|

The Feng Shui of—Creating Sacred Space

Practical Tips and Cleansing Rituals

Michele Lewis
May – June 2025 • Vol 4, No 16

As the warmer months move into gear, you have hopefully already completed some good spring cleaning and decluttering in your home. Once you have done the basic tidying up, it’s time to clean at a deeper level by using some feng shui space-clearing methods.

Space clearing is cleansing at an energetic level by removing accumulations of negative yin chi. Negative chi is both seen and unseen, and can be felt through our own sensitivity. It gathers in buildings and spaces, clinging to walls, ceilings, and furniture, and tends to “hide” be-hind objects, in closets, corners and dark areas. It also tends to sink to the floor.

There are many types of negative yin qi. Emotional energy, such as anger and hostility as well as sadness and fear can all be felt in a home. Behavior patterns that are spiritually or emotionally unhealthy, and those that cause illness and even death carry this energy. Smoking, alcohol and drug abuse—as well as all other addictions—carry a type of negative energy that accumulates over time in a home, in many cases without the occupant’s awareness that there has been a gradual build-up of negative qi. Negative yin qi can enter a building or space through other people, animals, or through forces we may not be aware of.

Negative yin qi is draining, both physically and spiritually. It can generate feelings of indifference and lethargy, as well as emotions that we can’t explain. It can give one a feeling of being unsettled, even a sense of eeriness. When you experience this, it’s time for a clearing!

The purpose of any clearing method is to bring in fresh, yang qi to disperse the negative yin qi. There are many methods of clearing; some are quite simple, such as opening windows, and turning on lights. You can use sound very effectively; such as ringing bells or clapping your hands. It even works to bang on pots! The use of pure fragrance is always helpful; not only does it help disperse negative qi, it can give the added benefit of activating positive thought and feeling.

When negative qi is entrenched in a space and is difficult to clear, there are methods of dispersing it that require physical and spiritual preparations, and entails an understanding of how to use them. Salt has been used for millennia in many cultures to cleanse and purify. The Native American culture has brought us smudging, the ceremonial burning of sage, pine or other herbs for purification. The burning of pure incense in a cleansing ritual brings similar results. There are other cleansing rituals that use chanting, prayers, and religious objects and symbols.

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2025-06-24T17:29:17-06:00Feng Shui|

Feng Shui— Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025

The Year of the Wood Snake

Michel Lewis, CFSP
January – February 2025 • Vol 4, No 14

Although the first day of the Chinese astrological Wood Snake year is actually Monday, February 3rd of 2025, the Lunar New Year begins on January 29th, and what a celebration it will be! Those who hail in the Chinese New Year love a party! The holiday begins on their New Year’s Eve, January 28th, and is a week full of festivities lasting through February 3rd. This is a joyous gathering with family and friends to usher in all the good fortune the Wood Snake would deign to bring to us.

Snakes are indeed fiery creatures who can be quick-witted and highly intelligent. They are enterprising and seem to have great insight—a 6th sense if you will—that helps them to do well in business endeavors, as long as they do not succumb to the weaknesses of being over-cautious or narrow-minded. They are slow to anger, but watch out when they do! Usually, they tend to be good-hearted and thoughtful. Snakes can also be suspicious and possessive—not the best combination in a relationship—but their gravitation to kindness and consideration can neutralize those negative traits, if they choose. Combine all these traits in a Wood Snake, and everything can be magnified, as the wood element nourishes and fuels the fiery snake with its paced but steady growth that can take us to higher places.

What will the Year of the Wood Snake bring to us? The greatest recompense will come to those who are willing to “shed their skin” and embrace pursuing the seemingly distant goal with purpose and exactitude. Always remember the childhood adage, “slow and steady wins the race.” That story might be about a tortoise, but applies magnificently here! There is so much potential for growth and expansive development of one’s inner life and outer accomplishments in this year.

No slinking around! Become the snake’s ability to stay cool and calm, but know when it’s the strategic time act and strike!
Many significant events in the US occurred in 1965, the previous Wood Snake year. Malcolm X was assassinated, the Vietnam War escalated, the Civil Rights Act was signed, and the Race Riots in Watts, Los Angeles, erupted. An important world event that occurred in 1905, another Wood Snake year, was the formation of “Tongmenhui of China” an underground resistance founded by Sun Yat-Sen with the long-term goal (notice the strategy of long-game thinking) of overthrowing the Qing Dynasty in China.

Let’s make 2025 a fruitful and productive year. Use the qualities of the Wood Snake for the betterment of our Earth and mankind, doing so with strategy, long-term thinking, and goal setting, along with patience and fortitude. We can do it!

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2024-12-27T08:26:22-07:00Feng Shui|

The Feng Shui of —

SEASONAL CHANGES!

Michele Lewis, CFSP
November – December 2024 • Vol 4, No 13

Dear Michele,

Summer is long gone, fall is passing quickly… Is there anything I can do for myself or in my environment to help balance this out and allow me to accept the inevitable season change and the coming cold weather?

—Blue About Winter Coming

Dear Blue:

What you are experiencing is more common than you think. As summer passes into fall and then to winter, nature is transitioning from the yang months of spring and summer to the yin months of fall and winter. This transition can be felt even before the autumnal equinox and becomes more apparent in how we feel as we really move into the yin cycle. The increase in yin energy manifests as less and less light; the days are continuing to get shorter and will do so until Winter Solstice, December 21. We feel this in our bodies and emotions. The organ associated with fall is the lungs, and the emotion is sadness. If our bodies or environments are not balanced, we will feel this emotion on a greater scale.

So, what can you do? From a Feng Shui perspective, the area of the bagua that aligns with fall and the lungs is the NW sector of children and creativity. As the yin months progress, it is time for us to move more inward and do something to nurture ourselves and our inner child. The I Ching trigram is tui, its feeling being joyful and pleasurable. This is the time to do things that will bring you inner joy and boost your sense of creativity. Try taking classes where you are making or building things with your hands: cooking, painting, sculpture, or anything that makes you feel true happiness inside.

You can also enhance the NW area of your home, office, or any room with new artwork or anything that gives you a lift. The element is metal, so try bringing in a new piece of furniture or sculpture made of metal. You can also use the color white—maybe some new slipcovers, an art deco object, or something else with white in it.

Here is an easy Qigong exercise that will help clear the lungs and dissipate feelings of sadness. It is effective any time to help clear a feeling of heaviness and bring new energy into the lungs and body; it is particularly effective during the fall months and the weeks approaching Winter Solstice.

Stand with your feet about a foot apart, legs and knees relaxed. Make a fist with your hands, thumbs outside. Swing your arms/hands down past your side—knees bent slightly as you swing your arms—inhaling twice through the nostrils. Swing your cupped hands to just above the lungs, right under the collarbone and tap, exhaling through your mouth. Repeat this arm-swing and breathing pattern 39 times. You can also visualize your lungs enfolded in moist, billowy white clouds.

The final months of autumn are a time of joyful creativity. Don’t be blue… enjoy this time of harvest and transition!

Trained in China and the US, Michele Lewis is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and has been a Feng Shui professional since 1998. She is available for consultations on-site or via phone. By using the timeless principles of the art and science of Feng Shui, Michele can help you bring balance and beauty to every aspect of your life. She is also a Certified Qigong Instructor of Ling Gui Healing Qigong School, Liu Dong’s Method. Michele Lewis can be reached at 406-224-0803, or at taodesigns@ymail.com.

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2024-10-28T14:36:31-06:00Feng Shui|

Feng Shui—

from Summer to Autumn

Michel Lewis, CFSP
September – October 2024 • Vol 4, No 12

As summer makes its perennial transition to autumn, we are compelled by nature to go increasingly inward. The yang, active energy of summer, which is actually at its highest peak on Summer Solstice, has been gradually decreasing to make way for greater yin energy.

All the fullness and abundance of nature we experienced in spring and summer is decreasing as nature prepares to return to the earth and rest. This is the perfect time to begin returning our attention to our own “earth.” By cultivating our inside space to be a haven for our soul and spirit, we can create good qi in our home and business environments.

There are many fun and creative ways to increase positive energy and bring greater harmony and peace to our homes and ourselves. Why not try listening to a new type of music? Numerous studies have shown that various types of music have very distinct effects on our bodies and moods. Peaceful, calm music can have an enormous impact on how we feel and respond to our environment.

Both Chinese and Native American flute have a gentle way of directing our attention inward. Do you prefer stringed instruments? The harp is wonderful for opening and expanding the spiritual heart. All instruments can be vehicles for helping us to calm down—the key is to choose music that has an energy of harmony and balance.

Art is another fantastic way to increase good qi. The important concept to understand with any type of art is that it is visual—what we lay our eyes on and put our attention upon is what we bring into our homes and allow into our consciousness. With that in mind, have some fun and try some new art on your walls.

Another way to improve the energy of your space is through fragrance. One of the best ways is with fresh cut flowers, but this can get pricey in the fall and winter. Try using essential oils. These provide fragrance in one of its purest forms and are fantastic at clearing spaces and lifting mood. Different oils have different effects. Peppermint is stimulating (and good for digestion), while lavender is very calming.

There are numerous books available that outline what different types of effects can be achieved with scent. You can also research any type of fragrance on the Internet to find exactly what you’re looking for in essence and effect. High-quality incense is also wonderful for transforming stagnant air, and it’s available in numerous varieties.

How a room is arranged has a direct impact on the energy it creates and how it makes you feel. With cooler weather coming, try making things cozier by moving seating a little closer together. Softer lighting can also create a sense of warmth.

For more ideas, a trained Feng Shui consultant can assist you in making your home an indoor shelter of good energy, helping you make a smooth transition from summer to autumn!

Trained in China and the US, Michele Lewis is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and has been a Feng Shui professional since 1998. She is available for consultations on-site or via phone. By using the timeless principles of the art and science of Feng Shui, Michele can help you bring balance and beauty to every aspect of your life. She is also a Certified Qigong Instructor of Ling Gui Healing Qigong School, Liu Dong’s Method. Michele Lewis can be reached at 406-224-0803, or at taodesigns@ymail.com.

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2024-08-26T15:23:45-06:00Feng Shui|

It’s Travel Time!

Maximizing Your Qi When You’re on Vacation

Michele Lewis
July – August 2024 • Vol 4, No 11

After all the crazy weather we had in May and June, I’m ready to go somewhere WARM!! Planning a vacation this summer? Here are some tips to help you attract good qi wherever you go and however you choose to get there!

A road trip—whether by car or RV—can be a fabulous way to see and experience new places and new people. Start your trip right with the obvious. Make sure that your vehicle is in good working order; an unexpected repair on the road can cut into your travel time, as well as your pocketbook. Give your vehicle a good interior cleaning before you go to bring good vibes into your car, as well as helping clear obstacles to having a good trip. If traveling by RV or camper, it’s likely that it has been sitting closed up all winter. Clear that old, stagnant energy that has gathered by airing it out thoroughly; you want to clear all musty, old odors. You may need to burn a smudge or incense to clear negative qi that may linger. Your vehicle is your “home away from home” while traveling, so a thorough cleansing is worth the effort!

If you are flying, don’t let the stress of being in a hurry drain you of all your energy. Allow plenty of time to check in, as well as getting through security. With all the security screening measures, especially the full body x-ray scans, it’s important to have good, strong qi around you to help protect you from any energetic drain. If you “opt out” of the scan, the total body pat down can be invasive of your privacy and draining. Keep your energy levels strong by being well rested, not letting your blood sugar get too low, and being alert. Feel and visualize the qi within extending out and creating a protective “bubble” of energy around you.

Up to 50% of the air on planes is recirculated and carries the other passenger’s germs and other nasty stuff. A little bottle (less than 4 oz, so you get it through security!) of your favorite essential oil to sniff and dab on will keep you refreshed.

Now that you have arrived, the positive or negative qi of your accommodations can have a great impact on the enjoyment level of your trip. Whether you’re staying in a hotel room, on a cruise ship, or renting a vacation home, you are affected by what has been there before. You can be sure that others have left their energetic “mark”. If you are greeted by a strong stale odor as you enter, it’s worth the effort to ask to see another room.

For any room, if possible, open the windows to get fresh air in—fresh air works wonders to get things moving. One thing I really enjoy doing is buying a small, inexpensive plant or a fresh bunch of flowers to enjoy wherever I’m staying; they brighten the room and raise the qi level. Essential oils in a diffuser work well to clear old energy and its accompanying stale odor. Incense or smudges are not a good choice as they could set the smoke detector off.

It’s important to do some clearing of the bed. Ringing a bell of any kind over and around the bed helps move any negative qi. One method I use that also works well (and doesn’t have to be packed) is clapping your hands or snapping your fingers!

And of course, you want a good night’s sleep! Clearing the room and bed are crucial of course, but there are also other things you can do to enhance your chances of getting restful sleep. Unplug the microwave, as well as the TV when not watching it. It also helps to cover the TV screen. I have a sheet that I pack just for this. Your room may also have a large mirror facing the bed; this can also be covered if it is disruptive to you. The more you can do to “calm” the room, the better sleep you’ll get.

The best and most effective Feng Shui that you can practice while on your trip is to remember to be considerate and kind to all who become a part of your vacation experience—whether it’s the hotel staff, the server where you eat, or the folks in the room next to you. Every trip can have its stressful, unexpected events. If you can remember to be harmonious and thoughtful of all who cross your path, it is certain that you will have a rewarding, good qi trip!

Trained in China and the US, Michele Lewis is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and has been a Feng Shui professional since 1998. She is available for consultations on-site or via phone. By using the timeless principles of the art and science of Feng Shui, Michele can help you bring balance and beauty to every aspect of your life. She is also a Certified Qigong Instructor of Ling Gui Healing Qigong School, Liu Dong’s Method. Michele Lewis can be reached at 406-224-0803, or at taodesigns@ymail.com.

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2024-06-26T14:08:23-06:00Feng Shui|

Bringing Qi Home

Enhancing the Qi of Your Front Entryway

Michele Lewis
May – Jun 2024 • Vol 4, No 10

Have you begun tending your garden and all the spaces surrounding the outside of your home? This is the perfect time to take a critical, close look at the entire front area of your house, particularly the spaces that lead to the front entry.

What we see and look upon as we approach the place where we “hang our hat” penetrates deep into the psyche and can influence how we feel and how we perceive our life. What do you feel when you come home? Do you breathe a sigh of relief to be home, or would you rather be somewhere else?

What we encounter as we begin our approach to the front door is crucial. Are there weeds or plantings that need trimming? Does the landscaping around the front walkway want to “reach out and touch someone?”

It’s important to remember that qi will try to follow a pathway, just like we do. If you have difficulty getting to the front door, so will the qi. What we feel as we approach the front entry is exactly what the qi is bringing in. Is the trash can in the driveway or near the front walkway? Are there loose bricks or stones that could cause someone to trip? If you have a paved walkway, keep it nicely swept to welcome all who come, including the qi.

Having plants and flowers in beds near the entry can greatly boost the qi level. If you live in an apartment or condo, flowers or plants in beautiful pots can work wonders. Solar lights can be placed strategically along the path or in the planting beds near the entry or porch. This will “light the way” to your door. Hanging a nice size chime by your front door calls qi and good energy in. You can also hang colorful banners

or flags or other things that move, like little whirlygigs. Any decorative garden items aesthetically placed are great. If your garage extends beyond the line of your front porch or door, it can take the attention away from the front entry and home itself. The above suggestions will also help with this particular problem: When I have felt the need to clear energy or bring in extra good qi, I will turn on the porch light and leave it on all day. The energetic benefit far outweighs the minimal extra cost on my electric bill.

If you’re thinking of planting trees this season, avoid placing them in a direct line with the front door. A better placement, if possible, is to the left side (as you face the front of the property). This brings the live qi of the green dragon “guardian.” If you already have trees in your front yard, hang bird feeders or houses to attract birds and their live energy. Trees, especially larger ones, are particularly good placed in the backyard or rear of the property, especially if the land is flat and there is no natural protection from hills. This helps create the protective energy of the black tortoise “shield” to guard your back and create a secure, comfortable space that you want to be in. And that is what all of your gardening efforts should create—a secure, comfortable space that you want to be in!

Trained in China and the US, Michele Lewis is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and has been a Feng Shui professional since 1998. She is available for consultations on-site or via phone. By using the timeless principles of the art and science of Feng Shui, Michele can help you bring balance and beauty to every aspect of your life. She is also a Certified Qigong Instructor of Ling Gui Healing Qigong School, Liu Dong’s Method. Michele Lewis can be reached at 406-224-0803, or at taodesigns@ymail.com.

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2024-06-26T14:08:23-06:00Feng Shui|

The Feng Shui of Decluttering

Spring Cleaning Is Here—the Importance of Regular Purges!

Michele Lewis
Mar – Apr 2024 • Vol 4, No 9

Almost every book on Feng Shui talks about “decluttering” and keeping things neat and clean. Is it really that important? With a resounding YES, it IS important to do regular purges of those things that just don’t mean anything to you anymore, as well as maintaining a level of cleanliness on a daily basis. If you’ve waited all year long to clean up and clear out, Spring is the perfect time to break that habit! Let’s address daily dirt first—it’s the little stuff that adds up over a short time that can have a significant impact on the energy in your home.

What starts out as a few dishes in the sink can quickly become mounds of dirty dishes, pots, and pans that seem to emanate “don’t touch us!” All of us have a few plates and bowls that need to go in the dishwasher—it’s the day-old, food-laden dishes that seem to magnetize more of its kind that I’m referring to. While millions of odor-causing bacteria are forming, so is the extreme yin chi that drains you of your energy, and can leave you feeling lethargic and unmotivated for no apparent reason.

This pattern of allowing negative yin energy to quickly gather by letting dirt and grime accumulate applies to anything that you let “pile up,” such as dirty laundry, trash, and days or weeks of dust. It is worth the time and effort to stay on top of the everyday stuff—but don’t get stressed out if life is temporarily in such high gear that the laundry has to wait.

Spring Cleaning! Sounds like a major ordeal, doesn’t it? Many people think they don’t have the time to embark on herculean cleaning/clearing out projects. The trick is to pace yourself so that you don’t feel overwhelmed and helpless before all those boxes of junk in the garage or all that stuff that is crammed into your closet.

Start with something that you could reasonably complete in 15–20 minutes, such as a quick run through of the house getting all those cobwebs that accumulated over winter. Try going through one or two of your drawers or shelves, or setting a limit on the number of boxes you’ll tackle at a time. Once you get started and experience how good it feels to clear out old stuff and its accompanying stale energy, you’ll be ready to address a few larger projects.

Get rid of things you don’t use or need—they tie up your energy unnecessarily, accumulate stagnant qi, and block new energy, money, and people from coming into your life!

Trained in China and the US, Michele Lewis is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and has been a Feng Shui professional since 1998. She is available for consultations on-site or via phone. By using the timeless principles of the art and science of Feng Shui, Michele can help you bring balance and beauty to every aspect of your life. She is also a Certified Qigong Instructor of Ling Gui Healing Qigong School, Liu Dong’s Method. Michele Lewis can be reached at 406-224-0803, or at taodesigns@ymail.com.

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2024-06-26T14:08:24-06:00Feng Shui|