Class 2: September 4

Feng Shui for Interiors: Poison Arrows & Introduction to the Bagua

How to counter harsh energy within the home, such as open beams and ceiling fans. Furniture selection and placement are covered.  Yin and yang are discussed. Introduces the Five Elements (also used in acupressure and acupuncture) and their application to furnishings.

Englebert explains how the chi energy (ki in Japanese) of a person is influenced by the circumstances of the home. Energy can come in without being invited if the front door is mostly clear glass, suggesting a lack of control in one’s life. A back window in line with the front door is seen to direct energy out of the home too quickly, and there is a Hawaiian folk belief is that the home is less hospitable if a back door is in line with the front door. Energy can go down the drain, therefore the feng shui recommendation to keep toilet lids closed when not in use.

The class covers clutter, its consequences (stagnation), and its elimination. Englebert says, “Clutter doesn’t walk in on its own feet. You bring it in, and you have to change that habit and do some daily decluttering. Everyone wants their home to be welcoming, harmonious, and serene, but achieving it can seem impossible without some basic rules.” Also covered is the placement of beds, desks, chairs, and couches. Solutions to problem situations are varied, depending on the choice of the resident.

Englebert considers feng shui “a common-sense art, like decorating…it’s not a science in the modern sense, but it teaches us to consciously notice where our attention is being drawn and what symbols are around us. This is a cross-cultural belief.”  He compares the ancient traditional Hawaiian role of the kuhikuhi pu‘uone (“the one who points out contours”), who was consulted before building a house or temple, to that of a feng shui consultant who points out the symbolism of the contours surrounding a home or potential building site.

The cost is $25, with $5 off if one of Englebert’s books is purchased from Kona Stories at the event. He is the author of Feng Shui for Hawai‘i and the newly revised Feng Shui Demystified, as well as Bedroom Feng Shui. He has practiced and taught feng shui in Hawai‘i and California since 1995.  A recognized feng shui expert, he has been featured on television programs and in print media. He teaches feng shui at various venues and offers consultations throughout Hawai‘i. For more information call 324-0350 or visit fungshway.com.