By S.BS. Surendran

Doors and windows in a building are the main channels for allowing energy to flow in to the building. It has been found that most energy flow is through windows and door openings, and a smaller percentage through energy transfer by the walls.

This energy is quintessential for the occupants hence the quality of the energy and the feel within the building is predominantly decided by the energy flow. To ensure unhindered flow and also to create the right balance window drapes, curtains and door positioning have to be taken into account. The fundamental of Feng Shui is that energy flows through in any space and anything that impedes the flow could create stagnation.  If the space is too open, then energy passes through the room too quickly.  If it is too constricted, the energy becomes stagnant.

In the science of Feng Shui, windows are referred to as the eyes of the home. It’s important that your windows are kept clean and clear, allowing for plenty of light during day and providing protection keeping good privacy after dark. Feng Shui has some simple yet useful advice and solutions, in order to let the Energy (chi) to flow smoothly around the house. Curtains and windows are the most prominent features of our homes. Fabrics, color, material, window arrangement, yes, all these may affect your homes chi.

Creating a balance and controlling the flow through windows can be achieved by installing blinds or curtains.  Match your curtains with the seasons to freshen up yours and your mood. Choose shades of green at spring, shades of red, orange and pink at summer, white, grey and metallic colors for autumn and shades of blue in winter.

Experimenting with different shades of window curtains can transform the room energy significantly, for example Green is a calming color ideal for living rooms. Purple signifies richness and transformation, which makes it ideal for areas or rooms involved in spiritual pursuits.
• Keep your curtains and windows clean in order to allow the chi to come inside fresh and clean.
• Curtains that hang limply each side of a window are considered bad Feng Shui.
• Curtains can be used to shield unpleasant views outside the home or to even counter the ill effects of electric pylons or electrical panels close to the window.
• Pull the curtains back during daytime to allow sunlight to lighten your house and give the area positive energy.
• Change the colors of your blinds as you cycle through the seasons of the year in order to keep the most advantageous effects

Skylights are useful to bring in the extra light but there are situations where they are best avoided. Skylights are fine in the kitchen, provided they are away from the cooker. The other situation is over your bed as your Chi is likely to be dispersed through the skylight. Definitely avoid this situation over the bed of a small child. It can leave them feeling tired and drained and sub-consciously can make them feel uncomfortable as they lack complete privacy and may feel that they are being watched.

S.BS. Surendran is an accredited master feng shui consultant, traditional vaastu practitioner and bio-energetician based in Bangalore, India. He can be contacted via fengshui@fengshuiserver.com