Spring is right around the corner! My flowers are blooming and I’ve just had my front door and walkway repainted. I’m ready for the positive energy to flow my way. Why was this such an important step?  I went out of my way to spruce up the front because in Feng Shui the Entrance Foyer is one of the two most important areas of a home; the other being the master bedroom.
The Entrance Foyer is more than just the entry way inside your home or business. The area leading up to your front door, the actual threshold itself, and the area immediately inside your home or business (the foyer) are all considered part of your front entrance. This area is critical – this is the place of your guests’ first impressions and where the vital energy, called Chi, enters your home.  The word “entrance” means to “en – trance” your guests, and welcome them with beauty. By making your entrance fabulous you also attract and nourish the Chi entering your home.
Your entrance can be located in one of the three areas of the Bagua’s entrance quadrant.

Entrances and the Bagua
The Feng Shui  Bagua (Ba-gua) Map, is represented  as a grid of nine sectors.  The Bagua comes from the Chinese philosophy, “The I Ching,” and literally means “eight trigrams,” with the center being for grounding.  Entrances should take on the qualities of the Bagua area they reside in.
In each of the three areas it is important to remember that traditionally in Feng Shui the best art in the household is displayed by the front door. This is to honor everyone who enters your home. When you have space, consider setting up a welcoming arrangement that may include a table appointed with a flower arrangement.  When your foyer is small, hang an attractive mirror on the side walls. Do not hang a mirror directly facing the front door as it will send the energy back out.  Create a token place of welcome even when there’s no foyer. Do whatever you can to present your guests, and yourself, with a warm and welcoming first impression.

Entering from the Center – Career Area
This area is especially important if you desire to energize your career:
* As always, ensure that this area is clutter free.
* Hang art depicting water, such as streams, ponds, rivers or oceans
* This is a great location for a small fountain or aquarium
* Display items, such as statues, accessories, or furniture in black or very dark colors or in asymmetrical shapes.
*Hang mirrors, and/or display glass/crystal items, such as a crystal vase or a glass table.  A round faceted crystal hanging from the ceiling helps the energy flow in small more confined spaces.

Entering from the Left – Knowledge and Self Cultivation Area
* Keep this area clutter free, since clutter does not act to soothe the mind.
* Items in the colors of blues, greens, or black
* Items in the shape of columns or stripes
* Hang art representing mountains, woods, or anything that depicts a quiet outdoor space or meditation gardens
* Wooden tables or bookcases
* Healthy plants with rounded soft leaves

Entering from the Right – Helpful People and Travel Area
* Art or figures pertaining to spiritual guides, and/or mentors, helpful people or of  places where you have traveled or want to travel
* Items that have a powerful personal association with your spiritual beliefs                                                                                                                                                                                   * Items in colors of white, black or grey
* Things made of metal – brass, steel, pewter, silver, gold, aluminum, copper etc. such as furniture,   lamps, candle holders, frames, figurines
You can review any of the areas in past columns on my website:
http://www.fengshuibymaria.com/newspaper-columns.html

Outside of your Entrance:
This is the first thing your guests see. It is imperative that it is kept clean and clutter free. Here are some other fun decorating ideas to create an auspicious first impression in your entrance:
Landscaping: Make the landscaping around your front entrance especially inviting, with only healthy lush colorful plants.
Pathways: If possible, design a curved, meandering path to your front door. Place seating or interesting garden art
by your front door.
Ornaments:Hang wind chimes to call in the Ch’i, and especially in the Career area place a bubbling fountain that flows toward the home, or 360 degrees.  A beautiful wreath and/or doormat also act to welcome guests. By placing a pot with a beautiful plant on either side of the door, or two like sculptures you create “greeters” to welcome your guests.
Lighting: Good lighting is very important for safety as well as beauty.
The Color Red: In Feng Shui, the color red is often suggested to attract prosperity and joy into the home. You can paint your door any shade of red, or place red objects or flowers near the door.  The choices are endless!

Entrances and Staircases:
When staircases point directly at the front entrance they create rivers of Chi flowing out of your home, along with health, vitality, and good fortune. You can stop this flow by installing an aesthetic barrier between door and stairs such as a screen, plant, furniture, or art. When there is no room for this, the easiest fix is to hang a mirror directly facing the stairs, or hanging a round faceted crystal above the bottom step to recirculate and send the Ch’i back into the home.

Feng Shui at Work
When I visit a client’s home for a consultation, I stand at the front entrance for a few minutes before ringing the bell. I like to see what the entrance is telling me. Does the Ch’i know where to go? Is it welcoming me or does is not want me to enter? My last consultation in Napa had the most amazing entrance with a curved pathway, two huge double doors painted a rich red. As I stood in the doorway, on one side was a red framed mirror and the other had a lovely bench with comfortable pillows, and pots with healthy inviting plants. I knew this was going to be a good consult!
I love our entrance! During a consultation I always ask clients what they like best and least about their homes.  For me, the answer always is  the entrance foyer.  The walkway leading to our house had a sharp 90 angle which I softened by creating a wavy line with black river rocks and curved stones right at the corner. I placed a fish statue in the center. It represents a black pond and helps create a meandering path. Colorful flowers such as Dahlias and Impatiens greet me along the path. As I walk up the stone steps the sound of a bubbling 360 degree fountain, and wind chime call to me. Two large Azalea trees act as greeters at the bottom step, while two Christmas cactus plants (soft, not prickly) in black pots are on either side of the burgundy door with beveled glass.  The door opens into the center of my home which is painted a warm yellow tone, with large mirror on one side reflecting one of my father’s favorite oil paintings of an Italian seascape. I’m home!

Affirmations:
Remember that in Feng Shui, intent plays a significant role in enhancing any area of your home or business. That’s why all enhancements need to be made with intentionality; written or stated affirmations expressed as if they are already happening are very important.  Examples or affirmations for entrances:
“I attract many positive opportunities and circumstances”, “I am peaceful, calm, and share knowledge with others”,” I constantly attract helpful, generous, loving people into my life.”

Classes:
I will be teaching a series of three classes through Acalanes Adult Ed:
Thursdays April 26 and May 10 1 to 3 p.m.
You can register online at acalanes.k12.ca.us/adulted (Participants will receive $40 off a home consultation.)
For questions or home consultations email at mtmccull@aol.com  and put “Feng Shui” on the subject line, or visit my website at www.fengshuibymaria.com, (where you can read past columns),   or Facebook “Feng Shui by Maria”, where I post pictures as examples to enhancements.

* I have a BLOG – Just go to the website and click on “Blog”: You can view many pictures and, I will respond to your questions quickly.
Until then…Blessings!

Maria McCullough is the owner / founder of Feng Shui by Maria (www.fengshuibymaria.com) and is a speaker and educator with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in residential, landscape  and business consultations. She is a graduate of the Western School of Feng Shui and has personally trained with Terah Kathryn Collins, founder of the Western School of Feng Shui, specializing in Essential Feng Shui® and author of numerous books including “The Western Guide to Feng Shui.”

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