Natural Protection

A house such as a bungalow can have a big compound and garden where trees, plants and other microorganisms co-exist. Qi thrives in areas of verdant vegetations and lush greenery especially when water is present such as ponds or fountains. The locations of these water features are important in determining the correct orientations for Qi to collect.

Qi flows smoothly in a garden which is lush, well kept and lit, when there is balance between sunlight and shade, a perfect interaction between Yin and Yang. The positive energies generated from the garden can then flow into the house. However, you should ensure that the space directly in front of your main door is empty of plants to create an empty space or “bright hall” for Qi to collect and gathers.

Plants should not be sited too near the front door or it will block the sunlight and cast a shadow on the doorway. This is inauspicious for the residents as shadow radiates Yin energies which are too negative for a house.

Burglary Self-test

We should be aware of any weak spots which are susceptible to intrusions within the parameters of our home. Just like a Feng Shui audit on a house can help us align the flow of Qi in our living space, we should also undertake a security audit for security reasons. Any pathways or driveways around the house should be curvy and not heading straight in the direction of the front door as this creates fast moving energies hitting the front door. These energies also known as “Sha Qi” are inauspicious and cause disharmony for the residents.

Exterior Lighting

Light plays an important role in Feng Shui as a form of activation or cure based on the principles of the 5 elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Light symbolizes Fire. Depending on location and/or direction, light can be productive, destructive or exhaustive in the elemental cycle of Qi. You should immediately change any fused light bulbs so that the area remained well lit. Light that goes off on its own is not an auspicious sign as it signifies depletion of Qi and security will likewise be
compromised.

Fence

Any fencing should not be confined within a tight circumference around the house as this will restrict the flow of Qi. The fencing as per picture on the right is acceptable. All types of perimeter fencing can besoftened with the right species of plants thereby reducing the Spartan look and at the same time promoting the circulation of Qi. Fence toppings can also be mixed with barbed wire such as “climbing rose” for a more greenery look and added security as single strands of barbed wire along the top of a fence are fairly easy to overcome by intruders using wire cutters. However, a mature rose climbing along and over the top of the wall or fence will offer a more substantial barrier. Hedges and shrubs in the front garden should be well trimmed and kept to a maximum height of 3 ft so that an intruder is not able to hide behind them. Moreover, any hedges which are allowed to grow as high
as the house tend to trap the free flow of Qi. This is not auspicious for the residents as the trapped Qi is stagnant and unhealthy.

Gate

According to Feng Shui myth, a gate is auspicious where the design of the gate is such that the center is higher than the sides. Based on classical Feng Shui, there should ideally be only one main gate. Otherwise, the inflow of Qi will be split between 2 gates, rendering it unstable. If another gate is unavoidable, it should be smaller relative to the main gate to minimize the negative impact on the flow of Qi. In Feng Shui, the gate may not be as important compared to the frontdoor of the house but nevertheless, it is considered inauspicious should there be any sharp object or “poison arrow” pointing towards its direction from the surrounding area. A poison arrow can be any object or structure that has sharp angles such as sharp edges of neighboring building or the triangular roofline of a neighbor’s house or an oncoming straight road that seems to aim directly at one main gate.