Bring in the New
Clear Out the Old
Sylvia Bennett, Our feng shui and space clearing expert

Now is the time to reflect back on the successes of 2007 and make plans for what you most want to get out of 2008. It really does work like that. There’s absolutely no point at all in dwelling on the adverse scenarios of the past year.
They are over now, so you can let them go. A new year is starting and new opportunities are available. Even if you still have an ongoing situation to resolve, one that will take a long while to sort out, the principles I am about to share with you are, for the most part, just the same.
Take a quiet, calm walk around every room in your home, sensing as you go from room to room places that feel good and spots that feel unpleasant. You may even discover you experience a few sensations that surprise you. Just note them mentally but do not dwell on those feelings.
Now comes the best part. Take a bin bag and go into each room again. This time scrutinise every crevice and corner, open drawers and cupboards. Throw into the bag whatever you do not need to make your present and future life happy or productive. That means anything connected with upsets or negative outcomes, or past relationships that no longer play a positive role in your life.
It also means those piles of things that you or someone else meant to clear out before Christmas but did not get round to doing it and items that have made a temporary home on the floor, stuffed in corners or blocking an entrance to a room. Atmospheric stagnation can set in easily if you keep them around you. Objects that have become chipped or broken fit into this category.
Clothes, shoes and accessories that you no longer enjoy wearing and children’s toys, books and clothes they have grown out of are all holding you back from feeling free and easy. They are always welcome at charity shops, so why not make a gift to someone else who will appreciate them. Plants that are no longer looking healthy have to go now too. New ones will bring a fresh vitality into your surroundings.
Once you have cleared out all these potentially negative infl uences, open the doors and windows and allow fresh air, new chi, to come in and replace the stale old atmosphere. Take a saucepan and a metal spoon and bang away all round each room especially in alcoves and corners. Then clap everywhere. If you have any bells or chimes, you can then go around the place ringing them. Finally dilute your favourite essential oils in a spray bottle of water and spray them liberally around everywhere.
When you have finished, let everything settle down for a while, close the doors and windows if you want, then walk slowly around every room once again. You will probably be surprised at what a difference you notice. Give me your feedback as well, if you would like to. You can repeat this any time you feel the need during the year.
In feng shui design, colours and natural materials are used in such a way that their elements complement and balance each other harmoniously and create a supportive atmosphere. You will feel positive at a subtle level when you experience a pleasing sense of well being and where you feel at ease. Maybe now you feel you want to change the way you have your furniture arranged or you want to introduce some different colours. Go with your instincts, because they are telling you something positive. You will not go wrong if you follow your desires.
Sylvia Bennett is chairman of the Feng Shui Society and lives in Devon, consulting throughout the UK and overseas. She is one of this country’s most experienced feng shui consultants, specializing as well in clutter management, space clearing, geopathic stress and earth acupuncture. She is also an environmental designer and a RIBA affi liate. You can reach her on 01548 580989 or visit www.fengshui-living.com