The center of the house is considered the heart of the house. The stove is a potential fire hazard and pollutant. Locating the stove at the center of the house makes the house especially vulnerable to fire and fumes.

     In accordance with feng shui theories, a volatile or negative source of energy at the heart of the house (associated to the heart and stomach) can cause emotional instability, moodiness and digestion problems. Being a fire element, the stove tends to cause temper, heartburn and constipation, while the water element of the toilet tends to cause depression, colds, and diarrhea. 

      There are many ways to enhance the energies of our environment. Surrounding ourselves with different, compatible frequencies through color, art, symbols, fragrances and sounds that stimulate our senses in positive ways will promote our well-being.

     It is important to know what type of element to use, and when and where to place it to maximize the positive effects psychologically and physically.

     In most cases, using mirrors, chimes and fountains are merely ways to adjust, bandage or improve a negative condition. They do not erase the fact that the negative conditions still exist. Thus, their effectiveness will vary from case to case. 

      Skylights are windows in the roof. Depending on the location and size of the skylight, it has different effects, not all of which are necessarily bad.

     Skylights that are extremely large, such as atriums located in the center of the house, allow energy to escape and cause energy loss. In most cases, this energy loss translates into unexpected expenses and financial loss. Depending on the residents’ financial status, this may or may not be of concern. Small translucent skylights, or clerestory, that let in light and maintain privacy without letting too much energy escape are actually useful in bringing light into dark hallways.

     Skylights are especially negative in bedrooms over the bed because of the lack of privacy, energy loss and too much light (yang) energy. 

      Everyone has unique energies and depending on their birth dates and annual cycles, certain orientations are stronger for them than others.

     Eastern Direction Pattern people: You should live on a street that runs East/West, with the door and bedrooms on the East, Southeast, North and South sides of the house. The kitchen is preferably on the Northeast or Southwest side, and the bathrooms on the Northwest or West.

      Western Direction Pattern people: You should live on a street that runs Northwest/Southeast, or on the West side of a North/South running street. The main door and bedrooms should be on the West, Southwest, Northwest or Northeast side. The kitchen and bathrooms are preferably on the North, South, East or Southeast sides. 

      Just because a previous owner did poorly in a particular house does not mean you will too. One man’s trash may be another man’s treasure. When buying a house, it is advisable to understand what type of energies you and your family have, what your goals are and to find a house that matches you and your family and supports you in attaining your goals.

      But for the most part, foreclosed houses usually have many elements that can’t be changed which cause money loss. This potential negative energy usually remains in the house after the owners have moved and must be purified. 

      In many modern day houses, especially ones with views, there is a tendency to install floor-to-ceiling windows. Windows are like the eyes and nose of a house. Too many windows create lack of privacy, insecurity and allow energy to escape. They also create an imbalance of energy by letting in too much light, or yang energy, into the house.

      For people who are already insecure, too much yang energy can make matters worse. However, for very dynamic and creative persons such as artists, this type of euphoric environment may inspire them to create masterpieces. Thus, I emphasize again, the importance of realizing that we are uniquely affected by our surroundings.  

      The fireplace is associated to fire energy. In modern days, fireplaces are considered romantic. However in feng shui, this fire element or dark shaft directed at the bed can cause emotional instability, temper and arguments. In many cases where there is a fireplace in the bedroom and the bedroom is in a negative direction for the couple, they often fight or separate.

      The stove is associated with the fire element and the sink is associated with the water element.  Fire and water are conflicting elements that when aligned,can create energies of argument.

      The degree to which this will affect the residents will depend on the residents' individual energies, strength of their relationship and their communication skills.  If the people living inside have opposite energies, they are already prone to argument.  The conflicting energies of fire and water could intensify this tendency. 

      Bathrooms are where we excrete our wastes and are considered a negative source of energy that can create imbalance. Beds are where we rest and reenergize ourselves. Directing the negative energy of the bathroom towards the bed can potentially cause problems to those particular body parts in alignment with the bathroom. The effect will vary depending on the direction of the bathroom and bedroom, the health of the person in bed, and how often this bathroom is used. Weaker persons subject to chronic exposure tend to be more vulnerable to illness in these situations.

      When a house’s property slopes away at the back, we are paying a great deal more than we realize for this panoramic view. In accordance to feng shui theories, energy travels along the contours of the earth. When the property at the back of the house is lower than the front, energy tends to descend so that the energy coming into the front of the house is lost through the back.

      This type of downhill energy loss can make the building and its occupants weak and vulnerable to trouble, which will vary depending on the orientation. If there are hills in the distance, they can prevent loss. The degree to which energy is lost will vary depending on the degree of the slope, orientation and other circumstances. 

      Modern streets are analogous to the waterways that were used in ancient times as a means of transportation. In ancient feng shui texts, hundreds of waterway configurations were recorded. How streams or rivers ran around a city or building was observed and documented. It is through this accumulated experience that we can understand how a street's energies can affect our well being.

      Today, streets are known as "dry streams." They are like arteries that define how energy flows and circulates on the surface of the earth and around our buildings. They can bring energies of wealth or negativity depending on what type of energy they carry. The energy of cars, people, wind, pollution and noise all have an impact on us. The degree to which a street’s affects us varies depending on the size, distance from our building, and the type of traffic it carries. Busy streets with many pedestrians can bring offices and stores business and wealth. Busy streets with fast traffic can bring pollution or robbers causing illness or financial loss. Streets that are quiet are fine for residential areas, but for offices, they may be a sign of slow business.

      How a street is configured around your building will also influence the building and its occupant's well being. When a street curves away from your home or office, energy tends to come towards your building, but then flows away. This kind of energy flow has been known to result in a "money come and go" situation.

      It is more desirable for a street to curve around and embrace your house. This reinforces the energy of the building and constantly allows energy to cycle around it. Corner lots with two streets around them gather more energy and bring prosperity and are suitable to both Eastern and Western Direction Pattern people. It is often the case that people living or working in these corner homes and offices tend to do better. 

      If exposed beams are structural and carry a load, they can transfer suppressive weight energy. This is especially true if the ceiling is low and the beam is directly over your body. Chronic pressure from these beams, or any structure that is bearing weight over your body, has been known to cause psychological and physical problems to whichever body part is directly underneath. For instance, a beam over the head can cause headaches and stiff neck, or a beam over the stomach can cause digestive problems. 

      In some cases, there is a large exposed beam situated over the center of a couple's bed dividing it in half lengthwise. The beam's energy field can create separation, since there may be discomforting pressure for the couple when they are together under the beam. This divisive pressure can result in quarreling and conflicts. 

      In other cases, the beam is only over one person in the bed which can cause weakness and vulnerability in mental and physical health. This imbalance can also take its toll on relationships. The best solution is to move the bed completely out from under the exposed beam.

      Another common condition is a ceiling full of exposed beams where no matter how you move the furniture, you will be under a beam. If the ceiling is high enough, it is recommended to drywall the ceiling to create a smooth surface. The alternative is to strategically place crystals around often used furniture, such as the bed, desk or sofa, to create a strong protective healing energy field that counters the beam's suppressive forces.

      There is an exception to the negativity of the exposed beam. Large rooms with high ceilings (greater than ten feet) where there is a good distance between your body and the beam’s potential weight energy generally have little impact.

      Remember that we all have different constitutions and tolerance levels of negative energies in our environment. Those who are weaker or very sensitive to their surroundings may be more easily affected. Their bodies will give them signals to indicate that something is wrong. On the other hand, some people possess strong resistance of negative stimuli. These people may not be affected unless they receive chronic exposure, or their body may be more tolerant and less apt to symptoms. Those who maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, communicate effectively and maintain their health will be less prone to problems caused by negative stimuli such as exposed beams. 

      Numbers are the name or identification of a building. Just as we cannot be judged based solely on our names, address numbers are also only one of many factors that influence a house's feng shui. Just as everybody has a different energy that is not necessarily good or bad and is relative to other energies - so do numbers. 

      In the Chinese language, there are many puns or words with double meanings that are often used as symbols to induce certain emotions or certain ways of thinking. When the number “4” is spoken in Chinese - si - it sounds like the word for “death.” Thus, the number “4” is often considered unlucky. However, this does not mean the number “4” is necessarily bad. Because enough people believe that the number “4” or “13” is negative, seeing it activates pessimism, a self-defeating act that is often the cause for problems to occur. Interestingly enough, “13” (1 + 3) adds up to be “4” as well, and is considered by westerners to be an unlucky number.

      In reality, all numbers have their own meaning, power and influence, of which we may or may not be aware. When a number's energy matches you and promotes your energy, it is a considered a positive number. In some cases, this may happen to be the number “4” which according to the Yi-Jing and in feng shui is associated to scholarship, fame and travel. So, do not be dismayed or avoid buying a house simply because it has the number “4” in its address! 

      The stove is a source of fire and pollution. A bed located above or near a stove or gas line is a fire hazard. In accordance with the five element natural theory, the stove is a fire element that can impact a person’s well-being in a variety of ways, depending on the direction the stove is in and who is sleeping above it. In many cases, a bedroom over the kitchen with the bed directly over the stove causes the person sleeping in that bed to suffer ailments, tumors or cancer; especially in the area of the body that is directly over the stove. Of course, the effects will vary from person to person, depending on their constitution and the length of time they have been sleeping in this way. 

      As an example, the metal element is associated to the Northwest and is also associated to the upper body and lungs. If a person of the Metal element is sleeping in the Northwest bedroom over a stove, he or she may experience dry throat, mouth, nose, inflammation in the lungs, or pains in the upper chest areas because fire melts or weakens metal.

      If for that particular year, the Northwest energies bring prosperity, the fire element weakening the metal energies of the Northwest can also deplete positive energies of wealth. If for a particular year, the Northwest has unstable energies, a stove located here can actually compound the negative energies. One possible way of alleviating this negative effect is to move the bed away from the stove or to place a mirror behind the stove to deflect its energies away from the particular location. 

      In any street situation, the energies will vary depending on the traffic and locale. A cul-de-sac is a suburban street that dead-ends into a circular drive-around with houses situated all around the curve. These houses are usually very quiet and tend to have stagnant energy. Generally, dead end streets are bad because since the street is blocked, they simply do not provide an outlet for emergencies.

      However, not all houses in a cul-de-sac are necessarily negative. Since it is positive to be embraced by street energy on both sides of a house, such as on a corner lot, the houses located at the mouth of a cul-de-sac, where the street curves around the house, benefit from this energy.

      Being at the end of the cul-de-sac where the incoming traffic is directed at your home can make the house’s energy unstable. More than that, because traffic is usually slow in a cul-de-sac, the houses are more likely to suffer from lack of energy. For retired people who are financially stable, or do not care for great prosperity, these quieter streets may suit them. For a young couple or family who still needs to earn an income, this type of stagnant energy is usually not conducive to promoting prosperity. 

      The toilet is a negative and unstable water element. Bathrooms are usually damp rooms where bacteria and germs can grow and accumulate. Since the main door is the mouth of the house, the space to either side of the door can be seen as the lungs. There should be open rooms such as living and dining rooms on either side of the entrance.

      The left and right sides of the entry as you walk in are respectively related to the female and male energies. The female side is associated to the females of the house and the ability to nourish the home or store income. The male side is associated to the males of the house and the ability to protect the home and generate positive relationships and income. Having the toilet on either side can respectively affect these aspects negatively.

      Depending on the residents’ elements and what direction the toilet is in, it can be determined what type of effects this arrangement may actually have on the residents. For instance, the Northwest relates to the father and the upper body, chest, neck, shoulder and respiratory system. A toilet in this direction can cause the man of the household to experience ailments related to these areas, especially if the Northwest is his positive direction.

      Psychologically, by the power of suggestion, a bathroom immediately by the main entrance door can often cause residents to constantly use the toilet, especially if it is in the North sector of the house. The North is associated with the water element and kidney. If the person living inside is of the Eastern Direction Pattern, and the North is their positive direction, locating a toilet there can cause problems relating to the kidney or urinary system.

      By keeping the bathroom door closed and/or placing mirrors on the outside walls, you can create the illusion that this room does not exist and minimize the negative effects. 

      The door is the mouth of the house where energies come in and out. It is where we enter and exit the house. Nothing should block this energy flow. On a psychological level, the main door is what we go through everyday as we leave the house for work and similarly, it is also what we come through to re-enter the house at the end of the day. What is in on either side of this door will influence us. If everyday, as we open the door to leave, we confront a large tree, this is both a physical and mental obstruction that creates blockage and can be detrimental to our well-being. This is especially true for people who are very sensitive to their environment or are very weak. 

      On the practical side, a large tree may impose too much shade, which is "yin" energy that blocks sunlight from entering the home. This can create coldness or darkness that attracts negative energy and can be known to cause illness. Also, in a storm or hurricane, a large tree in front of your door can collapse and trap the people inside.

      Obviously, the size and proximity of the tree to the door will have different degrees of effect. Small trees that are far away are not likely to affect your house's energy, even if it is in front of your door. If a door is not used, the tree in front of it will likely be of little consequence. Nonetheless, a tree-like obstruction such as a light pole, electricity post or store marquee may also impose similar energy blockage, especially if it is in your positive direction. In these cases, a convex mirror can be used to deflect away this negative energy. The mirror works on both psychological and physical levels. Physically, the mirror does deflect the obstruction; and psychologically knowing this can bring peace of mind, which is often a cure-all for many troubles. 

      Ideally, we should enter and exit the house in a direction that promotes our energy. This will vary depending on your birthday. Every year, the energies change and the eight directions will have different effects on us. Depending on who lives inside and the door’s orientation, there will be varying results. For instance, I had a client who had not only one, but ten palm trees planted all around her front door. Everyone in her family was constantly tired and sick. She is born of the wood element, her door faced West which is associated to the metal element and the respiratory system. The metal frequencies of the West door conflicts with her wood energy, causing her chronic fatigue. Having the ten palm trees in front is like ten bars blocking her mouth or ten needles in her throat. Sure enough, when I met her, she had a large scar across her throat, which she explained as recent thyroid surgery.

      We cannot deny that man makes the house and the house makes the man. It makes sense for us to create environments that promote our whole well-being. 

      A street carries the energy of wind, water, cars, pollution, noise and people, all of which vary depending on the type of neighborhood it is in. Commercial boulevards will tend to have busier traffic than suburban streets. Streets where there is fast traffic, gangsters or drunkards cruising around will tend to be more dangerous. So, the degree of negativity that a T-intersection brings will vary depending on these circumstances.

      Understanding that energy flows along streets, which are like long hallways created by buildings along each side, a T-intersection directs energy directly at a building. If the traffic tends to be fast, this constant flow of energy directed at the building can bring instability. This is especially true if residents are already weak or insecure. In residential areas, especially at night, the constant flashing of headlights beaming into your house is a distraction and source of annoyance. Again, depending on the resident's tolerance to irritants, this may or may not bother them. However, there is no denying that being at the end of a T-intersection, buildings are simply more vulnerable to car accidents and feeling more psychologically vulnerable.

      In some circumstances, being at the end of a T-intersection may have little affect, especially if the traffic is slow and light. Having a plaza parking lot at the end of a T-intersection can be good for business as it directs traffic directly into the business area.  

      The house is an extension of the body, the front door is considered the mouth of the house where energy comes in and out. Energy follows a path, just as the food in our body follows a path. Likewise, energy should be allowed to distribute throughout the house. When the front door, or mouth, directly aligns with the back door or anus, energy comes in and goes out without distributing throughout the house. For instance, malls purposely make exits hard to find so that you wander throughout the building, distributing your energy around and giving the stores more of your energy. This increases their chances of sales. 

      The effects of the door alignment will vary depending on the various circumstances in which the alignment occurs. For example, whether the doors align within 10 or 100 feet, are in the West direction, are on the right or left side of the house and what the current year is - all of these are door alignments, but will have different effects. The effect also varies depending on who is living inside.

      In most cases, when the doors align, the house is considered to be “see-through,” bringing lack of privacy and insecurity. If the alignment occurs along a hallway that divides the house, it can cause separation or divorce. If the door orientation is in a positive direction associated to wealth and aligns with another door, it can cause money loss. If the door orientation has negative energies for a particular year, it can cause accident or illness. As you can see, there is no doubt that doors should not align, but unlike what most people think, it does not always directly result in financial loss.