Q:
My husband and I found the house of our dreams! however, it is at a dead end. I’ve heard that dead ends can be an ideal place or areas of stagnant or chaotic energy at the other extreme. what do you think about dead ends and do you have any remedies for the problems they can pose?
a:
Dead ends are a classic feng shui dilemma and there are literally dozens of factors to consider in determining whether feng shui is positive or not. a cul-de-sac is a circular path leading off a street with one or more houses facing the central “doughnut hole”. In feng shui, streets symbolize rivers, so the chi-carrying water can be stagnant or fast-moving and chaotic as it tries to make its way around the circle. this house plan became popular in the 1960s with the large-scale use of planned developments and suburban extensions. today their use is opposed by many city managers and urban planners, some with bans in place, as they encourage isolated neighborhoods and an over-reliance on cars.
Reading: Cul de sac feng shui
A well-planned neighborhood with good, nurturing chi acts like a tree with all the houses in the neighborhood serving as branches that interconnect and support each other. Ideally, the energy winds smoothly and completely from house to house, infusing life-sustaining chi into each dwelling.
house energy flow within a cul-de-sac neighborhood can be highly variable depending on where you are, how long the street is, and how busy the traffic is, just to mention a few considerations. because there is so much detail, a single generalization may not be correct for your particular situation.
dead end challenges
1. living in a cul-de-sac is like the headlights of a car going through every house every time a vehicle drives in and out, removing vital chi. energy entering a dead end can also often act like a slingshot, creating chaos and disruption.
See also: Using Feng Shui at Work: Private Offices and Cubicles – dummies
2. the dead end can cause a continuous recycling of chi circulating between three or more houses, depriving the houses of more chi. as a result, chi can become stagnant and residents can feel disconnected and isolated.
3. A house at the end of a cul-de-sac has all the energy from the street building up in front of it, putting energetic pressure on the house. this could create the undesirable effect of bringing drama or hardship into the house. the challenge with dead ends lies in properly capturing the energy flowing down the path to your house. achieving balanced feng shui requires that the chi be harnessed before it enters the house so that it can effectively transform a negative effect into a positive one.
dead end cures
One of the best ways to transform chi is to slow it down before it enters a space, much like a transformer steps down high voltage energy to a lower voltage so circuits don’t overload. here are some good remedies to consider.
1. chi slows down when it encounters a body of water. adding any kind of water feature to the front of the house will keep the energy flowing more smoothly. consider using a creatively designed fountain, birdbath or even a waterfall. make sure the water flows towards the house instead of away from it, as water symbolizes wealth and abundance.
2. chi energy will also decrease when it encounters an obstacle such as a wall, trees, rocks, or bushes. a small half wall or fence with a good working gate will accomplish this without stopping the chi completely.
See also: House Number 3 Numerology: Significance & Meaning of House Number 3
3. use landscaping as a powerful tool to adjust and harmonize the intense energy that is approaching. Design a curved path to the front door that draws softer, more balanced chi into the house. if there is an existing straight path, symbolically cure it by planting bushes and flowers on the sides. plant a row of evergreens at the back of the house to further retain the chi coming into the house.
4. Consider designing a center island, if possible, with seasonal flowers and shrubs. this is a beautiful and powerful way to slow down energy and prevent chi from rushing in and out.
5. If the energy appears or feels stagnant in front of the house (and therefore inside), remedy this problem by generating movement. You can achieve this by displaying a decorative flag or banner that harmonizes with the surroundings, or by adding a moving sculpture or garden ornament. chi is always attracted to what appeals to our senses; the captivating look and feel of something in motion brings welcome energy to the front door.
karen feldman is an interior designer and certified feng shui practitioner, and owner since 1994 of urban eden, a full-service holistic interior design firm in providence, ri. Karen helps her residential, commercial, and corporate clients co-create spaces that are beautiful, functional, and aligned with the best interests of her well-being along with that of the planet. email questions to karen at urbaneden@cox.net or visit www.karenfeldmanurbaneden.com.
Also See: Everyday Feng Shui: Heal Space & Hide Recycle Bins Everyday Feng Shui: Homebuyer’s Guide to Feng Shui
See also: The 8 Best Feng Shui Plants For the Home | Bloomscape