The Feng Shui guide to love

As we approach the Chinese New Year, test your Feng Shui knowledge and find out how this ancient art of placement could improve your love life.

Online dating. The Kama Sutra. Couples’ therapy. Feng Shui. Wait, Feng Shui? Yep. Although it may not be widely known as a guide to finding love or a quick fix for rekindling a relationship, this ancient Chinese art is applicable to every aspect of your life, including the love part.

According to Stephanie Roberts of www.fastfengshui.com, the key principle of Feng Shui is that everything is connected energetically. In other words, your thoughts, feelings and emotions are directly influenced by your surroundings. By using certain guidelines in placing and arranging things around you — furniture, art, plants, clutter — you introduce either a positive or negative flow of life energy. Negative energy in your home, Roberts says, could contribute to problems with either finding love or maintaining a healthy relationship.

Feng Shui guru Debbie DeSpirt explains that steps can be taken to create a positive environment for love to bloom. Feeling a little wilted? Take this quiz to find out how you can use Feng Shui to find your spring fling.

1. According to Feng Shui beliefs, which part of the home represents the couple or love sector?

a. south

b. southwest

c. northeast

Answer: b. According to DeSpirt, there are eight main compass directions in your personal space, one of which is the love sector. DeSpirt cites an instance when a client of hers complained of poor communication with her spouse. The southwest corner of the home had a broken phone outlet, wires hanging loose from the wall. After having it replaced, the couple’s communication began to improve. Implementing cures like this one, she says, can create a better relationship with your partner.

2. What kind of sheets should be on your bed for romantic love making?

a. pink or green satin sheets

b. red satin sheets

c. white Egyptian cotton sheets

Answer: a. Pink or green sheets along with the scent of roses, dim lighting and soft music create a positive energy flow for a romantic Feng Shui mood. DeSpirt explains that red satin sheets and red light bulbs in two lamps beside the bed are better for hot, passionate sex.

3. What cures, or objects of Feng Shui importance, can be placed in pairs around your home to increase your chances in love?

a. mandarin ducks

b. bamboo plants

c. roosters

Answer: a and b. DeSpirt says that mandarin ducks are a Chinese symbol of love because they are mates for life. Two bamboo plants placed side by side are also great for enhancing the energy of love. She suggests that as you water the plant, visualize your love growing or beginning, and as each new leaf appears you will continue to see your love grow.

4. What does Feng Shui say about past relationships?

a. Make amends with your ex.

b. Burn your ex’s apartment down.

c. Remove all items in your house that remind you of past relationships.

Answer: c. According to DeSpirt, Feng Shui makes your home environment reflect your inner desires. If you’re looking for new love, throw away or store old love letters, photos and gifts given to you by a past boyfriend or girlfriend. She also says that you should get rid of old bed sheets, especially if you were sexually intimate on them with a past lover.

5. What Feng Shui step can you take when looking for love?

a. Place two similar tables on either sides of the bed.

b. Move your bed an inch or two to change the flow of energy in the room.

c. Open the windows every day to let the old energy out.

d. All of the above

Answer: d. These are all ways Feng Shui can aid your love life, DeSpirt says. By understanding how energy works, couples can harness the energy to keep their relationship vibrant and healthy. Clarifying intentions of what you want from your relationship, placing items in pairs throughout the house, keeping the southwest corner of the home clear of clutter and placing Feng Shui cures in the southwest corner are also helpful for maintaining positive energy.

Sides:

Feng Shui hazards

These items could be a barrier for positive energy flow in your home:

Broken items

Dead plants

Empty boxes

Solo and negative images

Pairs that are mismatched (a giraffe with a mouse)

Dried flowers

Dirt and clutter

Chinese astrology signs

Check out your love compatibilities and astrological characteristics according to your Chinese zodiac sign. Information courtesy of the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco.

Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people’s confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger and Rabbit.

Pig 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995

People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They don't make many friends but they make them for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep.

Rat 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996

People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty with money. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful. They are most compatible with people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey and Ox.

Ox 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997

People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster and Rat people.

Tiger 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people or those in authority. Sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds, which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs.

Rabbit 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig and Dog.

Dragon 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

People born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust. Dragon people are the most eccentric of any in the eastern zodiac. They neither borrow money nor make flowery speeches, but they tend to be soft-hearted which sometimes gives others an advantage over them. They are compatible with Rats, Snakes, Monkeys and Roosters.

Snake 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

People born in the Year of the Snake are deep. They say little and possess great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate. Snake people are often quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy. Yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try to help those less fortunate. Snake people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are determined in whatever they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate. Snake people are usually good-looking and sometimes have marital problems because they are fickle. They are most compatible with the Ox and Rooster.

Horse 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

People born in the Year of the Horse are popular. They are cheerful, skillful with money, and perceptive, although they sometimes talk too much. They are wise, talented, good with their hands, and sometimes have a weakness for members of the opposite sex. They are impatient and hot-blooded about everything except their daily work. They like entertainment and large crowds. They are very independent and rarely listen to advice. They are most compatible with Tigers, Dogs and Sheep.

Ram 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

People born in the Year of Ram are elegant and highly accomplished in the arts. They seem to be, at first glance, better off than those born in the other zodiac years. But ram year people are often shy, pessimistic, and puzzled about life. They are usually deeply religious, yet timid by nature. Sometimes clumsy in speech, they are always passionate about what they do and what they believe in. Ram people never have to worry about having the best in life for their abilities make money for them, and they are able to enjoy the creature comforts that they like. Ram people are wise, gentle, and compassionate. They are compatible with Rabbits, Pigs and Horses.

Monkey 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

People born in the Year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the cycle. Clever, skillful, and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and original and can solve the most difficult problems with ease. There are few fields in which Monkey people wouldn't be successful but they have a disconcerting habit of being too agreeable. They want to do things now, and if they cannot get started immediately, they become discouraged and sometimes leave their projects. Although good at making decisions, they tend to look down on others. Having common sense, Monkey people have a deep desire for knowledge and have excellent memories. Monkey people are strong willed but their anger cools quickly. They are most compatible with the Dragon and Rat.

Rooster 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented. They like to be busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply disappointed if they fail. People born in the Rooster Year are often a bit eccentric, and often have rather difficult relationship with others. They always think they are right and usually are! They frequently are loners and though they give the outward impression of being adventurous, they are timid. Rooster people’s emotions, like their fortunes, swing very high to very low. They can be selfish and too outspoken, but are always interesting and can be extremely brave. They are most compatible with Ox, Snake and Dragon.