Improve the feng shui of your home/office & the indoor air quality with plants

Indoor plants can absorb harmful chemicals and improve air quality, making your home or office a more pleasant place to live or work.

They also fill a room with peace, and have been proven to be emotionally uplifting.






The most common harmful airborne chemicals found in the average home or office are formaldeyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon monoxide. Even in low concentrations, these chemicals can cause a variety of health problems.

According to former NASA research scientist Dr. Wolverton, several varieties of houseplants excel in removing these chemical pollutants from the air (How to Grow Fresh Air, 1996). The most effective in removing formaldehyde were philodendron, spider plant and golden pathos. Two common flowering varieties were the most efficient at removing benezene; these were gerbera daisy and chrysanthemum. The peace lily and the chrysanthemum removed the highest percentage of trichoroethylene.

Since all plants utilize carbon in the process of producing new growth, all these varieties are effective in removing low levels of carbon monoxide. Other varieties found to be especially effective in cleaning the air were english ivy, chinese evergreen, bamboo palm, snake plant (mother-in-law's tongue) and several types of dracaena, including marginata, corn plant, and janet craig.

Formaldehyde is used in particle board or pressed wood products to make office or household furniture, in carpets, permanent pressed clothes, water repellants & fire retardants. Other sources include natural gas, kerosene, and cigarette smoke. Formaldehyde irritates the membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat and can cause headaches.

Benzene is present in inks, oils, paints, and plastics. In addition to irritation of the eyes and skin, chronic exposure to low levels of benzene causes headaches, loss of appetite, and drowsiness.

Trichloroethylene is used by dry cleaners and in printing inks, paints, varnishes and adhesives. This chemical is considered to be a potent liver carcinogen.

All plants produce oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Thus any plants you choose, in addition to the varieties named here, will increase the concentration of oxygen in their immediate surroundings. According to McNally (2008) 'one large plant per 100 square feet is sufficient to clean the air in an average home or office.'

Copyright (c) 2010 Sacred Feng Shui Design

History of Feng Shui

Feng Shui can be traced back to the I-Ching, the ancient Book of Changes written over 4,000 years ago. Confucious, the world famour Chinese philospher, was one of four founders. The physical environment was perceived to be a living entity, and the external world is a physical manifestation of our internal world. The earth's breath is qi/wind (feng), or the dragon's vapour, and the earth's water (shui) represents the dragon's blood. Therefore, in China, the physical environment is symbolic of a real dragon, and the ultimate purpose of feng shui is to locate the cave or lair of the dragon.

For this reason benevolent forces are said to concentrate around Hong Kong. The mix of mountains, plains and sea form the perfect dragon's lair!

The first and oldest school of Feng Shui, Form School, dates back to 190-220 C.E. Ancient texts show the importance of environmental factors such as the shape, size and position of surrounding hills and mountains, and the location of water when looking for an auspicious locations. Today, we also look at the buildings, roads, rivers, oceans, trees, fences and gardens that surround a building, to evaluate the quality of qi flowing into the site.

Around 722-481 B.C. Compass School (as it is known in the West) is based on the concept that each of the eight sectors or triagrams holds a different type of qi. They also represent magnetic directions, numbers 1 to 9, body parts, organs, people (male and female), and the five elements; fire, earth, metal, water and wood. An accurate compass reading of the facing direction of a building is an essential part of the analysis. This is not the same as the Black Sect or Life Aspirations theories developed for Westerners in the 70's and 80's. They are generalized and inaccurate methods sold to gullible Westerners to make money.

In medieval China, feng shui was a closely guarded secret. Its Masters were restricted to emporers, and the privileged. By deliberately excluding commoners from feng shui's power, they ensured their positions. Feng shui masters were greatly rewarded for their skills, and severely punished and sometimes killed, if they helped commoners. So it was not until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1840) that the true secrets of the Flying Star School were revealed. The numbers 1-9 from the Lo Shu Grid or Magic Square 'fly' in various directions, creating mathematical patterns which reveal the essential character of a building.

Copyright (c) 2009 Sacred Feng Shui Design

Negative or Bad Homes & Offices

I was at a dinner party recently and everyone could recall a personal experience of a home that 'just wasn't right', or where they had experienced alot of sickness and sadness. The beautiful home that is back on the market every few years. The house where married couples always end up divorcing, or one particular shop that nevers seems to stay in business very long.

I was asked what I thought was the main reason for these 'negative' places?

More often than not, I find it is a combination of a few problems. Often the flying star chart of the home verifies it is not a good place for health and relationships. Health problems such as frequent colds & flu, slow recovery, poor sleep and infertility are often caused by a combination of Geopathic Stress and Sick Building Syndrome (please see my website for more detailed information on these issues). And if there has been alot of turmoil, tragedy and sickness in a particular place, dark and heavy energy builds up over time, so a Space Clearing is needed to remove it. Fortunately, all 'negative' homes or buildings can be improved or neutralized by a qualified consultant trained in Feng Shui, Geomancy, Sick Building Syndrome and Space Clearing.

If you have any further questions regarding Geomancy or Sick Building Syndrome, go to http://www.sacredfengshuidesign.com.au/

Copyright (c) 2009 Sacred Feng Shui Design

Questions About Feng Shui

By the way, I am always happy to answer any questions you may! Send your questions to carol@sacredfengshuidesign.com.au

My Story

My mother correctly predicted major events quite early in my life, so unusual phenomenon seemed quite natural to me. I am not sure if you would call my mother psychic? Whenever I was overseas she would describe my activities or conversations in detail, which she had seen in her dreams (back home in Australia).

It was almost as if she astral travelled to be by my side. Even though there were two other children in the family, Mum only seemed to have that ‘connection’ with me.

As I grew up, I realized I had inherited psychic sensitivity. I went on to learn how to interpret information and protect myself from picking up unwanted ‘stuff’ during my normal day to day existence.

I studied Tarot at the College of Psychic Studies in London, Channelling with various psychic development teachers in Sydney. Western Astrology at The Melbourne School of Astrology, and Chinese Astrology with Vic Ketis.

Every holiday was a pilgrimage to find answers …

.. and experience the energy at sacred sites and power centers all over the world. My most memorable experiences were at Cuzco, Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines of Peru; Egyptian Temples and Mt. Sinai, Egypt; The Temple of Apollo in Delphi, Greece; Sedona and Monument Valley in America; Uluru in Australia; from Nepal to the Himalayas; the Arthurian trail from Tintagel on the Cornish Coast to Glastonbury - the Isle of Avalon.

What lead me to Feng Shui?

To be honest, I had always been a sceptic of Feng Shui. Most of what I had read about feng shui was either very general or hard to understand. I am sure you can relate to that!

However, we had just moved into a new apartment and before long, we had quite a few incidents of theft. Now because I had studied Western Astrology for 3 years, I knew this was not part of our astrological profile, karmic story or planetary transits. I had performed many space clearings at our apartment, so the feel of the apartment was good. So I thought …. IT MUST HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FENG SHUI OF THE HOME! I studied Feng Shui and sure enough, the flying star analysis of the apartment revealed theft was indeed part of the energetic character of the building. Once our apartment was remedied, we had no more theft.

I never could have imagined how fascinating and accurate feng shui readings could be ...

I have seen substantial improvements in my client’s lives since they have had a feng shui analysis, however the key to their success is the fact I combine geomancy, space clearing, intuitive skills, and sick building analysis with every feng shui consultation.

I have attained Certificate IV in Feng Shui with the Australian College of Environmental Studies, which offers the most comprehensive Feng Shui Training in Australia. The Principle and Advanced Flying Star teacher at the college has been personally trained by feng shui experts Master Raymond Lo, and Master Joseph Yu.

In 2009 it was a privilege to enhance my feng shui knowledge by studying with Master Raymond Lo of Hong Kong.

I am proud to be a member of the AFSC (Association of Feng Shui Consultants), which denotes my commitment to professionalism and the Association’s Code of Ethics.

Your home is the physical manifestation of your inner world, your karmic journey and life’s lessons. Feng Shui will reveal your sacred story and help you to achieve your full potential!

Copyright (c) 2009 Sacred Feng Shui Design