Bagua are diagrams used in Taoist cosmology. They represent the principles of reality as seen through eight concepts. There are 64 possible combinations set forth by the classic Ching.

A Bagua map is often used in Feng Shui. Using a Feng Shui compass, the practitioner designs a Bagua map of a room, correlating the different areas of the room to the occupant’s life. Using the map, the practitioner can better understand how to place furnishings in the room to maximize good energy.

In this current economy, I think everyone could use a bit of good luck when it comes to wealth. Feng Shui is a practice I have long used to clarify my life. One Feng Shui practice I have recently taken up is the tying of Feng Shui Chinese coins known as Ching coins.

Using red string, I have three Chinese Ching coins tied together in a trinity knot. I carry the knotted coins in my purse and even have some tucked into my accountant books. I can’t say definitively if the practice has improved my wealth, but I certainly feel better knowing that I’m taking spiritual precautions.

When my friend Jenn returned from a trip visiting relatives in Taiwan, she brought me back a scroll to hang on my wall. Jenn explained that the Chinese characters on the scroll were wishes of luck in different areas of life. “Shuang Shr,” for instance, means Feng Shui double happiness for marriage (appropriate since I recently got engaged).

Jenn gave me advice on where to hang the scroll in my home to maximize the luck associated with it. Ultimately we settled on a wall near where I keep my jade statuettes, as jade is considered the “stone of heaven” in Chinese and Taiwanese culture. Adding jade to other luck symbols is considered especially auspicious.

Do you often find yourself staring off into space instead of working? Do you find it difficult to focus on the office task at hand? The problem could be with the way your office or cubicle is arranged. With a few Feng Shui cures for the office you can boost your level of efficiency.

First, you will want to clear your workspace of clutter. A messy work area is often indicative of a cluttered mind, so organize your desk and you can organize your thoughts. Second, try rearranging your desk to a powerful position. Ideally you will have a wall at your back for stability and a view of the window or door to your front.

Does anyone remember the short lived Real Housewives of D.C.? No? Don’t feel bad; you’re with the majority of Americans who didn’t watch, hence why the show was canceled. As a former resident of the District I loyally watched the show despite being bored to tears most of the time (and laughing the rest of the time at the absolutely ridiculous situations the women put themselves in).

One takeaway from the show that I did find useful was smudging. Lynda Erkiletian, my favorite of the housewives, moved from D.C. to the suburbs. Before moving into her new Virginia mansion, she did a sage smudge to remove negative energy from the home. I’ve experienced some unexplainable negative energy in my own home, so I tried smudging after that episode aired and it seems to have worked! It might only be a placebo effect, but I feel more comfortable in my home and that is what really counts.

The house was clearly made for us. It had the exact number of bedrooms we wanted, a big backyard, and an open kitchen. No major renovations were needed, just a few small cosmetic details to be changed to meet our aesthetic tastes. Yet, something felt off about the house.

We signed on the dotted line, but before we moved in I insisted on cleansing the home of negative energy. Using my smudge sticks I calmly went from room to room and asked the negative energy to leave while inviting positive energy to enter. By the time I was finished the house felt far more positive and I knew our family could live peacefully there.

Feng Shui beginners may need a bit of help in understanding what products should be used to create good energy flow. For example, dead plants – even dried flowers – are considered bad. Living flowers and plants should be used to improve chi energy. Cut flowers are permissible, but potted plants are preferable.

Mirrors are commonly used in Feng Shui, too. They reflect light, which is viewed as positive energy, and deflect negative influences. Bells, when placed correctly, are thought to improve luck and good health. Household gods, like the Taoist god Liu Hai, are frequently found in Feng Shui homes and afforded a prominent place facing the door.

Nine Ki astrology, also known as Feng Shui astrology, offers life answers based on three digits. The first number indicates a person’s true nature. The second number indicates a person’s emotional nature and the third number represents how a person views other people. To find your own numbers you will need charts composed by Feng Shui experts.

When you’ve located a chart (online or at a holistic store) you can begin your calculations. To find your first number, identify your birth year on the chart. Your second number will be your birth month and the final number will become clear after you’ve identified the first two numbers.

Quan Yin, also known as Guanyin, is highly regarded in Chinese folk belief. In many communities she is worshipped as a goddess. Her traits include unconditional love, compassion, and mercy.

In some traditions, Quan Yin is a protector of women and children, and therefore a fertility goddess. The sick, poor, disabled, and generally unfortunate venerate her and beseech her for good fortune. It’s not uncommon to see Quan Yin statues in homes and businesses; the owner is simply trying to bring good luck to their home or establishment.

When I moved my family into a new neighborhood, I noticed that our next-door neighbor had an incredible collection of wind chimes hanging on his front porch. There were wind chimes of every size, shape, color and sound. The sound of them all chiming in the wind was incredible, but a little too much for my taste. Luckily, his house is far enough away from ours that we only hear them chiming while we are outside doing yard work. Some people enjoy the sound of many chimes at once, but I prefer the beautiful sound of a single wind chime swaying in the wind.

One day not long after we first moved in, I came home from work to find a gift-wrapped box on my front porch. A note attached to the gift read, “Welcome to the neighborhood!” It was from the neighbor next door with the impressive wind chime collection. Lo and behold, the gift turned out to be a beautiful feng shui wind chime. I went next door to thank my neighbor, then hung the wind chime on my back porch. That was several years ago, and now I am used to the peaceful sound of wind chimes while I garden or just relax. They really do make great housewarming gifts, as my very nice neighbor proved.