Last time we talked about the importance and the need of Feng Shui for a happier day. Before we take to the actual scriptures, let's start with some quick tips from these practical case studies. You shall see how the art of Feng Shui takes stock of the minutest things in furniture placement.

A psychologist once moved into her new office, a large room with two over-sized windows and three doors (too many!). Key pieces of furniture - sofa for the clients, chair for the therapist, and a desk chair - had their backs to the room's entrance. Now, this is a no-no in Feng Shui because you should have an unrestricted view of the door so you can see who comes into the room.

The furniture needed to be re-positioned for unobstructed view of the entry-point. Two long sheer curtains in natural colors were hung from large brass rods over doors that were not in use (on that note, the ratio of one door to three windows in a room is considered auspicious in Feng Shui). A large leafy fern was placed on a pedestal table in a corner behind the diagonally placed sofa. The room was transformed.

On entering the room now, a healing serenity welcomed therapist and client. Sashaying curtains were hung to diffuse the strong window light. (Excess Chi from harsh light rushes out the windows, carrying money and opportunities.) As per the auspicious number code - nine green saplings were placed under the windows to strengthen the healing atmosphere. The therapist smiled and admitted feeling energized.

You shall see in Feng Shui that along with correct placement of key furniture to control Chi, the use of natural color palette, sensual textures, tempered sound and even fragrance is also necessary. For example, Chinese Feng Shui masters believe every room should have a touch of true Chinese red, because red is considered the color of luck, power, and energy. But remember just a touch! For in Feng Shui, less is generally more.

Emperor yellow, the second most auspicious color in Feng Shui, is excellent for a narrow wall with a gentle glaze of raw amber and a flick of Vermillion red. A dreary dining corner can be transformed with a sunny yellow print tablecloth, tempered with a border of red, blue, and green and family spirits at dinner are lifted instantly. If you like blue, indigo is preferred in classical Feng Shui, as it comes from the seven colours of the rainbow and the refractions from cut crystal.

Symbolism is very far-reaching in its effect on emotions and states of mind, so be attentive to what is on your walls. An art-collecting family had two dismal images facing people entering their homes. One was a painting of a dead fish, the other - an exhausted woman hanging laundry. Both were by well-known artists, but this hardly altered the negative energies projected. Happily, the paintings were replaced with better ones - with positive Chi.

Interior doorways are dramatized in Asian and European houses to control the flow of Chi. In a London apartment, moving from one space to another is marked by floor-length door curtains of heavy bronze velvet tied back with tasseled ropes (tassels are considered lucky and suggest Chi energy). Japanese indigo-dye cotton curtains veil the upper third of doorways to control over-strong Chi movement; their designs of flowing water and fish are reflections of nature. Carved wood panels mounted on lintels subtly suggest the character of the room beyond.

In many cultures, there is the belief that empty corners harbor spirit mischief. Thus, flower arrangements, sculpture, screens, corner cabinets, and ferns are placed to create effect in corners, adding a gentle softness to a room. Curiously, appropriate treatment of corners, especially the placement of ferns and flowers, subtly raises the energy of a room.

The moral of the story being - Unlike Vaastu more than directions, Feng Shui stresses on arrangement. Next time we shall see how Feng Shui is more a manual of remedies - through some more case studies - than being a text of celestial laws.

And may you have good Chi.