Traveling with Feng Shui

By Jill D. Johnson

One of the beautiful ways in which to enjoy life is through the adventure of travel. One of the ways to find exhaustion, frustration and upset tummies is through the adventure of travel!

I’ve not known Feng Shui to cure an upset tummy, but I have known Feng Shui to PREVENT an upset of any kind when used to bring more energy (Chi), harmony and balance to any location or venture! This ancient wisdom and knowledge can be brought with us as well as we travel throughout the year.

Feng Shui (fung schway) is based upon a “life compass” called the Bagua Map. Its origins are derived from the ancient text, the I Ching. Each section of the map has its own qualities and attributes that relate very significantly to us in our daily lives. When Grand Master Professor Lin Yun came to the United States, he westernized this map and in it’s simplest form, it is the shape of a square or rectangle. The square/rectangle is divided into nine equal sections, three across and three deep, and is placed over the floor plan using the front door as the point of entry. The front door typically falls in Self Knowledge, Career/Journey or Helpful People & Travel, which are the names for the front three sections. Once you determine what section of the map your front door is in, it is simple to ascertain where the other sections are located.

For our purposes in learning about Feng Shui and Travel, we will focus our attention on the area known as Helpful People & Travel. This section is located in the front right corner when looking at the front of the home. Helpful People and Travel are connected in that both move us along on our journey through life. Helpful People can include travel agents, mechanics, pilots, flight attendants, hotel clerks, etc. Also included in this area of the Bagua Map are Angels or the celestial. It never hurts to ask for blessings and protection while traveling!

Before departing on your next adventure, it is wise to locate this area of the home and place your itinerary and a picture or brochure of the place or places that are your destination. This sets your intention for travel and gives you an opportunity to visualize you and your loved ones enjoying yourselves at your destination. Then, assemble a little Feng Shui travel kit in addition to requesting reservations that include no smoking rooms and rooms located away from traffic noises and vending areas. If camping, you may want to consider requesting sites that are away from main traffic areas or sources of noise or smells coming from porta-johns.

In a hotel room, feel free to rearrange furniture into a more harmonious pattern. The same “rules” apply away from home as do in our own bedrooms. Place the bed, if possible, so that you can see the doorway when reclined in bed. Don’t share the head of the bed with the bathroom wall. Cover mirrors if they are directly opposite your bed. There is nothing worse than a poor night’s sleep before a long day of travel or a fun event! Being tired and cranky from a lack of good Feng Shui in a hotel room, cabin or stateroom has ruined many vacations. We might experience the lack of good Feng Shui as not only sleeplessness, but also a feeling that the room isn’t clean or that it feels “yucky”.

Your Feng Shui travel kit should include candles, preferably those with aromatherapy ingredients meant to soothe and/or energize. Bring a round faceted crystal pre-strung with a length of 9 inches of fish line or red cord with thumb tacks for hanging in the center of the room to energize the space or in a window with a suction cup. A small wind chime hung in a stagnant corner or entryway enlivens energy. A pleasing, fragrant essential oil in filtered water in a mister to clear stagnant air and predecessor energy is important. Misting the car before beginning travel for the day to clear out yesterday’s short tempers and blessing today’s events is a good way to set the tone for harmonious travel. Wearing an essential oil when traveling can support personal energy, especially during air travel. Keeping bathroom doors shut is a good way to stabilize the energy in a small room or cabin.

Carrying a few small mementos from home such as photographs of a cherished loved one, friend or pet can make a travel destination feel more familiar and homey. Tiny treasures that remind us of events with loved ones or other great times spent away from home are reassuring. A religious or spiritual symbol can be a helpful reminder of Divine protection. All of these treasures can be packed away in a special bag, satchel or tied in a beautiful piece of cloth. It can be kept in the suitcase after travel for the next time we plan an adventure. The travel kit is something we create that is of value that we find nurturing and reassuring at the end of a long and hopefully joyous day and is meant to support that which we intend to create in our lives while on vacation! Think of it as a Cosmic First Aid Kit!

Drinking lots of water while traveling supports personal energy. In addition, many Feng Shui travelers wear the colors associated with the Bagua Map and the Five Elements. Those colors are basically the colors of the rainbow! One can use them alone or in conjunction with one another to lift and support personal Chi (energy).

Whatever your vacation or travel destination, preparing a Feng Shui travel kit is a great way to enhance not only your dwellings during travel, but also your spirit and will fill your senses with good smells, good sights and good energy. Even if you are new to Feng Shui concepts, give them a try and see how Feng Shui can work for you!

Jill D. Johnson began her Feng Shui practice “Heaven on Earth” in Holland, MI in 1998. She is trained in Space Clearing and Clutter Clearing techniques. She is available for private consultations for your home, office or business and can be reached at (616) 494-0026.