To give substance to the previous interventions, I now analyze a typical article on Feng Shui, taken from the portal Casa.it, site rather widespread that deals mainly with buying and selling real estate. Like many similar portals, Casa.it is enriched with sections with various topics on the theme of the house.
The advice concerns a "classic", the bedroom.
First general observation: in a Feng Shui analysis the bedroom can never be taken into account if you do not first analyze the context in which it is placed. The people who use it, the house in which it is placed and the exteriors of this one. For a more precise analysis, some time-related elements should also be taken into account, such as the year of construction of the building and the year in which the analysis is carried out.
1 - The bed and the position in the room.
The first two suggestions are generally correct. Feng Shui analyzes the man of his instinctive behaviours more related to his being an animal. The bedroom, therefore, represents the "den", the place where maximum protection is sought: it will, therefore, be necessary to verify the distance from the entrance door which unconsciously is the main source of danger. The need to have covered shoulders (the so-called turtle) should also be considered.
The other two suggestions have no precise basis. Balancing energy, i.e. providing stability in a resting environment, is the right objective to pursue, but it is not necessarily the case that having the same bedside tables on the sides of the bed is in itself a source of balance. Balance does not coincide with symmetry, nor is our goal balance, but rather harmony! The person or persons using that bed, their personal characteristics, etc., should be analysed. In addition, a bedside table itself starts to be a very small element in relation to the environment and therefore with limited influence.
Even having the free space under the bed must be contextualized. Container beds are now frequently used (but in most cases they are never in contact with the floor, leaving a free space underneath). In reality, it would not be a big problem in itself if not in the fact that sometimes these containers become points of accumulation, full to the improbable of old objects, dusty and of scarce use, often put them because we are not able to get rid of them.
2 - Bedroom air quality
It is certainly a correct indication, linked to common sense rather than specifically to Feng Shui. Here, too, one must also see in relation to individual persons. Some people feel the need for cooler and more ventilated environments, others for warmer and more protected ones. However, the position of the bed between the bedroom door and a French window should be avoided, especially if we are on the ground floor. The perception that you can have in this configuration, and that of being on a "path", a point of passage, (an energy flow), which is in contrast with the point of rest and relaxation that we are looking for.
3 - Colours
Indication a little generic. The bedroom should recreate in particular those that are the deepest protective emotions, those experienced in the womb. In this sense, pastel colours linked to the colours of the flesh or the earth should be used. However, a margin must always be left to personal tastes and characteristics (emotional needs). Someone will then need more stimulating colours suitable for growth, for example children. Others, older people, colors even more relaxing and prone to reflection.
4 - Wall decorations.
The colour discourse is worth a bit. In the meantime, we are talking about large paintings. Certainly images or violent colours are not ideal, but neither are large trompe l'oeil compositions that give the impression of being in front of open spaces that, although they may be soothing, do not suggest the idea of a closed den. Small paintings, religious images or images with a particular meaning for the people who use the room have no importance from the point of view of Feng Shui, which does not mean that they cannot be "useful" psychologically and spiritually, but the level is different.
5- Lighting
Сandles, although they create a relaxing effect of recollection and intimacy, are not ideal for sleeping, as they do not promote the quality of the air and because of the open flame can represent a danger, both real and in terms of the perception of danger.
6 - No TV
Correct, together with various types of electronic equipment. In addition to aspects of electromagnetic pollution, are very active elements and related to the work activity or which takes place mainly in our daytime hours. The television has taken the place in today's homes of what was once the "hearth", a very active place.
7 - The doors
Again, the rule should be "depends". If we are alone in the house perhaps is not a necessary measure, indeed, in addition to decreasing ventilation, could generate phenomena of anxiety because unconsciously we can not control what happens behind it. It can be useful if not necessary to ensure a certain intimacy if there are other people in the house, or if the layout of the bedroom with respect to the entrance (too close or visible) suggests keeping it closed.
As some more discerning readers will have noticed, in this brief critical analysis, I did not use technical terms (categories Yin and Yang or energy analysis) specifically related to Feng Shui as an Eastern discipline. This, in addition to not weighing down the speech, also to make it clear that the principles of Feng Shui are not specific or exclusive to Eastern thought, but have universal scope and response.
From this comes a last general critical remark about the article examined: the reason for the proposed solutions is not given. This is in part due to the context, which generally does not allow to deepen the topic. There are limited spaces available, for quick and easy readings where the illustrations, often not even relevant, have a much greater weight than words.
However, without the "why" - which we have seen should not be hidden in technical terminologies and incomprehensible to most - the intervention Feng Shui loses part of its effectiveness. The person concerned, the client, must consciously participate in the application of the results of this process. Not that they should know the "secrets" of Feng Shui, but at least they should be aware of why a given colour or a given shape or exposure is favourable or unfavourable. Feng Shui works on perceptual aspects, not faith.