Imagine how life would become without the existence of books. Wouldn’t it be horrible to have a world that lacks creativity and a system? As technology enhances, books are becoming a lot more underrated. However, if we come to think of it, aren’t books the beginning of the world’s augmentation and expansion?
Fortunately, a lot of people still resort to patronizing and collecting books. It is likely because books give us some kind of sentimental feeling. In fact, it is actually much easier to learn through paper than through digital prints. There could certainly be a lot more reasons (why other people prefer books) that I could not name.
Collecting books is indeed a life goal, but did you know that feng shui says otherwise? Not that it is not allowed, it’s just that feng shui believes there are certain restrictions and limitations with books. Actually, not just books but everything in this world can be bad for us unless it is in moderation. So, if you are a bookworm and have tons of books piling on your shelves you might want to know the feng shui do’s and don’ts with books!
Do’s With Books
1. Keep Them Free From Clutter
Feng shui consultants will probably advise this to everyone that seeks help for their home and that is to: tidy up! This is always the first step to solving energy blockage. You need to make sure there is enough clearance in a space. It is also highly recommended to master the habit of putting things where you got them. Thus, if you take out your books to read, do not just leave them anywhere. Placing them back immediately right after using them takes less than a minute, rather than having to clear up all the books you’ve taken away from its shelves the past few months. Well, if you already had a bunch of books hanging around the corners of your house where they should not be, start clearing it up now and change your habit.
2. Categorize Your Books
Sorting your books based on genre or use might be the easiest way to keep them organized. Additionally, doing so will make decluttering even easier. As a result, you will not have a
hard time remembering where to place your books back anymore. Since some feng shui practitioners believe that books are alive due to the energy drawn into writing or making them, grouping books with the same genre is like classifying and collating similar energies. In consequence, it is good for you since this avoids the chances of different auspicious energies clashing against each other. Instead, it helps you take control of the energy flowing in your reading area and your home.
You can also try arranging your books by color and see how your bookshelf turns into a rainbow!
3. Learn To Let Go
I know collecting books can sometimes be overwhelming to the point that you do not let go even of some books that do not suit you anymore. As we grow older, we tend to change our perceptions and beliefs in life. In result to this, there is a high possibility that you may still be holding on to some books that no longer reflect yourself. This is highly discouraged in feng shui because it weighs the same as being a prisoner of your past. You are keeping idle energy in your home that could disrupt the flow of energy. It is common knowledge among people who follows feng shui that everything around us affects us in one way or another. Even to smallest things—such as keeping idle items can bombard us with an abnormal flow of energy.
Do not let this happen. Take a small step now and let go of the books that do not sit right with you. You can even put it up for donation. Who knows, it might help out other people. In turn, you get good karma for doing so!
Don’ts With Books
1. Placing in Resting Areas
As I said, books are considered alive in feng shui because they contain the energy poured into making them. Those energy act as cutting chi or can also be referred to as ‘poison arrows’. Hence, it is not advisable to store your books in resting areas such as your bedroom. Most especially those books that cultivate wild imaginations. I know this news is saddening but your books need to have their place. If you have a spare room you may place them there.
Another feng shui-approved storage location for books is your home’s learning and cultivation area. You can also make that space your office or working space. However, if it is inevitable not to place your books in your room, make sure that your bookshelf has covers.
2. Hoarding
I know you probably have an ultimatum on how many books to own but it is not good to hoard. I define hoarding as buying or keeping things you probably will not even use. Be smart in purchasing your books. Ask yourself this: Will I be able to read this many books during this period? If not, cut back! You can always buy more books when you are done reading the old ones.
The risk of hoarding is keeping too many idle books. Feng shui discourages anything that is idle in your house as it can disrupt the existing flow of energy.
3. Sleeping With Books Under Your Pillow
This misconception has been going around for years. They believe that sleeping with your books will make you smart. Some even thought that it can make you pass your exams without studying. Little did they know that it is doing the opposite!
There has been a study claiming that you perform better in school when you get enough amount of sleep. However, sleeping with your books interfere with the calm energy that is supposed to dominate your room and makes your bed uncomfortable at the same time. Remember, your books have an auspicious type of energy that is not good for sleep! If you do this practice, then you may want to stop doing it now.
In A Nutshell
Books are indeed one of the most valuable things in life. They express a lot of unspoken feelings. They also make the impossible—possible. Moreover, they not only touch our minds but also reach out to the depths of our souls. To sum it up, books have powerful energies and that is why they too need to be feng shui’d correctly!