The Nine Basic Cures

There are basic remedies to alter, moderate, or raise ch'i. Each cure has its particular qualities and uses. Their specific attributes work as follows:

Bright or light-refracting objects: mirrors, crystal balls, lights

Mirrors cure a host of feng shui woes, exterior or interior. The mirror both offensively reflects back malignant ch'i and defensively provides protection. Mirrors should be hung in large pieces to reflect good views of water or gardens to the interior, drawing in good outside ch'i, light, and scenery. Mirrors create the illusion of expanse and light, and also reflect all intruders to anyone whose back is to the door. In business, if properly hung, they can increase profits.
Crystal balls are said to endow the occupant with the gift of farsightedness and a good perspective. They can adjust a home or office's ch'i, symbolically resolving design imbalances by converting strong, threatening ch'i and dispersing it throughout the room. They thus represent sources of positive power and energy.
Light itself is considered an important feng shui asset in any environment. They are symbolic of the sun and disseminators of energy. As a rule, the brighter the lamp, the better.

Sounds: wind chimes, bells

Wind chimes and bells disperse malignant interior and exterior ch'i, and can be used to summon positive ch'i -- and money -- into a home or business. Hung near an entrace, they act as alarms, warning of intruders entering a room or a store.

Living objects: plants (real or man-made), bonsai, flowers, aquariums or fishbowls

Plants -- real, silk, or plastic; bonsai, annual, or perennial -- not only symbolize nature, life, and growth, but also conduct nourishing ch'i throughout the room. Where a plant or a flower thrives, so will residents. Inside and outside restaurants and stores, they are subtle beacons bringing in clients and money.
Fish bowls and aquariums are microcosms of nature, specifically the life-giving ocean. Water, essential to the cultivation of rice, symbolizes money. Fish further enrich a home or office, where they are used to absorb accidents and general bad luck. When they die, they must be immediately replaced. Aquariums with bubbling aerators, which, like fountains, stimulate ch'i, are considered the most effective.

Moving objects: mobiles, windmills, whirligigs, water fountains

Interior mobiles and exterior windmills, whirligigs, and weather vanes stimulate ch'i circulation. Water fountains and geysers are also microcosms of ch'i-activating and money-producing water. In business they are used to encourage profits.

Heavy objects: stones or statues

Stones or statues, when properly placed, can help stabilize an unsettling or elusive situation.

Electrically powered objects: air conditioners, stereos, TVs, computers

Machines powered by electricity are used to stimulate surroundings. Computers can be good, enlivening, and stimulating to the office ch'i, raising wisdom and knowledge.

Bamboo flutes

Historically a bamboo flute was used to report peace and good news, and therefore, by association, its presence brings peace, safety, and stability to a home, office, or business. With its hollow, segmented interior, a bamboo flue symbolically lifts house ch'i section by section. Flutes are also protective, symbolizing swords, and are hung in homes, restaurants, and stores to drive away evil spirits and would-be robbers.

Colors

The Chinese consider certain colors more auspicious than others. Black is the color of the water element and therefore connotes money. However, black also signifies loss of light and is often avoided. Red is a color used in weddings and celebrations, and is considered auspicious. White, the Chinese color of mourning, is avoided. Yellow represents longevity. Green signifies growth, freshness, and tranquility. Blue is an ambiguous color, representing the sky. Because of its coolness, blue often represents death.

Others

A range of personal cures can be used to address other problems. For example, use red ribbons for doors with knocking knobs, fringe to hide and resolve a slanted beam, and chalk under the bed to cure a backache.