Feng Shui Mirrors – The Aspirin

Mirrors are great for optical illusions and other effects in the home. As one of the most commonly used cures in Feng Shui, they have many uses and can correct many problems. But, they must be used properly. If they are badly placed, mirrors can cause problems, especially in the bedroom and bathroom - the two most popular locations for mirrors in our homes. Although mirrors are the most effective reflector, other objects such as polished metal ornaments, picture glass, Christmas decorations, and so on, behave in a similar way - and the more polished the surface, the stronger the effect.

Mirror Features

Appearance:

Avoid cheap mirrors, mirrors that are flawed or distorting, spotted or patchy mirrors, broken, Chipped, cracked, scratched or damaged mirrors, worn or faded mirrors, tinted, foggy or smoked glass mirrors, painted, etched or decorated mirrors, where the decoration covers more of the mirror surface than simply the edge. Keep your mirrors spotless and dust-free. If you like to use decorated or coloured glass mirrors, place them so that they are not used to reflect the face or body.

Size:

Mirrors should be large enough to reflect at least six inches of clear space all around the head - for facial mirrors - or the whole body - for full-length mirrors. Don't allow your mirrors to 'cut  the top of your head off' or to perform any other unwanted 'surgery'! Make sure that your mirrors can cope with your tallest family members and give a thought to your guests too. No one should need to bend or stretch to use your mirrors. Mirrors that are used for purposes other than reflecting your image can be much smaller.

Shape:

Mirrors come in many different shapes - round, oval, rectangular, and so on - and they may have a flat or curved (convex) surface. Convex mirrors are particularly used to expand and disperse energy across a wide area or to deflect it back from where it comes - they are not useful for checking personal Appearance. As they have only one line, round and oval mirrors create a smoother image than those with right angles - square or rectangular. The curves of rounded mirrors reflect the natural curved lines of our physical form - and our aura.

Octagonal mirrors displaying the bagua and the trigrams of the I-Ching  are often used in traditional Seng Shui, on doors and in windows, to disperse negative energy and ward off evil.

Edge:

As we all know that rubbing the edge of a piece of glass will cut our fingers, mirrors should be edged properly to provide a more comfortable feeling. A solid frame, border or bevelled edge works well - or butt the mirror into a corner against a solid wall.

 

MIRRORS FOR POSITIVE EFFECT

Special problems can occur when two or more mirrors are used together. It is important that your reflected image is not 'cut into pieces' by appearing in multiple mirrors at the same time. The mirrors should be well demarcated by having a good frame surrounding them, or they should be positioned such that there is a decent gap between them, in order to avoid using them as if they are one mirror. Mirrored bathroom cabinet swing doors should be avoided for this reason and mirror tiles are the worst culprit of all - a total Feng Shui no-no.

Mirrors that join in a corner where two walls meet should also be avoided and can be disguised by placing an object, such as a plant, in the corner.  Don't hang mirrors opposite each other as the Chi energy moves back and forth and cannot move on.

Sliding mirrors, such as the doors on wardrobes or medicine cabinets, should also be avoided. Not only do they split your image laterally, but there is a depth distortion too, as one mirror is tucked in behind the other.

 

MIRRORS AS GREAT FUNCTIONARIES

Magnify, expand and enhance Chi, space and light

Use mirrors to make a room appear larger, to open up small, narrow or cramped spaces and to amplify existing light. Mirrors hung at the end of a long hallway will only double its length, so, stagger mirrors on either side of the hallway to make it appear wider. Place a mirror behind your stove to 'double' the number of burners and so increase prosperity.

Move - activate, stimulate, circulate and speed up Chi

Place mirrors in stagnant areas, such as alcoves, corners, dark areas or where little air circulates. In a dark, winding hallway, position a convex mirror on the bend so that you can see around it. Mirrors that reflect you whilst you are in bed - including mirrored wardrobe doors - are not restful and may lead to insomnia. If you have any such mirrors in your bedroom, or you are temporarily staYing in a hotel room, cover them with a scarf while you are sleeping.

Create the illusion of depth or symmetry

Use mirrors to restore balance to lop- sided features and bring negative space back into an L-shaped room. Mirrors can be used to create the appearance of an object or a space where there is none. In the diagram, hanging a mirror on one or both of the two walls that border the negative space reflects parts of the room into the mirror and gives the illusion that the room extends further than it actually does. To be effective, the mirror needs to be large - maybe covering the wall.

Draw in pleasant views

Think about what the mirror is reflecting when you are deciding where it should be placed. Mirrors should reflect something that you want to see more of - a beautiful view, the trees in your garden, the sky, more light, a pond or lake - but not an open bathroom, the garbage bin, piles of dirty laundry, bills waiting to be paid, and so on. You can draw pleasant views into a room, so that they become visible from your favourite chair, by finding the right spot on the wall to hang a mirror.

Maintain security, protection & comfort

Mirrors allow you to see a large area from one central position. If you have to position furniture so that you are required to sit or stand with your back to a door, place a mirror to reflect the door so that you can still see people entering. If you have a door that opens into a wall - rather than into the room - place a large flat mirror on the wall, so that you can see around the door as you open it.

Deflect, disperse and redirect Chi

Use mirrors to deflect the negative Chi from outside the home from causes such as walls, fences, streetlights, T-junctions and so on. Place a mirror or other reflective item - especially a convex one - facing toward the offending item, in a window or on a door. Even a small mirror will do. Where stairs are positioned opposite the front door, place a convex mirror on or near the door, to reflect the stairs and deflect Chi back into the house.

Deflect attention and make unwanted features disappear

Mirroring a column makes it invisible. Placing a mirror on a beam or an obstructive tree, "makes a hole" in it, giving the illusion of letting light and Chi through.