Shell sense
Q. Should one not place sea shells and objects made from them as show-pieces in the house as it leads to acrimony in the house? What can one do to reduce domestic arguments?
— Shelly Singh
A. Contrary to your doubt, conch shells, or seashells are popular and have a special significance in Hindu way of living as well according to Feng Shui.
They represent a comfortable home and a feeling of contentment. Shells also represent protection, like a shield. Shells are believed to enhance the travel luck as well as to strengthen long distance relationship. Beside improving relationship luck, shells are useful for attracting overseas business. These are also considered as an excellent symbol for people wishing to have harmonious relationship with the rich and the famous.
The shankh was originated during the churning of ocean by the deities and Lord Vishnu held it in the form of weapon. The vibrations emanating on blowing it destroy disease causing germs in the atmosphere. That is the reason it has a important place in Ayurved a and medicine.However, the shankh used for blowing should not be kept for puja. The Shankhini produces negative energies and make the surrounding atmosphere impure. That is the reason shankhini is not used in the usual puja rituals.
Cowrie shells were in circulation as money or unit of currency in old days and is used in Laxmi puja during Diwali. It s also used in various remedies of Lal Kitab in astrology.
Keeping thorny corals as decoration pieces, however, is not recommended as per Vaastu. These objects do create imbalance in domestic atmosphere.
The cause of domestic arguments may be due to other reasons such as directions, placements of objects and other Vaastu defects or malefic period as per horoscope.
Ceiling issues
Q. We live in an old house. The master bedroom has a coffered ceiling which is not of beams but symmetrical wood decoration. The ceiling is flat. Is there an energy problem with this?
A. Coffered ceilings add a beautiful element to any room. A coffered ceiling is created with coffered panels or “coffers”. Coffers are sunken panels attached to a suspended grid to create a new ceiling with depth and architectural interest.
Deep coffers add visual weight to a room, while shallow coffers create a lighter feel. As your ceiling is neither of beams nor you sit or sleep under such object like beam and above all the ceiling is flat and symmetrical plus even in design, therefore, no energy problem would arise.
