The holidays are over, and it's time to put away all those shiny baubles. But if the thought of undecked halls gets you down, it's time to rethink the de-decorating process.

Taking down the tinsel can mean de-cluttering and freshening for the new year if you incorporate some principles of feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of creating a good energy flow, or chi, in the home. Feng shui practitioners promise to enhance health, harmony and financial gain. Or, for skeptics, it just looks nice.

The basic principles of feng shui include placing strategic representations of five natural elements around your room — Earth, water, fire, metal and wood. Modern feng shui divides your room or home into a grid of nine equal areas, called a bagua map. Each area corresponds to certain values in your life, such as love, career and spirituality. read more