Ancient blessing power, modern doorways
- Inbar Lee Hyams
- Jun 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 26
This week's Torah portion, Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89), contains the oldest liturgical blessing still in use today—words that have been spoken continuously for nearly 3,000 years. But ancient words mean little without present intention.
A few days ago, I was consulting with a friend about her upcoming renovation when I caught myself rushing toward solutions before really listening to what her space was trying to tell me. My initial suggestion felt forced, mechanically applied rather than intuitively received. It was one of those moments where you realize you're operating from agenda rather than presence.
When I paused to examine my intentions with my friend's space, I discovered I was more invested in being helpful than in being receptive. The difference matters. This brings me back to what makes the priestly blessing so remarkable: it asks nothing of the recipient except to receive. According to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, these ancient words survived "27 centuries, half the history of civilization" and were discovered etched on silver scrolls dating to the First Temple period. The priestly blessing stands apart from virtually every other blessing in the Torah because it contains no conditions, no "if you obey" clauses—just pure, unearned divine favor flowing through human words.
Perhaps the most profound feng shui happens when we stop trying too hard and allow ourselves to simply listen. It's about creating conditions for alignment to become instinctive rather than forced.
ROOM OF THE WEEK: THE ENTRANCE
The entrance—what feng shui masters call the "Mouth of Chi"—serves as the threshold where all opportunity and energy enter your life. Like the priestly blessing that channels divine favor through human words, our entrance can channel beneficial energy through intentional design.
My teacher Amanda Gibby Peters taught me that every feng shui adjustment benefits from blessing and intention. She often recites the "six perfect syllables", Om Mani Padme Hum, nine times while performing the ousting mudra to consecrate each remedy or cure. This practice transforms mechanical adjustments into sacred acts, turning your entrance from merely functional space into a daily portal for inviting what you want into your life.
DAILY ENERGY FOCUS
By cycling through different elemental energies each day of the week, we create a rhythm that maintains balance and harmony in our spaces.
Sunday (Yang/Sun) OBSERVE your entrance with fresh eyes. What's the first thing you notice when you cross the threshold? Is it welcoming or cluttered? A pile of shoes? Beautiful light? An overwhelming smell? The quality of air? How it makes you feel emotionally?
Monday (Yin/Moon) NOTICE how your entrance feels during the evening transition. Consider adding soft lighting or reflective surfaces that create gentle welcome. Tend to what's already there with lunar attention—perhaps a small mirror positioned to catch and reflect moonlight. Is it a space that feels safe for returning home?
Tuesday (Fire/Joy) ADD warmth to your entrance through lighting, bright colors, or fresh flowers. Consider what would make you smile every time you come home—perhaps a vibrant piece of art, a cheerful doormat, or plants that bloom with color. This practice transforms utilitarian space into something that sparks joy with each crossing.
Wednesday (Water/Flow) OBSERVE how energy moves through your entrance. The flowing energy of water asks: What blocks the natural path from outside to inside? Consider removing obstacles or repositioning furniture to create smoother transitions between your public and private selves. Water numbers (1) benefit from creating flow between outer and inner worlds.
Thursday (Wood/Growth) TEND to something living near your entrance—water plants, arrange fresh greenery, or simply acknowledge existing plants with gratitude. Growth requires both roots and reach; notice whether your entrance encourages both grounding and expansion.
Friday (Metal/Structure) ORGANIZE your entrance with intention. The structured energy of metal asks: What blessing do you want this space to hold? Clear away items that don't serve this sacred function, creating space for what wants to emerge.
Saturday (Earth/Grounding) REST in your entrance for a few moments. Place your hand on the doorframe and speak a blessing over your home—perhaps adapting the ancient words: "May this home be blessed and protected, may light shine upon all who enter, may peace dwell here." Earth numbers (2, 5, 8) may find this especially centering.
BAGUA MAP BY ROOM
Before we look at where your entrance falls, consider this: Clarity vs. Mystery: Where do you need more transparency and understanding? Perhaps your finances or health decisions? And where could you benefit from embracing the unknown—maybe your creative process or spiritual practice?
Once you identify these areas, you can use your entrance (and the corresponding bagua areas) to support both needs—either creating clarity where needed or honoring mystery where life requires faith rather than certainty.
In BTB feng shui, we align the bottom of the map with the front door, so for most homes this means the entrance will either be in knowledge, career, or helpful people areas.
Knowledge Area:
How does your entrance here support learning and wisdom? Connect this to blessing and intention. Your threshold can honor both study and intuitive knowing. Consider whether this space encourages curiosity and contemplation. ORGANIZE learning materials with reverence or OBSERVE what inner wisdom wants to emerge through daily transitions.
Career Area:
How does your entrance here support your life's work? Connect this to blessing and intention. Consider whether this space aligns with your true calling rather than just your current job. Every entry and exit can remind you of your deeper purpose. TEND to symbols of meaningful work or AMPLIFY momentum toward authentic vocation.
Helpful People Area:
How does your entrance here connect you to guidance and support? Connect this to blessing and intention. This space can acknowledge the web of assistance that surrounds us, both seen and unseen. Every threshold crossing becomes an opportunity to recognize how we're held by community and cosmic support. ADD gratitude for existing mentors and REST in trust that guidance is available.
Not sure how to read your space according to this map? Click here.
BLESSING PRACTICES FOR YOUR HOME
Just as the priestly blessing channels divine favor through intentional words, certain life moments call for intentional blessing of our homes:
Life Transitions: Moving in, marriage, divorce, new baby, job changes, health challenges, or loss. These threshold moments benefit from acknowledging your space as sacred container.
Seasonal Shifts: Solstices and equinoxes naturally invite renewal. Consider blessing your home at these turning points, perhaps adapting the ancient words: "May this home be blessed and protected through all seasons."
When Energy Feels Stuck: If your space feels heavy, stagnant, or out of alignment, blessing combined with physical adjustments can shift the atmosphere.
Before Guests Arrive: Like the ancient priests blessing the people, you can bless your space before welcoming others, creating a container for meaningful connection.
Daily Practice: Consider ending each day by blessing your home as you move through it, acknowledging the shelter and sanctuary it provides.
Hand Positions Matter: The original blessing involved specific hand gestures—priests forming the Hebrew letter "shin" (representing God's name) with their fingers. Similarly, in feng shui practice, intentional hand placement while blessing—on doorframes, walls, or meaningful objects—can focus and direct energy.
CLOSING INSIGHT
The priestly blessing reminds us that some of the most powerful acts require no perfection from the recipient—only willingness to receive. Rabbi Wendy Zierler notes that the sotah ritual (also in this week's portion) required complex proof and performance, but the blessing asks nothing except presence. Perhaps this is why it has endured unchanged for millennia while other practices evolved.
