Tatler sits down with Katrina Holigores and Melvin Sua, who share their tips on enhancing a space to create free-flowing positivity through feng shui
Fresh starts inspire optimism for the year ahead. With the Lunar New Year having just passed, Tatler explores how to refresh the energy in your home through space clearing.
Energy healer Katrina Holigores and feng shui master Melvin Sua share insights on setting intentions and attracting abundance through thoughtful adjustments to living and workspaces. Embrace the opportunity to create a clean slate and invite positivity into your surroundings as you step into a new chapter.
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Katrina Holigores

Above Energy healer Katrina Holigores
What is space clearing?
Space clearing is a practice wherein someone’s room, residence, or office is “cleared” of negative energies which may cause illnesses, weaknesses, poor business, and more. This can even cause challenges through toxic relationships between families, partners, employees, and the like.
The whole process is about ensuring an energetic flow within the confines of the area to allow for more positivity, love, health, and even financial abundance. It’s a good way to de-clutter one’s life by making the space they live and work in more attractive to beneficial energies.
What types of homes benefit the most?
All homes would benefit from a space clearing, especially ones with newly moved-in residents, or houses that are much older, where those living in it feel “stuck” or have been getting sick, or, in their words, have experienced a “haunting.”
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Above Energy healing to clear the space and pave the way for positive intentions and abundance (Photo: Getty Images)
Why is energy clearing a good task for this new year?
Removing tangible or intangible items that are no longer serving those who work or live there is always good. Everyone believes in a body “detox” by removing unhealthy items from their system, so it’s the same with spaces. If there are furniture pieces or artwork that may carry the negative energy of the person who made or owned it in the past, it would be better to remove it and replace it with something more attuned to you.
What can we do to attract abundance this year?
Have a generous heart with others. Donate your time and money to worthy causes or people you love. This can be through gifting, cooking, travelling, or exercising with them if you don’t have a charity of choice. Abundance starts within.
You must also be generous and speak kind words to yourself, as well as get adequate rest. It is also essential to develop healthy habits like meditation, nutritious eating, and exercise. When you are open to taking care of yourself and the ones around you, the universe will also take care of you.
Regarding your home, have a lot of natural sunlight and have “live” things, like plants, a fountain or aquarium, or even pets that are well taken care of and loved if possible. The positioning of moveable items and colours matters depending on the space.
What does an ideal home look like from the perspective of an energy healer?
I base it a lot on feelings, but often I can sense that it is a home that is “lived in” with lots of love and laughter. I like seeing where there is natural light coming in and how much open space there is—a lot of clutter translates to minimal breathing room for new things to enter. A crowded house or office with lots of useless, unused or old stuff will attract that same kind of energy.
Melvin Sua

Above Melvin Sua, a master of classic feng shui (Photo: Destiny Asia Website)
How does space clearing differ from feng shui?
Classical feng shui focuses on the physical aspects of space to optimise energy flow. It involves paying close attention to the location, direction, and layout of properties and their elements, such as doors, stoves, and beds. Simple physical space clearing, like decluttering and letting in natural light, is a practical first step to improving feng shui. Removing old or broken items allows Qi (energy) to flow smoothly, clearing stagnant energies and creating space for new opportunities and positivity.
On the other hand, space clearing addresses the energetic level of spaces, requiring practitioners to sense unseen energies such as remnants of previous owners, heavy or light energy patterns, or entities like spirits or dwarves. Energy workers identify the type of energy present and determine the appropriate clearing method, which may involve cleansing antiques, artworks, or mirrors that act as energy portals. By addressing physical and energetic imbalances, space clearing restores harmony and balance to a space.
Why is feng shui helpful, especially around the new year?
A living space is where one spends a significant portion of daily life, making it essential to optimise for rest and rejuvenation. The home should provide the energy needed for the days and weeks ahead. Classical feng shui focuses on creating an ideal layout, with optimal locations and directions to promote health, wealth, and harmony.
How do I know when I need to clear a space?
The frequency and extent of space clearing depend on factors like proximity to old trees, mountains, bodies of water, funeral homes, cemeteries, hospitals, or sites with high radiation or geopathic ley lines.
Properties with antiques, artworks, crystals, water features, mirrors, or elements misaligned with feng shui principles may also require regular clearing, especially if previously used by individuals or businesses with undesirable energies. Personal habits, such as bringing home stress, negativity, or visiting wakes or hospitals can further necessitate clearing to maintain a balanced environment.

Above Interior design project with feng shui consultancy at the forefront (Photo: Getty Images)
What can we do to attract abundance?
Aside from having spaces conform to classical feng shui principles and having regular space clearing done, physical spaces can be enhanced with crystals programmed for specific purposes (e.g. abundance, prosperity, protection, specific manifestations, and more). Such crystals include Citrine, Carnelian, Red Jasper, and Clear Quartz.
It is also important to work on yourself—healing sessions help clear one’s aura, emotions, and thoughts. This can help energy flow around the aura, which helps one to manifest their goals. When working on our personal and business plans, we can think better and sharper, with a clearer mind. When we feel energetic and light, we can move smoother and get things done faster.
When energies flow smoothly after healing sessions, it is easier to attract and manifest what we want, including an abundance of positive things. If the space around us is energetically clean and Qi flows well, then the space can enhance our well-being and help our intentions.
What does the ideal home look like from an energy healer's point of view?
An ideal home feels light, airy, bright, and warm without being hot, creating a welcoming and uplifting atmosphere. In contrast, homes that feel heavy, dark, eerie, cold, or musty are less desirable, often resulting from a lack of natural light, fresh air, or proper ventilation. These conditions can negatively impact the overall ambience and well-being of the residents.
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