Vimol Kogar on a spiritual connection

Strange thing about a home. Some cultures spill hot milk in the kitchen to ward off evil spirits on moving-in day, while others:

Avoid moving on Friday or Saturday: In some cultures, moving on a Friday or Saturday is considered unlucky, potentially hindering the ability to settle into the new home.

Thursday as a lucky day: Some believe Thursday is the luckiest day of the week for moving into a new home.

Finish moving before sunset: It’s considered good luck to finish moving before sunset.

Move during a new moon: According to Filipino legends, moving during a new moon can increase prosperity as the moon waxes.

Items to Carry or Leave Behind:

New broom: It’s a common superstition to buy a new broom for the new house and leave the old broom behind at the previous home.

Salt and bread: Some believe bringing salt and bread into the new home is a good omen.

Never carry a hoe: Never carry a hoe into the house.

Bring in something old: Some believe bringing in something old will bring luck to the new home.

Carry in some rice: Some believe carrying in some rice will bring luck to the new home.

Throw some money at it: Some believe throwing some money at the door will bring luck to the new home.

Spread some salt: Some believe spreading salt at the front door will ward off evil spirit

I think most people in very expensive countries look at their homes as an asset. Actually, your home is your liability. Any place you just cannot sell and still keep a roof over your head is a liability. You treat it as a liability that you cannot live without. You treat it with respect, care, and love and it will reciprocate.

When you move into your home, you need to have a quantum love for it and believe that you will live in and love it forever. In the southern states of the USA, many homes are intergenerational and have plenty of patina and provenance. I want to explain to you that your home is a reflection of you. How you keep it clean how you decorate it, and especially how you dress it is a direct reflection of the type of person you are.

In Indian culture, when a family gives away their daughter to another house, they go and see the house. Some people believe it’s to gauge financial background. But actually, you can tell a lot from a house you visit about the people who live in it. A mini library, a gazebo, a bonsai garden, a view of the city, a huge kitchen and fridge, and cross-ventilation with old-style ceiling fans—what does all this say about the type of person you are?

Sometimes, you’re not happy in a house because it’s just not who you are. If you’re a sustainable/green-fingers person, why would you move into a house with no functional windows (aircon only)? If you’re an artist and need daily inspiration, why would you move to a home with no view? You just described your vocation as one where you need daily inspiration over perspiration.

When choosing your home, try not to keep up with the Guptas and Patels—try to define who you are and make your home yours. Thailand is actually not too expensive when it comes to finding designers and architects who can help you define your own character. I can spend hours in art markets in Chatuchak or Saigon, and my wife gets irritable after five minutes. It’s just about who you are and what you bring to your home.

Strange, isn’t it? That’s my contribution to you about houses. Let me explain: House + Love = Home.

This distinction is something not all of us understand—and indeed, maybe neither can I—but it’s something I believe in. Just because I can talk the talk, maybe I don’t know how to walk the walk.

Have a good midyear, and call me if you need some help.