Blue Pearl Feng Shui

Mercury Retrograde and Spring Cleaning

2011-04-04T09:43:00.000-04:00

Mercury is currently retrograde, and will be until April 23rd @ 6:04am EDT (Eastern US time).

What does Mercury Retrograde mean?

In simple terms, Mercury's orbit around the sun is faster than that of Earth. Periodically, about 3 times a year, Mercury catches up to and passes Earth in the orbit around the sun. At this point, it appears to stop, and begin moving backward. It does not actually move backward, but from our perspective on Earth, where it appears that the cosmos is moving around us, it seems to do so. So when we speak of planets being retrograde, it is in relation to Earth, specifically. There are lots of more detailed, in depth descriptions of this phenomena on the web if you're interested.

Many people who don't necessarily follow astrology will tell you that they notice when Mercury goes retrograde and the effects it can have.

Mercury is said to be associated with travel, communications, and learning. During periods when Mercury is retrograde, there may be delays and complications in these areas.

It's a good time to back up that hard drive, check out that funny noise the car is making, and in general slow down and allow extra time in your day (many of us could stand to do this much of the time anyway).

During periods when Mercury is retrograde it's best to avoid the following:
beginning new ventures or courses of study, important correspondence and travel, placing ads and purchasing communications equipment.

Mercury Retrograde periods are good times to wrap us loose ends and incomplete items. Think in terms of finishing off projects, cleaning out old business, pondering and planning for new ventures and studies, and in general taking internal stock of what's working and what's not. Then wait for the retrograde period to end before taking action on these items.

With that in mind, as we think of Feng Shui, now is an excellent time for Spring Cleaning! Clear out the old, declutter, freshen up your spaces, take stock of the items in your home and office spaces and let go of those things that have outlived their usefulness.

If you haven't done so already (here in the US, anyway), wrap up your taxes and get them off a little early (remember, expect some delays now, so getting them done ahead of time is a good thing). Clear out last year's business and open up that space to really let 2011 get going.

On my list this week, is to tackle this:

Now that my taxes are off, it's time to put the office in order.

Have a great week everyone!

Note: It's been a long time since I've written here. Please forgive my absence...there are big changes in store for my family, in that a new little one will join us in late summer. Now that the heavy nausea and fatigue have passed, I plan to be here, writing, much more often.

Creativity, Fertility and Feng Shui

2010-12-15T06:53:00.000-05:00

My last post was about Feng Shui support for Fertility, specifically around conception of a child. This appeals to a specific group of people, those who want to have babies now. But fertility can mean different things to different people, and at different points in our lives.

A fertile life can mean a life rich with creativity, in however way that manifests for you. If you are crafty person, storing your art or craft supplies in the west portion of the room and/or western room in the house can enhance your creative endeavors.

To bring children into your life, also focus of the west segments of the house. Again, this can mean rooms located in the west, or westerns sections within a room. A Laughing Buddha with Children statue, such as this one is excellent for both attracting children into our lives and for enhancing their well being when they're here. This would apply equally to conceiving children and to those seeking to adopt.

Hanging symbols of examples of your creativity or creative success can also be effective in the western portion of your creative work space.

To clear creative blocks, whether you want to free up your creative energy or invite children into your life, focus on these western portions of your home. Clear clutter from all of these areas, especially closets and storage areas.

Finally, the exception to these applications are bathrooms and adult bedrooms. Symbols of any sort not be located in bathrooms, and symbols in adult bedrooms should be limited to relationship and health enhancers.

Feng Shui for Fertility

2010-11-07T08:32:00.003-05:00

Feng Shui, as it relates to Fertility, is an interesting topic, and one that is close to my heart. It took us some time to conceive our sweet girl, and I strongly believe that implementing some Feng Shui changes were a big factor in us ultimately conceiving. I wrote a little about this in my very first post. Unfortunately, the link to our Real Moms, Real Stories, Real Savvy TV appearance no longer works. I imagine the show is off the air, I never saw it air on TV but had found the link to the clip online awhile back. At any rate, it was a awful lot of fun to film (and nerve-wracking!). You can read a bit about our history with Feng Shui in this first post.

What I can say about Feng Shui as a fertility aid is very much how I feel about Feng Shui in general. I will not claim that Feng Shui works miracles, but sometimes the results of shifting things just a bit can seem miraculous. If you're working with physical issues related to fertility, I would not recommend Feng Shui as a solution by itself, but more as a support aid to lend positive energy to whatever efforts you're already making. Here are some basic things you can do which can help.

If you are the mother-to-be and have challenges with fertility, position your bed so that your head points in the direction of your Tien Ye, or Health position. You need to determine your Personal Kua number to find your Tien Ye position. Read my post on Personal Kua numbers for more information and a link to a site that will help you easily determine your personal kua number.

If you are the father-to-be and have fertility challenges, position your bed so that your head points in the direction of your Tien Ye, or Health position.

If you aren't aware of fertility issues specifically and are just looking to support the conception process, go with the second positioning, that places the father's head so that it points in his Tien Ye position. The reason for this is that because the male has the more active role in conception, support for his health is considered more helpful when trying to conceive.

In our case, we needed to place our bed in the North East corner of the room, which placed it at a diagonal angle to the room. It was awkward, but we were able to make it work and it was only necessary for about 8 weeks.

Once you've conceived, you can then switch the bed to the mother's Tien Ye position, which can lend support for her health through the pregnancy. This might also be useful positioning for mothers who have difficult pregnancies.

Seasonal Feng Shui: As Autumn Approaches, sun & air your bedding

2010-08-29T14:29:00.000-04:00

Summer is winding down, especially for those of us in the North Eastern US (and of course many other areas!). But there are some bright, hot days in store for us before autumn is here to stay.

Now is an excellent time to air out your bedding and other lounge items and let the sunlight cleanse it. Sunlight can kill mold, fungi, bacteria, virus', dust mites and more. Sunlight also stimulates chi flow and removes stagnation. So drag those pillows, blankets, feather beds, and comforters and let the sunlight freshen them up for you. Don't overlook throw pillow and blankets. Even small easily moved upholstered furniture pieces can benefit from a day in the sun.

As a funny aside, my daughter thinks our bedding laid out thus, looks like "a flock of sheep."

Seasonal Feng Shui: As Autumn Approaches....dig through your closet

2010-08-26T08:31:00.001-04:00

Fall is in the air here in upstate NY..I know it's cooling off for others too, while in some areas summer weather is still in full swing.

Whenever it happens for you, the switch to warm clothing is an excellent time to dig through your wardrobe and weed out that which isn't really working for you.

Do you ever notice that your taste in clothing can change subtly over time, as you make changes yourself? I do. I have some skirts that I wore regularly each summer for the past 5 or so years, and this year I just didn't want to put them on. So it's time to box them up and pass them along to someone who will make good use of them. They still have plenty of life left in them, they're just not for me anymore.

Before you pack things away until spring, consider those which got little or no wear this summer, and why? Are they uncomfortable (too tight, too loose?)? Don't feel right anymore? Maybe never did? Or remind you of an unhappy time (especially important to let these things go). Then let them go and make space for new things to come in. Your local resale shop will be happy to receive them, and this is also a great place to replenish your wardrobe, saving resources both natural and financial.

Everything carries energy, clothing included. The things you wear should make you feel good, and reflect who you are now. Don't be held back by clothing that makes you feel like you used to be, rather than who you are today. You might be surprised by the changes that occur when your clothing is really right for you.

Feng Shui, not a religion, & Space Clearing in Bali

2010-07-08T06:29:00.003-04:00

I have been working on a consultation report for a Muslim client. One of the things I love most about the work I do is the diversity in clients I work with. Feng Shui is sometimes mistakenly called a religion or spiritual belief because it has roots in Taosim and Confucsianism. Feng Shui is not a religion, but simply a way of working to optimize the energy that exists in the spaces we occupy, much in the same that acupuncturists and energy healers work with the energy in our bodies. And Feng Shui can be used in conjunction with any religion or spiritual belief.

I am learning more about cultures and spiritual beliefs different from my own then I did in my college Cultural Geography course (my favorite class, in fact!). It's exciting for me to expand my knowledge and understanding of others as a side benefit of what I do.

But I digress. While researching ways to incorporate my client's spiritual beliefs, I came across this article about Space Clearing in Bali on the day of Nyepi, the Balinese New Year. It's an interesting read,and what I like most about it is that it is a day of total silence. EVERYTHING stops. The airport closes, visitors are asked not to leave hotel grounds. No communication, no transportation.

How utterly appealing that sounds to me. To have a day of quiet and contemplation, and be surrounded by quiet.

May you find your own quiet spaces in this busy life.

Space Clearing in Bali.

More Here

Clutter, Money, Abundance & Happiness

2010-06-30T06:19:00.000-04:00

I'll have to ask you to forgive the possible random stream of consciousness style of this post. Lots of things in life lately seem to be leading me to ponder Clutter, Money, Abundance and how they tie in to Happiness.

I'm in a fairly intense de-cluttering phase at home. It's coming along more slowly than I'd like it to, but then slow changes are good in terms of Feng Shui. Read more about that in a previous post here.

I tend to be overwhelmed by the clutter, and I'm very aware that I function and thrive so much better in fairly orderly environment. All of this lends credibility to the Feng Shui concept of keeping your home fairly clear.

But there is a mindset to clutter, beyond just what we see. I get weary, sometimes, often really, of digging into the why of things, and would rather just move forward. At times though, it's still helpful to understand why we hold onto the things we do. Here are some recent theories of mine:

1) We're somewhat conditioned to do so.
It seems to be a very American idea that more is better, that bigger is better, that "if I get that (whatever that may be), I'll feel better." I have grown up steeped in this culture, and can admit to all of these ways of thinking. There is much bashing of this kind of thinking in "green" circles, and although I understand that we're at a point globally where dramatic changes are need, I think that an approach to change that includes gentleness with self is the most useful.

2) Things hold memories
Especially if we're very visual, then the things around us remind us of things we want to hold onto. Happy times, people who have passed on, feelings we had and hope to get back.

3) It's just too hard to sort through it all
This one speaks for itself, and I can definitely relate. Looking at stacks and piles can be so overwhelming that I want to shut the door (and do), but those things still take up the same amount of space in our homes, offices, and psyches, even though we choose to ignore them.

So there are some of my thoughts on why. Here are the benefits of letting some go.

1) Better Energetic Flow
When the spaces we occupy are uncluttered, energy flows more smoothly, bringing in good things and clearing out the unwanted.

2) More Time
Less time stumbling, tripping over, avoiding, searching through and navigating around extraneous stuff means more time for the things we love. Time with family, time with friends, time with self.

3) What you don't need may help someone else & is Green
That thing that is just sitting there unused may be of good use to someone who really needs it. And it cuts down on the need for another, and another, another, to be manufactured, which reduces strain on our already over-tapped environmental resources.

4) More Money
Energetically, the less we hold on tightly to, the more flows to us. And in a tangible, concrete way, if we're more aware of our spending and choosing to buy less, we have more money available for intangible things. For experiences, for sharing.

I read this article recently, and another similar one. It's worth a read on your own, but in a nutshell, it states that once we have our basics covered, how we spend our money has a stronger impact on our happiness than how much money we have does. People who donate regularly are generally happier than those that don't even when they can only give a small amount. People who spend money on trips, meals with friends and family, and theater tickets are happier than people who spend it on stuff.

I'll leave you with these thoughts, for now. And the reminder that gentle change can have immense results.

New vs Antique

2010-06-15T06:27:00.000-04:00

I read an interesting segment on furniture in the book, Practical Feng Shui for Business, by Simon Brown. It is a completely different school of thought from the Classical Feng Shui that I practice, but there is some information that is definitely applicable in any case.

In the book, Mr Brown discusses the merits of furnishing your home with new vs vintage or antique items. Here are some of the merits of each.

Antique and Vintage Items

These items carry a solid, grounded energy. Think stable, sturdy, lasting. Too many antique items can sometimes create a stagnate, stale type of energy.

New Items

These items carry a fresh, new, inspired energy. Think new ideas and concepts, change. Too many new items can create a sense of upheavel or unrest.

Balance is always good. If you feel good in your space, there's no need to change your furnishings. If you're seeking a more grounded energy, you can try adding a few older items to your decor. More inspiration, bring in a few new pieces.

A different kind of Certificate

2010-06-01T13:40:00.050-04:00

In my last post, I talked about hanging your diplomas and certificates on the walls and the value of this. Now I'd like to talk about a different kind of certificate. This is not one you would necessarily hang on the wall, but is equally as powerful.

Are you ready to retire? I am, at least, in certain areas of my life. Does it matter how old I am for this? Not really.

When I was training in classical Feng Shui, one of the class segments was titled "Inner Feng Shui." This was a surprise to me. I was prepared to learn formulas, work on diagrams and otherwise get to know the process of evaluating a building for energy flow. Our instructor, a very wise man who I respect immensely, believes that inner work is important to a Feng Shui practice and that being clear emotionally can only benefit the client. I would have to concur.

One of the things he recommended was for us to look at our lives, and decide in which areas we were ready to move on. He told the story of Japanese soldiers found in 1970s and 80s who were unaware that WWII had ended. Japan held a ceremony to retire them with honor, so they could finally move on.

So, to repeat the question with more information now, are you ready to retire from anything? After taking this class, I decided it was time for me to retire from my role as the "Hero Eldest Daughter" in my family. After years to trying to hold things together within my family of origin, and make things okay for everyone, I decided I was tired, really tired, and it was time for me to live more authentically for me.

My certificate stated: In recognition of a job well done in the role of family hero, savior and otherwise fixer of all problems. You are now retired from duty.

That was nearly three years ago, and this is a process, but I have taken huge steps in the direction of living for me, not selfishly, but with the knowledge that the more I live by my own lights, the more brightly I can shine for others.

This is the year of the Metal Tiger. Great info about this here. Metal Tiger creates restless energy and supports change. It may be time to retire from your current career and embark upon a new one, from any role in your life that no longer suits you, from excessive worry, from low self-esteem, from a relationship that's not working. This very simple process can have such powerful results. Intention is a powerful tool, and the support that lines up when you set your intention can be amazing.

Don't Be Shy...

2010-05-27T22:27:00.003-04:00

If you have diplomas, awards, or other career related certificates, frame 'em and hang them in your office. Sometime's called an Ego Wall, don't let this term stop you from sharing your success. It's excellent Feng Shui to decorate the walls of your work space with symbols of your success in your field and can stimulate more positive energy flow toward your career.

More on diplomas soon!

Curing Cutting Chi

2010-05-12T06:10:00.001-04:00

In a previous post, I talked about the negative effects of Poison Arrows, which are caused by sharp corners which point directly at places where you regularly sleep or sit. Poison Arrows create Cutting or Shar Chi. This kind of energy is too strong and harsh, and can create imbalances and obstacles in various areas of life.

I've been going through our new home little by little and making changes to enhance our environment. One important change was to hang these two crystals in our bedroom in front of the two corners which point at our bed.

We have a Cape Style home, and the dormers create corners where cutting chi is generated.

Hanging a 30mm in front of each corner (there are two in this room), is a simple fix that can be done quickly. I found 30mm crystals here at Crystal Clear Images. They're reasonable, and the more you buy, the lower the price gets, so going in with a friend might be a good idea. I was very happy with the crystals I got, and the service was very fast.

We placed another in my daughter's room, and yet another in our office.

As mentioned in the previous post, anything you place in front of the corner will break up the cutting chi. If you have the space, a large floor vase, or a plant on a plant stand would have the wanted effect. Another alternative is to drape the corner with fabric.

Until next time!

Make Changes Slowly

2010-04-26T17:22:00.003-04:00

Feng Shui can have a powerful impact in our lives. Sometimes something as simple as rearranging a few things to create better flow, hanging a crystal in front of a sharp corner, or placing an important symbolic piece for support in a specific area can create powerful results. While house hunting last summer and having little success, I took a look at our current residence and realized I had forgotten to hang an important cure in the living room. I hung it, and about 2 weeks later we found our new home. Sometimes the effects are more subtle and less specific, a general feeling of ease results from a new placement, or you notice you seem to be sleeping better after making some changes in the bedroom.

Because these results can sometimes be so strong, it's important to make Feng Shui changes slowly and incrementally. When first learning about Feng Shui, there can be an impetus to make lots of changes quickly, but this can stir things up too much at times. Changing your home or work environment has been likened to making dietary changes. Too much, too fast, can send your body into fast detox, or a "healing crisis," which may be more than your body is ready to easily handle, and which can often be avoided when changes are made more gradually. The same applies to the spaces we occupy.

A good rule of thumb is to make a change, then live with it for a few days or a week or so, and see how you're feeling. If all is smooth, then continue on to the next change, and proceed in the same fashion. If things feel a bit stirred up, or the change is something you feel a bit uneasy with, live with it for a little while longer let things settle down and allow yourself to adjust to the change before continuing on to the next change.

In general, the longer you've lived in a house and with a certain arrangement, the slower your changes should be. I would advise someone who had lived into the same house for 30 years to make changes much more slowly than the person who moved into their home in the last few months.

But most of all, let your feelings and instincts guide you. Although we've been in our new home only 5 months, we are only the second owners of the 60 year old home, and my gut tells me to proceed slowly with changes, so that is what we're doing. And it feels good.

Your Energizing Colors

2010-04-18T14:21:00.006-04:00

The colors associated with your birth or Kua number are related to the 5 Elements (more on this soon) and considered to be particularly energizing. I went into Kua numbers in depth last week.

Consider wearing your best colors if you have an important meeting or presentation or other significant event, or any time you might need a little extra boost or support. Some people choose their a color from the list of best for their cars and even the exterior of their houses.

To determine your Kua Number quickly, click HERE and enter your birth date. The calculator will give your your Personal Kua Number.

If your number is 5, and you are female, substitute 8, male substitute 2.

Kua Number 1
Water & Metal
You may find it energizing to wear clothing in shades of blue, black, true white, gray, and metallic colors.

Kua Number 2 & 8

Earth & Fire
You may find it energizing to wear clothing in shades of yellow, brown, off white, red, orange, purple and pink.

Kua Number 3 & 4
Wood & Water
You may find it energizing to wear clothing in shades of blue, black, and green.

Kua Number 6 & 7
Metal & Earth
You may find it energizing to wear clothing in true white, shades of gray, metallic colors, yellow, brown, off white and earthy golds, reds and oranges.

Kua Number 9
Fire & Wood
You may find it energizing to wear clothing in warm reds, oranges, purples, pinks and green.

Your Personal Kua Number

2010-04-08T09:52:00.012-04:00

Did you know that each of us has a number associated with the year of our birth? Specifically, our number corresponds with the placement of our birthdays within the Chinese Lunar Year.

The formula for calculating your Personal Kua Number is fairly simple, but if you were born in late January to early February, you must know when the Chinese New began in the year of your birth to determine which year to use in your calculations, as the Chinese Lunar New Year begins on a different day each year.

For simplicity, there are many websites you use to plug in your date of birth and gender, and get your Kua Number easily. A good one is here.

One of the uses for your Kua Number, is to determine what your best sitting and sleeping directions are.

If your Kua number is 1,3,4 or 9, you're an East Group person
If your Kua number is 2,6, 7 or 8, you are a West Group person

The number 5 in classical Feng Shui is called the void number, or a number which carries no energy of it's own. Females with the number 5 can substitute an 8, and males with the number 5 can substitute 2.

The following list, by Kua Number, gives recommended best & worst directions.

For sitting, this means sit facing one of your lucky directions. This is primarily useful for places where you would d sit for a significant amount of time, such as a desk or a chair you use regularly for reading.

For sleeping, this means lying with the top of your head pointing in one of your lucky directions. You can choose them based on what you'd like to enhance in your life, provided this works with the layout of your space.

It's important to note that although in Classical Feng Shui we consider Kua numbers to be significant, too much emphasis should not be placed on them, as they are only one factor influencing the energy in your space. In many cases, our home and business layouts do not allow for the practical use of you lucky directions, and this should not be a cause of fear or stress. Always, in Feng Shui, I seek a balanced approach, and recommend working with the elements you can, and letting go of the others. Also, trust your own feelings and instincts, and know that you'll know if something really feels off and needs changing.

Kua Number 1
Lucky Directions
Fu wei – North Growth, personal development, advancement luck
Tien yi – East Health & longevity luck
Nien yen – South Love, marriage, & family luck
Sheng Chi –South East Wealth & success luck

Directions which are considered unlucky
Ho hai – West Mild bad luck
Wu kwei – North East Troublemakers & harmful people
Lui sha – North West Bad Misfortune
Chueh ming – South West Very poor luck

Kua Number 2
Lucky Directions
Fu wei – South West Growth, personal development, advancement luck
Tien yi – West Health & longevity luck
Nien yen – North West Love, marriage, & family luck
Sheng chi – North East Wealth & success luck

Directions which are considered unlucky
Ho hai – East Mild bad luck
Wu kwei – South East Troublemakers & harmful people
Lui sha – South Bad Misfortune
Chueh ming – North Very poor luck

Kua Number 3
Lucky Directions
Fu wei – East Growth, personal development, advancement luck
Tien yi – North Health & longevity luck
Nien yen – South East Love, marriage, & family luck
Sheng chi – South Wealth & success luck

Directions which are considered unlucky
Ho hai – South West Mild bad luck
Wu kwei – North West Troublemakers & harmful people
Lui sha – North East Bad Misfortune
Chueh ming – West Very poor luck

Kua Number 4
Lucky Directions
Fu wei – South East Growth, personal development, advancement luck
Tien yi – South Health & longevity luck
Nien yen – East Love, marriage, & family luck
Sheng chi – North Wealth & success luck

Directions which are considered unlucky
Ho hai – North West Mild bad luck
Wu kwei – South West Troublemakers & harmful people
Lui sha – West Bad Misfortune
Chueh ming – North East Very poor luck

Kua Number 6
Lucky Directions
Fu wei – North West Growth, personal development, advancement luck
Tien yi – North East Health & longevity luck
Nien yen – South West Love, marriage, & family luck
Sheng chi – West Wealth & success luck

Directions which are considered unlucky
Ho hai – South East Mild bad luck
Wu kwei – East Troublemakers & harmful people
Lui sha – North Bad Misfortune
Chueh ming – South Very poor luck

Kua Number 7
Lucky Directions
Fu wei – West Growth, personal development, advancement luck
Tien yi – South West Health & longevity luck
Nien yen – North East Love, marriage, & family luck
Sheng chi – North West Wealth & success luck

Directions which are considered unlucky
Ho hai – North Mild bad luck
Wu kwei – South Troublemakers & harmful people
Lui sha – South East Bad Misfortune
Chueh ming – East Very poor luck

Kua Number 8
Lucky Directions
Fu wei – North East Growth, personal development, advancement luck
Tien yi – North West Health & longevity luck
Nien yen – West Love, marriage, & family luck
Sheng chi – South West Wealth & success luck

Directions which are considered unlucky
Ho hai – North Mild bad luck
Wu kwei – South Troublemakers & harmful people
Lui sha – South East Bad Misfortune
Chueh ming – East Very poor luck

Kua Number 9
Lucky Directions
Fu wei – South Growth, personal development, advancement luck
Tien yi – South East Health & longevity luck
Nien yen – North Love, marriage, & family luck
Sheng chi – East Wealth & success luck

Directions which are considered unlucky
Ho hai – North East Mild bad luck
Wu kwei – West Troublemakers & harmful people
Lui sha – South West Bad Misfortune
Chueh ming – North West Very poor luck

Let the Chi Flow!

2010-03-02T07:59:00.004-05:00

As Spring approaches (oh thank goodness!), remember to keep the chi flowing in your house.

When it's warm enough, open doors and windows to allow fresh air to circulate and stir things up a bit. Those of us in wintery climates can especially use this at this time of year.

In general, during the day, keep all the interior doors open to allow the chi to flow. The only exception to this would be the bathroom door, which, if possible, should alway remain closed. Read more about bathroom treatment here.

Spring is a good time to think about decluttering.Piles and stacks and too much stuff slows the flow of chi to the point where we need to be concerned about stagnation. Remember, chi should flow meandering gently, not moving too quickly and not getting stuck. More about decluttering can be found here and here.

Happy almost Spring!

Feng Shui for Pairs

2010-02-12T07:46:00.004-05:00

With Valentine's day is just around the bend...a post on enhancing love seemed in order.

In general, when we look at love and relationshop in Feng Shui, we look at the bedroom. If you're wanting to attract a relationship into your life, or enhance the one you have, there are some fairly simple things you can do.

1) Things in pairs are good!

Place decorative items in pairs around your bedroom. Two matched candles, two paintings on the wall in matching frames (pictures depiciting love, hearts and happy couples are great here), matching perfume bottles, etc.

2) Balance is key to a balanced relationship
Look at the physical balance in the room. Can the bed be accessed as easily from both sides? Matching nightstands with matching lamps here are best. Do both partners have equal space in the room?

3) If there's not currently a partner in your life and you want one, make some space in your space! Clear out a closet, make some space in the medicine cabinet, set up some room in your room for a lover to join you...sometimes simple steps in making space physically can really open things up and allow new experiences and people in.

Happy Valentines's Day! May we all love ourselves so richly and deeply that that love cannot help but overflow to everything and everyone!

Feng Shui Tip of the Month: January 2010

2010-01-28T22:56:00.004-05:00

Wow, is it really the 28th of January? How did that happen!

I was hoping to come up with an inspiring New Year's post, but somehow, between still not finding my Feng Shui text book (which I sometimes refer to for inspiration) and this month sneaking by me so quickly, it just hasn't happened.

Instead, I thought I'd get practical, and show you one of the things I've done to support better energy in my own home. So here's the tip of the month:

If you have a staircase that faces an exterior door, you need to slow down that fast moving Chi.

Energy, or Chi, enters our buildings through the doors and windows, and more strongly through doors. Ideally, the energy enters the building and meanders slowly, neither stopping, nor moving too quickly. But if you have exterior door that faces a staircase, the energy rushes quickly in that direction. The photo below is the staircase to our second floor, which directly faces an exterior door.

The correction or "cure" for this is very simple. Hang a faceted crystal (30mm is about perfect) over the staircase, near the wall, to slow down that energy.

Generally, clear crystals are recommended, but if you know which elements are good to emphasize in that area, you can choose a color in that category. These here are great, and quite reasonable.

Happy January...see again in just a few days!

Feng Shui Tip of the Month: December 2009

2009-12-07T09:40:00.003-05:00

Have you ever noticed that hotels often have pineapples as part of the decor, often built in the the structure of lamps or other decorative items?

Did you know that the pineapple is a univeral symbol of welcome and hospitality? I just learned that last week while traveling.

We've talked about symbolism a lot over the last few months, and I was thinking that ending the year on that note would work well.

Placing a pineapple, real or decorative, where it can be seen when guest arrive is a warm symbols of welcome, particularly during this busy holiday season. Bowls of peaches symbolize health and longveity and bowls of oranges bring prosperity. Both of these can be placed on the dining room table.

All cultures have symbolism that is significant and can be incorporated into the decor of your home. If there is something meaningful to you, use it. If you're interested in learning more about specific placement of a symbolic item, leave me a comment and I'm happy to help.

Wishing you a safe, warm, loving, healthy and prosperous season.

November Freebie!

2009-11-20T06:53:00.005-05:00

Yes, you read it right. It's time for a freebie!

November, the month of Thanksgiving, is the month to be thankful for all the gifts of abundance in our lives. Well, really, I try always to be grateful for these things, but now is a good time to remember if I've gotten of course.

I have many gifts to be thankful for, and one of them is that I have enough, of some things, at least, to share.

So this month's sharing will be for a 3-coin prosperity energizer. Read more about them in my June Tip of the Month post.

Leave a comment between now and November 30th. I'll draw the winner December 1st. December is a good month to start carrying one of these around in your wallet...since most of us part with a lot of cash then, not a bad idea to start drawing some back in, eh?

Tell you friends!

Feng Shui Tip of the Month: November 2009

2009-11-06T01:52:00.006-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about the theory of Feng Shui vs the reality of working with a home or workspace.

There's what's recommended, and there's what works. Sometimes they're the same, sometimes, they're really NOT.

So my tip of the month for November, to keep it simple since the holidays are approaching and my life is overfull at the moment, is just this.....

Keep it Real

And by that I mean, despite what is recommended, it still has to work for you, your space, your life, the intricate little things that make you, well YOU, and influence how you interact with your space.

In my April Tip Post, I talked about how to handle the bathroom in your home, and one of the key things with the bathroom is to keep the door shut.

When I first began using Feng Shui, keeping the bathroom door shut was a bit of an adjustment, but something that was fairly easy to do, and it's become enough of a habit that I tend to do it wherever I go now and have for about 6 years.

Enter, Luna Flowers....my daughter's Christmas kitten from 2008.

Luna will only drink fresh water. Period. Water sitting in a bowl for even a short period of time just won't do. In order to break her of the habit of jumping onto the counters to help herself to the sink, we comprimised. Luna drinks from the tub.

As a result of this, we no longer keep the bathroom door closed at all times. We fill the tub a bit and Luna drinks for several minutes. So we leave her in the bathroom, with the door open, to finish her refreshment.

I was so used to shutting the bathroom door behind me that I locked her in a number of times before readjusting my routine and leaving it open, at least when she's around. Her loud meowing to be freed, sometimes in the middle of the night, quickly broke me again of the habit of shutting the door.

This is NOT good Feng Shui, and I could tell you all the reasons why it's not. But it works for our family, so we don't sweat it.

That's the way I believe Feng Shui needs to be approached. You do the best you can to apply what you can, and you'll get good results. Where it doesn't work, skip it and move on to the things you can work with.

Have a Happy November, and a very Happy Thanksgiving. I have many blessings to be grateful for this year, and I hope you do as well.

Follow Up to the Mandarin Ducks Post with a Sweet Twist

2009-10-25T03:02:00.003-04:00

If you read October's tip of the month, here is a photo of our Rose Quartz Mandarin Ducks. If you look closely, you'll see that there are 3 in this photo. I originally purchased the set of two larger ducks (they're about 3.5" long) on the lily pad for my husband and I. Later on, in anticipation of my February Feng Shui and Love Class, I order several sets. They were quite small, only about an inch and a half long, but so cute. I sold a few and had a few left over.

A short while later Helena, our little one, wanted to know where her duck was. I immediately thought of the extra ducks, and here is Helena's, nesting on mommy and daddy duck's backs. Not traditional, but very much our family!

It's worth mentioning, since I didn't before, that the male duck is the duck with the raised wings, and the female duck has the folded wings. For same sex couples, of course, you would want to get a set of 2 male or 2 female ducks.

Also important to mention, is that to super charge these ducks, you can activate them by tying a piece of red string around each one. Be sure not to tie them together, as our paths in life can be parallel, but are ultimately still our own. Also, be sure to tie the around the waist, and never around the neck, as love can leave us feel rather breathless :-) but should never be strangling or suffocating. Another option is to place glue small red bows onto them.

Feng Shui Artwork for sale

2009-10-16T17:30:00.003-04:00

I have some symbolic pieces and other items leftover from a trade show I worked a year ago. As I pack to move, it seems a pity to move them with me-I really don't want to!

I don't think I'll have time in the next few weeks to photograph and describe what I have, but here's one piece which hangs in my own home that I already have photos of:

Chinese "Love" Character Wall Hanging:

This is a good sized piece, measuring 20.5" wide x 41" long, not including hanging ribbon. It's a parchment style roll with a thin layer of cloth over the paper. Colors are metallic gold and taupe, and are great where Earth and Metal elements are beneficial.

The meaning of this is lovely, as it symbolizes Love of family, marital partner, and friends.

The character's upper strokes represent marriage and the family. The center of the character symbolizes the heart. The lower strokes represent friends. Love of family and friends, along with a romantic heart, are combined into a single character.This wall hanging can enhance any part of your home and can be used in the bedroom or Southwest segment of the home to enhance romance.

I have 6-7 of these, and would love to discount them to $14.99 (USA shipping included). If you know anyone who may be interested, email me and I can invoice you through paypal.

Happy Weekend! First snowfall here!

Feng Shui Tip of the Month: October 2009

2009-10-08T23:33:00.002-04:00

To get back a bit to the topic of Symbolism, here's one for relationships.

To attract a new relationship, or enhance an existing one:

Place a pair of mandarin ducks on a small table or alter in your bedroom. Ideally, place them in the southwest corner of the bedroom. If this is impractical, at least place them on the southwest corner of the table. Have their tails pointing toward your Nien Yen direction. Rose Quartz ducks are my favorite. The stone carries a very pure energy. It is said to resonate with the heart chakra, and to clear negative energy.

You may ask, what the heck is a Nien Yen direction, and how do I know what mine is? The Nien Yen direction is that which is associated with good fortune in Love, Marriage and Family relationships. This and other positive and directions to be avoided for an individual are associated with the year of your birth. Google "Kua Number Calculator" and you can easily find sites where you can enter your birthdate and sex and they will determine your personal Kua number and the directions considered most positive for you.

Mandarin ducks mate for life, hence their use as a relationship symbol. There is lovely Japanese folktale about the mandarin ducks that is fun to read. Katherine Paterson has written a lovely version which we were able to get at our local library.

Feng Shui Tip: September 2009

2009-09-20T15:06:00.005-04:00

Fall is just 2 days away. I can't believe how quickly this year is speeding by.

The approach of Autumn seems a good time to revisit de-cluttering your space. How have you done with that task?

For me, it's still a work in progress. I have pared things down a bit, more can be done on that front. We'll be moving in a few weeks, so that will give me another opportunity to re-evaluate my possessions and determine what still fits, and what needs to go.

This can be a very sensitive subject. The stuff of our lives carry memories. I had a recent conversation with an acquaintance about something he was selling, something that no longer fit, but had sat around for quite awhile before he was ready to part with it. One of the comments he made, which was really poignant for me, was that he was concerned that the memories associated with the item would go with it. That the visual stimulus of seeing it triggered those memories, and without it, the memories might fade.

In my March 2009 Part A post, I touched on the idea of letting the things in your space be those the evoke positive feelings. I'd like to talk a little more about that this month.

Several years ago we received a gift from some friends, some artwork. It didn't resonate with me. There was nothing especially wrong with it, I just didn't like looking at it. I even had it framed and hung it for awhile, but it bothered me when I saw it. I finally got around to asking my husband how he felt, and as he was indifferent, we agreed to let it go. I'm happier when I walk into the room now (our home office) and the artwork I see is pleasing to me.

As we move into the fall season, and for some of us, that means a lot more indoor time, I invite you to talk a slow walk through your house and notice how you feel about the things you see. Do it when you have some time to relax and look with fresher eyes upon the things that you see every day. Are they pleasing, do you like the arrangement, the contrast? Is there anything that causes you any distress when you see it?

Sentimental items, though emotionally valuable, can sometimes carry heavy emotional energy with them. If you encounter anything like this on your journey through your home space, take some time to consider whether you could let it go. Or perhaps, just pack it away, so that you can take it out occasionally when you're feeling strong and need to revisit that time, place or person. Be gentle with yourself as you think about the memories and feelings that an item may evoke, and consider carefully what would feel best.

The goal of Feng Shui is to optimize the lives of the occupants of the home or other space. This is a very simple, but powerful thing that you can do to create better energy in your dwelling. I want my home to be a place to rest, to play, to be inspired, to join with friends and family, to create. I want to same for you.

Happy Autumn 2009.

Feng Shui Tip: August 2009, Back to School!

2009-08-26T07:08:00.010-04:00

Doesn't the feel of back to school time affect you, even if it doesn't actually impact you directly? It certainly does me. I'm not in school, and will be homeschooling our daughter this year, which does include a certain back to school energy even if the time frame isn't as strict for us. But it's all around me anyway. Living near a big college town, I'm aware of the return of the students from their summer away. The roads are fuller, the grocery store shelves are emptier as everyone restocks. Signs of "Welcome back Students" are all around. Back to school supplies are everywhere.

Some are already back to school, others are about to be. So, in honor of all of that energy, I thought I'd talk about some specific symbolism for educational success.

In classical Feng Shui, the North East direction is associated with knowledge, education, and learning new skills. Placing specific symbolic items in the North East segments of your home can support these learning endeavors.

Here are some items that can be used to support learning:

The Tribute Horse

The Tribute Horse is associated with the rapid achievement of goals. It can also be used to promote career success and legal success. The Tribute Horse carries strong yang energy, bringing with it strength, authority, energy, movement and perseverance.

Running Horses Statue

The Running Horses Statue is also associated with the rapid achievement of goals. You'll see various numbers of horses together in statues like these. I happen to have an examples with 3 Horses (which belongs to my daughter). If aiming specifically for educational success, I would choose a statue with 8 horses, as 8 is the number associated with the North East and with Education.

To use the either the Tribute Horse or the Running Horses statue for educational success, place it in the North East portion of the room. If you can, place the desk or other seating arrangement in the North East segment of the room. If this is impractical, don't worry about it. Just place the horse statue on your desk or other area used for studying. Place the statue on North East portion of your desk or table. You can also set up a small table in the room used to study, and place the statue on the North East portion of that table, or place it on a shelf.

Here's the key detail: Make sure to position the statue so that the horse appears to be entering the room. This is the critical piece. Once you've located the horse on the table, desk or shelf, the tail of the horse should be pointing toward the door, so that the horse is entering the room, not leaving it.

Other symbols which can be used for this purpose include the Cicada, an Abacus (specifically for studies in math or computing), Carp on Waves statue, Books, Globes, Diplomas, pictures of the school or university, and anything else related to the field of study.

Here's to a successful 2009-2010 school year for us all!

Feng Shui Tip of the Month: July 2009

2009-07-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

Use Symbolism for Health

After last month's introduction to the topic of Feng Shui Symbolism, I thought Health was a great place to further expand the discussion. Many of us dream of increased prosperity, of finding the right partner to share our lives with, but without health, we can't properly enjoy anything else.

In general, the bedroom is where we focus our attention when looking at enhancing health with symbols. The bedroom is where we rest, recharge our batteries and generally spend the largest amount of time in one single place (hopefully we're all getting our 8ish hours in each night).

One of the more popular symbols for Health is the Chinese Bottle Gourd, or Wu Lu.

This can be set on your nightstand, or hung on the wall near the side of the bed where you sleep.

The peach tree or the peach is also a symbol of health and longevity. A photo or painting of a peach tree could be hung on the bedroom wall to bring in this energy. Place a bowl full of peaches on the dining room table to signify health for the family.

East is the direction associated with health and longevity. Locating your health symbols either in the east section of a room or of the house can increase their potency.

Until next month (only days away!), to your health!

Feng Shui Tip of the Month: June 2009

2009-06-22T07:45:00.006-04:00

A recent conversation inspired this month's topic, but more about that later....

Use Symbolism to Bring Specific Kinds of Energy and Luck into your Life

Symbolism works on multiple levels. Symbolic items carry energy or chi, which can charge your environment with the type of energy you want to bring into your life. Placing symbolic items in your environment can also work on the subconscious level, helping you subtly focus on that which you desire.

For these reasons the strategic placement of symbolic items are an important part of the practice of Feng Shui. This is a simple, and at times very powerful way to bring about changes in your life.

A very popular symbol is the 3 Coin Prosperity Energizer.

These are used to attract money, and can be placed in many locations. Carry them in your wallet or checkbook, attach them to your cash register, computer, phone, fax machine, or to anything associated with how you generate income.

The coins used here are old style Chinese reproduction coins and the color red signifies life giving energy.

They can be found in Chinatowns and through many online sources. The wonderful instructor I trained with has them in his online shop.

I'll get more into symbolism for the home over the next few months, but until then, enjoy the last few days of June!

Feng Shui Tip of the Month: May 2009

2009-05-26T10:58:00.004-04:00

May is nearly over already as I write this...life has taken a dramatically positive twist for my family, which has absorbed a lot of time of late....

Tip: Avoid poison arrows in places where you sleep or sit often.

First of all, what the heck is a poison arrow?

Poison arrows in Feng Shui, are simply defined as sharp edges that point at sitting or sleeping places. The reason to be concerned about these are that energy, or chi, which moves everywhere in your space, tends to gather along edges and then shoot in the direction of that edge. This energy is much too sharp and direct, and can be destructive when pointed at you.

Some examples of where you'll find these are: where you have two walls coming together in a point, and along the edges of furniture where to pieces are joined and create a 90 degree angle.

Poison arrows are common throughout your home and work space, and in most cases do not present a significant problem. They are, however, an issue when they point directly at your bed or regular sitting place. To determine where the energy is pointing, follow the point from a 45 degree angle out. If it intersects your bed or chair, you'll want to take steps to break up that flow of energy.

Some simple cures are:

1) In the case of a sharp point where two walls join, hang a faceted crystal or windchime from the ceiling in front of the corner. This will difuse the energy that is pointing at your place of work or rest.

2) Place a large vase or plant stand in front of the corner to block the flow

3) Tack a piece of fabric from the ceiling down to the floor in front of the corner to block the flow of energy.

4) Drap fabric over sharp edges of furniture that point toward your bed or chair. In bedrooms especially, using furniture with softer, more rounded edges is ideal. Round nightstand tables are highly recommended.

Enjoy the last few days of May, I'll be back in June!

Feng Shui Tip of the Month: April 2009

2009-04-03T12:06:00.006-04:00

April's topic: Feng Shui Bathroom Etiquette

While etiquette is not really in the realm of Feng Shui, dealing with our bathrooms appropriately is an important Feng Shui topic.

Because the drains in the bathroom deal with waste and are therefore, of necessity, strong, they can become culprits for the escape of good energy from your dwelling as well.

To avoid this, keep your bathrooms doors closed and toilot seats down when not in use.

Because energy drains quickly in the bathroom, it's not an appropriate place to locate good luck symbols or other important decorative items. Bathroom decor should be kept simple.

Ideally, bathrooms should not be above bedrooms, kitchens, or front doors, and should also should not face the front door.

Happy April....Spring is coming, really!

Quote for the Month....

2009-03-29T17:19:00.003-04:00

To go along with our theme of clearing out this month, here's a quote that seems appropriate:

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. ~ William Morris

Happy last days of March~

PS....this is my new logo, in the works for the last several months.

Feng Shui Tip of the Month:March 2009 part B

2009-03-09T09:25:00.006-04:00

And, for part B of our Spring Cleaning segment.....

Have you finished clearing out your clutter yet? I haven't, it's an ongoing process, but I'm making progress. Once you've cleared the physical clutter, at least to a point,

2) Do a thorough Space Clearing

Space clearing is a way of cleaning out the energetic cobwebs. Space clearing is a technique used within many spiritual traditions to clean out old, stagnant energy and make way for new beginnings and desired outcomes. My husband and I included a space clearing as part of our marriage ceremony, clearing the way for a beautiful life for us together.

There are many techniques for space clearing. It can be as simple as opening the windows and burning some sage or incense in each area of the house, or as complex as using sage, salt and rice and leaving it overnight before vacuuming up.

If you subscribe to a specific religion or spiritual practice, you might research and incorporate a method used in that tradition. Below are some links to articles that give some good information on space clearing techniques.

"Feng Shui Principles for Space Clearing" by Valorie Sands-Budelis

Excerpt from "Clear Your Space, Change Your Life", By Amanda Slaz on planetbonsai

"What Space Clearing Can Do for You" by Stephanie Roberts

Space clearing can be done anytime you feel the energy in your space or life needs some freshening up. Here are some specific times when it's recommended:

After an illness (like that nasty stomach flu that went around this winter)
When moving into a new home
When someone moves into or out of the household
With each new season
During any difficult time in life
Before making significant Feng Shui changes

If your having a hard time getting through the decluttering process, it can be helpful to do a space clearing first. Sometimes when subtle blocks to change are occuring within us, something as simple and beautiful as setting the intention to clear the space and performing the steps to do so can help get things moving again in a postive direction.

I've requested some books from the library on the Feng Shui of clearing clutter....I'll be back to review them as I have the chance to read them.

Until next time, enjoy March, fickle beginning of Spring!

Feng Shui Tip of the Month: March 2009 part A

2009-03-06T21:21:00.008-05:00

In honor of spring's arrival in just a few short weeks, I'm going to recommend some cleaning, on a couple of fronts....

1) Declutter your space

The Feng Shui rationale for this is fairly simple. A very cluttered space inhibits the flow of Chi, creating a stagnation of energy which can, in turn, cause stagnation in various areas of life.

Clutter in the bedroom can cause health and relationship stagnation
Clutter in dining room can create financial stagnation
Clutter in the living room can create stagnation in friendships and family relationships
Clutter in the office (home or outside work space) can cause financial or career stagnation(this is an area I need to put some attention to)

Early Spring is a good time to clear out and take stock of what's really needed. I'm absolutely itching to get outside right now, but, at least in this climate, the weather is iffy at best, and cold and uninviting at worst. So it's a great time to take a final look at our indoor spaces before the warm weather calls our attention outside for awhile.

The goal, with Feng Shui, is always balance, and this applies here too. While we do want to avoid clutter, having an extremely stark space gives the energy of the space nothing to meander around, therefore sometimes causing rushing Chi, or Chi that moves to quickly and can cause as many problems as stagnation.

But for the purpose of this month's topic, we're focusing on the over abundance of items in our living and working spaces.

The things in your space should, ideally, uniquely reflect the occupants living there, and bring pleasure to them. Have things in your space that are beautiful and useful, and if sentimental, then let them be items that evoke positive sentiments. Anything else should be either packed away or let go of.

My daughter and I are working with the concept of letting things go. At 4, she gets the reason behind parting with clothing that no longer fits, but letting go of toys and other items is still difficult, and I choose not to push it, but let her find her own way around this. But I do like to remind her of another reason why we do this....

Several years ago, after visiting with some friends who had a great little climbing cube with a slide, Helena mentioned to me that she had "nothing fun to play on outside." Knowing what she was referring to, I said, "do you mean like the slide?" "Yes," she said. "Well," I said, "we don't have one right now, but I'm sure, if it's important, we can find one." She was satisfied with this.

Not even a week later, I was driving home from my Feng Shui course and happened to have my husband's pickup truck, since he and Helena were out and about in my car. Several blocks from home, beside a neighbor's driveway, was the very same slide with some other items, and a big sign stating "free." I quickly backed up and loaded it and brought it home, much to Helena's joy. I'm perhaps revealing my bent for the Law of Attraction, but that's a topic for another time.

The moral of this story, is that letting go of clutter can free up things in many ways, and allow the flow of abundance of the things you want into your life. And maybe, just maybe, that item you're tripping over and no longer using, will make someone else's dream come true.

Stay tuned...this month's topic has a part B.....

The month of Love....

2009-02-10T14:45:00.000-05:00

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, thoughts of love and relationship are on the minds of many. I'm teaching a class this week on finding and enhancing relationships with Feng Shui.

But today, I'd like to look at this topic in a different way. I'd to invite you, this year, starting this moment, to begin to fall in love with..........(drumroll please!).....Yourself!

When I began my Feng Shui training in 2007, one of the early classes covered the concept of Inner Feng Shui. I was unprepared for this topic, and it was a moving and enlightening experience to look at personal growth and self love as an aspect of Feng Shui.

Having good Feng Shui is very important, but Chinese culture also considers your Virtue (the good that comes to you from the life you lead) and Knowledge (the luck you create by learning and increasing your knowledge) to also be very important to a abundant and healthy life. Although others may argue to the contrary, I would venture to state that I, at least, believe there can be no greater virtue than truly loving oneself, because that kind of love can only spread and grace others as well.

Self love has been a process for me, and one that became vitally important in my life following the birth of my tiny daughter. I became aware very quickly that, at least for now, I'm possibly the role model in her life who will influence her most strongly. She looks to me for information on many topics, but most importantly on how to treat herself. If I didn't learn to truly love and honor myself, than how could I teach her to love her little self?

And so began in earnest, my quest to truly love and take good care of me. I have faltered at times, and forgotten the importance of this, and at other times I'm just not sure how to do it properly or how to fit it into my busy schedule.

But now that I have a constant reminder of the importance of this, my goal is to love myself with the depth and slow buring fire of a life long love affair, to care gently for myself, push myself forward when needed but always kindly. I invite you to find your own definition of self love and pursue it steadily. And know that there isn't anything more attractive than a confident person who loves her(him)self, so if you're hoping to find that special someone, now is the time to realize how very special you are.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Feng Shui Tip of the Month: February 2009

2009-02-03T11:01:00.004-05:00

Greetings from San Diego, where my family and I are vacationing and visiting friends and family.

I had intended to do a Valentine theme tip this month (and may still), but while traveling I was inspired in a different direction.

We're staying with some good friends who have generously given us there bedroom and are sleeping in the smaller guest room. The bed we're sleeping in is positioned directly below a large window, and I have not slept soundly since arriving. So here's the tip:

Have your bed located against a solid wall

There are several reasons for this.

First, which probably explains what I'm experiencing, is that chi or life energy, enters your home through doors and windows. Sleeping beneath a window places you much to close to that stimulating energy, which can interfere with quality sleep.

Second, it's important to sleep with the support of a solid wall behind you, because energetically that support is transferrred to you, possibly manifesting in ways such as supportive people in your life, and a feeling of support from the source, God, or universe, if you will.

To increase this feeling of support, having a solid headboard is wonderful. If resources or space won't allow for this, you can acheive the same energetic affect by tacking a heavy piece of cloth or a tapestry behind your bed.

When considering Feng Shui, particular attention is always given to any place you spend a significant amount of time, so the bedroom is of vital importance.

If, due to layout you have to place your bed under a window, keeping that window always curtained or shuttered can minimize the stimulating energy entering there and add a feeling of support. The heavier the fabric the better.

Here's to your good rest. I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed soon!

Free Upcoming Class at Greenstar Coop

2009-01-21T20:47:00.003-05:00

Just a note to mention I'll be teaching a free class next month at Greenstar Coop in Ithaca.

The class, titled Finding or Enhancing Love with Feng Shui will focus on Feng Shui you can that may help to attract a partner if you're single or enhance existing relationship energy. We'll discuss the us of symbols and furniture and artwork placement for relationship success and harmony.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 7-8:15pm at the Greenstar Coop on Fulton st, Ithaca, NY. Sign up at Greenstar.

Feng Shui Tip of the Month: January 2009

2009-01-15T12:33:00.000-05:00

So, now that I've given some of my background, on to the tip of the month.....

This may sound like a no-brainer, especially to those of us living in winter climates, but I think the topic bears some discussion:

HAVE A SHOES OFF POLICY FOR YOUR HOME

Many people already do this. It saves wear and tear on flooring and cuts down on the need for cleaning. There are some other good reasons to do this.

It can be a symbolic way of leaving the rest of the day at the door, and entering your own space free from everything except that which you truly Want to bring home with you.

Energetically, it has the same effect. Removing your shoes can help you avoid bringing unwated energy into your home.

Getting out of your shoes and getting your feet on the ground can be a grounding experience, and help you feel Home.

From a practical stand point, it can require some adjustment, especially when it's cold. I have learned to drop my groceries inside the front door and other items that need to be unloaded, and I keep my slippers waiting to welcome me home near the front door as well.

So Happy January! When I have a moment, I'll post a bit of a description of classical Feng Shui, but for now, stay warm!

Welcome to Blue Pearl Feng Shui!

2009-01-12T21:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my Feng Shui blog!

I originally had thought to send out a monthly newsletter to the small list of subscribers who have signed up either at the Ithaca Fest, or the course I taught at Green Star this past October.

Then, because it's my style, I hunted for some cool format for my newsletter and got bogged down in the idea of learning something new when I barely seem to keep up with what I have on my plate on any given day.

Finally, I discovered blogging, and this seems the ideal format to post monthly ideas and thoughts about Feng Shui, and list some upcoming events. I haven't had a chance to do much even with setting up this blog, so it will be a work in progress and evolve over time, but I thought it better to just finally get started then get bogged down once again:-)

But first, a little of my background with Feng Shui!

My husband and I moved from San Diego, California to the Ithaca, New York area in 2003. At that time we had been trying to conceive a child for about a year. Feng Shui practioner Aaron Lee Koch consulted with us on our home, with conceiving a child as one of our primary goals. We were in the process of renovating a room intended to be our bedroom, and Aaron asked how set we were on that room. We indicated that we were very set on it, so he made recommendations for us, using that particular room as our bedroom. Several months later I was still not pregnant, and getting frustrated and somewhat scared that there might be some serious reason why not. We called Aaron again and asked him what room he would have recommended for our bedroom had we been open to it. We made the recommended changes and 6 weeks later I was pregnant with our daughter Helena!

Following Helena's birth we purchased a rental property and again had Aaron consult. We were quite pleased with the results of that consult, and continue to apply his recommendations as we gradually make upgrades to the property.

Later in 2005 Aaron called and asked me if we felt that Feng Shui had been instrumental in helping us conceive. I said yes defintely, and he connected me with the producer of Real Moms, Real Stories, Real Savvy. They asked my family to appear in a segment on Feng Shui and flew us to Brooklyn for the day to shoot the film. It was fun and rather surreal, it all came together so quickly. I just watched it myself online tonight-it didn't air in our area and I didn't realize it was available to view online. I think this is recent, it wasn't there the last time I searched. Anyone interested can go to http://www.realsavvy.tv/ and search viedo by keyword "feng shui" to find our segment.

Fast forward to late 2006, when I decided to take Aaron's Feng Shui mastery course, only to find out that the course was canceled due to low enrollment, and I must wait until spring 2007 to complete the course. At the time I was disappointed, but in retrospect, the group I took the class with was so wonderful and amazing, I can't imagine it any other way.

I completed my certification work this past summer. Due to the fullness of my life in other areas, I've postponed actively seeking clients to work with until now, and in 2009 intended to ramp up my efforts to work with others wanting to use Feng Shui to enhance and empower their lives. This blog is intended to be a method of sharing what I know with those who will benefit and also to keep me fresh and thinking of Feng Shui all the time.

So again, welcome to my Feng Shui blog!