Quote for the Month....

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

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

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....

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

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

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

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!