Traveling Feng Shui

In Feng Shui you can place visualizations and affirmations in your Helpful People and Travel Area (front right corner of your home or business) to help you achieve your travel goals. You have done this and successfully arrived arrived at your destination; but unfortunately you didn’t  have the opportunity to book the perfect room. Whatever the reason, it is smart to travel with a small Feng Shui Kit. You can put one together by selecting small, lightweight items that boost, balance and circulate the Chi in any environment. For example, use a jewelry bag containing 4 round faceted crystals on strings, 4 small angels made of thick paper, 4 tea lights in their own metal cups, cleansing incense such as pine or sandalwood. When used, these items can transform a room from grim to agreeable. Also include all the necessary items such as thumb tacks, safety pins, matches, string. Also include a multicolored scarf representing the colors of the five elements (white, black, green or blue, yellow and red hues). Using the Bagua, start at the front entrance to the room and place one crystal in front of a window, and place angels in the Health, Wealth and Love areas. If the room feels especially stagnant, hang a crystal in the center of the room. Set up a place of beauty in the area where you would see as you wake up; use a 5 element cloth, incense, candles, angels and fresh flowers when available. Choose items that are light, travel well and are available at a moment’s notice.

Years ago, as I was reading Terah Collins'  book “The Western Guide to Feng Shui”, my creative daughter took it upon herself to create a Feng Shui Kit in a blue plastic makeup case for my birthday. What an amazing and useful gift! She cut out 9 angels in the colors of the Bagua, included crystals, red string, a beautiful sheer red metallic scarf with stripes of the Bagua colors, many Bagua colored candles, incense and holder. I think of her each time I use it. When traveling by plane, I select a few of the items to place in a more transportable case. It works beautifully, and the candles make for those romantic nights.

This is the kit my daughter made, and the  two love angels I placed  in the Love and Relationship corner of a  room in an Inn we recently visited.

Including All the Senses Enhances the Home's Feng Shui

The holidays are a special time for decorating and enhancing a home with love. Including  all 5 senses while enhancing your home provides a  safe haven for your evolving body and soul.

Your home is your oasis. Through your efforts, your house or apartment can become both a private sanctuary and a welcoming, serene, and healthy place to live in and visit. An organized and comfortable home can have a calming effect on you, your family, and guests, as well as be your personal escape from the rest of the world. Creating this nurturing space isn’t difficult. Even a household that includes young children or multiple animals can be a serene and peaceful place. In just a few minutes, you can make a number of changes that can turn your home into a safe and comfortable haven that you can be proud to share with your loved ones and friends.

One way to fill your house or apartment with calming energy is to imbue it with a peaceful ambiance that nurtures all five senses. Soft lighting and soothing colors like blue, purple, and green can make a space feel warm and inviting, while pleasant and calming aromas such as lavender and vanilla can positively affect moods. Peaceful sounds, such as running water in a fountain or gentle chimes can uplift and clear the space, while clearing clutter and making the most of open space can ease internal turmoil and dispel negative feelings.

During the holidays bringing in all 5 senses is easy: 1) Smell the pine trees, candles and baking,
2) Taste all the familiar holiday foods, 3) Hear carols, chimes, bells, 4) Touch the ornaments and place familiar family decorations,  and hug your family and friends, 5) Open your eves to the lights, colors and beauty surrounding you.

The changes you make to your home can be as unique as you are and may involve utilization of space, lighting, new furniture, decorating, Feng Shui, or ritual. But what you do is not as important as being clear in your intention to set up your household as a soothing and refreshing place to be. Make your home a place of comfort, and you will feel nurtured and cared for whenever you are there.

Wishing you a blessed holiday season!

Finding Restfulness in Feng Shui

       
The purpose of Feng Shui is to bring peace, harmony and a sense of serenity and restfulness to you home and your life. The serenity you create in your home has a great deal of influence on your outlook.

There are areas in your home that lend themselves nicely to peace and rest; the left front section of the structure is particularly related to “Stillness.”  In the Feng Shui  Bagua (Ba-gua) Map, represented  as a grid of nine sectors, his area is referred to as the “Knowledge and Self Cultivation Area”. It operates under the premise that we assimilate knowledge best when we also cultivate a peaceful mind by practicing some form of regular “keeping still.” This can be accomplished through meditation, contemplation, and introspection.  Knowledge is viewed as the seed of wisdom, therefore when we spend time resting, our field of knowledge will be lush and productive. This teaching reminds us that to be brilliant, creative, and productive, we must also embrace stillness. “One cannot see one’s reflection in running water, but only in still water.” Chaung Tzu

The Bagua comes from the Chinese philosophy, “The I Ching,” and literally means “eight trigrams.” In the” I Ching” the Knowledge and Self Cultivation  area of your home or business is called “still mountain” as it refers to taking the time to climb the peaceful inner space where you can integrate and assimilate your daily experiences.

Whatever room your Knowledge and Self Cultivation area resides, applying some basic Feng Shui principles can help you create a peaceful sanctuary.

The Knowledge and Self Cultivation area is located in the left front corner of your home/office/business.
     
Enhancements in this area are particularly helpful if you want to cultivate a more peaceful mind, restful space or lifestyle.
The element for the Knowledge area is Wood, and the colors are black, blues and greens, therefore representations of this element can be used inside and outside of your home or business.

Enhancements for energizing Knowledge and Self Cultivation inside your home or business:
* Keep this area clutter free, since clutter does not act to soothe the mind.
* Items in the colors of blues, greens, or black
* Items in the shape of columns or stripes
* Posters, paintings, collages and/or photos of mountains, woods, or anything that depicts a quiet outdoor space or meditation gardens, pictures or collages of figures such as teachers and wise people in your life in meditation, contemplation or repose
* Wooden tables or bookcases holding books, tapes or material being studied
* Healthy plants with rounded soft leaves

Enhancements for energizing Knowledge and Self Cultivation  outside your home or business:
* This area is best enhanced outside with beautiful lush, healthy plants.
* Figurines of people you consider wise, or blue/green gazing balls
* A wooden or wicker bench or seating area for quiet reflection
Note: If this is where your front door is located, the Chi, the vital energy, is invited to flow in through a peaceful, serene entrance.

A Missing Knowledge Area:
If your knowledge area is missing from your floor plan - I recommend anchoring this area by doing one or a combination of the following: planting a lush meditative garden, adding a bench or quiet seating area, or placing a statue or gazing ball in the corner. The key is to complete the space, and simultaneously create a peaceful environment.

With the holiday season beginning this is an excellent time to seek the nourishing peace and rest your body and mind deserve.

Feng Shui Questions and Answers

In most of the fifty newspaper columns I've written, I've given readers the opportunity to ask me questions. The answers have helped others who follow my columns and blog. Here are a few examples. You can read my columns on this site for more questions, or better yet write your own question on the blog.  Many blessings!

Sample questions from readers:
1)  Reader: “I have been reading your columns and have been trying to get pregnant for over a year. Looking at the Bagua I see that my Children’s area is the dinette area of our kitchen, which is usually filled with piles of clutter. We also keep 4 boxes of our deceased pet’s ashes on a shelf in there. Where should I move them? Can Feng Shui help me get pregnant?”

Dear Reader: “Awareness is half the battle. Yes, you definitely should move the ashes which represent loss in a place where you need to focus on new life.  If you can’t bury the ashes in your garden, giving them back to the earth, they can be placed in one of your two more spiritual Bagua areas; Knowledge and Self Cultivation or Helpful People, considering them your angels. Clean up your dinette area of all piles, decorate with whites and pastels, place 9 pictures of babies in metal frames and replace them with your pictures when the baby is born. This is a great place for a vision board. Use the area for your meals with your husband. You may even want to bring in a high chair to show the baby you are ready. Keep working with your doctor. Blessings to you, please keep me posted.”

 

2) Reader: “My mother, who lives out of state, is ill. Is there anything I can do in my own home to help? Looking at the Bagua I see that my Health and Family area is in my extra room. Sadly this is my cat room. It basically has cat boxes and a couch for them to lie on, and I otherwise use the room for storage. Does this matter? What can I do?”

Dear Reader: “The good news is Yes, you can definitely send your mother positive energy, and hopefully help her through her illness by incorporating Feng Shui into your own home. In Feng Shui every space counts (closets and attached garages included). The first thing you need to do is clean, declutter and straighten the room. If you can’t move the cat boxes at least place them in covered containers and keep them clean. The Health area of the Bagua is governed by the Wood element, therefore bringing in shades of blues and greens and healthy plants is essential. Flowers symbolize good health, so hang pictures of radiant flowers, as well as adding floral carpet, throw pillows or a flowered throw on the couch. I recommend placing one or more flowering orchids in the room, which are powerful Ch’i enhancers. Display pictures of your mother in a state of good health with affirmations such as “Mom is healthy and thriving.” If possible hang a 30 mm round faceted crystal in the center of the room to move the energy. Your cats will like this transformation also. If possible, have your mom do this in her own home also.  I wish you mother good health and many Feng Shui blessings.”

3) Reader: “When is the best time for a Feng Shui consultation?”

Dear Reader: “Just the fact that you’re asking indicates that you are ready for a consultation. One of the best reasons for a Feng Shui consultation is simply to get yourself “unstuck”.  Feng Shui can reduce your stress, improve your sense of life balance, and support your health and prosperity. I recommend Feng Shui consultations at major life transition points like a home renovation or move, marriage, divorce, a new baby, moving into a new office, starting a business are all perfect opportunities to attract fresh, auspicious Ch’i energy into your life. An initial consultation takes approximately two hours and can have amazing results.”
 “unstuck”.  Feng Shui can reduce your stress, improve your sense of life balance, and support your health and prosperity. I recommend Feng Shui consultations at major life transition points like a home renovation or move, marriage, divorce, a new baby, moving into a new office, starting a business are all perfect opportunities to attract fresh, auspicious Ch’i energy into your life. An initial consultation takes approximately two hours and can have amazing results.”

Create Passion Through Feng Shui

In Feng Shui it is a known fact that your environment is either supporting you or draining you. If you are looking to put more passion into your current relationship, or find a new relationship, Feng Shui can definitely help. Look to your bedroom for support and follow these simple guidelines for helping you create a passionate atmosphere.

1. Begin by evaluating your bedroom. What is it saying to you? Does it set the scene for the relationship you want, is it calm and nourishing, or is it a room filled with piles, one that you don't think too much about because you only sleep, or maybe try to sleep there.

2. Let go of anything you don't want to bring into your present or upcoming relationship. Remove pictures of children and family members; just pictures of your mate or romantic representations here – and items in pairs to represent “two –ness.”

3. The bedroom is your romantic boudoir, therefore it is important to remove exercise equipment, desk, and computers.  This energy will conflict with the purpose of the bedroom - serenity, romance and renewal. If necessary, use a screen to separate these different functions.

4. Remove the television from your bedroom. The television is a more vibrant, yang energy, which can make it less relaxing for sleep, and take your attention away from your partner. If you have to have one in the bedroom, place it in an armoire so it can be closed off when sleeping.

5. Move your bed to the ideal Feng Shui position, which is as far away from the door as possible, and with a clear view of the door from where you lie. If you cannot see the door easily, this will set up an unconscious vulnerability that will affect the quality of your sleep and other aspects of your life.

6.  Get a new bed and bedding if your bed holds memories of past relationships. Your bed holds the energy of anyone who has slept in it, so invest in the best possible bed and begin anew.

7.  The most draining thing in Feng Shui is clutter. Clutter affects all areas of your life more than anything else, and your bedroom is no exception. Clutter here will be affecting your health, your prosperity, and both existing and potential relationships. Begin your Feng Shui journey by decluttering your bedroom, and closet.

8. Art work is a powerful enhancement in creating your life. Position images of pairs of things in your bedroom and relationship areas of your home. Place pictures of you and your partner and/or romantic representations above the bed and around the room. Wherever you bedroom is in your home bring in accents of the red spectrum to symbolize the fire element.

9. Make space for a relationship by having items in pairs; two lamps, nightstands, pillows, and even two bathrobes in the bathroom.

10. The relationship you have with yourself is the most important. To love another you must first love yourself. Nurture yourself with your favorite scented candles, music and sensual fabrics.

11. Express gratitude for the love that you already have in your life; family friends, pets, interests. Wake up feeling thankful for the love that surrounds you and more blessings will come.

Opportunities for Feng Shui Classes

Have you ever wanted to learn more about Feng Shui?  Here is your golden opportunity!

I'm offering my Feng Shui series of 4 classes again in Walnut Creek through Acalanes Adult Ed, and registration is now open.  It is course number 05-7427 and will be offered on Thursdays from 1-3 pm. beginning on Sept. 17th.
                                           

You can register through www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/adulted
I’m looking forward to seeing you all soon.
For more information go to: http://www.fengshuibymaria.com/events-classes.html

Feng Shui Newspaper Columns

I’ve had the honor and pleasure of being a Feng Shui newspaper columnist for the last 4 years, and have loved every minute of it.  I’ve currently written 48 columns, and as I near my 50th anniversary I reflect on all the topics I’ve covered and the readers I have met along the way.

I’ve now created a Table of Contents to help readers locate them with ease.
They can be found on http://www.fengshuibymaria.com/newspaper-columns.html   Enjoy!

Feng Shui Basics:
•    Feng Shui and the Bagua – Aug. 2011, Oct. 2014, May 2015
•    Anchoring Your Home – Nov. 2013
•    Decluttering Your Home – July 2011, Oct. 2013, Jan. 2015
•    Finding Balance With the 5 Elements and Yin and Yang – Sept. 2011, Oct. 2011
•    Common Cures for Problem Areas – May 2013
•    Vision Boards – Aug. 2013

The 9 Bagua Areas:
•    Career – Nov. 2011, March 2015
•    Knowledge and Self Cultivation – Dec. 2011, June 2013
•    Health, Friends and Family – Jan. 2012, April 2013, May 2014
•    Wealth and Prosperity – March 2012
•    Fame and Reputation – April 2012
•    Love, Marriage and Weddings – Feb. 2012, Feb. 2013
•   Children and Creativity – May 2012, Sept. 2013, March 2014
•    Helpful People and Travel – June 2012, July 2013, June 2014, April 2015
•    Centering and Grounding – July 2012

Feng Shui in the Home:
•    Bathrooms – Oct. 2012
•    Bedrooms – Aug. 2012
•    Dining Rooms – Nov. 2012, Nov. 2014
•    Entrances – Sept. 2012
•    Gardens - March 2013
•    Holiday Decorating and Gift Giving – Dec. 2014
•    Kitchens – Dec. 2012, Dec. 2013
•    Offices (Home and Business) – Jan. 2013,  April 2014
•    Selling, Buying, Energizing a Home – July 2014, Aug. 2014, Sept. 2014

Lunar New Years:
•    Year of the Horse – Jan. 2014, Feb. 2014
•    Year of the Sheep – Feb. 2015