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- Do you have a question you'd like Aaron Lee Koch to answer in the monthly
- "Feng Shui - Ask The Practitioner" column?
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- Submissions become the property of AmeriChi Feng Shui and may be edited for space and clarity.
- A Sampling from Past
- "Feng Shui - Ask The Practitioner" Columns
- Dear Practitioner,
- I have been in a series of bad relationships, and I really want things to change. What can I do to create a better love life for myself?
- Nancy
- Howell, NJ
- Dear Nancy,
- While there are many factors that go into a good relationship, good feng shui can definitely help! Take the following steps:
- ¨ remove distractions (TV, exercise machines, etc.) from the bedroom
- ¨ remove all mirrors from your bedroom, especially if they reflect the bed
- ¨ replace pictures of single persons or animals with pictures of happy couples
- ¨ ensure that both sides of your bed are easily accessible
- ¨ place a pair of manderin ducks or lovebirds, made of rose quartz, porcelain, or clay, in the southwest corner of your bedroom
- ¨ place a pair of red or pink scented candles in the southwest corner of your bedroom
- ¨ place a large round earthenware pot or jar in the southwest sector of your home
- SLEEPING DIRECTIONS
- Dear Practitioner,
- I was born on July 10, 1963 and my husband, who is the primary breadwinner, was born on November 16, 1962. Which direction should our bed face?
- Meg
- Ellenville, NY
- Dear Meg,
- This is an excellent question since the direction in which a person sleeps can determine how restful a night they will have, and can have an effect on their overall health. Using an individual’s date of birth, their lucky and unlucky directions can be calculated. Traditionally, the direction that is best for the primary breadwinner took precedence. In modern feng shui, we try to determine the overall best direction for both individuals. The west is a good sleeping direction for both you and your husband. For your husband, west represents Tien Yi, the best health direction. For you, west is Nien Yen, the longevity direction. The head of your bed should point towards the west.
- FOUNTAIN IN THE HOUSE
- Dear Practitioner,
- What effect would a small fountain have in my house?
- Doug T.
- Danbury, CT
- Dear Doug,
- Flowing water can bring prosperity, as long as it is properly positioned. In general, a fountain would be best located in the north or southeast sectors of a home. However, a fountain should not be placed in a bedroom. In the north, it will help create career success. In the southeast, a fountain would help attract material wealth.
- A WELCOMING FRONT ENTRANCE
- Dear Practitioner,
My front door is white with a small covered porch, and faces south. There is a walkway from the porch to the driveway. Could I make the front entrance more welcoming by putting a walkway directly from the front porch to the street?
Barbara M.- Endicott, NY
- Dear Barbara,
A walkway from your main door to the street would be auspicious. The walkway should be curved rather than straight, and also of a comfortable width. A straight walkway would be a powerful "poison arrow", shooting harsh & negative energy right to your main door.
Your front door faces south. South is associated with the element fire and the color red. Also, red attracts positive energy and prosperity to a main entrance. Consider repainting your door a bright shade of red. Also, keep your main entrance brightly lit.
Since south is also the direction associated with the celestial
phoenix, a statue of a bird would be auspicious and could be placed alongside the new walkway. A bird about to take flight symbolizes the beginning of good times!
BASEMENT STUDIO APARTMENT - Dear Practitioner,
- How do I bring about prosperity in a basement studio, where the Southeast corner of the room is missing. There is an outside stairwell that leads to the apartment upstairs. Outside my basement window lie trash cans that
cannot be moved. Since the studio is my living and bedroom together, I cannot place a small water fountain in this area. Or can I? I need help desperately to bring in more money to live in New York City.
Starving Artists, Astoria, NY
Dear Starving Artists,
An oddly-shaped basement studio starts out with serious challenges to its feng shui, and these would certainly be a barrier to your wealth luck. However, there are effective "cures" that can be put in place.
The southeast is associated with wealth. With the SE corner of your studio missing, thereby forming an "L", it can be treated as 2 rooms - the main area being one & the alcove formed by the "L" being another. Try to demarcate the living and sleeping areas using a decorative screen. It can be as effective to energize the small (room-level) chi in the SE of each "room", as it would be to energize the large (apartment-level) chi.
Take the following steps:
A basement does not do a good job of attracting auspicious energy. This can be helped by a brightly lit entrance. Place a bright light or a small crystal chandelier over the inside of the entranceway.
Improve the view through that window! Consider attractive
sheer curtains. Hang a crystal in the center of the window. If the sun comes through, you will get little rainbows of good fortune all over the room.
Soften the jutting corner formed by the "L". A small round pedestal with a laughing Buddha or a Chinese wealth god would be ideal!
In the SE sector of your living area, place a healthy & thriving jade plant. Underneath the plant, place a large denomination dollar bill - the plant will symbolically grow the money!
A small water fountain in the north or southeast of your living area would be fine, away from the sleeping area. Turn it off at night!
Get a three-legged toad and place it on the floor under a piece of furniture near your front door, facing in.
Purchase some old Chinese coins. These have square holes in the center, and one side has 4 Chinese characters - this is the "yang" side. Tie 3 of these coins together using a red thread or ribbon. Make several sets! Place them in your wallet or purse. Glue a set, "yang" side up, on each of your sources of income (rubber cement works well). If opportunities may come to you
through the mail, glue a set to the mailbox. I have them on my phone and computer monitor, too!
And let's not forget the "inner feng shui". Practice gratitude! Avoid a complaining or resentful attitude. Appreciate that which you do have and you will attract even more!
DORM LIVING - Dear Practitioner,
What advice would you give about creating harmony in a dorm room? Many entry level students are nervous and uncomfortable during the first few months in the college setting. How can students create a comfortable, relaxing, homey environment in a not too comfortable and very small area? What familiar items would you tell a college student to bring from home? And, what items, arrangement, and decoration would you suggest to keep students from becoming lonely?
Rebecca S. - SUNY Plattsburgh, NY
- Dear Rebecca,
- When moving into a furnished dorm room, a first step should be a space clearing ceremony to clear out residual energy left behind by prior occupants. An excellent book on this is “Space Clearing: How to Purify and Create Harmony in Your Home”
by Denise Linn. - College students should sleep with their heads pointed towards their personal Fu Wei, or personal growth direction, and they should face that direction when studying. If you send me your birthdate, I can tell you which direction is your Fu Wei. The study desk should be located in the northeast sector of the room, since that sector is associated with education. Place a quartz crystal on the northeast corner of the desk.
- To minimize homesickness, I would encourage students away at school to maintain close ties with their family. The east sector of the room is associated with family and would be an auspicious location for happy photos of their family back home.
- The southwest is associated with relationships. The southwest sector can be energized with a bright standing lamp. This will give a boost to the student’s social life and help prevent loneliness.
- HELPFUL FRIENDS NEEDED
- Dear Practitioner,
- I really need helpful friends! Except for a closet, the northwest sector of my apartment is missing. Should I put something on one of the shelves? Maybe a wind chime on the closet ceiling? There is a bathroom on the other side of the closet wall, used by tenants in my rooming house. Should I do something there?
- Barbara K., Seaside Heights, NJ
Dear Barbara, - Energizing the northwest sector of your home will help ensure that you have the mentors and “helpful friends” that you need in your life.
- The tenant's bathroom is not the answer - when you energize a bathroom, you are basically asking for your luck to go down the drain.
- The thing to do in this case is to energize the "small chi" in the northwest sector of your own bedroom.
- In the northwest corner of your bedroom, hang a picture of the powerful CHIEN trigram. This is nothing more than 3 horizontal stripes.
- You can create the picture yourself using colored tape &/or paper &/or foil. Use any combination of white, silver, gold, or gray. Silver on gold or vice versa would be especially auspicious!
- In the same corner: Hang a wind chime of 6 hollow metal rods. Locate one or more crystals or stones there. If you own an electric fan, place it there. Do NOT have any type of lamp located in that corner. Do NOT have anything with the color red there.
- INTERIOR BRICK
- Dear Practitioner,
- I am moving into a newly renovated apartment where most of its layout is great in terms of Feng Shui. The one drawback is that our front door faces west. Also, the first thing you see when you walk in is a flat 2 foot wide brick column that sort of juts out but is not right in your face. We were thinking of hanging or displaying something inviting and pleasant there but don't know what. Any advice on making the entrance inviting and harmonious?
Also, at least half of our walls are exposed brick. We love the brick, but are wondering if we need to balance all the red (fire) or brick (earth) with another element?
John R. - Dear John,
Without having more information, I do not know why a west-facing door is a "drawback". It is true that in ancient China, south was considered the best direction for a main door to face. However, this is not a requirement for good Feng Shui.
With the information given, it is difficult to evaluate the impact of the brick column on your main door. However, the main door is so important that great effort should be taken to protect it from "poison arrows" and other negative energy sources. A good solution would be to cover the wall having a jutting column with a decorative screen or with several tall potted plants.
An excellent feature for an entry hall is a large Laughing Buddha facing the door. It is believed that the Laughing Buddha delights in carrying away people's troubles and replacing them with happiness and prosperity. I have one in my entry hall and it is wonderful to see the Buddha's smile as you walk in the door!
It is desirable to have a balance of elements in each room of your home. The five elements used in Feng Shui are fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Specific elements should be emphasized in each directional sector of your home, but always with the other 4 elements present! In the south, emphasize the fire element. In the southwest, northeast, and center, emphasize earth. In the west and northwest, emphasize metal. In the north, emphasize water. And, in the east and southeast, the emphasis is on wood. The presence of the other elements is always needed to balance, feed, and control the predominant element.
Red brick walls represent the elements earth, fire, and wood. Earth is represented by a brick's earthern material. Fire is represented by its red color. Wood is symbolized by its rectangular shape. Each element relates to the other elements in specific ways. Wood nourishes and strengthens fire, and is kept under control by fire. Fire nourishes earth, and is controlled by earth. Earth is strongly dominated by wood. However, in red brick walls, the fire-weakened wood will not keep the fire-strengthend earth under control. The result is a balance of 3 elements, with only earth left strong enough to be a factor. In the northeast, southwest, and center sectors of your home, earth is energizing. Elsewhere, do not let the earth element dominate the room. The addition of wood in the form of plants will cure this.
INCREASING PROSPERITY- Dear Practitioner,
For financial reasons, I became interested in Feng Shui last summer when I lost my job. I bought a book about it, purchased a compass, tied a red ribbon around one of my plants, put some coins underneath it, and faced it southeast. Also, put crystals in the front windows of my house facing east. My front door is white with a small covered porch (with chimes) facing east. There is a straight wide walkway from the front porch to the sidewalk and a tree on the street side of the sidewalk. I cannot change the walkway from straight to curved.
How can I improve my chances of prosperity after being laid off from a job I liked a lot? What else could I do to improve the nature and flow of energy into my environment?
Barbara- Binghamton, NY
- Dear Barbara,
- It sounds like there are problems with the energy coming through your front door. Since the main door of your house impacts the flow of "chi" throughout the house, these problems need attention.
- Is the tree directly facing your front door? If it is a distance away, a metal wind chime between the door and the tree will deflect the "poison arrow". The wind chime should not be directly in front of the door, and its size and positioning should insure that nobody will walk or sit under it. However, if the tree is so close and imposing as to block the positive energy coming in, then it is advisable to place a small Pa Kua mirror over the door as a defensive measure. This is an octagon-shaped symbol with a small mirror in the center. It is available with flat, convex, or concave mirrors. In this case, a flat mirror should be used. Make sure, at the very least, that no branches are pointing right at your door. If so, those branches should be removed. Place a large black mat on the porch in front of the door.
- Although you cannot reroute your walkway, you can still slow down the rushing energy aimed directly at your front door. Use bushes, flower beds, or lights located along both sides of the walkway but not opposite each other. This will produce a slower meandering flow of energy.
- Ensure that your entryway is well lit, inside and out. The porch should have a bright light, and a crystal chandelier would be ideal for the entry hall. These can be purchased at most home centers and needn’t be expensive.
- I am very sorry that you lost a job that you liked, however I take the attitude that when one door in life closes there is a better door waiting to be opened. Rather than feeling bad about what was lost, be open to the possibility that far better opportunities are waiting for you to snatch them up! Decide what you really want to do next, prepare yourself adequately, and let the world get out of your way!
- Here are a couple of power tips to help you along:
- Place a water feature in the north sector of your home (but not in your bedroom). This will help to activate your career prospects. A small fountain would be great. Or, if you like fish and can give them the care and attention they need, a small aquarium would be extremely auspicious. Fill it with 9 goldfish – 8 gold in color and 1 black.
- Create a "wealth ship". Obtain a nice-sized wooden model of a merchant ship, such as a Chinese Junk. Place it on a table in your entry hall, facing in. Load up the deck with coins, jewelry, and imitation gold ingots. There are also large gold plastic ships imported from China which work very well. Your wealth ship will symbolize prosperity and career success coming into your life!
- FENG SHUI FOR CARS
- Dear Practitioner,
- I have incorporated feng shui throughout my house and life and have great success with it and absolutely love it!
I was wondering if any particular color is more auspicious than others when purchasing a new car? The car that we will be purchasing is primarily for my husband's every day use but of course I will be riding along with him on weekends.
My husband's birthday is December 24, 1958, and my birthday is November 13, 1959.
Also, would it be helpful for my husband to hang a crystal from his rearview mirror for protection. He has a daily, 180-mile round trip highway commute, and I would like him to have as much protection as possible!
Thanks so very, very much for your help!- Blessings to you,
Doris
Wall, NJ
Dear Doris,
There are no automobile colors that are better across the board. However, certain colors are better for you as an individual.
According to Feng Shui, everything in the universe is categorized under five
basic elements. Colors are associated with the elements as follows:
Earth - brown, yellow, beige, terra cotta, earth tones
Metal - white, gray, silver, gold
Water - blue, black
Wood - green
Fire - red, purple
Certain colors fall under more than one element, depending on the shade. For example, a vivid "hot" orange would be fire, while a duller "earthy" orange would represent earth.
The elements relate to each other in specific ways, and the most important of these is the "cycle of creation":
Earth creates Metal (metal is mined from the earth)
Metal creates Water (water condenses onto cool metal)
Water creates Wood (water nourishes trees)
Wood creates Fire (wood fuels fire)
Fire creates Earth (ashes return to the earth)
Each calendar year is also associated with one of the elements, and the element of your birth year is believed to influence your life. The most nourishing and supportive colors for you would be colors representing the element of the year of your birth, AND the colors associated with the
element that CREATES your birth year element.
For a person born, for example, in a wood year, green would be excellent since that is the color of wood. Blue or black, the colors of water, are also just as beneficial since water creates wood.
Since many of us spend a great deal of time in our vehicles, it is a good idea to drive a car in one of our most beneficial colors.
Based on your birthdates, earth is the element for both you and your husband.
The best car colors for you would be earth or metal colors, including brown, yellow, beige, terra cotta, earth tones, white, gray, silver, and gold.
Hanging a Mayan Music Ball by a red ribbon from the rear view mirror is believed to offer protection in a car. A Mayan Music Ball is a small silvery ball, hand made in Central America, about 3/4" in diameter, hollow and with a bell inside. These are popular in England but a bit tricky to find locally. I've noticed that several British companies on the internet will ship them over. Do a web search on "Mayan Music Balls". Of course, this must be used in conjunction with safe driving practices. Personally, I stick to a safe speed and try to make sure there is plenty of space all around my car at all times.
WIND CHIMES- Dear Practitioner,
- How are wind chimes used in Feng Shui? Are all wind chimes equally effective?
- Windy,
- Delhi, NY
- Dear Windy,
- In Feng Shui, windchimes are used both to cure certain types of problems, and to enhance positive energy. Generally, the windchimes used in traditional Feng Shui are made of hollow metal rods. If the windchime is the type that is topped by a metal pagoda, this is considered especially auspicious. Windchimes made of glass, ceramic, shells, solid metal rods or other materials are mainly decorative and are generally not effective for the practice of Feng Shui.
- Here are a few applications of windchimes in Feng Shui:
- When the chi, or life energy, rushes through a room, as in a long narrow hallway, windchimes can be used to slow the energy down.
- In a room where there is an excess of earth energy, or where the Flying Star Feng Shui formulas show detrimental energy caused by an earth element “star”, a 6-rod metal windchime can alleviate the problem.
- When a jutting corner of a wall or piece of furniture creates a “poison arrow”, the sharp shooting energy can be dispersed by a windchime.
- When a slanted ceiling or an exposed beam produces detrimental downward pressure, a windchime is one possible cure for this architectural feature.
- Two or more doors in a row produce chi that is excessively sharp. A windchime between the doors can improve this.
- Windchimes help to counter negative or stagnant energy that may be present in certain rooms.
- In the western sector of a home, a 6 or 7-rod windchime will enhance the luck and development of the children in the household.
- In the northwest sector of a home, a 6 or 7-rod windchime will help insure that the occupants have the needed support of mentors and helpful people in their lives.
- Windchimes are beautiful and their sound helps maintain a healthy flow of chi in the home. However, in most situations, windchimes are effective even if they never make a sound.
- Metal windchimes should not be hung in the southeast or east sectors of a home, as they will be destructive to the wood energy needed in those sectors.
- Windchimes should be hung out of the way, where nobody will walk or sit under them.
- HOUSE PLANTS
- Dear Practitioner,
- Are house plants beneficial to the feng shui of a home? What about cut flowers? Dried flowers? Artificial flowers?
- Jean D.
Syracuse, NY
Dear Jean,
House plants are excellent – they help circulate the good chi in your home, they help keep the air fresh, and can contribute to good luck and prosperity!- Some house plants are considered more desirable than others. Among the best are jade plants and philodendrons.
- Certain types of plants should not be kept in the house. For example:
- Avoid cacti or any other plants with thorns.
- Plants with pointed or spiky leaves, such as yucca and most palms, are best not kept in the house.
- Bonsai trees, with their stunted energy, are to be avoided.
- Cut or artificial flowers bring welcome color to the house. Dried flowers should not be used.
- BAD HABITS AND FENG SHUI
- Dear Practitioner,
- I am trying to implement Feng Shui in my home and life. I would absolutely LOVE to have a consultant, such as yourself, come to my home but money is a HUGE problem for us. Here's the question - Can bad personal habits (smoking, eating sugar and fat) affect the feng shui that one tries to implement?
- Thank you,
- DJ
- Endwell, NY
- Dear DJ,
- Feng Shui, properly applied, tends to make our environment more comfortable, less harsh, and generally healthier. When someone experiences an improvement in the Feng Shui of their home, they often become more sensitive to their surroundings and more aware of what is going on around them.
- Smoking, poor diet, and other habits that we know to be unhealthy, are often about pushing down feelings, emotions and needs that we may not be ready to deal with directly. These habits tend to make us less sensitive to our environment and our surroundings, and this in turn makes it more difficult to recognize where bad Feng Shui may be causing us problems.
- But don’t despair! It's true that unhealthy habits may make it more difficult to be sensitive to your surroundings. However, it works both ways! Improving your Feng Shui can improve overall health! Many people find that when they live and work in surroundings that support their health and their personal goals, it becomes easier and more natural to live in a healthier way, and easier to gradually put aside habits that are not helpful.
- I feel that, in order to get the very best results from Feng Shui, some "inner Feng Shui" work is often called for! By "inner Feng Shui", I mean learning to really love ourselves, and to become more sensitive to our own needs. This may sound selfish at first glance, but it really is not. When you learn to really love, accept, and care for yourself and your feelings, you'll find that you have so much more to offer to others! For the very best in "inner Feng Shui", I recommend the work of Louise Hay. Consider reading "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise L. Hay. I was fortunate enough to discover this wonderful book when it first came out in the mid-1980's, and it really did change my life!
- FENG SHUI PACKAGE DESIGN
- Dear Practitioner,
- I work in package design for a major manufacturer of personal care products. In recent years, there has been a trend toward herbal products. I believe that a segment of that same market would like to see packaging designed with Feng Shui in mind. Do you have any suggestions?
- Dave
- New York, NY
- Dear Dave,
- Use of Feng Shui in packaging is a good idea. However, when properly applied, you would never know that Feng Shui was used. Here is how authentic Feng Shui would be applicable to packaging a personal care product:
1. Use a color combo that is extremely visible and clear, such as red lettering on a yellow background.
2. Having said that, due to the nature of the product, focus on the water element – represented by blues & blacks, and wavy lines or shapes - or on the wood element - represented by greens & rectangular designs.
3. Use a logo that does not point destructively nor otherwise cause harm to the company or product names.
4. Print the company and product names in large and prominent lettering.
5. Use auspicious measurements when designing the package size – certain measurements promote good luck while other measurements may hinder it.
Some market segments would probably like to see a Feng Shui design that is gimmicky but not authentic. For example, packaging based on the cycle of 5 elements, or featuring objects generally associated with Feng Shui such as windchimes, fountains, etc. While such a gimmick may appeal to certain individuals, correct use of authentic Feng Shui will greatly promote the success of a product in the consumer marketplace. - CANDLES
- Dear Practitioner,
- I like to burn candles and have some really wonderful ones. Where, in my house, can I burn these either auspiciously or at least where they'll do no harm?
- Thanks so much,
- Laurie B.
- Elmira, NY
Dear Laurie,- Candles are a great addition to a home as they tend to stimulate the flow of chi, or life energy. Of course, candles should be used with care and lit candles should not be left unattended.
- Candles primarily add stimulating yang energy. In the living room, where the stimulation of yang energy is desired, candles can be used to add uplifting color and scent, and to help keep the positive energy flowing.
- In the south sector of your home, candles enhance the fire energy that promotes a good reputation and getting your name or business known.
- On the dining table, candlelight creates a soft romantic mood.
- Do not overuse candles in a room used mainly for relaxation and sleep, in which the emphasis should be on quiet and calm yin energy. Having said that, a single pair of candles in the southwest sector of the bedroom is very positive for romantic relationships. Red or pink scented candles are best for this purpose.
- A HEALTHIER HOME
- Dear Practitioner,
- I recently had a bilateral lung transplant, and I am moving into a new home soon. I would like to know what I can do to my house to make it a healthy environment. I am also getting married, so I have a few things on my plate. What could you suggest that would create a healthy place to live?
- Also, My birthday is February 8th, 1977, what direction shall I sleep? My fiance's birthdate is June 11, 1977.
Heidi - Bakersfield, CA
- Dear Heidi,
- There are many steps you can take to make your home a healthier place. Here are some suggestions:
- · perform a thorough space clearing on your new home.
- · avoid clutter - have a yard sale before the move.
- · hardwood or linoleum floors are preferable to wall-to-wall carpeting; small area rugs that can be washed often are fine.
- · whenever you enter the house, leave your outdoor shoes at the door; ask your guests to do the same.
- · use natural cleaning and laundry products, such as citrus or tea tree oil-based products - avoid harsh chemicals or perfumes.
- · avoid "anti-bacterial" soaps and cleaning products.
- · do not use aerosol sprays indoors.
- · stay back from electronic equipment, including TVs and computers, and keep electronic alarm clocks at least 3 feet from your bed!
- · avoid microwave oven use, and stay away while it cooks.
- · avoid using hand-held cell phones.
- · invest in a HEPA air cleaner.
- · install an effective water filter.
- · use hypo-allergenic vacuum bags.
- · use bedding made of natural materials.
- · sleep with your head pointed in your "tien yi", or best health, direction - send me your birthdate & I'll tell you which direction this is.
- · protect yourself with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.
- · keep your home well-ventilated year-round.
- · use full-spectrum lighting; avoid halogen or flourescent bulbs.
- · ensure that no sharp corners, or other "poison arrows", point at you when you sit or sleep.
- · ensure that no "poison arrows" are aimed at your main door - this includes tree branches pointed at the door.
- · display symbols of longevity, such as a healthy bamboo plant, a statue of a tortoise, and a small dried bottle gourd
- Your "lucky" directions are:
- S – growth, personal development, advancement luck
- SE – health & longevity luck
- N – love, marriage, & family luck
- E – wealth & success luck
- Your fiance's best directions are:
- SW – growth, personal development, advancement luck
- W – health & longevity luck
- NW – love, marriage, & family luck
- NE – wealth & success luck
- As you can see, your directions are in conflict with those of your fiance. The best "compromise" sleeping directions would be the east or northeast, as these will be the least negative for your fiance and for you respectively. In most bedrooms, only one of these two directions will allow the headboard to rest against the wall, and I would recommend that as your best overall sleeping direction.
- COLORS FOR BUSINESS
- Dear Practitioner,
I am a fitness and bodybuilding instructor. Can you please advise me what color (or dominant color) I should use for my office, and on my business cards and stationery. And, should I wear predominantly black clothing?
My date of birth is June 5, 1954.
Thank you very much,
Calvin
Singapore- Dear Calvin,
One of the underlying principles of Feng Shui is wu-xing, or the five elements. Everything in our world can be seen in terms of these five elements. Here are the elements and their basic associated colors: - EARTH METAL WATER WOOD FIRE
- brown white blue green red
- beige gray black aqua purple
- yellow silver
- gold
- The elements relate to each other in specific ways, one of which is the "cycle of creation":
- EARTH creates METAL creates WATER creates WOOD creates FIRE creates EARTH
- Each year is associated with an element. You were born in 1954, a year of the wood element. Wood, as you can see above, is represented by shades of green. Water, represented by blues and black, is the element that creates wood. Therefore, speaking in very general terms, a shade of blue or green may be an energizing color for your office walls.
Now, let me explain why the above information is only a generality. Buildings have unseen energies, also called "flying stars", flowing through them. This energy is unique to each structure, and changes over time. To know the office colors that will really bring you the greatest success, it is important to detemine how the unseen energies actually lay out. This can be determined using the ancient formalae of traditional Feng Shui. These consider the building's construction date, its exact positioning on the earth, and other factors. Wood (green) or water (blue) energy in your office, which appears beneficial to you in general terms, may or may not actually help you. A professional consultation, using the methodologies of traditional Feng Shui, could determine this for you.
Now, to your question about black clothing. Black represents water and water creates wood, which is the element of your birth year. Therefore, black clothing would be fine for you. But, in choosing clothing, other factors in addition to your personal element should be considered. Does black feel good to you? Does it go well with your personal coloring? Is it compatible with the climate? Dark colors attract heat while light colors reflect it. Therefore, wearing black during the daytime in tropical Singapore, could prove very uncomfortable!
Like everything else, each type of business is related to one or more of the five elements. For your business cards and stationary, consider the element associated with the business you are in, OR the element that creates that element (see the "cycle of creation" above). - Metal is the element of the computer and electronics industries, jewelry, machinery, automobiles, government and the law. Wood relates to gardening, lumber, furniture, carpentry, publishing, crafts, art and design, hospitals, and manufacturing. Water is associated with energy, media, communication, travel and transportation, cleaning services, employment services, drinking establishments, banking and investments. Fire deals with department stores, hair styling and beauty, marketing, fashion, chemicals, restaurants and food. Earth represents agribusiness, antiques, real estate, construction, and warehousing.
- LIGHTNING STRIKES REPEATEDLY
- Dear Practitioner,
- I am writing on behalf of 2 friends who live in your area. They do a lot of energy work in their veterinary practice, and have become interested in Feng Shui. They have added just a few crystals, a fountain, a Pa Kua mirror, and made a few other general changes to improve energy in their home and office.
- For some reason, their buildings keep being hit hard by lightning. In the past 5 years, lightning has 4 times completely destroyed their phone system and computers – even computers that were not on! Does this mean anything in terms of Feng Shui?
- Can you suggest any way of moderating whatever energy in causing these serious and destructive lightning hits?
- I don’t know if this could make any difference, but they do have electric fences for their horses – though so do other people who don’t get hit by lightning.
- Thank you for any help you can give!
- Olga
- Richmond, ME
- Dear Olga,
- It is not very unusual for a building to attract lightning. The Empire State Building, an extreme example, is hit about 25 times a year.
- Judging from the property map included with your letter, certain characteristics of your friend’s property may contribute to the lightning strikes. These include the fact that the house juts out of the hillside, the scarcity of trees nearby, and the close proximity of the pond.
- Several Feng Shui principles may help to improve this situation.
- Ideally, a home or business site should be surrounded by four symbolic celestial animals which serve a protective function. These are the tortoise, which can be represented by a hill, tall trees, or a high fence behind the building. The dragon is usually a mound or tall plantings to the left of the structure (looking from the outside). The tiger is a mound or plantings to the right or the structure. The dragon should always be taller than the tiger. The 4th animal, the phoenix, can be in the form of a small mound in front of the building.
- On the property map, it appears that the hill behind and to the left of the house form the tortoise and dragon, but the celestial tiger to the right seems to be missing. The tiger can be created by a row of small trees planted along the east bank of the pond. This may make the house less prominent on the landscape, hopefully reducing its attractiveness to lightning. Also, since a body of water may attract lightning, the trees may inhibit arcing between the pond and the house.
- An excess of metal energy may attract lightning. Are there any large amounts of metal on the exterior of the house, or nearby? Try relocating metal objects that are movable to at least 70 feet from the house. This includes metal rowboats or swing sets. Lightning often travels 50 feet or more along the ground after it hits.
- An electric fence will probably not attract lightning, but any metal fence could transmit lightning dangerously close to the house.
- Turn off computers and other major electronics during lightning storms.
- Have each building’s lightning protection system inspected and upgraded if necessary.
- Install effective surge protectors for all electronics and major appliances.
- And one final point. You mention that your friends have hung a Pa Kua mirror, but you do not say where. I assume and hope that it is outdoors. Most Pa Kua mirrors on the market are made incorrectly and do nothing. However, an authentic Pa Kua mirror, placed indoors, can create energetic havoc. Even outdoors, it is a cure that should be used with caution, and only when really necessary.
- CLUTTER AND ROMANCE
- Dear Practitioner,
I am a 23 year old man of Asian decent. I am having problems talking to women. Tell me what can I do in my house to increase my luck. Girls used to come up to me and talk to me, now I can't get any contact with them. I sleep in a room where my bed is facing the window (east side). Parallel to my bed is my desk. I have a lot of things (baseball cards in boxes, books) stacked near the end of my bed. I never really believed in Feng Shui, but I am willing to give it a try if you would help. Thank you for your attention.
- Sincerely,
Lee - New York, NY
- Dear Lee,
- Feng Shui can help with your situation. I understand that you are skeptical, but that does not matter. Feng Shui works whether you believe in it or not – it is just a matter of making the right adjustments in your environment.
- A two-pronged approach is needed here – we need to energize your social life and enhance your romance luck.
- Let’s start by clearing the clutter from your bedroom. Clutter can bog your life down and block your progress. The things that you own should benefit you or enhance your life in some way. Take a look at everything in your bedroom and keep only that which is currently useful or relevant to you. Books that are no longer important or significant should go. If you have a collection that you enjoy, find a way to display it so that it makes you feel happy and proud. Clothing that you haven’t worn for at least two years should go as well.
- In general terms, the southwest is the sector of a room where your romance and relationship luck can be energized. Let’s focus on the southwest of your bedroom & living room.
- Purchase a pair of mandarin ducks. This very specific type of duck can sometimes be found in Chinatown in large cities, or contact me and I can get them for you. If you can obtain a pair made of rose quartz, these are especially auspicious. Mandarin ducks are among the most powerful symbols for attracting love and romantic relationships. Tie a red thread or ribbon around each of the ducks, and place them in the southwest corner of your bedroom. Position the ducks as if they are coming from your nien yen direction. Your nien yen is the direction from which your greatest romance luck will come. If you send me your birthdate, I will send you your nien yen.
- In the southwest corner of your living room, place a pair of red candles on stone or stone-like candle holders (do not use smooth marble). There is no need to actually light the candles! Also, near the southwest corner of your living room, place a bright standing lamp.
- Now, to really get things moving, take the following additional steps:
- Remove any distractions, such as a TV or exercise machine from your bedroom.
- If any mirrors reflect the bed, remove them.
- Locate your bed so it is comfortably accessible from both sides.
- Do you have any pictures of single persons or animals in your home? If so, replace them with pictures of happy couples.
- Make sure that your home is comfortable to members of both sexes. It should not feel either too “masculine” or too “feminine”.
- Do some “inner Feng Shui” work! Use positive affirmations! Fill your mind with positive affirmative thoughts about relationships. A few examples:
- “I am a wonderful person who deserves love.”
- “My ideal relationship is now being created for me.”
- “I have so much love to give and I am so open to receiving love.”
- Repeat the affirmations frequently! Say them silently, say them out loud, write them down, or all of the above! If the positive thoughts feel odd or unnatural, that just means that they are working on your subconscious – keep the positivity going and before long your consciousness will change.
- Powerful forces are being put to work on your behalf. Help them along! Be open and receptive, put yourself in situations where you may meet new people, relax, be friendly, and just have fun!
- FEELING SAFE AT HOME
- Dear Practitioner,
- Following the recent horrible events in our country, I have not felt safe, even in my own home. I know that it is irrational, but I have trouble sleeping and concentrating because I feel so frightened, insecure and unsafe. Can Feng Shui help me to feel safer in my own home?
- Millie G.
- Long Beach, NY
- Dear Millie,
- There are a number of things you can do.
- Place a pair of Fu Dogs either outside, on either side of your front door, or inside, looking out towards your front door.
- Obtain a wu lou, or bottle gourd, and display it near the center of your home. This natural gourd, available in Chinese emporiums or Feng Shui stores, is an effective symbol of protection.
- Sit where your back is against a solid wall, not with your back to a window or door, nor with any shelves facing your back.
- Use aromatherapy in your home. In an aroma diffuser, use a blend of 4 parts lavender oil to 1 part rose oil. Until you feel better, take a warm bath nightly and use the same aroma blend in the bath water.
- Crystal energy can also be of help. Wear a necklace with a pendant made of bloodstone or amber.
- Understandably, many of us feel vulnerable and stressed after the recent horrors. A good way to remember your own personal power is to find a way to help. While we do not all have to be heroes at “ground zero”, there are things everyone can do. Many have expressed solidarity and support by hanging out a flag or making a contribution. Others have helped by talking to children or to adults who are very distressed – a little kindness goes a long way, and sometimes just being there to listen makes a real difference. Last time I was in Manhattan, I went to an area where photos of the missing were posted along the street. The sidewalks were lined with flowers and candles, many of which had gone out prematurely. I spent some time relighting candles in honor of the people whose faces were before me. I was struck by the cross-section – every race, religion, physical description, sexual orientation, age, economic status – any of us could have been there. Knowing that, we can see how precious our gift of life is and use it, each in our own way, to make this world a better place from now on.
- PREVENTING THEFT
- Dear Practitioner,
- Recently, 3 houses on my street have been robbed. Other than the obvious, like installing an alarm system, how can I protect myself?
- Sitting Duck
- Albany, NY
- Dear Duck,
- Place a broom resting on its handle end (upside-down) next to your front door. I’m not sure why, but this seems help keep burglers away.
- I would recommend adopting a dog also, but you’ll have to find one that gets along well with ducks!
- OPENING A NEW SHOP
- Dear Practitioner,
- We are opening a computer parts shop in a new four story building. We are located on the ground floor, in two shops which were combined by removing a partition. Our shop will be the first in this new complex. The interior passageway (mall) between two rows of shops is very narrow. Opposite our shop is an elevator and a staircase to the second floor, and between these is a concrete wall facing our entrance.
- The cash counter is on the west side facing east, in the northwest corner of the shop. The sales counter is in the south opposite the entrance. In the southwest corner of our shop is a staircase to the mezzanine floor. The entrance faces north, exactly opposite the concrete wall outside. Please suggest where we should locate our entrance.
- Since our shop is well stocked, how can we insure security? Is everything located correctly to create needed health and wealth? Please suggest the best location for a small water fountain.
- Suresh
- India
- Dear Suresh,
- I will attempt to help you as best as I can with the information you have provided.
- Ideally, the shop entrance should face the main source of energy, which in this case would be the side with the heaviest pedestrian traffic. If that is the mall side, then the entrance is already well-positioned. It is excellent that the entrance is near but not directly facing the elevator and stairs, since these provide multiple directions from which customers can approach. The shop entrance should be wide, welcoming in lots of positive energy, lots of customers, and lots of money! Make sure that no pointed or threatening objects face the entrance.
- Now, facing a wall across a narrow passageway does not provide space for positive “chi” to gather so that it can enter your shop. You can counter this with clear, brilliant signage and a brightly lit entranceway. If possible, leave the shop entrance brightly lit 24 hours a day, attracting plenty of good energy that will be waiting for you to open up each morning, while also helping to ensure security. The lighting can be outside the entrance, just inside, or both.
- Consider covering one or more walls with full-length mirror. The mirror should reflect and increase the merchandise, the customers, and the cash counter. Do not use small mirror tiles, which break up an image, and place the mirrors so that they do not reflect the shop entrance, staircases, or the bathroom.
- Purchase some old Chinese coins. These have square holes in the center, and one side has 4 Chinese characters - this is the "yang" side. Tie 3 of these coins together using a red thread or ribbon. Glue a set, "yang" side up, on each of your sources of income or business, such as the cash registers, telephones, computers, fax machines, etc. These are excellent wealth energizers!
- Near the southeast corner of the store, place a large, thriving, healthy jade plant. Under the plant, place a large denomination bank note. The plant will symbolically “grow the money.”
- Set up your front door with a bell that rings each time a customer enters. This can be a small bell hung on the door, or an electronic bell, and it should have a melodious and resonant sound.
- The north is influenced by the water element. Since your entrance faces north, the door should be black, blue or clear glass, all of which symbolize water. The best location for a fountain would be just inside the entrance, to the left of the door (looking from the inside out). The flow of water should be towards the interior of the shop, symbolizing and stimulating the flow of wealth into your business.
- If you let me know the week during which you plan your grand opening, I will provide you with the very best dates and times to open for business. This will get your shop off to an extremely auspicious beginning! Good luck!
- PICTURE FRAME FOUNTAINS
- Dear Practitioner,
- About six months ago, I gave my girlfriend a small fountain and picture frame combo in which I placed a photo of the two of us. Since then, we have had major car trouble, job problems, and a robbery. A friend saw the fountain and said it was bad Feng Shui. Is this for real and can a fountain cause a spate of bad luck?
- Skeptic
- Hoboken, NJ
- Dear Skeptic,
- I have seen the picture frame fountains and your friend is right – they represent very bad Feng Shui. Let me explain why. Water symbolizes wealth, and therefore should always be flowing towards you. The fountains I have seen have a picture frame atop a small waterfall, with the water flowing away from the picture. Whoever appears in the picture has their prosperity flowing away!
- Now, there is no way to be certain that the fountain caused your run of bad luck – life is not always that simple. However, the fountain may well have played a part in what has happened. It would be best to get rid of it, and don’t even think about giving it to anyone as a gift!
- DOG IN THE HOUSE
- Dear Practitioner,
- Is it OK to let a dog live inside the house? How will this affect the Feng Shui in the home?
- Sarabeth
- Penn Yan, NY
- Dear Sarabeth,
- Pets are excellent for a home’s Feng Shui – they help to stimulate and circulate positive energy. A dog is an intelligent, sensitive, and social being. Dogs love to live with people and they make wonderful companions and friends. To keep a dog confined to a pen, or tied up outdoors, condemns him to a miserable existence. He deserves better and so do you! Only by living with your dog, and by taking the time to educate him and to love him, will you understand how much he can give you in return.
- SUCCESS IN A HOME OFFICE
- Dear Practitioner,
- I was born September 8, 1969 and my husband was born October 10, 1966. We live in a log cabin with high ceilings, lots of beams and a huge fireplace. I want to start a home-based graphic design business and am wondering if there is any Feng Shui that I can do to increase my chances of success. The room that will be my office is directly next to a bathroom and is a very odd shape, sort of long and narrow. It has been hard to arrange the furniture to make it all fit. Please share any advice you have for me. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Katrina C.- Middle Grove, NY
- Dear Katrina,
- Graphic design is associated with the element wood. Using the very general Eight Mansions formula, the east and southeast sectors of your home are also associated with wood and would be good locations for this type of business. The southeast is additionally associated with prosperity and would be an excellent location for a home office.
- Based on your description, I suggest you try to locate your home office in a different room. Oddly shaped rooms tend to have unbalanced energy. Long narrow rooms, depending on the locations of doors and windows, produce energy that rushes in and out or that just stagnates, neither of which will promote a thriving business. A room cramped with furniture makes things even worse. Your office should allow for a path through which energy may comfortably flow in, meander through the room, and then flow out.
- Based on your birthdates, the best directions for both you and your husband are west, northwest, southwest, and northeast. Your very best success direction is northeast. Therefore, your desk should be positioned so that you are seated with a solid wall behind you and facing one of your best directions, preferably the northeast.
- Attach sets of 3 old Chinese coins, activated by red or gold ribbon, to each of your sources of income or business, such as your telephone, computer, and fax machine. The “yang” side of the coins, the side with 4 Chinese characters, should face up. These really help draw money and business!
- FOUNTAIN IN THE BEDROOM
- Dear Practitioner:
What are the correct ways to use a small indoor fountain? I had one in my bed room because I found it relaxing. But have just read that it is a bad idea. I keep reading different meanings. I thought fountains symbolized prosperity and money. Help!
Dorothy - New York, NY
- Dear Dorothy,
- It is true that water represents prosperity. However, water in a bedroom represents loss of wealth. In general terms, the best locations for an indoor fountain would be in the north sector of a home, where it energizes good career luck, and in the southeast sector, where it helps produce material wealth.
- Water is a very powerful element and its impact should be watched carefully. Not knowing how the unseen energies lay out specifically in your home, there is no way to be sure that a fountain will help you instead of hurting you, other than by trial and error. Therefore, after you place your fountain, watch what happens for a few weeks. If your finances start to improve, you have done a good thing. If you see a pattern of anything negative, and this could be financial loss or physical symptoms or a spate of bad luck, remove the fountain immediately and consider a professional Feng Shui consultation to determine exactly where a fountain may best be located. If you see no impact at all, it could be that the placement is incorrect or it just may need more time.
- TIGER STATUE
- Dear Practitioner,
- I recently fell in love with a large porcelain tiger statue which looks great in my living room, but I am confused. It seems to me that I read that Tigers are symbols of protection, but that they may be too ferocious and bad Feng Shui for your home. Which is true? Do I have to return my pretty statue, or is he good to have around? Thanks.