Horoscope Feng Shui

Protecting Yourself Against the Negative Intentions of Others

2011-08-13T21:09:00.001+08:00

If you've ever been around a negative person, someone who compliments you in a hollow way or who admires what you have with an envious stare, you know what it feels like when a person's intentions aren't positive.

Sometimes you may find that after you've left someone you feel physically bad, have a foreboding feeling, or somehow feel weakened by their presence. This person may harbor ill thoughts against you.

Many cultures and countries recognize this energy as the "Evil Eye."

From Tibet to Greece, from Turkey to Brazil, the concept of the evil eye is the belief that someone's envious gaze and thoughts can create negative consequences such as injury, illness, unhappiness, or loss.

In its worst form, the jealous glances cause a withering effect of the psyche and physical form.

In Aegean countries it was believed that those with green eyes could cast curses. In the Jewish custom speaking about good fortune could also draw negativity to you.
In Latin countries, the evil eye is called "mal de ojo."

If someone is complimented, the person who is giving the compliment will often touch the person being complimented to remove the evil eye which is thought to occur because the compliment is based in envy.
Regardless of whether you believe that someone's negative intentions can harm you physically or emotionally, we know that we are drawn by another's gaze.

A good example is feeling watched.
We intuitively know when someone is looking at us even when our back is turned. Knowing that, it's not hard to understand how cultures could believe in the power of the evil eye - and of other's thoughts.

The evil eye concept has moved into the feng shui realm and it's common now to see the blue eye talisman displayed in Asian emporiums. Commonly called a 'nazar' in Turkey, the blue eye is used wherever there is a concern of jealousy and is meant to provide protection against the withering, desiccating effect of the evil eye.
Nazars are often placed at the entrance to a home, in offices, carried on your person, or worn as a charm. These are displayed to ward off the negative intentions of others who may be jealous or envious of your looks, your possessions or your relationships.

Often associated with the color blue and with fish, the nazar is associated with water because of the drawing and drying effect that the evil eye brings with it, and water's ability to counter the withering ability of the evil eye.

In feng shui, the chi that surrounds us can be changed and influenced by those we come in contact with, so the concept of the evil eye and feng shui aren't mutually exclusive. On the contrary, certain feng shui energies are commonly associated with the negative intentions of robbery, violence, and the lesser, but still painful injuries, of gossip, politicking, and rumor spreading.

With a difficult economy, the fear is real, whether that's from someone who might want to rob you or your home or from someone who would make you look bad on the job to make their job more secure.

And, then, perhaps the worse person and intention of all? The person who simply delights in your misery and downfall.

If you've worried about the potential for theft, injury or slanderous talk, it might be worthwhile to display a nazar, the symbol that has become synonymous with protection against malicious intentions.

© K Weber Communications LLC 2002-2011
Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in classical Chinese feng shui. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more information and to receive her FREE Ebook "Easy Money - 3 Steps to Building Massive Wealth with Feng Shui" visit www.redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant!

Feng Shui - How Clutter Reflects Your Life

2011-06-14T15:19:00.000+08:00

Everything in our life is in some way a reflection of our life. And by everything, I really mean every thing.

Our stuff has a tremendous influence over us - our thoughts, our feelings, even our mental clarity, or lack of it, as evidenced by TV shows that portray hoarders.

That's because when hoarders over-accumulate, the hoarder no longer even sees the excess.

What they see is an extension of themselves to the point they don't see themselves any more: they are one with the clutter. That's why it feels like they're cutting off an arm to remove all the junk.

While the majority of people aren't hoarders - of animals or things - the majority of people do have a problem with clutter in one form or another and at varying degrees.

Clutter has become a major feng shui focus in the past five or so years because it's a source of stagnation.

Even the word clutter is rooted in the word "clot." According to an etymology dictionary the word clutter originated around the 1400's and means "to clot, collect in heaps and to litter."

Feng shui is a study of flow and when flow is stopped by a clot, especially in our veins, the formation of a clot can be life threatening. At its worst, clutter can overwhelm the people for whom clutter is out of control. At its best, clutter can be an annoyance.

But most of us live somewhere in the middle where clutter is concerned.

Many times clutter is representative of something in our lives; a symbolic representation of something that's happened or where we are emotionally.

A form of chiropractic medicine that I've used in the past is called Network Chiropractic. It uses very light touches on the spine to help release past injuries, whether they're chemical, emotional, or physical. That's because your spine is the repository of all that has happened to you.

Network chiropractors believe that many illnesses and ailments are the accumulation of memories in the spinal network of nerves that are trapped, and that once released, the chronic physical condition can also be released.

Because our homes are a larger extension of our bodies, one could say the same about our clutter: that it is a symbolic representation of our lives and that by releasing it, we can move forward in our lives.

Could your clutter be saying something about your life? Below are some observations about clutter and what your stuff could be saying about you.

Incomplete, unfinished items.

These represent parts of your life that are hanging in the balance, undone, and incomplete. If you have a number of unfinished items and see them frequently, it's possible you feel like you're not moving ahead in life and unable to bring important things to fruition.

That's because these items represent being stuck. By parting with unfinished objects, you can help bring completion to your life, making your affairs smoother and less prone to getting hung up and remaining in limbo, and getting that unfinished business finally wrapped up.

Broken items.

These kinds of items are symbolic of feeling incompetent, unloved and flawed. Keeping these kinds of objects represents the inner pain of the lack of self-worth. Holding on to broken objects represents all that's wrong with you - even though that opinion is incorrect. You aren't flawed and by removing flawed items from your life, you gain greater self worth and appreciation.

Cast offs.

Is your home filled with cast offs? Then you're living a cast off life. It's like living your life through another person and not fully embracing your own life and your own feelings. It can often be rooted in feeling unnoticed, unworthy or of little value. If you buy lots of second hand items, you might want to ask yourself why you're not good enough.

I know someone who only buys used clothing and jewelry because she doesn't think she's worth the expense of new clothes and because her husband would be angry if she did. But she buys a lot of it and is overrun with used clothes and secondhand jewelry.

I asked her to start buying only brand new clothes and to remove all the old clothes from her closet. Her husband also had not bought her an engagement ring and she suggested that for their anniversary they do so. Once she did this, her self-concept and self-image changed, and her husband's attitude toward her changed as well. Sometimes the ripples we want in our lives must be self-generated and radiate from the inner to the outer -- not the other way around.

Sources of Pain.

Holding on to items that are painful to you is self-flagellation and keeps you stuck in an emotional no-man's land. Holding on to painful items dulls your emotions and enjoyment of life so that living becomes marking one emotionally numb day after the other.

One woman I know had a particularly painful marriage. She and her husband went through many trying years in their relationship and the start of it began was their wedding. For that reason, her wedding dress was a source of pain and she cringed every time she opened the closet door and saw it.

Fortunately, their relationship changed and they became very happy, but the dress was a reminder of the pain of their early relationship and while she was happy, she was still emotionally restrained. One day she decided to get rid of her wedding dress and once she did she said she felt like she was not only happier in her marriage but was finally able to move on from that painful time. Holding on to painful items is like putting a bandage on a splinter instead of removing it. Remove the painful item and you can begin healing.

Small things.

Too many itty bitty things means an itty bitty life. If your clutter consists of lots of small things - especially small purchases - it means there's nothing big or substantial in your life. Many people justify buying lots of trinkets because they don't have the money for something big, like a house or a car.

The irony is that frittering money on a collection of tiny things means you don't have room for accumulating the kind of money to buy something big. Once you can stop buying and filling up your home all those little things, the big things can come into your life.

9 Ways to Gain Fame, Recognition & Business Success

2011-06-14T14:59:00.001+08:00

The Importance of the Color of RED

Red is hot. No, not right now, but all the time. Red has always been an important color. It's one of the colors we choose most often to symbolize something, making it one of the most common of all colors in national flag designs.

The color red is also the color of blood, our life force, so it's no wonder that we're attracted to it.

Red energizes us and makes us hungry. That's why so many fast food restaurants use the color red in their designs and logos.

Red is also a popular color for dining rooms; it keeps us enjoying the food and makes our dining experience livelier.

Red has both negative and positive connotations, but regardless of the connotation, red symbolizes one important element: energy.

Whatever red touches, it imbues with extra oomph. That's why, even in the most tranquil rooms, a touch of red is all it takes to keep a room from sliding off into a decorative coma.

When it comes to feng shui, red is an extremely important color.

Red is the color of the south or fire and fame. Red turns up the energy level on everything it touches and it animates the inanimate.

Red is also perfectly portrayed in the very popular film, Seabiscuit. The film is based on the true story of Seabiscuit, the legendary racehorse that was "too small" to win. But win he did. What makes this story even more interesting - at least in feng shui terms - is how all the feng shui elements were in alignment.

The horse, associated also with the south and fire element, was ridden by a rider in red silks. Not only that, but the rider wore a triangle on his silks, and the triangle is the symbol of fire. So, by feng shui standards, this horse was destined to win because each element was compounded by the next: the animal (horse), with the color (red), with the shape (triangle).

Even Seabiscuit's jockey, Red Pollard, was named "Red" and had red hair. Lastly, in the movie, Red Pollard wore the number 9 on his silks. The number 9 is the number also associated with the south.

This kind of compounding of all these red elements adds extra emphasis and power. So, with all this additional energy, Seabiscuit, the little horse no one expected much of, couldn't help but win. Think about this when using red in your home or office.

Consider ways to compound all the elements - not just the color red. But remember, too much red can burn itself out. A little fire is good; too much fire burns down the house. So instead of covering everything in red paint, consider adding other red elements, such as number and shape, too. Add these touches to the south corner of your home, living room, or office and watch your popularity soar!

Red Effects: 9 Tips for Using Red in Your Feng Shui

1. Activate symbols and good luck tokens. Symbols need to be energized and red is the color to do it! Tie red ribbon around feng shui items or good luck items to "activate" them and make them more energetic.

2. Symbolize fire with a horse. Horse figures symbolize the fire element and placing them on your desk or in your south sector can help you gain more attention.

3. Add a touch of red. Every room needs a touch of clear, pure red. Look at all your rooms and try to find a red item. If one is missing, add a red item, preferably in the south, southwest, or northeast corners. In the family room, they make everyone happier, times more fun, and people more sociable. Throw lots of red cushions around the room to get everyone happy and bubbling!

4. Warm up your business. Place your phones and fax machines on red paper to stimulate more business and calls to come in. Put clients in red folders in filing cabinets for repeat business!

5. Warm up your love life. Place red and pink flowers in the southwest corner of your living room to bring more heat to your romance -- place a photo of the two of you in a red frame like the one above. Avoid placing them in the bedrooms.

6. Get more attention for your home. If your home is for sale, get more attention to it by placing red flowers in a vase in the living room or dining room. These are excellent for attracting buyers. You will also want to keep a light on at the rear of the house, too. Lastly, make sure there is some open space in the south sector of your home if you are trying to sell it. Open space means air and it takes air to feed fire!

7. Get more recognition at work. Keep a lamp burning in the south portion of your office to stimulate recognition for all your hard work. Add a plant here for an extra boost because plants are wood energy and wood feeds fire.

8. Use pyramid power. The pyramids are one of mankind's most enduring -- and well-known -- symbols. That's because the pyramid is the shape of fire! Have you got a pyramid or other triangle-shaped objects and don't know what to do with them? Put them in the south sector of your house, your living room, or your office or desk to bring extra recognition (maybe even fame!) your way.

9. Get the power of nine. Place nine objects on your desk or bookshelf at work for an extra boost of recognition. Or, place nine red (what else?) candles on a shelf in the south sector of your living room for more fire energy! Even placing 9 work-related books on a shelf in the South sector can boost your fire and fame energy. Try it today!

The Financial Feng Shui of Your Appearance

2011-04-14T13:17:00.000+08:00

When we see attractive people it’s hard not to think that their looks can’t help but make the road of life smoother and easier for them. But that’s not always so.

Attractive, and, yes, beautiful people, can be just as prone to making dumb mistakes and poor choices as anyone else.

Perhaps it’s their beauty that betrays them and makes people prey upon them or they suffer from narcissism. But what really makes one beautiful – and do our looks affect our wealth?

To the Chinese way of thinking that answer is yes.

The Chinese developed an ancient art called face reading and have categorized eyes, noses, foreheads, even moles and pimples to be an indicator of whether we are wealthy or plagued with financial problems.

The following explains some of the typical facial features and what they mean for your prosperity.

Skin quality affects wealth. Your skin should have a healthy glow about it and a moist and fleshy appearance. If it's dry and flaky, you'll tend toward bad financial luck. If the face is oily, there is a tendency to lose money. Facial skin should look fresh and glowing, moist and with a hint of red color.

Outward appearance attracts wealth. You needn’t be a super-model to attract greater prosperity. Merely by holding your face with a pleasant and alert look, the response from others is more positive and it attracts good luck to you. Dour-looking people attract dour situations and circumstances, including financial problems. So change your luck just by planting a smile on your puss.

Moles have meaning. There are many hidden meanings to moles in the Chinese view. Typically facial moles are not considered good luck, especially if they are dark or black-colored. Red moles are thought to bring good fortune, however.

Moles on the forehead bring power and authority and those on the mouth bring prosperity and speaking skill. Moles on the center line of the face, nose, or cheeks bring lost opportunity and negative circumstances. Surgical removal may be necessary.

Facial flaws draw problems. No one is endowed with a perfect face, but when your face has flaws, such as extremely dark circles under the eyes (which can cause problems with children) and make you look tired, it can affect people’s perceptions of you – and your perception of yourself.

In the Western view, certain locations of moles can look witchy and will cause people to respond to you negatively. Many times these areas can be corrected by good skin care, clever use of make-up, or even simple plastic surgery. If you have heard comments about your looks, perhaps it’s affecting your outlook on life and maybe even your pocketbook. Consider your options and determine if this is something you’d like to improve.

Pimples foretell expenses. When pimples arise it seems it’s at the point of something important such as a meeting or important interview, doesn't it? Pimples are thought to be indicators of expenses, however, rather than embarrassment.

When a pimple arises on the nose, it will cause a big expense within two weeks. If the pimple is on the side of the nose, then the expense is unexpected. If it's on the top, then this is a good expense such as a new car or furniture. Pimples on the forehead will give you car and travel problems.

A nose for wealth. Many Chinese follow the nose for indicating your potential for wealth luck. A large nose often indicates wealth. Large nostrils that can be seen when looking straight on indicate loss of wealth. Skinny, pinched noses often mean loss of wealth, i.e., Michael Jackson.

© K Weber Communications LLC 2002-2011
Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in classical Chinese feng shui. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more information and to receive her FREE Ebook "Easy Money - 3 Steps to Building Massive Wealth with Feng Shui" visit www.redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant!

Purple Power Pumps Up Passion and Profits!

2011-04-14T13:04:00.001+08:00

Purple is a potent color. In every society, purple holds a special place, and a special meaning. It is said that Leonardo da Vinci believed meditating in a lavender or purple-colored light improved his thinking by a factor of 10.
Purple is associated with wealth, nobility, stature, religion, piety, magic, and sexuality.

Purple is a mixture of soothing, calm blue with boisterous, energetic red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition.

It conveys wealth and extravagance.

Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic. Some 75 percent of small children choose purple over other colors.

It is said that purple was a favorite color of Cleopatra. It has continued to be a color associated with royalty, with high honor, such as the purple heart awarded American soldiers wounded or killed in war.

Obviously, purple is a very special color.

It's also true in feng shui. In feng shui, there is one color that is suitable in any direction. That color is purple.

Purple is the color associated with all of the compass directions as a beneficial color. You might even say that purple is the "feng shui beige." Sometimes purple is not the easiest color to live with. So, if you have strong feelings about purple it's better not to use it. Or, if your space would look strange with purple, then it's better to use a color that goes with your decor.

Purple is also a color that generates good chi.

So, wherever you would like to add extra energy, consider adding purple. However, because it is a stimulating color, it's better not to put purple in bathrooms and kitchens, where it can enhance the negative energies of these rooms.

However, if you've ever wondered how purple can help your feng shui, then here are eight ways purple can support you in your life.

1. Purple helps you gain MORE RECOGNITION.
Purple is an excellent color to add in the south sector of your house or living room or office. In particular, it is especially good if you are in a power position, such as a principle or owner of a business. Purple is definitely a power color. Add it to a south wall for added prestige and to further your ambitions for fame.

2. Purple helps you gain CREATIVE, SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN.
Purple is an excellent enhancement to any child's room. Painted on any wall or used in furnishings, purple is very enhancing to any child regardless of the child's personal feng shui. Purple is also enhancing to the child's imagination. It is also enhancing to any wall it is painted on regardless of direction.

Your child suffering from ill health? Purple is beneficial when painted on an east wall as it helps improve health. Want to inspire creativity in your child? Paint the west wall purple. Is your child a burgeoning artist or actor and craving recognition? Paint the south wall purple to boost their profile and chances of being noticed.

3. Purple helps you gain MORE MONEY.
Purple is the ultimate prosperity color. Paint the southeast wall, sector, or corner of your living room a royal purple color. This is the color of extremely deep water, which means wealth in feng shui.

Wearing purple clothing or ties is a great way for sales people, bankers, or anyone who deals with money to use purple in a personal and wealth-enhancing way. Or, use purple in the north, which is the direction of water. Purple here brings luck for wealth and prosperity associated with your job and business opportunities.

4. Purple helps you gain in BUSINESS.
Businesses that prosper with the color purple include advertising, art studios, television and film companies, psychologists offices, gift stores, or lighting businesses. Florists also benefit from purple. Invite some purple into your business -- especially in the southeast sector.

5. Purple helps you gain PEACE, WISDOM, AND SELF-GROWTH.
Paint your meditation room purple or lavender for personal growth. The purple enhances meditation - especially if it is in the form of lavender-colored light. To accomplish this, purchase a lavender-colored crystal and hang the crystal in the sunlight so that it casts lavender rainbows on the walls. Or, hang a purple tinted stained-glass window in your windows to create more purple light.

6. Purple helps you gain more GOOD LUCK.
Purple and shades of purple are excellent for stimulating good luck. It is especially good when it is paired with white, gold, or silver. Use these color combinations in the west and northwest corners to enhance these corners and bring about greater luck.

7. Purple helps you gain NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN YOUR LIFE.
Try painting your front door purple. Purple invites opportunities to your home and activates the energy of the entry way - which is where chi enters your home. You can instantly improve the chi of your home simply by painting your front door.

Plus, you can improve your opportunities - and whatever aspect of your life that relates to the direction that your front door faces - simply by painting your front door purple. Better career? Purple helps that. Better health? Purple helps that too. More friends and recognition? Purple wins again. There is only one exception with purple, and that is the northwest-facing front door. Better to paint this door gold, white, silver, or gray.

8. Purple helps you gain a BETTER LOVE LIFE.
Purple improves luck and chi and there is no better place for purple to work its magic than on romance. Use purple colors in the southwest sector of your home, your bedroom or your office wherever you want to boost the romance energy.

Place your wedding or honeymoon pictures in purple frames to keep the two of you cozy for a long time. Sleep on lavender sheets for more romantic energy. Place purple amethyst geodes in the SW corner to keep the heart fires burning. Want more attention in the bedroom or from admirers? Wear purple underwear. Spray lavender essence on your bedding for relaxing, romantic interludes.

As you can see purple is a wonder color. In fact, you might be wondering how you've lived without it!

© K Weber Communications LLC 2002-2011
Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in classical Chinese feng shui. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more information and to receive her FREE Ebook "Easy Money - 3 Steps to Building Massive Wealth with Feng Shui" visit www.redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant!

Reflections on Feng Shui -- 10 Mirror Do's and Don'ts

2011-04-14T12:57:00.001+08:00

Few feng shui activators and cures hold as much interest as the common mirror. Mirrors are a terrific decorating resource and have the potential to inspire more prosperity -- even double beautiful views and invite the accompanying chi that goes with them.

Yet, using mirrors in feng shui is often misunderstood.

How does one use mirrors effectively? Are there rules for using mirrors in feng shui? If you have had questions about using mirrors correctly, the following should help you understand when, where and where not to use them.

MIRROR DO'S

1. DO reflect beautiful views. If your living room or dining room has a beautiful view of trees, blue skies, a garden or anything especially beautiful, a mirror is the perfect accessory. By positioning opposite the view, you can double the beauty.

2. DO reflect dining and living areas. Dining rooms are the perfect location for mirrors. Because the dining represents a family's wealth, this in effect, magnifies this energy. Living rooms where families hold parties and gatherings are also good locations to hang a mirror and can double the number of people in the room for a more festive chi!

3. Do use mirrors to hide problems. Although not often thought of as a disguise, mirrors can make problems areas, like square pillars, "disappear." Many homes have pillars, such as in basements, or in offices that stand in the middle of the room. By mirroring all four sides, the pillar essentially disappears.

4. DO use mirrors to double your cash. Placing a mirror to reflect a cash register, your jewelry, or close to the front door of a shop will pull more money chi, customers and prosperity to you.

5. DO place mirrors where they can open up space. If you have a really small room or a long hallway, this is the perfect spot to hang a mirror. Lean a mirror against a wall to visually open up the room. Place a mirror along the wall of a hallway to slow down chi and add some interest.

MIRROR DONT'S

6. DON'T place a mirror opposite a front door. This pushes the energy right back out the door. Time and time again I see businesses that go out of business and they have a mirror opposite the front door. If you want a mirror to open up your foyer, adding a mirror is a great idea. Just don't put it opposite the front door.

7. DON'T reflect negative views. Make sure mirrors aren't placed where they'll reflect a toilet door, a fireplace (above a fireplace is fine), a stovetop, or messy areas. When you can see an ugly view in a mirror, this magnifies the energy. This is especially true of fire. A little fire keeps you warm; a lot of fire can quickly become excessive energy.

8. DON'T place a mirror where it will harm or send cutting energy. This is true of placing a mirror at the end of the hallway, which symbolically says "stay away" and draws negative energy. A mirror placed at the bottom of the stairs will cut off the feet or head; avoid placing here.

9. DON'T place a mirror in the bedroom where it can be over-stimulating. A mirror in the bedroom can create insomnia, especially if it reflects the bed. If there is a problem in the marriage, a mirror can also bring in unwanted interference in the relationship. Better to be safe (and well-rested) than sorry. If you just have to have a mirror in the bedroom, make sure it doesn't reflect the bed.

10. DON'T use broken or pakua mirrors. Pakua mirrors are often hung with little regard, yet they send out the full force of chi toward that which they reflect. It amounts to sending a really nasty look toward your neighbor.

Is it any wonder these cause problems with relationships with others? These mirrors contain trigrams that are negative and are harmful to whoever they point toward and to the house where they hang. Avoid them. Cracked mirrors are also very negative energy as are small mirror tiles or anything that distorts or breaks up an image. Remove them.

© K Weber Communications LLC 2002-2011
Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in classical Chinese feng shui. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more information and to receive her FREE Ebook "Easy Money - 3 Steps to Building Massive Wealth with Feng Shui" visit www.redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant!

Success in the Year of the Golden Rabbit

2011-01-16T22:22:00.001+08:00

The Year of the Rabbit is here and it promises some big changes and some terrific opportunities!

Like all years, though, it also has its challenges.

But if you are prepared and put your remedies and enhancements in place, you'll do just fine. If you really make an effort, this could be the year you take BIG STEPS. That's because both men and women have some terrific energy to help you set a plan in place that could pay off for years!

KEY THEMES IN 2011

Areas of Concern

Security and Safety First. This year it's more important than ever to stay on the side of caution -- and in every respect -- and for everyone in your family. Make sure you are thorough with contracts, read the fine print, check your credit card statements for fraudulent charges and do background checks on questionable people (single girls are you listening?). Don't take a smooth talker at his word.

Make sure to check locks, invest in a burglar alarm and don't go out alone at night. Make sure your family is safe, too. Make the kids wear their bike helmets, buckle up in the car, and be extra cautious about the oldest son. Risky sports and rough sports can bring injuries.

Watch your words. The 3 star in the career sector and the 2 star in the social sector of friends and the 7 star in the center all create a nasty triangle of bitter talk. Avoid gossip at all costs -- both personally and at work. You will get caught up in a "triangulation" of gossip at work and it will cost you even if you don't instigate it.

Friends can also be lost because of the 2 star and family relationships can be harmed by "cutting" words. Hold your tongue this year and count to ten. As a rule, it will be better to listen than speak...but that's good advice anytime, isn't it? But, it's especially true this year.

Health is a challenge. The 2 star flies to the south, the sector of the heart and eyes. Don't take symptoms of cardiac problems lightly. Make sure you take care of your heart and eyes this year. It's also a year for challenges across the board for health because of the 5 Yellow in the health sector.

Make sure you keep those annual appointments with the dentist and doctor. Don't put off any health symptoms that concern you because these could mushroom into a bigger problem. This is true for the whole family and for rabbits, in particular. Rabbit zodiac signs should be cautious about injuries by metal (i.e., car, sharp objects, etc.) and they should carry amulets to protect them. Trying to get pregnant? This is the year the pregnancy star is in the west sector so you have some cosmic help.

Areas for Growth

Career gains coming this year. There is good business potential in the education sector of the northeast. You can get ahead in the year by thinking strategically in business and by writing. Women in particular have the Lucky 4 star to help them get published, so submit those manuscripts and get that book done!

We also have good potential this year to get ahead by rubbing elbows with influential men, often called "noblemen." Ask those movers and shakers you know for advice and they may just mentor you or take you under their wing. If working overseas or developing business ties internationally has been on your radar this is the year to make money from afar!

Careers that show good promise include travel, technology, jewelry, psychics, mediums -- and feng shui consultants! How about that? Wanted to launch your career as a feng shui consultant? This is the year to do it. Women, in particular, can move ahead by writing and getting your name in print, sales, marketing, PR and through strategic connections with men.

Wealth potential from investments, men, and metals. Investments in metals, mining, and international stocks and funds will see strong growth. Make sure you seek out a financial advisor who can help direct your investments. Of course -- don't forget to check references! But men in 2011 can see some nice growth in income! That's a real bright spot in this rabbit year. Make sure you add a water fountain in the northwest sector where the water star has flown to for more great money-making chi!

Love gets a boost in 2011. You know what they say about rabbits right? Well, you might find that to be true this year. You might also find your honey hopping around, too. If you are in love, you and your sweetie might find this is the year to tie the knot or reignite those flames of passion. To give love a kick start be sure to activate this area with a crystal heart or a pair of love birds.

This year holds great promise for singles -- it's THE year when love energy falls in the love sector. Make the most of your relationship and recommit to it by scheduling date nights and romantic times, sweet touches like unexpected flowers or cards or a relaxing foot rub. You know what your sweetheart likes better than anyone, so amp up your romance meter and make those extra efforts. It will be rewarded -- and definitely appreciated.

Water is the missing element. Stress (particularly verbal stress) can run high this year. Health might be strained. That's why a vacation to the beach or lake is your best bet for relaxation. Water will soothe angry words and frayed nerves. Be sure to wear blue, carry a blue purse (for money energy!), and try to take time by water either with swimming, listening to a waterfall, or just staring at the ocean.

8 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Use Feng Shui for More Business

2011-01-16T22:19:00.000+08:00

One of the greatest rewards of being an entrepreneur is the ability to call the shots in your business. But, that's also one of the greatest risks - you're responsible for all the decisions.

Fortunately, with feng shui, you can use the principles of this ancient technique to help you draw more clients to you, create a harmonious business that attracts business, and builds a financial foundation for your life that gives you more control, greater freedom and feeling of personal achievement.

But how can you put feng shui to work as an entrepreneur? I've put together a list of eight ways that feng shui can help generate more flow - and that means more success and more sales for you.

1. Put money first.

When it comes to your business, money should always come first. Why? Well, because you're in business. Emails can wait, filing can wait, but money can't.

Write your bills every Monday and every day ask yourself if the activities you're doing are money-generating. Busy doesn't always equal financially productive - so do those things that are and delegate the busy work to someone else.

2. Water is wealth.

Make sure you are surrounded by financial energy and that energy's element is water. Keep a clear, running and full fountain in your office to help keep you relaxed and stimulate business opportunities. North, the business opportunity sector, is also the direction associated with water. Adding metal here will also stimulate water energy - and that stimulates business and money from your business.

3. Have a vision.

What is your symbol of success? If you want to be the world's best cookbook writer, then wrap some cookbooks in a cover with your name on it. Seeing is believing. Find a symbol that is meaningful for you and keep it where you can prominently see it while you work. Pick a symbol, any symbol and keep it in front of you.

4. Feng shui your website.

Yes, feng shui can even be applied to bytes and pixels! I often see businesses that have websites whose colors conflict, such as red and silver, green and beige, or green and yellow. These are color combinations that fatigue visitors - meaning the website is less sticky and more likely to be abandoned and with fewer repeat visitors.

That's because these color combinations make your website work against itself - and that gets you nowhere. Select feng shui compatible color combinations. This would include blue, black, and white or yellow, purple, and red, or green, black, and blue. Not sure about your site? Call me for a feng shui assessment of your website to check your color combinations.

5. Open communication.

Sales depend on making it as easy as possible for the customer to reach you. Get yourself a 1-800 number, a fax number, and a land-line if you're in business. Interestingly, when I moved from a cell phone as my primary business phone and got all the other lines installed, I began receiving many more calls. Think of it this way: no talk, no sales; more talk, more sales!

6. Get more clients.

Many "solopreneurs" have a poor filing system (if any). Make sure you have a file cabinet with a specified drawer just for client files -- and keep your clients in red folders; this energizes the client and keeps them in contact with you (read: repeat customer!).

When you want more clients, have three blank folders on your desk at all times, just ready for the next one. Also, get a label maker and make a label for each new customer. The more respect you give to your customer files, the more customers you'll have.

7. Beauty pays you.

If you're a work at home entrepreneur, chances are you may have a less-than-inspiring work area. Invest in your office and make it attractive, organized, and functional. Having a beautiful work space is motivating and encourages creativity.

When you are surrounded by beauty and inspiring views, objects, or artwork, you are more likely to think creatively, come up with new approaches to your business, and be more productive - and that makes you more money!

8. Use the Power of One.

One is the number of opportunity and money from business in feng shui. There is probably one thing that you could do to instantly make a difference in your business. What is it? For some, it would be to create that first product, for others it would mean publishing your book, and for others it might be making sales calls. But, chances are you know the one thing that's standing in the way of your success. Get to work on just that one thing.

How to Use Numbers to Help You Get Ahead

2011-01-16T22:16:00.000+08:00

Numbers are an integral part of feng shui, with each direction having its own corresponding digit.

Certain numbers, such as 1, 6, and 8 are considered especially auspicious and confer excellent luck to anyone with these numbers in their address or telephone number.

The number eight is considered particularly auspicious because it is also the shape of the infinity symbol. In numerology, numbers are added together and reduced down to one number. However, this isn't the practice in feng shui. Rather, it is the sounds of the numbers that create the best luck.

An example of this would be the address "1008 Walnut Street." The sound of the address ends on the number eight. This gives it emphasis. By the same token, the double zero also adds strength. (Incidentally, double O's are also auspicious whether they are a number or a letter. Just think of the words Google or Yahoo.)

When you have a home address, you would ideally want a home that ends in 9, 3, 8, 1, or 6. The numbers ending in 2, 5, and 4 are not as auspicious. However, it's important to understand the Chinese view before worrying about your house numbers.

The word "four" in Chinese sounds similar to the word death, therefore that number brings a negative connotation. My take is that the number four is represented by Southeast which is the prosperity and wealth sector because the word "four" doesn't remotely sound like death to me.

It's a lot like Friday the 13th. Many people associate negativity with the number 13 falling on a Friday. If you associate good luck with it like I do, then the association goes from negative to positive. The number two makes me associate the duality of the universe (yin/yang) and the number five with the number of elements in the universe. Four is the number of writers, romance, academics and public relations and media. I love the number 4 -- and I'm a 4 kua!

So, you see, it's not as negative or worrisome in English and when you make a better association with the numbers. This is helpful when a address or phone number ends in a two or a five.

Numbers can be utilized to help create better luck. By placing items in the correct number in the correct direction, such as nine candles in the south sector, you can energize the sector. Not only that, but you'll also gain more benefit by the item's placement when it corresponds to a beneficial number. Don't forget to check your personal feng shui and your personal Kua (kwah) number.You can find out yours here.

Here is a recap on numbers and their details:

Number 1
North: Career, business, growth and opportunity, prospects, music and art
Black or Blue color; Water element
Objects: ponds, fish, aquarium, turtles, frogs
Add a single object here, such as a single frog or turtle figure. You could also have a picture of a single sailing ship to bring wealth to the home.
Annual Feng Shui-- The number 1 star is regarded as a bringer of opportunity -- add water to stimulate.
Your KUA Number-- Wear white, silver, gold and black colors. Start new endeavors on the 1st day of the month, week, etc. White is your power color and blue and black colored stones enhance your chi.

Number 2
Southwest: Romance, motherhood, marriage prospects & marital happiness
Beige or yellow color; Large earth element
Objects: Large stones, crystals, hills, lamps
In the southwest sector of the home, you can place globe bookends here. Since the number of the SW is 2 and the globe symbolizes 'earth,' this would be an excellent addition. Or, you can use two bookends made from stone or geodes.
Annual Feng Shui-- The 2 is dreaded for its negative illness and financial influences. Take precautions wherever this number flies each year.
Your KUA Number-- 2's should wear red, purple, beige and ochre colors. Yellow is another good color for 2's. Pairs of objects are lucky for you. Wear gemstones!

Number 3
East: Family, nutrition, health and healing
Green-brown color; Large wood element
Objects: wood furnishings, trees, bamboo, baskets
East is the direction of the number 3. A grouping of 3 wooden items in this corner would be perfect. Or, place an arrangement of three plants in this sector. Three pictures of your family would also be good in this location.
Annual Feng Shui-- The 3 brings messy legal tangles, squabbles and general social annoyances like gossip. Use lights wherever the 3 flies.
Your KUA Number-- If you're a three green, brown, black and blue are all auspicious colors for you. Be sure to live in a beautifully landscaped home or surround yourself with plants. Walk amongst trees when you feel weak.

Number 4
Southeast: Wealth, abundance, communication, possessions
Green color; Small wood element
Objects: potted plants, small wood knick knacks
In the southeast, group four plants together. Or, select four items that represent growth to you. These can be pictures of fruits and vegetables, flowers, or other items.
Annual Feng Shui--This is a popular number! Great for writers, speakers, salespeople, and academics. This is also the romance number and wherever it flies, the people are prolific at work and in love!
Your KUA Number--Kua 4's benefit by wearing greens and blues and black. Green and blue gemstones are especially auspicious. A view of water also helps stimulate your money-making ability -- especially if there's a breeze, such as a view of the beach.

Number 5-- This is the center number and has no specific associations. It is most often associated with the Southwest. Women with a KUA 5 should follow recommendations for the Northeast and Men should follow the KUA 2 recommendations.

Number 6
Northwest: Helpful people or mentors, international travel, fatherhood
White, silver, or gold color; Large metal element
Objects: large metallic objects, electronic items
To enhance the NW, which is the direction of helpful people, place six brass bells in this area. This is also good to do if anyone is looking for a job.
Annual Feng Shui-- The 6 star is highly regarded for its ability to bring heavenly assistance to the sector where it flies. This is especially helpful when this area is your bedroom, office, living room or front door.
Your KUA Number-- Wear white and metallic colors to strengthen you. Earth colors of yellow and beige are also helpful. Wear beautiful jewelry with white stones (diamonds are best!).

Number 7
West: Creativity, entertaining, socializing, children, luck of children
White, silver, or gold color; Small metal element
Objects: small metal objects, wind chimes, etc.
To improve your creativity or help your children, hang a metal mobile with seven pieces in the West corner of your home or living room. Or, you can place seven crystal spheres here to keep relationships harmonious. Items that are white, silver, or gold-colored are especially good here.
Annual Feng Shui-- The Red 7 star is a dangerous star that brings violence, danger and accidents. Robbery, theft and deception also accompany the Red 7. Avoid this area and add water to weaken the 7 star.
Your KUA Number-- Like the 6, wearing white and metallic colors helps your personal chi. Avoid reds and wear gold and silver jewelry set with clear or yellow-colored stones.

Number 8
Northeast: Education, meditation, & spirituality
Beige color; Earth element
Objects: hills, bumps or rocks in the ground
In the northeast, place eight items together. This can be crystal or stone spheres, or a bowl of eight beautiful crystals. Secondarily, eight lights may also be placed here. This enhances the power of the northeast by aligning with the number of items used.
Annual Feng Shui-- The 8 star is regarded as a White Star that brings prosperity and wealth to the sector it visits. Keep the area clean, well-lit and add a water feature here.
Your KUA Number-- Surrounding yourself with earth elements and fire or lights helps your personal chi. Wear Reds, yellows, ochres, beige, and purple to enhance your chi. Crystal balls, globes and maps strengthen you.

Number 9
South: Fame, opportunity, dreams, awards, happiness and recognition
Red color; Fire element
Objects: lights, candles, lamps, fireplace, oven
In the south, the number 9 reigns supreme. Consider an arrangement of nine candles (such as those fireplace candleholders). Or, arrange 9 pictures on a wall that feature the color red. These could be pictures, paintings, or prints or roosters, peacocks, triangles, etc. Or, choose red frames for the pictures. Nine tall peacock feathers would also be a good choice.
Annual Feng Shui-- 9 is a strong number associated with a strong element, fire. It can strengthen (for good or bad) the energy of any area where it appears. The 9 should not be enhanced but left alone.
Your KUA Number-- Kua 9 people are strengthened by vibrant colors, wood objects and plants. They do well with brown, green, orange and purple colors. They should avoid black and blue colors.

The 7 Feng Shui Myths that Can Cause You Harm

2011-01-16T22:15:00.000+08:00

Feng shui is more popular than ever and more and more people understand that when their homes and businesses aren't comfortable, attractive, or harmonious, it can create discomfort, disease, and bad luck that hurts their finances, relationships and career.

As educated and advanced people, we now know that unseen forces, like radio waves, gravity, and even solar flares, do exert an influence over us and our lives.

We've come to understand that energy is a real, living thing and the acceptance of chi - the flowing river of energy that resides in our bodies, our homes, and the Universe, is also real. So, it should come as no surprise that the energy of chi can also exert an influence on us that's either beneficial or detrimental.

The problem with feng shui today, is that although feng shui is more popular than ever, it's that surge in popularity that has given rise to myths about feng shui that can actually cause more harm than good.

Energy is not something to be played with without consequence. Much of my business is made off of the feng shui myths that have been perpetuated and that have caused harm by well-meaning consultants. I've also made many of these feng shui mistakes early on in my feng shui explorations and have not made them twice!

Check your home and your feng shui knowledge to see if you might be mistakenly following one or more of these myths. The best part, though, is you can easily correct the problem once you know about it!

Myth No. 1: Place a mirror opposite the front door to bring in good energy.

This can cause a complete cutoff of financial and business-related opportunity. Whether in a business or a home, a mirror will push away energy, essentially cutting off the energy that enters through it. Because the door is the mouth of chi, the home or business will literally be starved of energy. Time and time again, I see homes and businesses with a mirror that reflects the front door and I see financial failures. Make sure you don't have any mirrors reflecting the front door.

Myth No. 2: Paint your front door red.

Red is a powerful color, but there are some places where red can cause harm and even total failure. A house that faces west or northwest should never have a red door. It's especially true with a northwest facing door. The northwest is associated with the heaven direction and the father or man of the house, who is often the breadwinner, so this corner should not have flames or red colors in it.

To do so is to create "fire in heaven." This can cause the father to meet with a severe accident, serious illness, bankruptcy or job loss. We had a rental home with a red front door that faced northwest and my husband shattered his leg in a freak accident and it hampered his job enormously. Paint over your door if yours faces west (children) or northwest (man/father) with a white, gray, yellow, or beige color.

Myth No. 3: Put mirrors behind the stove.

Stoves are part of a fire element and when there is too much fire, it burns the house down. This myth has been perpetuated because you aren't supposed to have your back to your guests when you're cooking or be sneaked up on while you're cooking. It's also thought to double your wealth because it means more "pots on the stove" and equates food with money. But this amplifies the fire energy and that's harmful.

If you want to double your abundance this way, it's much better to put a mirror in the dining room to double the food at the table, rather than double the flames of the stove. All things in moderation - especially when it comes to water or fire.

Myth No. 4: Use Pakua or "feng shui" mirrors to push negative energy away.

Pakua or bagua mirrors are often found in Chinese emporiums and shops. They're most often used to reflect negative energy such as a t-junction terminating at your door or house or to aim negative energy back to unpleasant neighbors. These mirrors use yin trigrams associated with picking graves and these emit very strong and harmful energy and should not be used - even in the most difficult circumstances. That's because when you send out yin energy for graves it can come back to you. That's what happened to me - I aimed one at a neighbor and the neighbor's dog mauled my leg in an attack. Throw these mirrors away and don't use them.

Myth No. 5: Put plants and water in the bedroom.

This myth is most often perpetuated on design shows. They say that introducing water and plants in a bedroom is "feng shui." While it's true that water and plants are used in feng shui, they have to be used appropriately. Plants can sap your energy at night and cause romance to fade. Water - especially if it's running - will cause money loss and can cause respiratory or sinus problems or depression and lethargy.

Avoid plants and flowers in the bedroom (unless someone is sick) and never put water in the bedroom. This includes water motifs like seaside or ocean scenes painted on children's walls. It can cause illnesses and lack of initiative.

Myth No. 6: Hang crystals over doors and windows.

This is supposed to "move energy" in the house, but what it does is suppress energy. Crystals are earth energy but when hung overhead in a doorway, it becomes earth overhead, i.e., like being buried. When crystals are hung over a doorway then the occupants may suffer from a lack of inertia and may not be able to move ahead. They may accumulate clutter or suffer from metabolic problems like weight gain. If crystals are placed in windows, they become a symbolic block. A crystal hung in one or two windows to catch the sun and throw rainbows is different and it's a good thing. But many times, crystals are hung all over the house and this becomes too much of a good thing!

Myth No. 7: Toilets are bad.

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to live in a house without indoor plumbing. Toilets aren't a black and white feng shui issue - they have shades of gray. Toilets are a big problem when they take up a whole sector of a house (when the house is divided into nine equal squares) or when they sit on an exact corner, meaning where two 45 degree walls meet. This gives them extra emphasis.

Toilets can often handle problem energy such as when there is an affliction, like the annual 5 Yellow, or if there is negative flying star energy. They should have the toilet lid and door to the toilet closed at all times. Because the toilet falls in a given sector of your home, be sure to place extra enhancements in the corner of the living room that corresponds to the corner where the toilet is. For example, if your toilet falls in the southwest corner of the house, be sure to add a lamp or red objects in the southwest corner of the living room to give that corner an extra boost.

5 Ways to Stay Positive in Negative Times

2011-01-16T22:13:00.000+08:00

Life is a series of ups and downs. It may seem like some people have it easier than others, but that's rarely the case. Most people have their share of problems and their successes.

The ones who get through the problems to make their life more successful, though, are those who have some common traits. And, with the economy the way it is, a successful person will be looking at how to adapt to the situation and capitalize on the times as they are - not as they wish they would be.

In 1990, my husband and I bought a $60,000 house (above, right) that was run down and smelled like urine inside. We had a 12% loan to pay on this "gem." But, our house was in a great neighborhood, and I could see that with a little effort, we could have a beautiful home in about a year - and more value in our home, too. (below, right)

Everyone said this was the "worst possible time to buy a home" because values were inflated and interest was, too. But you know what? We could buy one and did, but we bought smart. We bought under the market and it put us on top after it was over.

Three more houses later and we're in a gorgeous home and life is good. These are the lessons I've learned about taking positive steps in difficult times. And it's good feng shui, too.

1. Stay involved.

As easy as it is to throw your hands in the air and sit on the sofa, that does no one any good. Look at new opportunities. Learn a skill and look for ways to hedge your bets. Just like buying an undervalued house in a good neighborhood was a good investment, you can find ways to profit even in the worst times. Look for them.

2. Put more in.

Rather than sit and wait to see what was going to happen with the recession we were in around 1990, we invested in our home and our environment and it paid us back. FDR showed us with the WPA that investment into yourself is a good thing. By putting money and time into America's infrastructure, we reaped the benefits of the good energy and improved bridges, roads and other public works - and got ourselves out of the Great Depression. Work on your landscaping, repaint a room, install organizers. Improving your home will improve your life; trust me on this one!

3. Be detached.

Feng shui is about balance, and where does a balance pivot? It balances in the center - neither negative nor positive. Learn to watch the news with detachment about the rumblings of the sky falling and don't fall into the trap of believing that the sky really is falling. Detachment will keep you balanced in the face of hysteria of either the positive or the negative kind. Personally, I practice "expectant detachment." I am both expecting good things, but remaining detached. It takes practice, but I find more comes to me when I manage my emotions this way.

4. Seek out opportunities.

Continue to make efforts on your behalf and don't give in to apathy. Learn to be invaluable at work and to your clients and learn a new work skill. Find something unique that you can do - or a unique offer or twist on what you already do to improve your prospects. Be watchful for opportunities to come to you. And, when they do, get advice if you need to, but don't be afraid to stretch during challenging times. I am continuing to invest in my business and life and suggest you do, too.

5. Be daring, be BOLD.

The worst thing you can do is sit on the sidelines like a cardboard cutout in a store window that watches the parade go past you. An Israeli friend of mine recalled a story about a bomb that exploded close to a restaurant where he was eating with an American friend. The friend was alarmed and wanted to run out. The American asked the Israeli why he wasn't running away from the restaurant. "Because this fish is so good," he recalled licking his fingers. My mother was hugely disappointed that I didn't cancel a trip to London in the early 80's because the IRA was setting off bombs. There will always be crises and catastrophes. Enjoy the fish every chance you get.

7 Ways to Change Your Life and Luck

2011-01-16T22:12:00.000+08:00

Feng shui is all about creating flow, energy, finding balance and unstopping blockages. This is true for your personal space, your office, your home, and, well, you.

You have energy (or maybe you don't) and that energy impacts the way the world responds to you in the form of career, prosperity, health, wisdom, love, and happiness.

Applying feng shui to yourself is just as important as applying it to a home or office because you are the vessel that transports you through life.

Let's talk about some ideas that will help you feng shui yourself - and help you get your personal feng shui in sync, in harmony, and in a productive and prosperous mode!

1. Subtle change is powerful change.

Rather than a huge, sweeping change, such as losing 50 pounds, resolve to stop drinking sodas or fruit juice every day, for example. I had a habit of eating hard candies while writing and it packed on the pounds over time. I stopped eating them and dropped five pounds rather quickly. Do small things and do them consistently. They take less effort but the reward is great.

2. Focus on the action - not the goal.

So, maybe your goal is to lose 50 pounds or run a marathon. But that puts the focus on the end result not the action -- and this is what counts. A personal hero of mine is a young woman who needed to lose 100 pounds and she did it by running 30 seconds. Take that in: 30 seconds.

Each day she ran 30 seconds more than the day before. At the end of the year that amounts to about 3 hours of running - enough to run a marathon! Amazing, isn't it? This woman lost more than 100 pounds in a year which landed her on national TV. What small action can you take every day to get you to your goal?

3. Remove labels.

We've all got them whether they were given to us, imposed on us by teachers or coworkers or siblings, or ones that we have given ourselves. Calling ourselves anything other than a positive statement is a putdown. Get your mental "goo remover" on and strip away any and all labels that are negative. Don't repeat them, don't call other people by labels, and correct yourself when you do it to yourself.

4. Move the chi.

You need to be challenged and a great way to stretch yourself is by rearranging your furnishings. Position the sofa in a new direction, put your bed on another wall, or simply change the accessories in your house and switch out pictures and other decorating objects. It will cause you to sit in a new way, see in a new way, and be affected by the placement because you will now notice the changes and notice the objects because you changed them -- and this changes you.

Another way to move the chi? Vitamin X. Get out and get moving. Walk, ride, do an exercise tape...just get your internal chi revved by getting going. I always joked that I never ran unless there was a sale; (that's right, a label). Now, I don't say that anymore, and I'm running every day with my son and my husband as a family. We love it and we're all movin' and groovin' together and it's a lot more fun than running by my lonesome.

5. Learn something.

What do you want to learn? A new software program, a language, a new hobby? Learning is a great way to keep your internal energy growing. Can't think of anything? How about using your computer keyboard differently? Learn some new keyboard shortcuts for browsing the Internet. Or, put a CD in your car stereo and learn a new language. I love Success Magazine because it comes with a CD each month and covers various topics that impact success. I listen to them in the car and come away inspired and enthusiastic -- and often make modifications to my life based on what I hear.

6. Change your energy, change your luck.

Analyze where all your energy, or lack of energy, is going. Is it supporting you and helpful? Chances are it isn't if you're dragging and plodding in one area and frenetic and crazy in another. Try reversing these and you'll be amazed at what happens. If you're going crazy in the morning getting ready for work, try waking up a little earlier and getting going slowly. Or, if you're dragging your feet on a project, why not get in there and knock it out and put lots of energy into it and get it done? I bet you'd see a huge difference in your life if you had a slower start and a faster finish instead of the other way around!

7. Don't tolerate annoyances.

How many little things do you tolerate? Really, day in and day out, what is it that constantly grates on your nerves? And, the next question is, why don't you fix it? Right now...that's right. Get up and fix that thing that's annoying the heck out of you. In fact, make it your habit to fix any and everything that bugs you as soon as you notice it.

When we ignore little annoyances, we block the little surprises and niceties that can happen to us but don't because the petty annoying stuff is blocking us. So, instead of walking past that pile of papers or putting up with the tag in your sweater that's scratching you, fix it. Fix it NOW! :) Then, watch as other nice things begin to happen once you can turn your focus away from annoyances.

Dining Room Feng Shui - Make Your Thanksgiving Happier!

2011-01-16T22:10:00.001+08:00

Well, it's that time of year: Thanksgiving. In America, we celebrate all our blessings and bounty with a holiday that features food and family.

For some families, this is only the first, or maybe, second time they have eaten in the dining room this year.

Regardless of whether you dine in there regularly or not -- or whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not -- there are some simple feng shui rules about the dining room that you will want to observe anytime.

Arguments start at the table? Excess wood energy is to blame. Put a red or orange tablecloth on the table to diffuse arguments and exhaust the wood energy that gets everyone bickering. The red color will make everyone hungry and focus on the food instead of who got Aunt Martha's china. Alternatively, use a candle in your centerpiece (see photo above) to burn up excess wood energy.

Provide for fun. Give your guests something to do such as games, cards, or even silly MadLibs that gets them interacting (instead of just staring at the TV). These are great fun for adults and kids and only require a MadLibs pad and a pencil for great fun that's contained and gets everyone participating. Best of all? All that fun and laughing brings your house beautiful happiness chi!

Burn pine or cinnamon scented candles. This stimulates appetite and is a natural scent from trees (cinnamon is a type of tree bark). Avoid sweet floral scents.

Arrange seating to face one another. Position chairs and sofas to face one another. This will keep feelings more convivial and prevent everyone from being "at odds" with each other, the way L-shaped seating so often does. It will also keep everyone in the living room and out of the kitchen where you're trying to work culinary magic!

More Holiday Do's and Don'ts

DO display your china and crystal. The dining room is a place of wealth, and for that reason, it is always auspicious to display your family crystal, china, or silver. Consider adding mirrors to the back of a china cabinet to "double" the amount of crystal and china you have.

DO have bright, beautiful lighting. A beautiful chandelier is a wonderful addition to the dining room. If yours isn't bright enough or attractive to you, replace it with another fixture. Lighting is very auspicious.

DO hang mirrors here. Mirrors are stimulating and they double the good times by doubling the food and company in the room.

DON'T have clocks in the dining room. Clocks in the dining room bring bad energy; actually, they symbolize death. Remember, the passage of time is not important while you are enjoying a meal and the company of those closest to you. Take clocks out of the dining room.

DON'T eat with the dead. So many people have pictures of deceased relatives in the dining room. Avoid doing this because it creates an extremely yin dining experience -- and that can create health problems.

DON'T eat with animals. It is better not to have animals in the dining room, real or otherwise. If you have pictures of birds or statues of animals -- or even your dog, Spot -- take them out of there. Animals symbolically eat your food. Better to put them in another location.

DON'T use paper plates. Even if you have a big crowd, DO use real plates, china, and crystal. This is a holiday to celebrate abundance and material wealth and paper plates are poor symbols on such an auspicious holiday!

What Your Health Says About Your Life

2011-01-16T22:07:00.001+08:00

When we want to read our environment to learn more about our lives, feng shui helps us to understand what our environments are saying about our business success, our family, our health and our relationship happiness.

What's fascinating about the study of feng shui is to see the correlation between our lives and our bodies. In addition to reading our spaces to tell us where we can improve our lives, we can also look at our bodies to gain better understanding of our lives and our happiness.

Many times before we take a big step in our life - especially a step that requires our faith and courage - we become ill. Illness isn't always a sign that something's wrong; it's often a sign of growth. It's our body's way of "pulling in" and helping itself to marshal its full energy before taking on a big endeavor.

To put it another way, we often break down before we break through.

Start paying attention to when your body breaks down. It's often before you make a big step - especially a step that is purely for ourselves - like writing a novel, beginning an important course, getting married or moving.

There are other signs our bodies make that relate to areas in our life where we might be trying to grow or where we need to take steps. The list below will help you decipher your body's feng shui code.

North/business and career opportunities. Business relates to the ears. Think about it: how do we learn about opportunities and chances to advance in our jobs and business? We hear about them. If you're ears are bothering you, are you listening for chances to move ahead or are you waiting for an invitation? To move ahead, be sure you stay attuned to the business messages around you.

South/recognition and business success. This relates to the heart and eyes. Maybe you aren't 'seeing' the opportunities and you're blind to your chances to advance. Or, you might not be following your heart's desire in your career. Do your best to look ahead and be visionary with your job or your business and life. If your eyes are bothering you, you might not want to really "look" at what's upsetting you. Ever since I had Lasik surgery I could see my own success more clearly and I believe that surgery has helped advance my business.

East/family, health and growth. This relates to the feet. If you have problems with your feet, you have a problem with inertia. It's hard to get growing if it's hard to get going. When your feet slow you down in life, you feel like life is standing still or going backwards.

You may have to "take a big step" in your life. Talk to your podiatrist about any foot problems you are having and get them resolved to help you move ahead in life. Reconsider your diet too. If you have severe edema or swelling, reduce carbohydrates. These can be yin because they create water and water slows you down. Trees can drown in too much water ...and so can people.

Southeast/wealth, material abundance. This relates to the hips and thighs. This is an area that is a source of power and strength - much like having a large amount of money in the bank. If your hips are hurting from sciatica or bursitis, money may weigh on your mind and you may suffer from anger and gallbladder problems.

More to the point, the kind of money that you accumulate may bother you. You may worry that you don't have enough saved or for you enough may never really be enough. Talk to an acupuncturist or good massage therapist to help loosen up your hips and thighs so that you aren't so uptight about money - and set aside some money you never touch.

Southwest/romance, love, relationships. When your stomach and body core bothers you, you could feel like a situation is too much to stomach. Maybe you don't feel like you're really loved and appreciated. A woman may be letting you down or you may feel pressured to live up to unrealistic expectations if you are a woman. Sometimes stomach problems show up as nosebleeds. Find someone or a group where you will be accepted and loved. Or, disassociate yourself from those who you feel are not supportive of you or drain your energy.

West/creativity, children, projects. This area is associated with the mouth. When you have tooth pains or mouth problems, you may find that you have a problem expressing yourself. The teeth relate to stating your needs, wants, desires and your individual creative expression. When a mouth problem comes up, ask yourself if you need to express yourself or if you are expressing yourself fully. Maybe you're not living up to your creative potential.

Northwest/helpful people, mentors, international travel. This area is associated with the head. When there are migraines, sinus problems and any kind of problems with the head, even eczema or dandruff, maybe you're not letting go of your thoughts and expressing yourself well.

If you find thoughts swimming around in your head all the time, chances are you aren't asking for the help you need or you are lacking in perspective. Try to find time and space to "clear your head" and go to places like the mountains or beach where you can see far distances and release tension that's in your head.

Northeast/good decisions, wisdom, learning. This is most often expressed by the hands. When there is a problem with the hands, decisions may be hasty, rash or lack thoughtful reflection. Hands are our "doing" parts of our body.

To control your thoughts, focus on where your hands are and what your hands are doing. Give them extra care and attention - how long has it been since you've had a manicure? Being more conscientious about your hands will help your thoughts be clearer and more reflective.

6 Feng Shui Steps to Change Your Life without Diet or Exercise

2011-01-16T22:03:00.001+08:00

At the beginning of the New Year we buy a new calendar and flip to the first page marked January. We pack up our Christmas decorations, put away our new sweater and gifts and look guiltily at the boxes of chocolates that we leave out "for company."

But few of us really expect a truly new year.

We just hope for the best. This year can be different. By trying just a few new things, a vibrant, positive world can open up for you.

If you're ready for a truly new year, read on. If not, there's always leftover chocolate.

Forget resolutions, remember your accomplishments.

Too many of us go into the New Year thinking about all the things we're going to 'give up', get rid of, or stop doing. All the emphasis is on the negative. Instead, put the emphasis on the positive - what you did in the past year, what you accomplished that you couldn't imagine yourself doing this time last New Year's Eve. There's too much resolution pollution and too little self-appreciation. Pat yourself on the back and reflect on all the things you did that surprised yourself in the past year.

Get rest.

A famous mountain climbing expert who trains mountain climbers begins the training with two weeks of....nothing. That's right, rest. His belief is that you can literally climb a mountain if your body is prepared for it and that requires rest. Make sure you have enough down time to think, recharge and keep healthy in the year ahead. All comes from nothing and if you want the world, give yourself time and rest so you're ready for it!

Take a stand and make a prediction.

Rather than a resolution, try making a prediction about something in the coming year - maybe something you'll do or that will happen in your life. What's interesting about predictions is that they don't have all the baggage that a resolution does but still retain the magic, which is that tiny kernel of desire in yourself.

Resolutions usually fail because the seed at the nexus of the resolution is based on what's wrong with you and not what's right, what you want or what you're excited about. When we make predictions, they're positive and we look forward to seeing them occur -- a lot like the excitement we experience opening a fortune cookie. That's when magic happens in life.

Get out (doors).

We spend too much time in front of screens and away from nature and our relationships. Time spent with nature recharges us -- and walking among trees can make you famous. Looking to be known, want more growth in your life, better health? Being outdoors is good feng shui for the body and mind. It can also help you have happier, healthier relationships.

If you have something difficult to talk about, have your discussion outdoors. The conversation will be easier because in feng shui your eye and heart are connected, and when your eye is on a beautiful bird or flower, it helps open up your heart, making you more connected with the other person.

Stand up and walk out of your history. Quote by Dr. Phil

You are not the sum total of the days that have preceded this one. Destiny is what you make happen, history is what has happened to you. Dr. Phil is right. Sometimes you can just stand up and walk out of the past. The feng shui trinity of luck is made up of one third of your actions - not your history. Take charge of your life today and stop living like it was yesterday.

Just add water.

The water element is the first natural element that we come to know as humans. We are held in a sac of water in our mother's stomach, the water cushioning and insulating us. We need water in our homes and our lives, yet too few homes have water. Sure, they have lots of blue colors but little actual water. Make it a goal this year to bring water to your home in the form of a fountain, a pond, an aquarium, a water fall - even drinking more water.

Adding water to your environment will help to insulate you from the bumps of life. Mind racing and life stress-filled? Visit a lake, pond or beach to clear your mind and find the answers you are looking for. The body knows before the mind, so if you find yourself unable to quench your thirst, be ready for a change to come to your life. It's your body's way of helping you to handle the change.

All I have are bills. I have no extra money. What can I do to start saving?

2010-10-11T17:37:00.001+08:00

To start saving, you need to define the type of problem you have. It's most likely that the problem could be twofold: leaks or starvation. Let's start with leaks.

Energy leaks drain your home of vital energy. When this happens, not only do you lose money, you also become physically exhausted. Below are some of the most common causes of energy leaks.

--The front door and back door line up. If they do, money flies out of the house. You need to block the view.
--The see-through house. Make sure you can't see from the front of your house through to the back. This will cause money to fly out of your home -- and your hand.
--Your feet line up with the bathroom entrance while you sleep. If this happens, you will drain your physical and financial vitality. Angle your bed and keep the bathroom door closed. I know of several instances of severe physical problems where the occupants' feet pointed at a bathroom sink while they were in bed.
--The see through bedroom. If your bedroom door lines up with a window, energy will fly out of the room. Close drapes or blinds.
--Dripping water. If you have water leaks or dripping water anywhere, you're losing money.
--Water behind you. If there is a road, culvert, drainage ditch, river, or lake behind your home, this can cause financial loss and hardship. Make sure you block the view of the road by planting a row of hedges and trees to stop the loss and block the view. This is also true if you can stand at your front door and see through to the back of your home out to a pool. Be sure to block the view or close of the entrance to the home so you can't see through to the back of the house.

Now, sometimes lack of financial accumulation isn't due to leaks, but rather starvation.

Make sure your home is clean, clutter-free and that you use the front door. The front door "feeds" the house because it is the mouth of chi. Take extra steps to keep the front of your home attractive, maintained and that your front door and foyer is inviting and used often. Lastly, never place a mirror opposite your front door -- this is a sure way to create bankruptcy as it pushes energy right back out the door, effectively cutting off all energy and starving the home of energy, creating severe financial difficulties.

6 Key Ways to Magnetize Your Wealth Energy

2010-10-11T17:35:00.001+08:00

There's a saying that success is just the accumulation of good habits. It's true. The more you do to help yourself and to be successful, the more successful - and prosperous - you'll become. Success and the wealth and acclaim that comes with it isn't as much a secret as much as it is a habit.

Having a happy home life, successful career, ability to go and buy what you like when you want it, this brings happiness and that's true wealth. There are many people who have money, but lack wealth.

One time my husband and I were shopping for a new home. The houses were beautiful, but there is little furniture, or what's there was of poor quality. It's as though the owner's money went into the homes, but there was no money to furnish the beautiful home with beautiful belongings. Is that a wealthy homeowner? No.

That's the paradox of wealth.

Having money (or a big house or a nice car) doesn't mean you are wealthy any more than breathing makes you healthy. Having real wealth is about having a beautiful home, but also the ability to furnish it beautifully. Real wealth means you may have a wonderful car and beautiful home - but you also have accumulated wealth. Accumulated wealth brings security, comfort, and is relaxing.

If you've read the passage "Paradox of Our Age" by the Dalai Lama, you'll understand the wealth energy that I am trying to impart to you. It's about true wealth; not just money. Real wealth is the abundant, accumulated resource that's there for you to use as you wish when you wish, and that keeps your family and security safeguarded. Money is easy, but simple money can become meaningless when it is only money and not wealth. Creating wealthy habits will have the effect of lifting your personal energy - and that is a powerful attractant to more wealth.

1. Repair broken energy.
Broken energy comes from, well, broken things. When your door scrapes against the threshold, it imbues your home with negative, irrigating energy. If your dishes are chipped, you are eating off of broken energy. This drains positive wealth energy and makes your house drained and more yin. Our houses must be energized and broken things bring the energy level down -- and that affects our prosperity. Keep your clothes, your home, your car and your doors in good working order. What's broken that's is draining your energy? Fix it or remove it from your sight.

2. Putting wealth in, not just out.
Too often in our lives, we become accustomed to money flowing in and out of our lives -- and not accumulating. The money comes in, the bills get paid, and the money flows right back out again. Energizing your home and life for wealth means putting energy INTO it. This includes making deposits into your accounts. Get into the habit of putting money in instead of just paying out. This energy builds over time -- and so does your bank account. And you'd be surprised how that will make you feel.

Do you have a retirement or savings account? If so, set up automatic weekly or monthly withdrawals. Or, join Bank of America's program that rounds off purchases to the nearest dollar and puts the extra amount into a savings account. Do you buy a large Diet Coke or coffee every day? Stop and then put that money into a piggy bank. A $1.50 drink each day amounts to $547 at the end of a year! Are you drinking $500's worth of diet sodas? What's important is that you see yourself as accumulating money, not just being a pass-thru for it.

3. Energize your home.
Keep your home energized with fresh paint, lush landscaping. Just like an employer matching your 401K, match your home with an investment in beautifying and updating your surroundings. Unlike a car, money put into a home will be an investment that will pay you back in energy -- and if you sell it -- in dollars. More importantly, by energizing your home, you magnetize your home for wealth energy. Landscaping is a very important ingredient because it brings vital dragon energy to the home. Lush flowers, trees and plants are healthy and invigorating and lift the energy of the house.

4. Energize your image.
Many times when someone doesn't feel good or feel like they look good, they have a stuffed closet. A closet that's rammed with shoes and clothes that are outdated will cause you to feel outdated too! If you are ready to "look the part" of a wealthy, happy and abundantly prosperous person, turn to your closet to get rid of the clothing that no longer suits you or is part of an outdated image.

If you have weight to lose, this could be even more important for you! Pare down your closet - including those articles of clothing that you used to fit in but haven't in a long time. Wealth energy means moving energy and when you are stuck in an old look and outdated image, this can stop the energy flowing to you. Wear your make-up a new way, try wearing colors you'd never wear (maybe orange?), get a new hairstyle. This will invigorate your image -- and that draws energy to you!

5. Energize your finances.
Get a red wallet and checkbook, put your investment and banking account information and statements in red folders and put bills into blue or black folders so they aren't energized. Have a small basket to hold bills -- and keep it small so your bills stay small. Clean out and organize your financial files and your purse or wallet. Streamline your credit cards so that you don't have too many, limiting them to three or less. Add grains of sea salt to your wallet to "draw" money, just like sea water will draw soreness away from ache-y muscles! Place three-tied Chinese coins in your wallet, purse, checkbook, and financial files.

6. Believe.
Do you believe you can be wealthy and prosperous? Do you think you deserve it? Do you really FEEL that way or are you just intellectualizing it? It's so important that you believe you are worthy of being a prosperous person, someone who doesn't just make a living, but makes a life with the money you earn. Observe your thoughts about wealth and money and see if it's really not you who is standing in the way of money. Make a vision board for money and place images and messages there that support your desires.

© K Weber Communications LLC 2002-2010
Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in classical Chinese feng shui. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more information and to receive her FREE Ebook "Easy Money - 3 Steps to Building Massive Wealth with Feng Shui" visit www.redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant.

How can I dissolve some of the tension with my mother in law?

2010-10-11T17:33:00.000+08:00

There are few relationships as trying as a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Sadly, many mothers resent their son's marriage and find fault with the new woman in their son's life rather than taking the new daughter under her wing. Of course, some daughters-in-law create problems or contribute to them. Making matters worse is that there is often a frustrated man in the middle.

To soothe over difficult feelings, especially if there are harsh words or critical comments, be sure to display a rooster in the southwest corner. This will help to stop the back and forth remarks that do nothing but build resentments. This year, the addition of metal in the southwest corner will also help to soothe some of the ruffled feathers. Two smooth crystal balls in the southwest corner are another traditional way to make females more convivial and improve the bond between mother- and daughter-in-law.

9 Tips for Reading the Environment

2010-10-11T17:29:00.001+08:00

Good feng shui has a number of definitions. It includes everything from good landscape layout, auspicious topography that includes mountains, lakes, or oceans, and good design, including auspicious or inauspicious shapes, harmonious arrangement of elements, and a host of other factors.

But did you know that good feng shui can also include very subtle environmental clues, too? It's true.

For instance, have you ever walked into a home or office and felt uncomfortable at once? Or, perhaps your children became unruly or your baby started to cry. These are all signs that the feng shui of the space is not right.

When do you want to observe signs? Important times might include...

...when you are searching for a new home to buy
...when you are making an important decision
...when an important event is about to take place (birth of a child, moving, marriage, funeral, promotion, graduation, etc.)
...when you are beginning a new endeavor (marriage, starting a business, etc.)

Where do you look for signs?
These can be out your window, hanging on the walls, on the radio, on the television...almost anywhere. So, stay attuned to what you see and encounter in an environment for an intangible feng shui "stamp of approval."

What are some examples of good signs?

1. Happy children.
Children who are laughing and giggling are excellent signs. If children play around a house you are interested in buying this is an excellent sign. Cooing, happy babies are especially good signs - as is pregnancy!

2. Rain.
When you are considering a financial move or starting a business and rain begins to fall, this is a very excellent sign, as water equals money in feng shui. A light, lovely rain is always a blessing and a good signal of prosperity. A rainbow is the resplendent symbol of rain, which is the unity of yin and yang.

3. Sunshine.
Sunshine breaking through clouds or trees is an excellent sign of good fortune. Sun streaming through windows (as long as it's not blinding) is another wonderful sign.

4. Plants.
When you see a plant blooming or trees and flowers doing very well, this is an excellent sign. If you are starting a business and see pictures of forests or vases of flowers, this is a very beneficial sign for your business. Look for plants that stand out, are blooming, or are especially beautiful - such as a large, magnificent oak tree.

5. Birds.
A flock of birds, a picture of a bird or birds, a lone hawk or falcon flying are all examples of excellent feng shui signs. Cranes, in particular, are thought to be good signs of both longevity and great fortune. White birds signal good health or bad situations turning better. Birds flying over a house or business bring good news of prosperity!

6. Wind.
When you arrive at a house you are interested in buying, does the rain stop and the clouds part and the wind begin to blow? Or, does a light breeze greet you as you step out of the door? These are all excellent signs. Light, comforting breezes are excellent feng shui and augurs good luck. Strong wind, however, blows away good luck.

7. Animals.
Are there any animals gathering close? Do you see a group of beautiful horses? Or, is there a toad hopping by? Happy, beautiful animals are harbingers of good news and good outcomes. Pay attention to the animal world at the start of any undertaking or when times are stressful. Even butterflies are considered excellent and wonderful predictors of positive outcomes. Cows are symbols of wishes coming true!

8. Fruits or flowers.
Do you see fruits or flowers? Are they fresh and beautiful looking? These are excellent signs of success and bounty, and can be real or in paintings. Pink flowers are considered good symbols of love, white flowers as symbols of good health and better times, yellow flowers are believed to be the best symbols of wealth, red as symbols of happiness. Do you have a flower bush that rarely blooms? Take note of what's happening in your life if it begins to bloom!

9. Heavenly visions.
Do you see certain religious symbols or elements? This can be taken as a sign of a stamp of approval of a higher order. Pay attention to symbols that you see that suggest spirituality. This can also include dreams. Pay attention to dreams, jotting them down each morning just as you wake, for clues about what's happening in your life.

Look around and see what shows up when you are confronted with a situation, such as making an important decision, such as buying a business or looking for a new house, when you need that cosmic "thumbs up." It might be right in front of you or flying overhead. Looking outside of ourselves for confirmation can be very powerful and affirming.

Is jade jewelry good feng shui?

2010-10-11T17:28:00.000+08:00

Oh, yes, it certainly is. Jade is one of the most favored gems by the Chinese because it is reputed to enhance a person's chi, which in the body is circulation. There are a number of different jade colors, though, and not everyone is aware that jade can range from black to red, green, purple, white and yellow. Of course, the most popular color is green jade. Green is the color of young, fresh growth and is especially good for arthritis and promoting good health.

Long ago it was believed that if you put a piece of jade in a dead person's mouth, the body would not decompose. Place a piece of jade upon your skin and it will always feel cool. If it doesn't, it's not jade. This isn't a foolproof method for selecting jade, but it is a method to help you determine what jade is real from the fake jade.

Feng shui focuses on the movement of chi. Chi can be found in your home, the environment, your desk and, yes, your body. Anything that promotes the smooth flow of good chi is a benefit. So, wear your jade in good health and prosperity.

Raise Your Sights - The Feng Shui of Views

2010-10-11T17:23:00.002+08:00

Put your back into it. Keep your nose to the grindstone. These pithy sayings are meant to instill the value of consistent work effort. And, for the most part they're true, because consistent work pays off, but sometimes when you're busy looking down all the time, you lose sight of where you're going.

Feng shui offers us an opportunity to lift our eyes and create movement in our lives instead of drudgery, or worse, the awful position of feeling stuck in a "Groundhog Day" kind of life.

Too often we fall into the rut of day by day living to the point that we can't imagine anything different or anything better and our vision gets cut off.

I'm frequently surprised at the shocked expressions I get when I ask people what they want and ask where they see their lives going or where they want their lives to go. They're stunned because they can't imagine anything different or anything more than that grindstone where their noses are pointed at every day. And who can fault any of us for this?

Most of the time, the thought of something better in our lives never enters the picture because we're so busy just trying to get through the day, get the bills paid on time, the kids fed, car gassed and attend to all the other little details of our life that the big things slip silently by.

The idea that by shifting our views can make a meaningful change is sometimes hard to imagine. But take for example a psychotherapist who specializes in trauma victims. The moment she walked into her office, the lucky corner (the corner diagonally opposite the door) held a dying plant. That's what she saw everyday -- a dying plant. Her business was dying, too, and patients were falling away.

After a coworker took mercy on the plant and removed it, the psychotherapist made a special trip and purchased a beautiful silk floral arrangement to represent blossoming and to replace the dying plant. Her business shot up and within a few short days had calls and new clients coming in - and it's been that way since.

What you look at and what you see has a strong bearing on your life because we experience our life through our eyes. Feng shui stands as a tool to help you align what you see with what you want.

Use these feng shui tips to help you look up from the grindstone and raise your sights to the greater possibilities in your life.

Place your desires correctly. Place a whiteboard, a vision board, or a big sticky note of where you want to go on the left of your vision or in front of you as you sit at your desk. You can place your accomplishments on the right of your desk or behind you. By putting your goals on the left (dragon side) you infuse them with positive, yang energy, because, after all, you want to get there, right? That green dragon can give you a hand. Want more mojo? Place an image of a dragon by your goals.

Place your name high. Never buy a welcome mat with your name on it like so many businesses have because (besides wiping feet on your good name), it causes you to look down. If you have a business or if you want to highlight your accomplishments, put anything with your name on it (like a sign or diploma) up high and prominently placed in your office or home, where you will look up to see it.

Follow the 6 Star. Six is the number of heaven in feng shui and where the 6 Star is located is also the location of where people are who can help you. In 2009, the 6 Star is located in the Southwest, the corner of women. That means women will be instrumental in helping you move forward. In 2010, the 6 Star is in the East, which is the domain of the dragon, or male, energy. So, you may find that men (particularly young men) will be the source of your assistance in 2010. In 2011, it will be in the Southeast, making young women a source of assistance and making money through associations with powerful people.

Paint your ceilings white. White is the color of heaven and if your ceilings are painted a color other than white, you may find that your aspirations are either drowned (blue ceilings), fail to take off (yellow or beige ceilings), or you're scattered and can't focus enough to accomplish things (green ceilings). Heaven is also an energy of protection, and we can all use that. White ceilings provide heavenly protection overhead.

Activate your lucky corner. Look at every corner in every room that is opposite and diagonal to the door. Be sure to put some kind of activator there, such as a tall lamp, a plant, or beautiful object to bring beauty and significance to your vision. These corners are powerful influences on our minds and our thoughts.

Be choosy about representations of yourself. Look for photos of yourself that are positive and uplifting regardless of whether that's a photo at home, your driver's license or your Facebook or Twitter photo. A menacing or sad-looking photo is a powerful representation of you. Make sure your picture, Avatar, or any representation makes a positive statement about you.

Speak your prayers up. The Chinese make and wear jade discs that are called bi, bai, or psi. In olden times, these discs were worn around the neck and prayers were spoken through the center hole because the circle is a conduit for your wishes. Lift your head and your voice up when you speak your intentions and prayers. Try saying your prayers at night under the stars!

Spirituality and Feng Shui -- How to Display Religious Articles Appropriately

2010-09-30T18:09:00.001+08:00

Many people confuse feng shui as a type of mystical belief. The fact is that feng shui is no more mysterious - or spiritually-oriented - than acupuncture.

In its truest sense, feng shui is more correctly called a technique. It's a technique for aligning the energy of a space. Even with this knowledge, some people can become uncomfortable with the mixing of religion and spirituality with feng shui.

Part of the discomfort stems from some feng shui practitioners who like to align feng shui with certain rituals, and who imbue these rituals and feng shui recommendations with a type of mysticism. This can cause a misunderstanding about feng shui that it is a spiritual practice.

However, when it comes to traditional Chinese feng shui, the practice is decidedly more formulaic. Following compass directions (from the earth's magnetic lines), for instance, is about as spiritual as it gets.

That withstanding, the use of deities, such as thangkas, Buddha heads, a Star of David, crosses, crescents, and other icons brings about a mindfulness of heaven's role in the trinity of luck, and reminds us to seek the blessings of Heaven.

Below are 6 tips for working with religious items, and icons.

1. Put Heaven in the Heaven position.
In feng shui, heaven is associated with the northwest sector. When you display religious items or have a family altar in the home, place them in the northwest corner of the living room or home. This is a good sector to place crosses, menorahs, crescents, or pictures of deities. It's also a good location to place photos of deceased relatives.

2. Keep Heaven close to the door.
Altars placed directly opposite the front door are believed to be good for creating a spiritual home and considered to be very auspicious. They also keep our spiritual lives in the forefront of our minds because we see them the minute we walk into the house. They are also believed to spill blessings out to all who enter the door.

3. Be respectful.
Religious icons, statues, or altars should be well-lighted, kept clean, and in an elevated position (at least five feet from the floor). Religious items or symbols should be located in auspicious locations such as living areas or foyer and not in kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, or dining areas.

4. Place symbols properly.
Religious symbols such as crosses, stars, or crescents have points and emit strong energy. They should not be displayed on the front door, at the end of a hall, across from a bed, or behind someone seated (such as at a dining table, desk, or sofa).

Your house should also not be situated across from these symbols. This is why living or working across from a house of worship is often considered bad feng shui, particularly if it is opposite your front door. If so, plant a hedge or install a fence to screen the view.

5. Activate your home's spiritual sector.
If you want to boost your spirituality and spiritual life, then consider moving your religious articles into the northeast portion of your house or living room. This is the direction that coincides with wisdom, spirituality, self growth, and education, and is an excellent location for meditation and prayer.

6. Put religion at the heart of your home.
The center of the home is a very important space. It impacts health, wealth, and happiness. Create good feng shui by locating your icons, symbols, or altars in a central location. Be sure that they are well-lit

Stairway Feng Shui Rules -- Types of Stairs & How They Affect Your Feng Shui

2010-09-30T18:06:00.001+08:00

Stairways do more than just provide a way for us to get from one floor to the other. If placed properly, stairways can help the energy that exists in our home, called chi, to move up and down easily and smoothly.

If stairways are not done well, they can inhibit the proper flow of energy throughout the home. Worse still, poor stairways can create problems or even harm us.

How do your stairs stack up? Here are a few feng shui rules for stairways and the effect they have on you.

Rule No. 1: No open risers.

Stairs should be complete, whole stairs and
always have risers (backing). Stairs with open risers lose flow and energy. Correct this by adding backs or risers to the stairs. This is especially problematic for home or apartments on the second floor.

Effect: Second floor does not receive flow. Residents of second floor suffer.

Rule No. 2: Where stairs stop matters.

Stairs should not end at a door, such as the front door, or face a bedroom door. This creates poison arrows or killing chi (double that if a mirror reflects the staircase). If a staircase stops at a bedroom door, it can cause energy to drain away from the residents of the bedroom, causing financial and health-related problems related to low energy, such as low thyroid or depression.

If your stairway terminates at the front door (like the picture at right), keep a bright light lit at the front door or in the foyer where the stairs are. This door should also have a covering over the glass to stop energy from running out of the house.

Or, you can hang a crystal between the stairs and the front door. And if that doesn't work for you, you can hang a small mirror at the back of the door to reflect the energy back up the stairs. These are all good and effective ways to combat this difficult placement.

Effect: Loss of wealth, neck and head problems. Difficulties with opportunities for head of household.

Rule No. 3: Staircase shape matters.

Curved staircases are best. Spiral staircases, resembling corkscrews boring into a house, are the worst. They become even worse if they are placed in the center of the house or by the front door.

Effect: Problems occur in the location of the staircase, i.e., staircase in center creates loss of wealth, and problems for all residents. Staircase in health sector creates problems for health.

Rule No. 4: Split or scissor-style staircases create loss.

Success in a household with a scissor staircase is elusive. This is doubled when a scissor staircase faces the front door (often seen in split level homes). Correct this by blocking the view of the staircase. Or wind a long strand of ivy (real or artificial) around the handrail from the upper stair to the lower stair. Place a plant at the top of the stairs or on the center of the stairs where it curves.

Effect: Scissor styles create loss for patriarch or breadwinner and relationships suffer. Opportunities are lost.

Rule No. 5: Staircase location is important.

Staircases located on the side of the home rather than in the center are preferable. Stairs at the center of the home can cause a rift or split in the family. Block the view to this stair case if possible to reduce its effect.

Effect: When the staircase in the center of the house there can be a loss of wealth and problems for all residents. If the staircase is at the front it can cause a loss of opportunities, difficulties, energy running away. If the staircase terminates at the front door, it can cause neck stiffness.

More fine points on stairs: Below are a few more stairway considerations.

Staircase coverings: Red carpets should never adorn staircases as they resemble blood flowing down. Carpet, wood, or tile are all fine coverings, with wood being the preferred as it offers growing energy that rises.

Staircase foundations: If your staircase has space underneath it, refrain from placing water there, such as fountains, ponds, aquariums, etc. These can harm children. Ideally, there is a storage room under the stairs. It is good feng shui to use the space under a staircase for storage rather than to leave it empty. If the space is open underneath your stairs, you can place a home altar there.

If you use it as a storeroom, consider placing money boxes, wealth vases, or work-related items there. For instance, Lillian Too wrote that she used her stairway closet as a storage room for her books once she began writing and she's the most published author in feng shui. She also lines her stairs with bookcases that feature, (what else?), her books. At our house, we have luggage stored under the stairs and have we ever traveled since moving into this house!

Bathrooms under staircases: Bathrooms located here, and particularly those in the center of the home, drain away even more precious energy and hurt all the residents of the home, not just the children. They also drain wealth away.

Stairway landings: It's best if stairs proceed up the wall without a landing in the middle or other type of break. If there is a break, consider lighting the steps or wall of the stairs to create good energy and help the chi move up and down the stairs.

Windows on stairways: If your stairs point toward a window or end at a window, you're probably losing energy. Block this window by installing a shutter that can be closed so that the chi does not run out the window!

Pet Feng Shui -- 8 Important Pet Guidelines

2010-09-30T17:45:00.001+08:00

Every space needs active energy and love. Pets give us both. And pets allow us to express our love, too.

Pets are often looked on as members of the family, and as such, should be considered when you are reviewing the feng shui of your home.

Regardless of the type of pet you have, there are some simple feng shui guidelines about having pets that range from common sense suggestions about care and feeding, to things you might not consider, such as how pets impact your relationships, finances, or health.

PETS ARE GOOD FENG SHUI

This is the most important thing to remember. Their energy and liveliness means we have an active home even when we aren't there, making our homes more "yang." Dogs, for instance, also provide protective energy for our homes helping us to feel more secure and safe.

When dogs bark and wag their tails happily, they give us lots of exuberant joy. And petting and caring for any animal gives us and them great feng shui energy -- and displays of love are always wonderful feng shui. This is the best case. But when are pets not good feng shui? There are some instances when the feng shui of your home is disturbed by pets.

The worst case scenario is when pets are not cared for properly.

If the fish tank isn't clean and clear, the fish don't do as well - and neither do you. Fish represent success and wealth in feng shui, and if the water is dirty, then both may elude you.

Furthermore, in feng shui, dirty water can also lead to health problems. One of the worst situations I ever saw was a fish tank so dirty you couldn't even see the fish at all. The couple who lived in this house were dead broke and divorced after a short time. I could feel nothing but sorrow for those poor, poor creatures.

What must have other visitors thought -- and what did this nasty tank do the psyche of everyone in the home? Or, what was the message to the child who saw parents who cared so little for these fish that they wouldn't even provide them with clean water?

So, while it's nice to have a pet, the first priority must always be the pet's health, safety, and care. If you don't have the proper space or time to care for the pet, then it's better not to have them because, simply put, having animals in poor conditions is very bad feng shui.

GOOD FENG SHUI KEEPS PETS & PEOPLE BALANCED

If animals live in the house, it's important to make sure that proper hierarchy is observed. I can't tell you how many pet horror stories I have seen that range from romantic difficulties to health problems because the pets have dominance over people. Remember, you are the master of your domain, and it should remain this way. Also, we can't forget that to have good feng shui, we must have balance.

While there are cases where animals are not cared for properly, i.e., given the right conditions, treatment, too little interaction or stimulation, or care, it's very often the case that the pets are in a position superior to the people in the house. This means the house is out of balance, and if this is the case, the feng shui is impacted. The end result means that life is not as good as it could - or should - be.

Try to observe these simple feng shui pet guidelines.

1. Animals should stay off of furniture - unless it's furniture specifically for them.

Pets aren't people and this is rule NO. 1. They shouldn't be treated like mini-people, and should be treated well, but as pets. When pets are put ahead of people, this puts them on equal footing with people, or worse, ahead of people and that can lead to behavior problems. Even the Dog Whisperer reminds pet owners to remember the pet's nature first and that you're the boss.

2. Animals should not be on the bed, particularly for couples.

This divides the couple and gets in the way of romance, and sometimes, the relationship. It would be better if the animals were not in the bedroom of a couple, but if it comes to choosing between pets sleeping in the room on the bed or the floor, go with the floor, never the bed.

3. Work to prevent excess pet smells and hair.

Pets should enhance a home, not dominate it. If your kitty litter box is the first thing you see - or smell - when you enter someone's home, then there's a problem - and it's not just the smell. If this is the case, you will find that this is a house where the occupants are usually struggling in one or more ways.

4. Understand and maintain the balance of "pet power."

Maybe you have a dog that barks, jumps on, scares or threatens people as soon as they enter your home. Well, then, you have a situation where every time someone comes in, fear comes with them. Is this the kind of environment you want to live in?

If this sounds like your pet, then at the very least, they should be secured in another room when someone comes to visit. The fear they inspire will create a yin environment -- and that hurts your health, wealth, and relationships. Life suddenly becomes stuck. If this is your situation, then you have a home where your energy is dragging and motivation is low. Check in with a pet trainer to help you get your pet's behavior in line.

One homeowner has a very large aggressive dog that he thinks is sweet and wonderful. However, this dog scares visitors. This dog definitely rules the roost and he knows it. What's worse is when a pet is given full reign of the house and its owner thinks it's "cute." One such homeowner struggles on a number of fronts, particularly with relationships. This is definitely a situation where the animal comes before the person, and makes one wonder if the dog scares away potential love relationships. Authority should be re-established with this pet so that the home is allowed to draw people (or a new love interest?) to it.

5. Put people first.

If Fido or Fluffy come first, this, too, is a problem. Feng shui is all about balance. If pets are completely superior, then balance doesn't exist. For example, one woman had pictures of her male dog all over the house. She struggled with finding a romantic partner and was very upset about being over forty with no love prospects in sight. She even had an expensive oil painting of the dog over her bed.

Well, how could a romantic partner come to the house when 1) the dog barked and jumped on everyone coming in the door; and 2) the dog was "top dog" to the extent that he symbolically slept over his master every night? Despite being advised to move the picture and make other enhancements to help her love life, she would not part with the picture and remained single. Pets should not come between people.

6. Pets should enhance your life, not detract from it.

Too many pets, particularly indoor pets, can become a cleaning struggle. When this happens it can create allergy problems for you or your visitors. Once the chi declines then health starts to decline, and that's when the beneficial energy of the pet is changed and can become harmful. Hair, fur, smells, etc., can cause the energy of a house to turn yin. If pets become an excessive cleaning chore, the harmony they bring to the house is disrupted and out of balance and that begins to drain beneficial energy from your home. Make sure you can handle your pet's requirements for your time, attention and their care.

7. Always make your home welcoming to guests and family, as well as your pets.

If you have to use a lint brush on friends and family before they leave your house, this could make others avoid coming over. The fur clinging to them is very "yin" and will make them feel depleted or dirty when they leave your home. This energy then makes your house feel yin, too.

If your house isn't sociable, visitors rarely come by, or people leave right away, then think about revving up your environment with bright colors, sunlight, music, or other active enhancements. It may be that the environment is too yin. Lastly, spend extra time on cleaning and invest in a good vacuum with a pet attachment, such as Dyson's "The Animal" vacuum.

8. Keep your pet's area clean, comfortable and enjoyable and your home a welcome place for them to live.

Simply having a loving pet is good for you. But, your home and environment must be good for them. Dogs are wonderful for infusing a home with lively energy, fish bring success, turtles symbolize longevity, and cats are symbols of financial luck (i.e., lucky cats seen at Asian businesses). But no matter what type of pet you have, if their environment isn't good for them and they don't thrive, then they'll suffer and that hurts the chi of your home. Make sure your pets are happy and thriving in your home environment before making a commitment to them.

Feng Shui Tips for Students and Academics

2010-08-26T17:04:00.000+08:00

Feng Shui Tips for Students and Academics

Here are my Feng Shui Tips for this month – Feng Shui for students and scholars. Moms and Dads, practice these easy steps to ensure good results for your child’s examination. Scholars, make use of Feng Shui to reap twofold rewards.

Let’s begin.

Feng Shui Tips for Students and Academics

Utilize your Tian Yi location. First and foremost, do determine the area of your home most conducive for studying. You can do so here.

With your Gua number you can ascertain your studying sector in your home, which is the Tian Yi, also known as the Heavenly Doctor sector. If you can, relocate your studying desk to this most ideal spot. You’re halfway done to start hitting the books in great Feng Shui condition!

If this idea is not feasible to your home’s architecture, the next best thing to do is to just conduct your studies in the direction of your Sheng Chi.

Make use of Xuan Kung Flying Stars Feng Shui. The Flying Stars, or Xuan Kong, can also be used to utilize the precious #4 Green star location. #4 Green is the star to look up to in order to liven up your academic pursuits. For 2010, the annual placement of the #4 Green star is in the North direction.

Use water to strengthen your Academic luck. A tank filled with water and pretty water plants are conducive for your academic purposes, so do install one in the North area. Since the #4 Green star is also a haven for romance, a still water feature will work twice as hard for your love life as well. Remember, fishes are a no-no for our purposes.

Examine your shelving units. Books should be placed in bookcases with doors to eliminate negative Qi caused by poison arrow edges of open shelves. Store your books in the North section of the study rooms. Refrain from using glass shelves in North area & wooden shelves in the East, Northeast or center of room.

Don’t put up violent or sexy art Avoid putting up posters and storing publications depicting sexual, violent, lewd and war-related content in your study room. These items promote negative Qi and might block out the studious aura you want to cultivate in the room.

Tap into the power of the God of War. Place a statue of the Heavenly Kuan Kung by your study table. A statue of Kuan Kung, who is also the God of Literature among other things, will benefit you with its symbolism of aid to anyone in need.

Enhance the energy of your study area. Saturate the aura of your study-cubby with other enriching endeavors such as practicing musical instruments, meditation and prayers. This way, the creative flow is manifested in the study room and will encourage you in your brainstorming sessions.

Arrange your seating to strengthen good energy. Qi makes its way into your home and room through doors. Do not place your desk with your back behind the door of your study room, since this will negate the effects of good Qi that enters. Sit facing the door and you will not go far wrong in your studies.

Use crystals. Crystals are wonderful Feng Shui energizers. It breaks up and disperses negative Qi while at the same time dispels all manners of ills from your person. Invest in crystals for your study room to magnify studying success.

Petite Rose Quartz Pagoda Tassel (set of 2)

Aventurine Crystal Tassel

Natural Amethyst Rock

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