FengshuiBuddy.com Latest Blog Posts

Feng Shui And The Traditional Chinese Garden

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:41:37 GMT

This Is Your Last Opportunity To Attend This CLASS!
This class takes place on the mornings of April 15th and 16th from 9:00 Am - 12:15 PM The making of palace gardens is the root of traditional Chinese feng shui. In establishing a sense of nation-state identity 2000 years ago the new Chinese rulers ended their nomadic negotiations with the wilderness and created classic qi-harmony gardens to live in.

During these two sessions we will look extensively at the Chinese garden and its implied relatedness to Nature (yin/yang, 5 elements) and the invoking, capturing and dispersing of qi. Though modified, copied and standardized over the centuries the Chinese garden is remains a handbook or compendium of feng shui principles that can be applied to landscaping in any context. Come and enjoy Ming's unique and lively blend of history, practice and humor join in the 2000-year continuity of the Chinese fengshui tradition!

Water Fountains And Feng Shui

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:42:15 GMT

While outdoor water fountains were once considered art which was reserved mainly for the professional status, today they’re an attractive accessory for just about anyone’s deck, veranda or landscaping. They’re an exceptional and incredibly spectacular method to add style and promote harmony to your space. They allow you to feel like you are in some spectacular place without ever having to leave your house. Consider returning home from work and melting into a hammock alongside an outdoor water fountain.

The total bundle will be if you could incorporate the warm feeling of an outside fireplace too. You might never leave your outdoor patio again and certainly all your stress would miraculously melt off. The calming sound furnished by outdoor water fountains is quite restorative. Whether they are perched on the edge of your patio, on a table, in the center of your flower garden or alongside a walkway, water fountains have a way of rapidly becoming a focal point of any region. People are naturally attracted to their purity, elegance, sound and energy so they really create a wonderful conversation starter for your guests as well.

A wall water fountain is only one option. Additionally, there are floor fountains in addition to smaller water fountains that will fit on a desk, mantle, or table top. Slate tabletop fountains are a well-known option if you need a somewhat smaller fountain. In house waterfalls are available in many types these days that anyone will certainly find one that fits their house. Indoor waterfalls come in variations that are not tied to the standard flat fountain with water moving down. They can have stairs that the water runs down, small pots and jars, or they may be adorned with figurines or bamboo.

If you utilize a map bagua, you’ll want to put a feng shui water fountain in areas to boost the water and wood factors. These locations include the health/family corner, the wealth corner and the career corner. Considering that water puts out fire, it’s not recommended to place a water fountain in your fame/reputation corner which represents the fire element. Another area of the house that isn’t a good place for a water fountain is the bedroom. Having a fountain in your room will promote uneasiness and worry, and it is thought to result in economic loss and volatile relationships.

Feng shui water fountains are certainly strong tools and a lot of people believe that it is able to triggering critical damage if they are not used appropriately. The best positioning is critical so it is better to seek out the advice of a skilled feng shui specialist on this one. People with little feng shui simple understanding should not try it. Many who follow the feng shui compass psychology furthermore feel that the fountain location ought to change annually. Only someone who has the correct knowledge must decide the precise place at your residence. Your final idea is to keep your feng shui fountain clean and make sure the movement of water is active and regular.

Garden Fountains balance water and so are designed to meet both your functional and aesthetic purposes. Subject to your taste or available space, Fountains are a popular design choice for gardens of all sizes.

Can feng shui and trees cut down your property tax bill?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:28:09 GMT

Interested in saving on your property tax bill in 2013? If you own a detached house, you could save hundeds of dollars annually simply by researching whether your house aligns with Chinese feng shui superstitions that relate to environmental harmony. What's more, you could realize similar savings if you have a big tree nestled up against the front or back of your home.

With Asian buyers largely driving the local real estate market, particularly when it comes to the purchase of older detached houses, their superstitions are having a significant impact on today's true market value of a given slice of terra firma.

In a couple of cases in the Saunders neighbourhood of Richmond, houses sold far below assessed value despite other surrounding homes selling for 10 per cent or more above assessed value. Richmond realtor Tony Ling said he's come across many cases where a home's "feng shui-ness" or the presence of trees has negatively impacted selling prices.

And Ling agrees that it's in the best interest of local homeowners to scrutinize their annual property assessment, because it could save them in the short and long term, especially if their homes are really worth much less than the assessment notice indicates.

Take for instance the case of a house at 9031 Pinewell Cres., which had a lot going for it and was most recently assessed at $975,000.

It's big, at 8,300 square feet, and rectangular, precisely what home builders like because it means they don't have to adjust the specifications for their cookie-cutter style homes targetted to the tastes of the Chinese buyer.

But because of large trees on the lot that stand precisely where a new home would be built, and because of the City of Richmond's tree protection bylaw which makes it difficult for builders to cut down trees, that Pinewell home sold much below its assessed value.

It sold for just $751,000 in July of last year, and again for $810,000 last November, 23 per cent and 17 per cent below assessment.

Had the property owner previously appealed the assessed value of the house because of the fact those trees would serve as a hindrance and obstacle to a developer looking to build a 4,000-square-foot house, they could have saved hundreds of dollars in annual taxes. Actually, the owners of that home at 9031 Pinewell had a $3,293.69 property tax bill last year, which would have dropped by at least 17 per cent—or $559.93—had they successfully appealed its value based on the presence of those trees.

Another property, at 9171 Pinewell Cres., sold for $948,000—well below its $1,050,400 assessed value—for at least two reasons: it's an irregularly-shaped property, which is not attractive to builders targetting the Asian market, and it's at a T in the road, which Chinese buyers are superstitious of as vehicle headlights shine through the front window and door.

Craig Barnsley, deputy assessor for BC Assessment which produces the annual assessment on B.C. real estate, said property appraisers are aware of the feng shui factor, and already take that into account when valuing a house.

But BC Assessment doesn't keep an inventory of trees, and he said if appraisers are made aware of the presence of trees that could impact a home's selling price, that will be factored into a house's value.

"The onus is on the property owner to review their assessment notice," Barnsley said. And with the assessment period for 2012 already closed, he said local homeowners will have to wait for next year's numbers if they have feng-shui or tree-related concerns, or anything else for that matter.

Feng shui expert Sherman Tai said trees are actually perceived as good for a property's feng shui-ness, as long as they are not dying, or situated too close to a house, where falling limbs, spreading tree roots, and lightning strikes could cause damage.

A property located at the top of a T-style intersection can also be perceived as less valuable because it's busier than other properties, and vehicle headlights shine into the home, impacting privacy and enjoyment. On the other hand, a piece of land at a T could channel energy into a home, with the proper placement of fences and trees, he said.

Tai said traditional Oriental people want square or rectangular properties, and avoid irregular, pie-shaped or diamond shaped properties for superstitious reasons not related to feng shui, Tai said.

And so a parcel of land that's much bigger, but is irregularly shaped, doesn't necessarily fetch a premium compared to smaller rectangular properties.

Start Over for Spring

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:50:15 GMT

Can you feel it coming? Spring is just around the corner and while we’re anxiously longing for the return of song birds, warm weather and longer days; on a primal level we’re awaiting the promise of a fresh start that spring seems to herald each year.

We’re exactly one month away from the Spring equinox on March 21st. What better time to delete the clutter from your home and environment. I’ve written numerous Feng Shui posts on this subject so my objective here is to not so subtly kick you into action.

Feng Shui is the 5,000 year old art of placement. Practitioners believe that what you have in your home and how you place it affects the flow and energy of your environment and ultimately your life.

So how to start over for Spring? Get rid of your clutter! After working with clients for the last 13 years, I believe that clutter is 100% to blame for most of the negative Feng Shui issues I encounter.

Most clients trying to lose weight tend to hold on to clutter, and 10 out of 10 times clients that are pack rats are having money issues.

When we’re afraid to let go of “things”, we’re tapping into poverty consciousness. We’re not trusting that if we need the item we’re not currently using at another time, the resources to replace it will be there.
My rule? If you don’t use it, lose it.

If you’re having a hard time parting with Aunt Violet’s Christmas gift from 1998, consider someone else out there less fortunate that would probably treasure it.

Even if you regret giving it away years from now; chances are there will be a new and improved version available. When we hoard or refuse to let go, it sends a signal to the brain that you’re keeping things “just in case”. Just in case thoughts sound like this: What if I won’t be able to buy it again? What if I can’t afford it when I need it? What if I regret not having it anymore?

Feng Shui Plant

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:06:22 GMT

Frankly, I am not interested in planting but I need to do so as suggested by feng shui master before I move into my new house, to give good health and wealth for our family. I bought two new pots of plants to place in car porch before Chinese New Year. I really don't know how to plant it besides watering them and throw seeds on it. The plants not as healthy as before. May be I should get chia seeds for them to grow healthy. Anyway, it's my responsibility to take care of these plants. How I hope that there is someone do it for me, the someone definitely not my hubby.

Feng Shui Cures You Can Make: A Feng Shui-Friendly DIY Roundup!

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:20:28 GMT

In the world of Do-It-Yourself, the creative potential is endless if you are willing to make even the smallest amount of effort…and while all creativity is great creativity, creative products that also make your home more feng-shui friendly are just perfection in my book! Here is a round-up of a few of my favorite, extra-simple DIY projects that double as very deliberate feng shui fixes for your home or office…

Powerful changes in your home can be triggered by the addition of just one small sensory element. Here, we will use motion, color, nature, scent and texture to get the life force flowing in your home.

If your room looks “blah”, if you have trouble finishing projects or easily loose steam mid-way through making things, you may need more fire in your house. A red lamp is a super fire enhancement, or, of course, opt for Tangerine Tango if you want to be on-trend for the season. The DIY lamp project above from Better Homes & Gardens was gone with little more than a can of spray paint, a vintage lamp, a new shade and some ribbon.

For some texture to wake up your sense of touch and get more physically connected to your home you can try this simple shaved-maze rug from MAKE. Tape, old hair clippers and a little while buzzing that cheap area rug that seems blah = perfection!

Bring Spring inside early this year by forcing bulbs at home. The germination sprouting and blooming is sheer organic goodness anywhere in your home!!!

Now, while I know my friend Ozzie will curse me for bringing up another too-good-to-pass-up art project that will turn his house upside down for an afternoon, I can’t resist including this often-reblogged but now near-classic DIY melted-crayon artwork from Apartment Therapy (though its genesis spans the depths of the Internet!) that can add flowing motion and the color spectrum of rainbows to a sullen wall.

And, since you were so busy you might as well pull out your vodka, have yourself a sip (!) and make a cocktail-worthy bright citrus room spray that is good enough to drink compliments of Instructables. Vodka, water, lemon, lime & orange combine to make your home and linens fresh, cheerful and full of “chi”… Citrus aromatherapy can turn a dull room to sparkling in seconds!

Feng Shui in the Home: Balance your Home to Maximize Interior Design. ~ Jo-Ann Rogan

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:57:11 GMT

Let’s start with some basic definitions. Feng Shui is an ancient art and science developed over 3,000 years ago in China. It is a complex body of knowledge that reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure the health and good fortune for people inhabiting it. Feng Shui is based on the Taoist understanding of nature, particularly on the idea that the land is alive and filled with Qi, or energy.

One great thing about Feng Shui is that once your home is spiritually balanced, you are setting the stage to decorate with your own art in the most ideal way possible; art is a representation of your personal taste, and if your home is set it up optimally for your energy, you can maximize how you express your creative side. Here are four easy tips on getting started using Feng Shui in your home to set it up for optimal design and creative decorating.

You have to clear your clutter. Decorating a cluttered home makes no sense, from the Feng Shui point of view. Only after you have cleared the old energy you can move on to a successful Feng Shui decorating process. There is one more step before you immerse yourself into playing with colors, textures and an endless variety of Feng Shui cures.

Be sure you have good quality air and light. These two elements are essential for good Qi, or good Feng Shui energy in your home. You can achieve this through air cleansing plants such as Areca Palm, Lady Palm, Rubber Plant, Bamboo Palm, Dracaena Janet Craig, English Ivy, or Boston Fern to name a few. Research the topic of full spectrum lighting, and then plan on introducing some in your home, as well as your work environment.

One of the basic principles of Feng Shui is the principle of five elements, which are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These elements interact between themselves in certain ways generally defined as the productive and destructive cycles. Before using specific colors in your home as Feng Shui cures, be sure to study the light patterns throughout the day in the room. You should ask yourself some questions. Would the color feel good in the morning? How about at night with artificial lighting? You want to always be sure to match the energy of your Feng Shui element energy needed in the specific area of the Bagua, or Feng Shui energy map.

Green is excellent for improving health and balancing family life when used in the East. Blue is a very good Feng Shui choice in the North bagua area to support the energy of your career growth or in the East (Health/Family) and Southeast (Wealth/Money) to water and nourish the Wood Feng Shui element.

Have some strong Yellow in the South Feng Shui bagua area for happy gatherings and good times. Pure White in the West (Creativity & Children) will bring supportive energy for all your creative endeavors.

When decorating your home with Feng Shui, it is important to focus on the big picture (your whole house or apartment), as well as “zoom in” into each specific area of your home in order to create the best energy in all your rooms. The next step is to define good Feng Shui products that your home needs and is know how to position your decor items as powerful Feng Shui cures. You might have many of them already, or you might need a beautiful fountain and some great Feng Shui art, plus a Buddha image in your home office to go with your decor scheme. Once you decide on the items for the home you have to think about the placement of the item.

Once your home is “Feng Shui’d,” you will be surprised how well your personal belongings and creative work now fits into the “vibe” of your living space.

Feng Shui Analysis Foresees Volatility in Year of the Dragon

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:34:45 GMT

One might expect the Year of the Dragon, which kicks off next week, to be a lucky time for investments. But that’s not necessarily the case, according to this year’s edition of the Feng Shui Index released by Hong Kong-based brokerage firm CLSA.

The index, which applies traditional Chinese astrology to market forecasting, predicts a volatile year (pdf). Though the Year of the Dragon is traditionally considered auspicious, there are likely to be countervailing forces at work, CLSA says. The reason: This particular dragon year is associated with water, which is far less lucky for investing than other elements like fire and metal.

The index predicts a positive end to the year, especially in October and November, when the metal element dominates. CLSA is clear that their Feng Shui Index is meant to be “tongue-in-cheek,” and issues several disclaimers such as this one: “To be fair, feng shui’s original purpose was to locate auspicious burial spots, not call the twists and turns of the equity markets or individual sectors.”

The authors of the report also admit that they got last year badly wrong. The Year of The Rabbit was supposed to be especially good for playing the markets. “Lots of luck, if the Rabbit’s reputation is any guide,” they wrote a year ago (pdf). “And best of all for investors, indirect wealth such as market-made moolah will be the order of day.”

It didn’t turn out that way. The S&P 500 in the U.S. was essentially flat in 2011, while Hong Kong’s benchmark stock index, the Hang Seng, fell by over 19%.

At least one prediction from last year turned out well: CLSA said that Kim Jung-un, based on his “water dog” astrological sign, would have a great year. That’s true, if you consider stepping into his father’s shoes to lead North Korea to be positive for him.

This year, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, a “water snake,” is tipped by CLSA to have just a “fair” year, but his horoscope apparently calls for a “job opening” in autumn. That seems like a shoe-in: Mr. Xi is universally expected to become China’s next top ruler during the Communist Party Congress in October or November.

Feng Shui House Plans

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:38:52 GMT

Many different types of architectural styles may incorporate Feng Shui principles, as they are mainly a focus on floor plan layouts or room placement. Though the popularity of Feng Shui has recently increased, design techniques originated in have been around for thousands of years. This is an ancient eastern art that carefully considers the environment in which we live and the relationship between the objects in that environment. Interior designers and architects implement these techniques to improve the overall flow of home design.

Feng shui focus for Gardening Partners meeting

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:35:34 GMT

Dianne Hotvedt, a Gardening Partner 2011 graduate and resident of Burns, will speak at the Gardening Partners of Dickson County monthly meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Tennessee Technology Center at Dickson.

Her topic will be feng shui in garden design. Feng shui (usually pronounced “fung shway”) is the ancient Chinese art of positioning objects and designing spaces, both indoors and outside. It is based on the Chinese concept of yin and yang. Feng shui helps balance the energy, also called chi, in a particular space.

The Chinese word “feng” means wind; “shui” means water. Wind and water are associated with good health in Chinese culture. Good feng shui is thought to bring good fortune.

Achieving balance in a home and garden according to feng shui principle requires careful planning of garden elements and their location. Properly placed, the natural chi, or energy, can flow easily through the space. The five elements (water, earth, wood, metal, and fire) along with the nine zones of the bagua (the eight major compass directions plus the center) can be represented in many ways, but each must be present for complete balance.