4/25/04
THE SOUND OF MONEY
Cash registers used to have a wonderful sound when you made a purchase. Remember the saying, “ring up a sale”? Now our purchases are followed by electronic beeps and sputters and whirrrrrrs! There was something so affirming in that old ka-ching ring. Perhaps we could all make a sound when we make a “sale” or achieve a success. In my office I have an ancient set of Tibetan bells that I tap together every time a check comes in the mail. Tarot clients who come to my office are so used to me putting their money on the amethyst slice and ringing the bells when we are finished that they don’t wait for me anymore. They ring the bells with such a wonderful grin! So whether you sing out with spontaneous joy and gratitude or ring your chimes with intent, enjoy the audible affirmation and remember that sound is one of the nine basic cures in Feng Shui.

2/22/03
TALK TO ME
As a Western Astrologer, I have been aware of many oppositions in the last two weeks. Without boring you with all the details, suffice it to say that relationships and communication have been taking a hit. So if you’ve been bickering lately, it’s not ALL your fault. But what can we do? From a Feng Shui perspective, the Love sector, far right, is about communication in any relationship. We explained this to a business manager once. We told him that if he just needed to fire someone, keep them in front of the desk with their back to the door. But if he needed to get a good employee to understand the way he wanted things done, take them away from the desk to the two chairs we moved to the Love sector. Since his desk was in the Wealth/Power sector, back left, AND facing the door, he was in a very powerful position. An equal relationship was difficult with him sitting there. So where ever you are when communication breaks down, suggest that the conversation be moved. Find a place where you will be in the far right sectors where both of you can see the door. And of course, that’s an ideal seating for a romantic dinner out.

12/21/02
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Whether you come in the front or the back or the side, what you see first can set the tone of your time there, even your life. If the first thing you see is the clutter in the garage, you’re probably going to want to get back in your car and drive away. If the first thing you see is the kitchen, you may tend to over eat. A similar problem could be created if the first thing you see is a wine rack. Obviously if you’re going down to the corner for a beer, this could work in the owners best interest. But what is it you want to “sell” to yourself when you come home. Peace and quiet? Love? Family togetherness? Heading out on yet another trip? Recently we did a consult at a lawyer’s office. The first thing we saw upon entering was a coat rack. Although this was gracious to provide employees and clients with a place for their coats, it wasn’t promoting the business. We suggested putting the coat rack on the side and something more inspiring and inviting in that most important place of first impressions.

2/23/02
BALANCING ACT
We try to balance our work with our family and friends, our need for money with our spirituality. Yin and Yang is the philosophy of balance. Yin is feminine. Yang is masculine. Whether you’re a man or a woman, it’s important to strike a good balance between your masculine and your feminine sides. Red is a good color, a powerful color, but a house full of it is a house out of balance. Red is very Yang and is for enhancing Fame. It helps Health, but it destroys Creativity. If your house is a wood frame house with lots of fancy wood furniture, gleaming wood floors, and intricately carved wood trim, it may feel comfortable to Paul Bunyan, but his health may suffer. All that wood will tend to uproot the earth which is necessary for good health. Everything in balance! If you have a high stress Yang job, you want to come home to a more calming Yin house. Perhaps you need to be greeted by a gentle waterfall first thing in the door. Soft colors and soft edged furnishing would help relax you. But you don’t want it to be too Yin. Everything in balance! If you work at an ashram and meditate all day, you may want to jazz up your home a bit. Bright colors and hard edged designs may balance the overly Yin surrounding at work. In every case, think of balancing warm colors with cool colors, places that are full of stuff and places that are more spare. Create cozy warm spaces for intimate conversations, but also space to dance free. Mix bright lighting with dim light or candle light. Another way to keep things in balance is to use all five elements. Remember that you have at least three ways to represent the five elements. You don’t have to have a wood table with a lava lamp sitting on a ceramic tile with a copper bowl of water nearby. You could simply have a wood table painted red and yellow with a three black stones. The elements only need to be represented in some way even if by numbers. Use your imagination!

6/23/01
SUMMER'S BLOOMIN'
Fresh cut flowers have a strong Yang energy and are best in the bedroom where potted plants are undesirable. Unlike a living plants, flowers will not “steal” oxygen at night while you're sleeping. Fragrant flowers activate ch’i more powerfully. Peonies are called the “king of flowers” and are associated with love, honor, and wealth. Geraniums and marigolds lift the spirits, while day lilies are said to be flirtatious. If you're looking for gardening books, try anything by Gill (pronounced Jill) Hale. And remember that the nine-sector bagua is laid over your yard just like your home. Orient it on the front walk to the front door. Water features and ponds are best anywhere in the front third of your yard and in the middle left sector. Try to keep the water from putting out the fire of the back middle sector. Perhaps the gas grill or chiminea should go there instead. Bird feeders, flags, mobiles, et al are wonderful activators, but remember! Your yard can get cluttered as easily as your home! Aim for beauty and balance.

6/9/01
FLAG DAY!
Waving flags and banners at your front door may be a good idea, or not! If your front door is in the middle of your home, that flag fluttering in the breeze is activating ch’i in your Career sector. That’s great if you still have a kid in college and one in private school. But if you’re ready to retire, it may be time to take it down. If your door is on the left in Wisdom, or on the right in Helpful People/Travel, can anyone have too much of either? But then, if you’re an I-Can-Do-Everything-Myself/Stay-At-Home, a flag on the right might bring in the wrong energy. Get the idea?