1/24/05
EMPTY NEST SECTOR
A woman who had tried to get pregnant for some time asked us if we thought that the Feng Shui of her home could be a contributing factor in her lack of fertility. Of course, our first suspicion was the Children/Creativity sector of her home, but we couldn’t determine in the off-site reading what was wrong there. “What the Love sector?” we asked. She showed me on her sketch that it was a small part of vast living room. There was something about the way she said “vast” that triggered our next question. It sounded so wistful. When we asked her what was there, she said, “It’s empty!” Another question, “As in barren?” The light went on! “Yeah. Barren. For heaven’s sake!” We talked about metaphor at length and finally we pointed out that the Love sector isn’t just about romantic love. It's also the sector that relates to mother. We’re waiting to hear that she’s pregnant, but it’s only been a week!”

1/17/05
PICTURES ON THE UP AND UP
Lots of us like to put pictures on the wall of our staircases. So is it good or bad Feng Shui? Well, it could be either. First of all, stairs represent what can go up and down in our life, so if you have stairs in the center of your home, it’s your health that can fluctuate. If you’ve all been healthy since moving in, don’t worry. It’s not effecting you. Because stairs go up at an angle, it’s best not to hang your pictures on that same vertical rise. The Ch’i on stairs should be slowed down a bit by hanging groupings of pictures on the horizontal. You can have several “hangings” all the way up, but each individual group should be level horizontally.

6/6/04xxxxx
EATING BY COLOR
Twenty years ago I studied Iridology and Naturopathic Medicine with Dr. Bernard Jensen. As a naturopathic physician, he had studied octogenarians all over the world in an attempt to see what kept people healthy. Among his ideas was one of eating by color. I thought it was a pretty amazing concept at the time and, as a painter, one that made sense. Imagine my surprise when Gayle told me that she had studied the very same thing in Integrative Acupressure. The ancient Chinese system of the five elements broke down foods by color. Then we got together on Feng Shui and it came up again. So if you go to the Ch’i Sheet for the references to body parts, you will see that red (Fire) foods like shrimp, tomatoes, and red bell peppers, are good for the heart. Dark leafy greens (Wood) are good for the liver, and so on. Dr. Jensen felt that orange foods were good for depression. He even recommended taking a bath in oranges and grapefruits. And now our favorite skin cream over the last two years is from Origins and called Gloom Away. It is made from grapefruits. You are what you eat! And don’t forget that what goes on your skin is absorbed so it might as well be edible.

5/2/04
I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW
Windows are metaphorically the eyes of a building. If there are obstructions like a telephone pole, a tall thin tree trunk, or the corner of a neighboring building that looks as though it is attacking, eye problems may result. We noticed years ago that such a young maple tree was perfectly situated in the middle of our daughter’s bedroom. I thought back to when she first needed glasses and it was within six month of moving her into that bedroom. Once we noticed and made the connection, we chopped down the tree. If your windows are always dirty or the seals have failed and there are streaks between the layers of glass, it may be that “seeing clearly” can become an issue. This morning I noticed a gleaming spider web outside our dining room window. As it shone so beautifully in the morning sun, I wondered if it’s clinging to my window was good or bad Feng Shui. Since I like spiders OUTSIDE, and the web represents weaving stories, I decided that it was good luck. As it gets old and filled with carcasses, I may change my mind.

7/19/03
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
It’s been a few weeks since we’ve sent out a tip of the week and on reflection, it seems like a good time to get back to some basics. The bagua is a template which can be placed over any physical space. That yard, building or room can now become an implement of change. The bagua is made up of nine equal parts, or guas. Each gua relates to life issues, compass directions, body parts, family members, seasons, time of day, colors, shapes, materials, elements, and numbers. And these are just what is understood to date. As we study our environment, Feng Shui masters will add to the list. Whether you want to jump start your career, end a relationship, strengthen a part of your body or improve a situation of any kind, you can use your environment as a tool for manifesting what you want. Many of you already know that the middle one ninth of any space is where you look when you have health issues, but did you know that this gua is also a “catch all” location for questions and issues that don’t seem to fit into any of the other eight guas? This is also the part of your home or business to tend to when you are looking to create more balance or openness. So if you life is crazy upside down, it’s time to tend to the heart of your space. This is where you want to use earth tones, yellows, reds, square things, pointed things, terra cotta, brick, clay, candles, sunlight and fireplaces. It’s not beneficial to utilize greens, tall rectangular things, wood, tall or woody plants or flowers. The number associated with this gua is five. It relates to the transition between seasons.

6/8/03
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Before you set up the badminton net or the horse shoe set, consider dividing your yard into the nine equal sectors to see where to put all that summer stuff. The movement of any game is a great activator of Ch’i. You can pick you life issues and set up the games in the places of your life that need the most activation. Let’s say you and your husband have been trying to get pregnant. If so, then set up the horse shoes in the middle right one ninth of the yard. This is the Children sector. Remember to orient the bagua on the front walk to the front door. Another way to look at placement is by elements. Anything metal like horseshoes would go in the Children’s sector, also in the Career sector. The basketball hoop should probably go in Family, even Fame, as it is tall and resembles a tree. Volley ball and badminton nets stretch horizontally like water and would work well in Career or Family. The grill or the fire pit would go best in Fame or Health. Use your imagination and have fun! Afterall, it IS summer!!

4/20/03
BODY PARTS
Not only is each sector of the bagua associated with colors, shapes, materials, and nature’s wonders, they are also linked with parts of the body. So if your gall bladder is galling you or your back was better a week back, look at your home as both the potential problem as well as the cure. We’re not guaranteeing miracles here, but it’s worth a look. Here’s the gua by gua breakdown. Hips are Wealth; eyes, heart, and small intestines are Fame; reproductive organs are Love; stomach and spleen are Health; mouth is Children; head is Helpful People; ears, kidneys, and bladder are Career; hands are Wisdom; and feet, liver, and gall bladder are Family. Even more interesting is the analogy of the back and the roof line of your house. Imagine your head at the front door and your tailbone at the back. That means that you’re crouched in froggy pose with your feet to the left and right of the back of the house. If your front and back doors don’t align, you might end up with a few extra unwanted twists and kinks. Plumbing problems can effect the intestines and bladder. Electrical messes can foul up your nerves. So tell us what you think and e-mail us a little “bio” feedback.

4/6/02
GAYLE’S BIRTHDAY
As we prepare to celebrate Gayle’s 46th birthday tomorrow, the one she almost missed, we are deeply grateful for her courage and perseverance since June 3rd. Surviving a head on collision with a truck that caused 123 breaks and fractures takes a lot of help from others, too. And Gayle got plenty! From the lady who was out in her yards with her cell phone who ran when she heard the crash and stayed until help came; from the two off duty EMTs who were the first to get hit but not hurt who began the rescue process; from all the police, fire, and ambulance personnel, from all the emergency room doctors and nurses; from her lawyer, insurance people, and social workers; from all the known and unknown who prayed and continue to pray for her; from all her family and friends who came to be with her, help, and support her over the many months; from all the medical staff, aides and, yes! even the cleaning people at the hospital and the nursing home; and from all those who helped in many unseen ways. Thus, it always pays to keep the Helpful People sector (near right) of your yard, your home, your office, and each individual room, in good order. You never know when you’re going to need help, so go clean, clear and activate!

3/9/02
NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON’T
Gayle is famous for telling the folks that come to our weekly lecture at Canyon Ranch that you don’t have to see it for it to work. We know this is true in the negative for sure. You can’t see the bad emissions coming off your computer screen, or the radon rising from your basement, but you know it effects you. And Gayle couldn’t see the yellow squares I stuck to the bottom of her foot splints in the hospital, but I know they were working their magic. Since yellow squares are supportive of good health, it’s a great idea to place a yellow or earth colored napkin or scarf between the two mattresses. Since Health is the middle one-ninth of everything, place the material dead center. If passion is what’s missing, place a hot pink nighty between the mattresses. Put it in the far right LOVE section of the bed, or right under you partner’s side. You’ll know every time you crawl into bed that you did something with intent and will be more apt to receive the passion you are looking for. Many times we find that clients don’t like the color that represents what they need to enhance in their lives. Let’s say, God forbid, that they hate purple. If they decorate the far left area of their home in purple, it might make them quite uncomfortable. We would suggest that a piece of purple paper be put behind pictures, or a swatch of EXPENSIVE material be placed under the gorgeous pink and green sculpted carpet will work just as well. You won’t see it, but you’ll know it’s there. Our home is missing much of the Wealth sector. I buried a wish box outside where the corners would intersect if the house didn’t jut in. I put Monopoly pieces in a “wish box”. A week later I was given an unsolicited raise! Now that’s great Feng Shui!! Remember that intent is the imprtant thing here. These actions become a powerful physical affirmation. So be creative, and see what you can dream up for yourselves.

2/9/02
HAPPY NEW YEAR FEB. 12TH
While we Westerners are celebrating 2002, on Tuesday the Chinese will be celebrating the year 4699! And it’s out with the snakes and in with the horses. In this Year of the Black Horse, black symbolizes the Water element. There are 12 animals and five elements to deal with thus creating a 60-year cycle. This is similar to Western astrology’s 60-year cycle of the planet Jupiter, the planet of abundance. Anyone who has done any research on money cycles, easily can see that money trends run in 60-year intervals. I don’t know about you, but I love to see different systems agree with each other, especially when East and West come to the same conclusion. So what kind of a year is a Black Horse Year? If we were supposed to shed old skins and go through major transformations last year, what’s in store for us now? Like horses, we should see a great deal of adventure and passion for life. Horse is generally good for the economy. As horses run a lot and tend to be quite vital, this should be a good year for health and fitness, too. As some of you know, Gayle was in a life changing car accident in June. This year she will be rebuilding her body, and believe it or not, her physical therapist has offered to let her be one of the first to try out their new therapy. It’s called Hippotherapy and is done on horseback. Now that’s amazing! What will be your adventure?

2/2/02
ST. BRIDGETT VS. THE GROUND HOG
According to the Celts we should light thousands of candles to let the world know that Spring is coming instead of watch some furry little creature for a sign of his shadow. St. Bridgett of Ireland is said to have started that brilliant, fiery tradition. Talk about good Feng Shui! Candles are fire and can increase your Fame. Becoming a Saint ain’t too shabby! Not only that, but candles are very Yang. This masculine energized Ch’i is a welcome change from the wet, cold Yin of winter, especially back in those drafty castle days. During these shortened wintry days, the ritual of lighting candles when you come home from work can help chase away the blues, increase romance, stimulate new ideas for bringing greater wealth, or simply brighten up a darkened corner. The only place where you do not want an overabundance of candles is in the Children/Creativity sector which is the middle right one-ninth of any space. Because the element here is metal and fire melts metal, it has the power to destroy. If you want a candle or two here, go for round white ones. Because fire creates earth, candles in the middle one-ninth are fabulous. They can be a wonderful stimulation to robust health. Go for yellows, oranges, reds, and earth tones here. Obviously the corner sectors of Wealth, Love, Helpful People, and Wisdom can benefit by lighting candles of appropriate colors, purple for Wealth, pink for Love, silver of gray for Helpful People (but not too many here) and blue for Wisdom. Remember to always light the candle with intent. Think what it is you would wish for, just like on your birthday, then light the light.

12/1/01
SANTA’S LIST DAY
According to Blue Mountain cards, December 4th is the day to figure out what you want for Xmas. So as not to offend non-subscriber’s, let’s just look at the idea of making a wish list. Whether you’re wishing for one thing or seven things, there are several ways to help make your wishes come true. Now I don’t believe that we get everything that we wish for. Often what we get is “more perfect” at a soul level. But that’s too much to discuss here. Let’s just look at empowering your desires. Whether you want someone close to you to get well, to finally get that raise, or your child to be accepted in a certain school, Feng Shui can help. First of all, make the wish real. Put it in writing. You can enhance this first step using color. Go to your Ch’i Sheet and look at the center sector. If your wish has to do with Health, you might use Red ink on Yellow paper. Red is the color of Fire which creates Earth which is Yellow. Now the wish needs a container. Because we put the wish out into the world, we are in essence asking for help. Aha! Helpful People sector. The color is gray, but wouldn’t silver be better? So a silver wish box for your wish is your next step. As Karen Rauch Carter points out in Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life, if you can’t find silver, wrap any old box in tin foil. The visual affirmation is still there. Now place the box WITH INTENT in the Helpful People sector of you home, office, one special room, or bury it out in the yard. Every time you pass the box, whether visible or not, your brain says, “Oh yeah. That’s my wish. Oh, please! Please!” Or for you affirmationists, “Oh, thank you! Thank you for what I am about to receive!”

11/10/01
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS WEEK
During this special week of pursuing happiness, let’s look first to what can depress us. Clutter and dirt come to mind immediately. When our environment is dirty, messy, and heaped with STUFF, it’s hard to feel anything but overwhelmed. Next would be lighting. Dark is nice for sleep and soft lighting is good for romance; but if your home or office isn’t brightly lit, you’re going to feel depressed. Obviously you don’t want to be under glaring light in every room, but natural light from windows and artificial light from well placed fixtures is important. Make sure that all your lighting doesn’t shine down. A few up lamps will do the trick. Some of us need to spend extra on full spectrum lighting. Seven days of rain can be downright depressing. Overhead beams and sloping ceilings can be charming, but some folks feel oppressed underneath them. Windchimes, faceted crystals, and flutes will disperse the downward pushing energy. A room with more doors than windows tends to oppress as well. Murals, pictures of far off scenes, and mirrors with window panes can help there. A space where all the colors are muted or even all white will not be a happy environment either. Think bright! Think electric blue, pumpkin orange, and fire engine red here and there. Even the names of some colors can be happy! Got the idea? Now go get happy!

11/3/01
SLEEP COMFORT WEEK
Believe it or not, this is an important week for looking at your bedroom, unless of course you sleep in the living room. No matter where you sleep, Feng Shui can play an important role in improving the quality of your zzzs. On 9/29 I wrote a bit about sleep directions. That concept can be taken a little further. Most of the Lillian Too books will help you find your personal best directions. This is a brief formula involving your birthdate. The end result is that there is a best direction to face for success, health, romance, and personal growth. Your sleep direction should probably be your best health direction. Our rule of thumb, however, is to try first to be in a position of power where you can see the door and yet not be in a direct path from the door. For instance, if the path of Ch’i from the bedroom door goes over your head, you are inviting headaches. Once those criteria are met, if you can also be in an auspicious compass facing, you’ve got great Feng Shui for sleeping. Now look around and make sure there are no protrusions pointing at you while you sleep. That could come from an overhead beam or jutting out wall. If this is the case, a faceted crystal or even a ribbon hanging in front of it will soften the “poison arrow” effect. Avoid plants in the bedroom as they reverse their chemical emissions after the sun goes down. At night they take oxygen rather than giving it. The bedroom is a perfect place for cut flowers. Remember that dead is dead. Think twice, therefore, about dry flowers where you sleep. Since where we sleep is where you heal, you may want to have a yellow square napkin or swatch of cloth between the mattress in the middle of the bed. Yellow is the color for the center one-ninth of anything, and the shape is square. The element of this the Health sector is earth. Okay! Night night!

10/15/01
A WORD ON HEALING
As some of you already know, Gayle and our son were in a serious car accident on June 3rd. While Devin is pretty much all better, his mom remains hospitalized. It has been a bit of a trick getting these tips out to you not to mention on time. So as Gayle gets closer to coming home, last week got pretty hectic. Thus the lateness of your tip. And so let me share with some of the Feng Shui I was able to do in a hospital room. Every card I taped on the walls was grouped according to color and/or graphic. All the “prayer” and blue cards went on the near left wall in Wisdom, the green ones on the middle left in Family, the bears and cats and elephants went to the far middle Fame wall, and on. With each room change, the compass came with me. At times I was able to angle her bed to a slightly better facing for her. One of my cousins wanted to make a quilt and asked what colors she would like. I told her that yellow squares were the best things for Health and red and pointy things were supportive. Her creation was a square lap quilt with yellow and red squares. Inside each square was a star. One day a card came from this same cousin filled with all shades of yellow squares, paint samples compliments of Ralph Laurent and Home Depot. While Gayle slept, I giggled quietly as I taped one each to the bottom of her foot splints. Of course I stuck another to the underside of her air bed as close to the center as I could get it. The center one-ninth of any space is the Health sector. In my hotel room, I made a small altar in the Love sector (far right), placing a favorite picture of her and a red square box with my handwritten wish for her recovery in it. On my first trip home, I took a yellow throw rug from upstairs and put it in the middle of the house downstairs. At the end of July when Gayle was well enough to move to a rehab center closer to home, I was exceedingly pleased to see that her new room was yellow. And I continue to activate with cards, flowers, fruit, stuffed animals, and any other reasonable tool of transformation that is allowed into her room. And her downstairs bedroom in the center of our home is being painted yellow and orange in anticipation of her return. How could she NOT get well!!

5/26/01
PARTY HARDY!
Having a party is wonderful ch’i. Bringing people into your home/yard/office is a terrific way to activate things in your life. The stuck artist may want to position the buffet table in the Children/Creativity sector. If you’ve been under the weather, set up the badminton net in the middle, or Health sector, of your yard. And remember what your intent is in having the party, invite only those who will support your intent, and clean up the mess/clutter quickly afterwards. Oh, yeah! Have FUN!!!