The Use of Crystals in Feng Shui

Crystals are perhaps one of the most beautiful ways to incorporate the principles of Feng Shui in your house. According to Feng Shui, crystals possess a lot of positive energy and also act as conductors of energy - absorbing energy or Qi from your surrounding elements and channeling them as well. The correct type of crystal, placed in a strategic position, could channel Qi in an effective manner, helping the crystal affect your life in a positive manner.

Feng Shui crystals are mostly natural and are found in mineral deposits under the earth's surface. These crystals are believed to be superior and ones mostly used by Feng Shui experts, since their natural process of formation has allowed them to absorb all the qualities of the earth and thus their capacity for holding and disseminating energy also evolves better. You will find many artificial crystals in specialty Feng Shui shops, though these may not be as effective.

Different crystals are recommended depending on what effect you'd like them to have on your life. For example, for those looking for love or looking to better their romantic relationships - a Rose Quartz is best. The Rose Quartz must be placed in the love and relationships area of the room. A rose quartz also helps in the nursing of a broken heart or overcoming a difficult relationship. Another crystal recommended for general peace and tranquility in the house is Hematite. Hematite is known for its stress-busting qualities and is supposed to be placed near the main entrance. Hematite also helps calms hyperactivity in children and if that is the case, you should place it in their rooms. Since natural crystals cost quite a small fortune so it's essential that you find out which crystal you need before going ahead with one.

Feng Shui crystals need to be cleaned and cared for too. When you buy a crystal, it is essential to wash it, or rather cleanse it, before placing it in your house. This is necessary because it is thought that the crystal is handled by many people before coming into your hands. This handling causes the crystal to lose its sparkle and also its ability to absorb and release energy properly. The best way to clean the crystal is to place it in a freezer for about 2 days. This is believed to clear the crystal of all other impressions and coatings and make it sparkle brightly. However, be very careful while handling it, lest it get chipped.

Another way to cleanse is to rinse the crystal in saltwater, preferably seawater. If sea water is not handy, then you could make a solution of sea salt and water and leave the crystals soaking in it for about 2 days. Then rinse them in plain water and let them air dry. Another way according to some Feng Shui experts is to leave the crystals in a bowl of water under the moonlight on a full moon night, although this method is usually not usually followed by modern Feng Shui practitioners.

Whatever the case, crystals are beautiful and they are a great addition to your decor.

Autor: Rebeca Cardarelli

If you want to learn more about Feng Shui and find more very useful information, please visit me at http://www.lifewithfengshui.com

Added: June 30, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Good and Bad Feng Shui of a Television Set

Although the television can be a good source of information and education, from a Feng Shui standpoint it can also be an impediment depending on where it is located. Feng Shui is built on the premise that everything in your space has an impact, either positive or negative. You always want to feel empowered and to know what's happening around you when you're in your home. Due to the fact that typically people get "lost" in the TV or find themselves distracted by it, the television exerts a lot of influence over an individual. It sucks energy and time, much like a black hole. It is important to realize the potential impact of having a TV in certain rooms and how to manage its effects.

There are specific places where television are appropriate and others where a television should never be found:

1. Never in the bedroom. A television in the bedroom has the potential of disturbing sleep. Whether the TV is on or not, it continues to draw out your energy and spirit, leaving you feeling drained in the morning. This situation can negatively impact not only your quality of sleep but also the quality of your dreams. Putting the TV in a cabinet with doors and closing them before going to sleep will minimize the challenges.

2. No TV dinners. Eating in front of the television not only robs someone of their presence of mind, but also takes away the pleasure of eating. Rather than feeling empowered, you may come away feeling full in your stomach but empty in your spirit.

3. TV good in living room. Since the living room or family room is typically where you and your family would enjoy time together watching movies and programs, the television becomes an appropriate fixture. It provides opportunities for sharing experiences, laughing together and learning together.

4. TV bad in living room. If the living room is where you want to have family discussions and communicate with one another, then the TV can be an unwanted party. Removing it altogether would be one solution so that the intention of talking with one another will be foremost. Putting the television in a cabinet with the option of closing doors to keep it controlled may be the answer.

5. No TV near the front entrance. If the first think you see when you enter your home is the television, the Feng Shui message is clear about what you feel is important in your life. Move the TV to a different corner, cover it, or put it in a cabinet with doors to express a more welcome invitation to people coming into your home.

By knowing where the best places are for a television and how to appropriately and successfully integrate it in the areas where it is challenging, a television can be a welcome addition.

Autor: Carole Hyder Carole Hyder
Level: Basic
Carole Hyder is a Feng Shui consultant, speaker, teacher, author and trainer. She has been a Feng Shui consultant since 1992, having facilitated hundreds of ... ...

Carole Hyder -
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http://www.windwaterschool.com

Carole offers a pragmatic approach to Feng Shui with powerful results which you can implement in easy and affordable ways. Her expertise has helped hundreds of people integrate changes in their space and corresponding changes in their lives. Go to Carole's web-site and sign up for her free newsletter to receive future tips on how to integrate Feng Shui principles in all parts of your space.

Added: June 28, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The ABC's of Nursery Feng Shui

For first time parents, welcome to parenthood, and for those preparing to make use of the old rocking horse and crib buried shoulder deep amongst other acquired mess in the garage, welcome back!

As many second, third or even fourth-time parents will know, the right environment and mood surrounding your child can provide them with the best possible start in life. Everything from your baby's mood, mental and physical health to their awareness and emotions can be soothed or inspired by nursery Feng Shui.

While most people think this may break the bank and leave their pockets with gaping holes, they couldn't be further from the truth. In actual fact, nursery Feng Shui has absolutely nothing to do with designer linens or expensive interior decorators. With a little research it is an easy do-it-yourself project that simply anyone can do.

In a nutshell, Feng Shui is a 3,000-year-old Chinese practise of interior decorating which allows for the open flow of positive energy in a home, educational or workplace setting.

Practitioners of Feng Shui, which literally means "wind and water", believe space must be arranged for energy, or "chi" to flow freely, to invite good luck, success, and positive energies. As such, it isn't hard to see where this could be used as a tool to raise your child in a healthy environment.

Laila Wah, a master Feng Shui practitioner and Doctor of Acupuncture in the U.S. with more than 30 years experience exploring complimentary medicine, outlines several Feng Shui principles to consider when arranging a nursery. These include the location of the nursery in the house, as well as furniture arrangement, colour and movement in the bedroom.

Choosing the right bedroom

There isn't a large margin for error when deciding which room to place your baby in. A baby is better placed away from stairwells, but not on a floor above the parent's bedroom. According to Wah, if this happens the child has the upper hand and as the common saying goes "rules the roost". A baby should also never be placed over a garage or empty space in the house, and should be somewhere where it will not be disturbed by excessive noise. Feng Shui also suggests a baby boy should be placed in a nursery located in the east and north parts of a house, while a baby girl should be placed in the south, southeast or west parts. If all else fails, it's best to arrange the room so it is in harmony and has a positive flow.

Locating the crib

Perhaps the most important thing to consider when arranging furniture in a nursery is the location of the crib. The crib should be placed in a command position, the widest angle to the entrance of the room, just as an adults bed is placed in one. The head should be places against a solid wall for protection and grounding, and should not be placed along a wall that is shared with a bathroom or storage room, since this is believed to adversely affect the baby's health. Either side of the crib should be open, so the baby is able to see his caregivers as they enter the room and feel safe and protected. Nothing should be stored or placed under the bed since it impedes the flow of Qi and interferes with sound sleep. Try to keep a child's bed away from electrical outlets since it creates negative energy.

Creating movement

Creating movement in your baby's room does not mean arranging the furniture so you can move better around the room. In essence there should be lots of space in your child's room, but the movement Fung Shui refers to is that of sound and air movement. For soft energy flow this can be achieved by use of a fan kept on a low setting. Soothing music and a mobile wind chime also enhances the energy of a room and can also be used to compliment the flow of energy.

Choosing the right colours

The right colours in a nursery can influence a baby's mood. It has been a popular practise of redecorators to use colours to influence mood; blue is calming, yellow is energetic and happy, green is restful, orange invokes enthusiasm, and purple inspires the creative juices. Before you break out the dramatic colours however, Wah insists nursery's be painted in soft colours with appropriate pictures, like the child's artwork. Although bright colours are attractive they can be too stimulating for babies. To find the appropriate shade for the room you can use a Feng Shui bagua, a wheel chart that assigns colours and elements to certain areas in the home, as well as to life aspects such as relationships, careers, and children. If stuck trying to make that decision, the bagua indicates white as the best colour for children since it is associated with creativity. If you wanted more colour though, do so using soft muted coloured furniture.

Eliminating clutter

Babies bring meaning to the word "spoilt" as grandparents, relatives, and parents themselves, shower toys and gifts upon them. Quite soon you're struggling to find space to fit it all. When it comes to the child's bedroom it is important that this clutter is stored elsewhere. Excess clutter of toys around a child can be over stimulating, which can lead to restless sleep, inability to fall asleep, confusion and attention disorders. An over crowded room can also create or assist respiratory problems. Unnecessary clutter can block a baby's creative energy, both physically and mentally, and lead to discouragement. While a much more busy life ensues, it is important that clutter be organized and away from your child.

The right fabric

A point often overlooked is the effect touch can have on a baby's mental growth or wellbeing. Smooth textures such as cotton, cotton knits or velvet promote a sense of calm, quiet, and sleep, while silky textures such as polyester, silk and satin, ignite excitement and action. While shopping around for crib sheets, bumpers, or blankets, choose fabrics that are smooth but not silky.

The principles of Feng Shui are often simple and do not always require the expertise of interior decorators. Negative Chi can often be felt instinctively by people arranging their furniture in a new house, or while looking for a new home. A little research goes a long way when preparing for your child's first few years in the world, but be rest assured, it doesn't take a university education to ground your baby in a positive environment. Trust yourself to know what's right for both you and your baby, and let your imagination point you in the right direction.

Autor: Dorothy Slater

Dorothy Slater
Baby Nursery Bedding

Added: June 27, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Can Feng Shui Predict Freak Accidents?

June 5, 2009: This week there were a number of upsetting events in the news, including the disappearance of a commercial airliner headed for Paris, hit by lightning over the Atlantic Ocean. Just a couple days ago, some people in Southern California were also killed by lightning and yesterday actor David Carradine was found dead in his hotel room from an apparent suicide by hanging.

Because my "Feng Shui Brain" never sleeps, it occurred to me that these tragic events may have been influenced by Feng Shui-- and predictable through traditional calculations we do based on timing and direction. In fact, the lightning strikes reminded me of a client in Florida years ago who reported that her house was struck by lightning. When she told me where, it matched up with an area of her house where the "flying star 3" was present, coupled with an annual energy that would increase the intensity. For the layman, this "3 star" is an energy that can predict electrical problems and is associated with the Zhen trigram, symbolic of thunder. This "flying star 3" energy usually manifests by making people argumentative, gossipy, or have legal problems. But the more obscure definitions can include being bitten by a dog or struck by lightning.

As well, there is a Feng Shui calculation which can predict a potential death from hanging, though it is a rare occurrence. In 17 years of consulting, I have only encountered the variables which could create that situation one time. It was the home of a famous actor, living in the Hollywood Hills at the time. I forewarned him in a written report that there were circumstances within his bedroom and some landscaping plans for just outside the bedroom window which could result in an accident. I didn't want to scare him, so I just told him how to avoid the accident without getting specific. Based on the kind of lifestyle he led, I was even more concerned.

Feng Shui is a predictive art and I have found that people of all types love predictions, although they may not recognize it as such on a daily basis. A day trader follows trends and tries to predict what will happen at any given moment in the stock market. From economists, to political analysts, to seismic activity experts to celebrity gossip shows, everyone wants to know what is going to happen in the future. Originally, Feng Shui Masters were dedicated to helping people avoid tragedies and the very real forces of nature that people were subjected to on a more immediate and threatening basis than they are now. Still, there are circumstances in modern day living and architecture which can predict at least the possibility of a freak accident, whether it is campus shootings or terrorist bombings. For Feng Shui students reading this article, it is the "9" star which is associated with aviation, fires and explosions. It is very volatile energy when paired with the 2, 5 and 7 stars.

Autor: Kartar Diamond

Kartar Diamond is a classically trained Feng Shui master who resides in Southern California. Kartar helps people world wide, with both residential and commercial projects. She is the author of four Feng Shui books, which now have companion e-workbooks, available for download on her website.
Go to http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net for more information or to contact Kartar directly.

Added: June 25, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Tackle Your Paper Clutter With Feng Shui

Just as plants grow best when winter detritus is cleared, we grow and thrive best when our environments are set up to support and nourish us.

One major way to do that is by clearing our own detritus -- clutter. The biggest clutter issue for many of my clients is paper - it just keeps accumulating! Huge piles of paper create a negative atmosphere in any space. They're overwhelming and intimidating, and are likely to represent either unfinished business or materials you need that haven't found a home.

From a Feng Shui perspective paper is essentially "dead trees," so keep your environment feeling vital and alive by clearing out anything that's unnecessary.

Here are a few tips to put into place right now, that will bring a vital new feeling into your space.

1. Dealing with mail
Set up a spot as close to your front door as possible for dealing with incoming mail. Make sure it includes a surface you can work on, a good-quality letter-opener, a pair of scissors and - very important -- a recycling container or waste basket.

Use this place to sort through your mail every day, immediately throwing out junk mail, catalogs etc. that you don't need or aren't interested in. When the recycling container gets full, it's well-positioned to be taken out and discarded, and you're guaranteed that less unnecessary paper will make it very far into your home.

2. Paying bills
If you haven't started paying bills online, now's the time to start. You'll save paper from coming in, save postage, and save some measure of sanity by having to keep track of the bills around your home. It's easy, it's efficient, and it's ecologically wise.

3. Putting paper in its place
When's the last time you cleaned out your file cabinet? It's something that needs to be done at least once a year, both to get rid of things that are no longer useful to you, and also to make room for projects, receipts, and other paper that needs a home. Devoting just one half-hour to this project every day for a week (or less!) will reduce the piles and create a channel for paper to move more easily through your space.

Since you've recently completed your taxes for this year, you may be able to toss most financial documents dating from 2001 and before. Be sure to take a look at my Timeline for Paper Retention (http://openspacesfengshui.com/newsletter/newsletter.php?id=26) for details about what to keep and what can go. I hope you'll find these tips useful. If you'd like to talk about creating a space that supports the growth, development and "new beginnings" you want in your life right now, call me for a free 15-minute consultation at 646-382-3878 or visit our website.

Autor: Ann Bingley Gallops Ann Bingley Gallops
Level: Basic PLUS
Now more than ever, you need to live and work in an environment that works for you, not against you. Open Spaces Feng Shui offers ... ...

Now more than ever, it's important to live and work in an environment that works for you, not against you. Open Spaces Feng Shui offers a modern, practical approach to the ancient art of Feng Shui, giving you the comfort, balance and energy you need to be truly productive and successful.

NYC Feng Shui consultant Ann Bingley Gallops offers in-depth private consultations as well as inspiring seminars and workshops that transform people's lives by transforming their spaces.

Ann's unique background includes an MBA from Columbia University as well as Red Ribbon Professional accreditation from the International Feng Shui Guild, the highest Feng Shui qualification available in the U.S.

Added: June 24, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Feng Shui - Your Ultimate Goals in the Travels of Your Life

It can be said that if one summarizes the practices and meaning of Feng Shui and all its disciplines and teaching that it all boils down to energy and the flow of vital positive energies. Want to change your life for the better, towards the positive and good? Change the flow and directions of the flow of good energies.

Its not only that Feng Shui is concerned about creating flow and energy - its also about finding proper balance in your life and surroundings and unstopping blockages in the path, roadways and travels of your world. What the good of all in the end if you cannot enjoy yourself, your family and friends and those wonderful festive events, festivities, banquets and weddings with your family and close friends?

It's all true about your personal space and spaces at home, the office and even on your vacation travels - be it a hotel, motel, guest house or pension. Maybe you have energy available, perhaps at this moment you do not. This energy vitally impacts the very way and means that the world responds to you in the forms of love, career, wealth and prosperity, health of course, wisdom, love and ultimately happiness. What is the point of taking the journey if not only do not you not get to your ultimate destination in the end but overall did not have a good time along the way? You may as well wonder why you started the journey in the first place. Its all about proper balance and focus of your energies. As can be said "Look in the mirror".

Applying Feng Shui to yourself is just as important as applying it to a home or office because you are the very vessel, container or being that transports your very person and personality throughout your life. It can also be summarized "You only travel the pathways of life once." Make it your dreams - not someone else's. At the end of the day it can well be asked "Have you done anything on earth or were you just putting in time?"

How to start? How to apply yourself it can be said that there are always three questions, and their variants with any issue or problem. They are firstly "Where do we want to go"? "Secondly how will get or transport ourselves to that very passage? Lastly how we will know when we have arrived at our destination or destinations and at what point in time and space?

It is all in the rationalizations - the way you tell your mind the message and messages. On top of that subtle change is most powerful change. Most real things in life happen slowly and incrementally over periods of time, seldom noted for gusto or even movement. Spring changes gradually into summer and so you will blossom. Focus on the action not on the eventual goal. Along with that do not overload or overburden yourself with the multitude of tasks to be done or accomplished. You can certainly live one day at a time, and carry one task at a time. Think of it, that is preferred to accomplish and be concerned over one task, as opposed to worrying yourself to great anxiety with all the tasks in the world and in the end finish little if anything at all.

Feng Shui.

Autor: Morris E. Brown

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Added: June 22, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Elemental Feng Shui - The Five Elements and the Colors That Enhance Them

In Feng Shui, there are traditionally five elements associated with living spaces: water, fire, wood, metal and earth. The nine areas of the bagua map are each associated with an element, and by using the colors associated with the element in the correct area, you can easily enhance the attributes of and ch'i flow within the area.

The element water is associated with the north, and the career and knowledge & self-cultivation areas of the bagua map. The main colors for the element are blue and black, with white, silver and gold as additional colors to give it a boost. Avoid yellows, beiges and red in this area, as it detracts from the element.

Fire is associated with the south, and the fame and reputation and love and marriage areas of the bagua map. The main color for fire is exactly what you might think: red. Use green or brown as accent colors, but avoid the colors for the water element (blues, blacks, white, silver & gold) as water extinguishes the positive effects of fire.

The element of wood is associated with the east and southeast, and the health and family and wealth and prosperity areas of the bagua map. Green is the color to focus on in this area, with blue and black as supplemental enhancers. Avoid the colors for the metal element (white, silver, gold, yellow and beige), as wood and metal are opposites and create conflict.

Metal is associated with the west and northwest, and the creativity and children and helpful people areas of the bagua map. Use white, silver and gold as the primary colors for this area, with yellow and beige as additional boosting colors. Stay away from red, green and brown for best effect!

Finally, the element of earth is associated with the northeast and the southwest, and the center area of the bagua map. Use yellow and beige as the main colors for this area, with red as a backup enhancement color. Avoid green, brown and blue and black for the most positive results.

By understanding the relationship between colors and the five elements in Feng Shui, you can increase the positive ch'i flow and promote balance and tranquility in your life!

Autor: Mariann Bell Mariann Bell
Level: Platinum
Mariann Bell is a mother of two (one with autism), wife, special education teacher, and feng shui, interior design and meditation devotee. In her spare ... ...

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Added: June 20, 2009
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How to Feng Shui Your Lifestyle Yourself - Decluttering is the First Step to Feng Shui Your Life

What is Feng Shui? It is a Chinese art and science that is about the balancing of energy to promote health and fortune for the people inhabiting an area. The practice of Fengshui dates back to over three thousand years and was developed based on the idea that land and nature is filled with Chi or energy and how this energy occupies a space is what brings in a good harvest.

Feng (pronounced Fung) represents wind, where Shui (pronounced Shway) stands for the element of water. The belief is that the harmonious balance between gentle winds and clear water, leads to health and fortune.

When applied correctly, Feng Shui can bring good luck and good fortune to anyone. The principles of Feng Shui can be used to create a harmonic environment within your home, increase wealth and prosperity and increase the happiness that occurs within the four walls of your home.

Your home is not just a structure of walls, but also a place of relaxation and reprieve from everyday life. It is believed that the elements of your home greatly affect your daily life and Fengshui can help direct this.

It is impossible to become a feng shui expert overnight, especially since incorporating these principles into your home demands a careful study into the geography and orientation of the property itself. You also have to determine several different aspects such as the Chinese zodiac sign and the lucky number of each household member. There's a plethora of factors you have to take into consideration in order to achieve the 'perfect' or ideal fengshui setup at home.

Hence, we need to understand the basics of Feng Shui before we try to do our arrangements in our home or workplace. My strong advise is that you should read up more on Chinese Astrology resources and books and understand the solid foundations behind it before you start implementing any of the FS tips and guide. It is of paramount importance that we master the fundamentals of Feng Shui and understand that FS is not a religion but a science. We also need to make sure we do not become too superstitious after learning Feng Shui as it would only do us more harm than good. We should not go to the extreme aspects and cause inconveniences for ourselves.

There should be a balance for everything and so is Fengshui. A smart person will study Feng Shui and use it accordingly and correctly on his or her life. He or she should practise FS only after having studied and understood the basics of Feng Shui. All of us can benefit from Feng Shui if we ensure a balance when applying this art of improving our lifestyle.

Embrace and give positive energy to your environment through love and joy, and it will reflect the same energy back to you. Remember that Feng Shui is about balance and harmony.

Decluttering - The First Step To Feng Shui Your Life

Feng Shui tradition states that the home breathes like a living organism. The vital force, chi, enters the home through doors and windows and should be able to flow unobstructed around the corridors and rooms.

A messy and haphazard home or room is definitely going to affect the inhabitant's health, fortune and luck because harmful sha chi or killing energy will begin to build up. The accumulated clutter in the house can lead to a difficulty in life which will materialize in the sector of the Magic Square in which the clutter sits. A cluttered, messy home may also lead to neurosis and terrible worry entering your life. In addition, the clutter could lead to volatility of emotions and troubles in affairs of the heart.

Not all of us are perfect home-makers, indeed, some of us actually like to live in chaos! However, from a feng-shui point of view, a disorganized home will lead to a disorganized life.

Hence, the most important basics of practising good fengshui in the house is to tidy up your house or rooms! In fact, feng shui is actually practising your common sense! Feng shui is about enhancing good energy in the house. If your home is in great shape, you feel fine. You feel proud. But if it's a mess, you shrink inside. You feel embarrassed. You berate yourself for not making the room look good, as you had planned a hundred times to do but never did.

The practising of decluttering in feng shui goes far beyond your own environment. The effect of decluttering will open door after door for you in your personal and career life. Decluttering releases the bonds that have been holding you back. Decluttering ignites the fires of energy within you - energy you didn't even know you had! The stress in your face and body will ease and your confidence will return. Things start to fall into place in every area of your life when you declutter your surroundings.

Autor: JP Mah

JP Mah is a freelance Feng Shui consultant who uses the wisdom of Feng Shui to bring great health, wealth and love to anyone who wants to improve their lives. Along with his wife, Celeste Tanne, they own and operate 101FengShuiTips.com. By tapping on the wisdom of Feng Shui, we hope that you can have the unlimited power to receive and give love and create the happiness and joy that most of us wish to pursue.

For more information on Feng Shui tips and guide on home living and arrangements and how to learn Feng Shui yourself, go to: http://www.101fengshuitips.com

We genuine hope something inside this website brings every visitor the good fortune they each want.

Added: June 19, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Create a Fame Reputation Intention Box the Feng Shui Way

How to Create A Fame & Reputation Intention Box to Propel Your Career

An Intention Box is simply a holding place for your intentions. For instance, if you desire more wealth, you would create an Abundance intention box. If you desire a romantic relationship, a Love intention box.

In this economy, with job loss and job insecurity everywhere, I thought it would be nice to offer a way to help you stand out from the sea of applicants by creating a Fame & Reputation Intention Box. One of my feng shui teachers, Grand Master Thomas Lin-Yun, says that all Feng Shui cures are more powerful when they are created by your own hands with the power of your heart.

If you would like to take this cure a step farther and make it even more powerful, choose an auspicious date from the Chinese almanac.

Gather all your items the days before the date. Another powerful time would be to create your box on a new moon day.

Step 1: Analyze. The first step here is to do a little self analysis. How do you want to be seen? Where do you want to get noticed? What attributes within you will support this? For example, do you need more self confidence, more trust in your ability to make good decisions or the ability to take more risks? Write down all your insights, as this process not only helps you get more clear, but can bring some big aha! moments as well.

Step 2: Gather. Now gather the materials. Pick the items that have strong meaning for you: things that you love and hold power . Pick colors that are in alignment with the fame and reputation such as red, or orange, or hot pink. Think of this as a fire box to ignite your visibility.

Step 3: Prepare and Clear. Once you've completed Steps 1 and 2, prepare a space with a large work surface. Before you begin, take the smudge stick, and light the end, blowing it out so that it smokes. Use the stick like a wand and wave it over and all around the objects you have laid out on your work table. This will clear them and prepare them for your personal intentions. If you do not want the smoke in your home you can do this part outside. If you do not like sage you can choose a type of incense that appeals to you, and if you are sensitive to all smoke items, you can set your items in a bowl of salt overnight or in the sun for 24 hours.

Now that everything is clean, cleared, and prepared, close your eyes and take a deep breath. See the goal that you have set for yourself. See your intentions. See them going into these items and into this box. Once you feel grounded and ready, open your eyes and begin.

Step 4: Put It All Together. First paint the box (inside and out) with the color or colors you have chosen. You may need to do a few coats to cover up any writing on the box. The writing can also be covered up later by gluing beads, written words, pictures, or really anything. Just use your imagination. As you paint, be mindful of your reputation and visibility, and paint it into your box. You will have to let the box dry in between coats.

Now that the box is painted and dried, you can begin to design the box by placing objects where they feel drawn to be. Arrange and re-arrange them as many times as you want. It is a process, so have fun with it. You will eventually want to cut your photograph into a shape you like and design the inside cover of the lid starting with your picture in the center. Later you will glue it there, but before you do, design how you want it to look. You may want to glue other pictures down first and then glue your photo over it, or glue feathers down first and so on.

A good idea is to print out your intention as a statement and glue that somewhere in your box. Once you know where you want things to belong, begin to glue the items into and onto your box, being mindful of your goal throughout the process. We also recommend you put something on the inside bottom of your box that is fireproof, because you will be setting a tea light candle here to light later. You could use glass, ceramic tiles, sand, rocks, and so on. Or, once the box is finished you could find a clear piece of glass or a small tea light candle holder to set in the box, if you don't want to glue something permanently.

Be patient; this is one of the more lengthy Feng Shui remedies. It may take a few days or even a week or more to collect and prepare everything, and that's OK. Take solace in the fact that it is beginning to work its magic from the moment you start the process.

Step 5: Activate It. All done? Great! Now that you have completed your Intention Box, set it in the Fame and Reputation area of your bedroom, study or office space (from the entrance door, this would be the back middle of your room or home). For 9 or 27 consecutive days set a tea light candle on the fire-safe bottom of your box and light it while focusing or meditating on your intention. See this light as a symbol of your personal light shining out into the world yielding positive results for your career and manifesting the end result you seek. (As a safety precaution, please do not leave the candle unattended.)

MATERIALS LIST FOR INTENTION BOX

Cigar box or other wooden box (you can ask at liquor or tobacco stores for used cigar boxes)

A picture of you. It needs to be a happy, current picture. (If you don't have one, take one!)

Paints: Acrylic, or extra house paints you have around the house.

Creative stuff: Beads, rocks, feathers, tokens, coins, pictures that are symbolic of how you want to be seen, like a tree signifying wisdom, or a large sun meaning powerful energy, or a warrior meaning courage and strength. Pick items that speak to you personally and connect to your fame and reputation intention. Look through magazines, old cards, keepsakes and so on. Sometimes we are not even sure what we want. Find out. If any of the items are dirty, or dusty, clean them.

Paint brushes

Hot glue gun (these can be found at most craft type stores or borrow one from a friend or relative)

Newspaper/tape to cover work surface

Smudge stick

Tea light candles

Autor: Anezka Drazil

Anezka Drazil, Feng Shui Consultant, Portland, Oregon
Access Feng Shui
http://www.accessfengshui.com/feng-shui-career-tips.html
http://www.800Muses.com/muse-profiles/muse-anezka.htm

Added: June 17, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Gemstones and Feng Shui - The Five Elements and How to Enhance Them

Five elements are traditionally used when working with Feng Shui in your home or office. These elements are water, fire, wood, metal and earth. The nine areas of the bagua map are each associated with an element. By incorporating the appropriate gemstones within the area, you can enhance the powers of the area and the ch'i flow within it.

Water

Water is the element associated with the Career and Knowledge & Self-Cultivation areas of the bagua map. The main gemstone for this element is opal, since the composition of opals can naturally include up to 10% water. Another gemstone for water is the pearl, since pearls are born of the sea.

Fire

Fire is the element associated with the Fame & Reputation and Love & Marriage areas. Peridot, which is found in meteors and volcanic rock, is the primary gemstone for this element. Obsidian, which is formed by hot lava, is an alternate gemstone to enhance the Fire element.

Wood

Wood is the element associated with the Health & Family and Wealth & Prosperity areas. Jet, which is formed from plants, is the primary gemstone for this element. A secondary choice would be amber, which is created from ancient tree resin.

Metal

Metal is the element associated with the Creativity & Children and Helpful People & Travel areas. Malachite, which consists of 57% copper, is a natural choice as the primary gemstone for this element. Another option is azurite, which also contains copper.

Earth

Earth is the element associated with the center area of the bagua map. Andalusite, which is also called the "earth stone", is the primary gemstone associated with this element. Another gemstone for the earth element is tourmaline, which is also called "something little from the earth".

By understanding the relationship between gemstones and the five elements in Feng Shui, you can increase the positive ch'i flow and enhance the properties of the nine areas of the bagua map!

Autor: Mariann Bell Mariann Bell
Level: Platinum
Mariann Bell is a mother of two (one with autism), wife, special education teacher, and feng shui, interior design and meditation devotee. In her spare ... ...

Indoor Fountains are good for Feng Shui! http://www.IndoorFountainsForLess.com Quality Garden Ornaments - Bargain Prices http://www.GardenOrnamentsForLess.com

Added: June 16, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The Feng Shui of Staircase Design

The Feng Shui of each and every part of our environment influences our life experiences. Whether you're house hunting, remodeling, building or happy in your current home, you want to ensure every aspect is the best it can be.

For the most part, stairs go unnoticed even though we use them day in and day out. This wonderful mechanism we call "automatic-pilot" allows our bodies to function in ways that require little or no thought or attention - climbing and descending stairs. And then there was Feng Shui.

Just like putting on a needed pair of glasses, Feng Shui brings into focus spatial conditions we may not see or perceive as an opportunity or potential problem.

Believe it or not there are several factors when considering the Feng Shui of your staircase, especially since its function is to move the vital life force called chi (aka energy) from one location to another (i.e. 1st floor to 2nd floor and so on). Although they exist both indoors and outdoors, our focus will be primarily on interior spaces. So let's consider the following characteristics of stairs: the shape, location, size and views.

Shape of Staircase Design

There are quite a few shapes to consider: straight, split, L-shaped, curved and spiral. Although each serves a purpose due to spatial considerations and constraints, there are those that do the job best and those that can harm individuals both physically and financially.

Often straight stairs do the job well. They efficiently move you and chi unobstructed to the next level. Where we find problems are when this staircase is aligned with the front door. This reveals loss of money and requires our immediate consideration. First, if you're looking to purchase a home, put this home towards the bottom of your list! Second, if you cannot change the location of the stairs (which most of us can't or won't) then consider putting a divider between the last step and the entrance or, at minimum, a carpet to slow the chi flow down, discouraging its immediate exit.

As for split and L-shaped stairs, these can help chi meander in a more natural flow, instead of rushing. The drawback here is that often times they are hollow (that is there's no riser or backing to the steps) causing energy to leak, reducing the chi that is reaching that next floor. The obvious correction then is to place risers between the stairs while a secondary, although not as effective, choice is to place potted plants beneath the stairwell to help lift the chi.

A grand curved staircase can be both elegant and beautiful. It channels energy between spaces in a pleasant and inviting way. But a spiral staircase is considered very inauspicious especially in the center of a home. Much like a corkscrew hurting the heart of the home, this configuration can negatively influence the heart and blood pressure of the occupants. It is simply best not to have a spiral staircase in your home.

Location of Staircase

As indicated, you do not want staircases leading out the front door or back door for that matter. It is also highly undesirable to have stairs in the middle of your dwelling. In fact, early on in my studies while I was still in corporate America as a Project Manager, I had a colleague who had stairs that half aligned with the main entrance and the other half was tucked in (in other words, when you walked into his house, you could see half of the staircase only). Within 6 months of moving into his new home with his wife and children, he was fired! Not only did he lose his job and income, he also divorced, causing him to split his income!

Let this be a guide to us all. The best location for stairs is tucked into the home, away from the entrance and sharing an exterior wall of the home ~ like the sides, back or front (as long as the orientation is proper).

Size of Staircase

When I say size I mean width, depth, vertical incline and landings. Obviously the best size is proportional to the space ~ not too big, not too small. Typically depth is not an issue unless using a non-standard depth which interferes with the cadence of one's footstep ~ this can become a structural nightmare for some. But how about too narrow? This can lead to feelings of constraint, claustrophobia and lack. The incline should certainly not be too steep as this lends itself to a safety issue, which then can easily turn into a financial issue! And finally, landings should be spacious. I've been in homes where the steps are not only on a steep vertical incline but once I reached the top, the landing was so small I felt like I would fall backwards down the stairs! It didn't feel comfortable to say the least. Others that had a wall no more than 3 feet from the top step felt offensive and imposing. My suggestion would be to make sure there is plenty of lighting and be certain not to block the pathway.

Views from the Staircase

We've already touched upon the inauspicious view of the front door at the bottom of the stairs. But what about the railings? When we don't "see" one, we feel uncertain and insecure, even if we never use it! There's something very important about the subliminal messages we receive when a side railing is installed. So make sure you have one. Also, many household members like to "store" items on the stairs as a reminder to take something upstairs. May I suggest otherwise? No matter how you slice or dice it, it is obstructing the chi flow, creating stagnant energy. Something we never want to see!

So there you have it! I bet you never thought staircases could be so interesting and so important to the vitality of energy on different levels of your home (or business) and carry so many influences on your life physically and financially! And of course, there's always more! So if you're in the process of designing your home or buying a new home, consider two things: 1.) The tips shared here today and 2.) A professional Feng Shui consultation. Please know, I offer both local and long-distance consultations for homes and businesses.

Here's to uplifting your chi!

2009 Kelly S. Jones

Autor: Kelly S. Jones Kelly S. Jones
Level: Basic
Kelly S. Jones is an accomplished Feng Shui, Chinese Astrology and Akashic Record Consultant, Speaker and Teacher serving national and international clientele. Each service uniquely ... ...

Kelly S. Jones is an accomplished Feng Shui, Chinese Astrology and Akashic Records Consultant serving national and international clientele. Each service uniquely allows individuals and businesses the opportunity to identify and shift personal and spatial blocks, patterns and beliefs in order to bring about life-transforming changes that result in greater happiness, success, clarity and inspiration. All services are available in person or via the phone. Kelly offers classical Feng Shui Consultations for homes and businesses, from planning to decorating, for nearly a decade as well as authentic Chinese Astrology and has been consulting the Akashic Records for clients since 2002. She has studied under the tutelage of five world-renowned Feng Shui Masters and trained with a 4th generation Akashic Record teacher. Credentials include 30+ certificates over a ten-year span. Contact information is as follows:
Kelly S. Jones
Office: 305-682-8985
http://www.KJFengShui.com

Added: June 13, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Feng Shui and the Wedding Date

On a frequent basis I can evaluate a person's home and predict the likelihood of my client meeting someone new for a romantic encounter that year and in some cases I can narrow it down to the most likely months. When the potential is high is meet someone new, that is not the month to go into hibernation. So I advise clients to make him or herself available for this opportunity in time, when the house can actually help them attract someone.

Then, at least a few times per year, clients will ask whether or not I can help them choose a wedding date. This is not a major aspect to feng shui consulting. This kind of advice is best left in the hands of a competent astrologer, who can look at the individual charts for each person, see how their energies combine, and then choose a date that can energetically fill in any deficiencies in the relationship. This is especially critical for couples who already have communication problems or issues which might undermine their commitment to each other.

But here's the kicker: the Wedding Date is often not as influential as you might hope it to be. In the olden days, the Wedding Date was in fact the time that established when a couple would truly start living together under one roof and unite their destinies. It even meant in many cases that this would be the first time the couple would have sex. Well, that is certainly rarely the case nowadays. When a couple actually starts LIVING TOGETHER is the really important date. And we know some couples who live together for years before they officially tie the knot. So, if you are considering living with your boyfriend or girlfriend and want to initiate this on the most positive date, this is the modern way to choose what used to be called the Marriage Selection Date.

There are many principles in Feng Shui which can help a person personalize their space for more harmonious relationships, or how to avoid bad situations altogether. Some of the formulas and remedies are derived from a person's birth data. This includes avoiding a certain sleeping direction that could keep you perpetually lonely or a house type that makes it harder to get into a relationship. For instance, a person born in the Year of the Tiger should not sleep with their head pointing to South/Southeast if they are a male or North/Northeast if they are a female as this would undermine the ability to attract a mate. There is an understanding in feng shui that you are actually in a relationship with your home and it can send out "signals" to attract or repel people to you.

Another example is that a person born in the year of the Horse should avoid a house type that "sits" (back of the house) to to South/Southwest as this entire house orientation could also make it harder for the Horse zodiac sign to get married in that type of house.

There are many other techniques and remedies that can help attract and "timing is everything," but once the attraction has been manifested and the relationship progressing, the Wedding Date or the commitment date can also re-direct the course of the relationship.

Autor: Kartar Diamond

Kartar Diamond helps people make more money, have more romantic opportunities and increase their health and charisma through the tools of her trade: feng shui. Her second book, The Feng Shui Matrix, is filled with personal remedies, just for you, based on your birth date.

Find out more about Kartar Diamond's consulting services, teaching, and books at http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

Added: June 11, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Feng Shui Basics and Frequently Asked Questions

Exactly what is feng shui?
It is the art and science of how you are affected by your environment.

Where did it come from?
It is an ancient Chinese earth science that was developed over 3,000 years ago.

What do the words "feng shui" mean?
Literally, "feng" means "wind" and "shui" means water. It is an abbreviation for a whole concept: The energy which is dissipated by the wind, collects at the boundary of water.

Is feng shui a belief system?
No, these principles are based on nature, laws of physics, common sense and good design.

What do the terms "good or bad feng shui" mean?
These terms have now become synonymous with balance and harmony, so a place that is determined to have bad feng shui is a place which can undermine a person's health and well-being. A place with good feng shui is considered an environment that supports and enhances a person's ability to do well physically, emotionally, and financially.

How is a feng shui analysis done?
There are a variety of styles and schools which have distinct methods for diagnosing a house or building. But all schools will take note of the immediate exterior influences and how they might interact with the interior of a structure. An example might be noticing the street alignment to a property, the shape of the building, and the particulars of the floor plan. An advanced analysis includes insight to the personality of the structure based on when it was built.

How long does a consultation take?
Depending on the size of the structure, the simplicity or complexity of the floor plan, and the number of occupants to be included, a consultation could take anywhere from several hours to several days.

When is the best time to utilize the services of a feng shui consultant?
One of the best times to get advice is before you buy or build. Houses with naturally good energy will generally bring more fortune than those that need lots of remedies to fix their flaws. Most people who are new to feng shui will receive a consultation for a property they already inhabit. There are still many powerful ways to enhance your property, even if it has some problems.

What are some examples of remedies?
Using natural elements in a room in a specific way can actually alter the energy of the room to the point where it makes a noticeable change in a person's life. Elements include water (like a fountain) and real metal objects, such as things made of copper, brass, or bronze. Other remedies may be employed in the landscape or furniture arrangement, as well as choices for color. Through interior design and d�cor alterations, the energy and flow of air currents in a room can have an immediate or gradual affect.

Autor: Kartar Diamond

Kartar Diamond has distinguished herself as one of the leading consultants, teachers, and authors of this mystical subject called Feng Shui. There are many schools and traditions and Kartar has studied all of them. Kartar practices and teaches the most practical and affordable methods and is excited to share this information with you.

Go to http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net for more information.

Added: June 10, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Feng Shui Money Observations

Ever notice how many banks have a front door aligned directly with a back door? In a residential setting, this would be considered a house where the occupants have a hard time saving their money. With a bank, it just seems to be the nature of the business: the money comes in and simultaneously the money goes out!

The doors to many banks, especially ones on corners, are often angled. The folklore around this design feature is that it can make the people passing through the doors feel like taking risks. This of course works to the advantage of banks; people risk their money every day in these institutions.

In 1995, Master Sang took a busload of feng shui students to Las Vegas for a field trip. One of the casinos we analyzed was the Mirage Hotel. This hotel has an energy pattern at the front door based on when it was built that could attract robbery. How ironic that this energy could work to the advantage of the Hotel, since practically everyone who gambles is "robbed" so to speak, of their money after gambling in the casino.

The cash register is supposed to open many times a day as a measure of success for a retail business. Odd but true, that registers in the northeast quadrant of a store are often very still, not opening much. The direction of northeast is associated with a mountain, which doesn't budge.

Bars that are positioned in the "lonely" areas of a restaurant can often generate great business from that location. This is an example of taking a negative location and doing something profitable with it.

Streets that angle down towards a property carry with them the chi (air currents) of virtual water. If the street carries real water that is literally dirty, the money it brings can be of a "dirty" nature. Many years ago I went to a house in the canyons, where the house was below street level and a puddle of dirty water perpetually collected near the front door, according to the owner. Turns out she was a very successful "romance novelist" who is a euphemism for what kind of books she was really writing. The moral of the story is that dirty water can bring in dirty money.

Autor: Kartar Diamond

Kartar Diamond is a classically trained Feng Shui consultant, author and teacher. Join her on the web at http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

Added: June 8, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Feng Shui For Lovers

Much has been written about how the ancient Chinese art of feng shui can improve your love life. In fact, "more love" is second only to "increasing income" as the most popular reason people seek out the services of a feng shui consultant.

First, let's define what feng shui really is and then outline both the obvious and non-obvious ways in which it works. Literally translated as "wind and water," feng shui is actually a natural earth science and a metaphysical art form. It is a sophisticated set of theories and practices, which involves making home and workspace feel comfortable, productive, and life enhancing. The trickle down affect is that people end up healthier, happier, and more prosperous.

Even the most skeptical individual will admit to being affected by their environment when circumstances are extreme or noticeably off-balance. As an example, hardly anyone feels comfortable in a house that is dark, damp and stuffy. This is the common sense aspect to feng shui. But there is a lot that distinguishes feng shui from good interior design and d�cor. It is also about tapping into unseen geomantic and cosmic forces, which we are influenced by, whether we are conscious of it or not: like gravity.

1. The visual-common sense approach

In order for a house and its occupants to attract love or expand existing love, the house itself must be well-cared for. Like a member of the family with its own personality, the house should be clean, in good working order, a healthy landscape, and basically have a happy and inviting look. I believe realtors call this "curb appeal."

The bedroom is the most important room in the house for a number of reasons, mostly because we spend a third of our lives in that room so it is bound to affect us more than other areas. If your bedroom looks like a messy office or a disheveled laundry room, that alone is not going to be conducive to romantic activity. But some New Age spin-off versions of feng shui go a little too far in the visual/subliminal arena, claiming that a single person must display everything in pairs (two night stands, a picture of two love birds, etc) in order to attract love. If a single woman wanted to cover her medicine cabinet with pages from Bride Magazine, that would work in the same way---as a wishful projection or placebo, but not technically as a feng shui remedy.

The colors in a room can also affect romantic mood, with pink, lavender and peach being the well-known lovey-dovey colors in Western color psychology. In traditional feng shui theory, the color theme of a room is based partly on what element should be used for that specific room, unique to that house. As an example, one person could need a room with cool blue (water) tones, while someone else's bedroom may actually need to be very "yang" with (fire) red color.

2. Energetic enhancements

Authentic feng shui remedies can be very powerful when working at the level of energy and by changing the magnetic field of a room. Currents of energy come from certain directions, all relative to the center point of a house. As an example, in 2002 the direction of southwest had energies very conducive to stimulating sexual encounters. This means that the southwest portion of every house had that potential. In order to know where any particular direction of your house is, it is necessary to use an actual compass to determine the orientation of the house or what direction it is facing. Then, when the floor plan is divided up, there will be a southwest portion as well as the seven other basic directions. As an example, if a house faces south, then the southwest portion will be at the front of the house on the left-hand side when looking at the house from the street. If a house faces east, then the southwest portion will be in the back left-hand corner of the house when looking at it from the street.

The "romance" energy in the southwest for 2002 (which changes every year), would have been very powerful if that happened to be your bedroom, an office, or your front door. This is because frequent use of the space will awaken this otherwise dormant energy. In feng shui calculations, this energy is associated with the element wood. Wood can thrive and grow with the addition of water; therefore, placing a water fountain in the southwest part of your house for 2002 would have enhanced the "romance" energy and the prospects of meeting someone.

2002 was also the Year of the Horse in Chinese astrology, which is often practiced in conjunction with feng shui. A Horse Year carries with it a connotation that it will be a "Peach Blossom" year for many people. "Peach Blossom" is a Chinese term that implies romance. In Southern California where I live, it is in the southwest portion of the country, so as a segment of the U.S. population, we could have claimed a hefty percentage of marriage proposals that year.

3. One Man's Ceiling is Another Man's Floor

Great care is needed when trying to stimulate romance for different types of people. What may be appropriate for a single person is not necessarily what is done for a married couple. Although there is no "secret feng shui love potion," there are plenty of houses which indicate that whoever lives there is likely to argue. This could be troublesome for a couple or an entire family. Some house types can make the occupants feel lonely, aloof, and nine times out of ten people end up divorcing after living for a few years in that kind of house. My job is to suggest feng shui remedies that will reduce the amount of bickering or feelings of loneliness and as a by-product of that action alone, couples will feel cozier and more content.

Some house types have personalities that indicate a strong potential for the occupant to have an exciting love life. This could be great for single people trying to meet someone. But it could be very undermining to a couple trying to remain monogamous. People often ask, "What does a house that is good for romance look like?" Well, it actually isn't anything you can see with your eyes.

Instead, it is based on when a structure is built, combined with its actual compass orientation, creating certain energies that are captured in the house at the time the roof goes on. Those energies will have an enduring affect on potentially any occupants.

This is why I refer to feng shui as "astrology for architecture."

On a practical level, I always try to work with a client and what they are capable of doing with their living space. Usually, moving is not an option. But one of the house types that can easily attract romance for its occupant is a post-1984 southwest facing or a northeast facing house from that same time frame. This would also be true for a condo or apartment.

Feng Shui for Gay Lovers

I have been able to validate that most of the same feng shui applications for attracting love for a single woman, also work well for a single gay man. In other words, a remedy that brings a man to a woman can also bring a man to a man. For a single straight man, there are a few circumstances that are only applicable to him. What has been amusing to discover, is that some of the same unseen forces that simply attract women to men (in a residence), also exist at some of the business locations I have evaluated including a cosmetic surgeon, a gynecologist and a few recording studios! Surprised?

On an even more detailed level, feng shui applications can be suited to the occupant based on their birth date. What might be a "lonely" sleeping direction for one person, could be a "hot romance" sleeping direction for another person with a different birth date.

Like love itself, feng shui deals with the laws of attraction and harnessing energies which transcend the ordinary senses.

Autor: Kartar Diamond

Kartar Diamond has been advising on matters of money, health and love with the art and science of Feng Shui since 1992. For more information about Kartar Diamond and her company, Feng Shui Solutions, visit her site at http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net

Added: June 7, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Feng Shui Dining Room

While it seems that everyone wants to hang out in the kitchen with the cook... when it finally comes down to time to eat, the dining room is the place to be. Today we often use the dining room only on special occasions such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays and other festive days. But why not use it more often. The family that shares the day's events over a meal has been shown to have a happier family life and children who do better in school, and are more likely to stay away from drugs. Why don't we use the dining room more often? Is your dining room too formal or cold? Do you feel like you have to dress up to eat in the dining room? Or is it just that you have fallen into the habit of each to his own when it comes to dinner time? With everyone's busy schedules it is easy for that to happen.

If your dining room has poor feng shui you and your family will not want to spend time there. When a portion of a house is neglected and seldom used it has little chance to collect qi or energy. So is your dining room off in a neglected corner of your house? Has it become a place to drop off the day's books, mail and other stuff? Has it become a store room for things waiting to find their own place? Is it comfortable? Is it an appetizing color?

Blue is a color that does not work with food. It gives food an unappealing appearance. So if your room is blue consider giving it a color face lift. If your china is blue this exacerbates the condition. Red is a color that increases appetite. With concern over obesity these days perhaps red is not a good color choice either. And as you have read in my other articles, red is a color to be avoided in large amounts due to its intense vibration and ability to activate negative energies. White on the other hand can lessen the appetite. If you want to lose weight white, in one of its many hues, could be a good choice for you. So what color should you paint your dining room? Once again a neutral tone suitable to the compass direction where it is located would be the best choice. Research the trigram subject area for hints on which color goes with which direction. When it comes to art work make sure it is serene in nature. No wild animals or disturbing subjects for art work in the dining room, or any other room for that matter.

Your dining room does not have to be fancy to accommodate a regular happy family dinner time several nights a week. It needs to be comfortable and uncluttered. It should suit the size of your family. A huge table seating 10 people is too big for a family of 4. They would feel dwarfed and uncomfortable. And likewise a table that is too small for the number of diners. Try not to sit with your back to the door if possible, this makes for a feeling of "who is sneaking up behind me".

A family dinner gathering is a good time to teach children the good manners they will need as they go out into the world. It is a good time to connect and appreciate each other.

Let's eat!

Autor: Diane Kern Diane Kern
Level: Platinum
Diane Kern has been trained in the ancient art of Feng Shui in the traditional method. The knowledge has been transmitted through 13 generations from ... ...

Diane Kern has been trained in the ancient art of Feng Shui in the traditional method. The knowledge has been transmitted through 13 generations from Masters to student via an apprenticeship of extensive study and practical field experience. Ms. Kern was included in a small group of students selected by her Master for advanced training. She is a member of an international team of experts, Alliance Feng Shui, whose resources can be called upon to accomplish your goals.

Ms. Kern assures the privacy and confidentiality of clients. Your name will not be used for advertising or referrals. The culture of integrity, respect and discipline instilled by her Master ensures you a productive working relationship and attention towards successful completion of your goals.

http://dianekern.com

Added: June 5, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Bedroom Basics With Feng Shui

Everyone is influenced by the energies in their home. And any area in which you spend a great deal of time will have the greatest influence upon you. Whether sleeping, relaxing, studying or working we spend many hours in one particular room of our house. It is no wonder then that feng shui in the bedroom is a main concern.

Placement of your bed is foremost. Without a proper nights sleep we can not thrive. Here are a few key considerations.

There should be a wall behind your head. A solid headboard is ideal, rather than slats or scroll work, which do not provide adequate support. As fashionable as it is, do not put your bed at an angle to a corner. The empty space creates vibrations that can disturb your sleep. It also creates a psychological hiding place for intruders. Likewise, do not put your bed in the middle of the room.

Make sure your bed is not placed in front of the door. The door acts as a funnel and the Qi moves through too rapidly and can cause a restless sleep. Do not have your feet facing the door. When you walk into the room you should not run into the bed.

Under a window is not a suitable placement for your bed. Qi that leaks through the windows is a disturbing influence. You may feel unsafe and fearful of intruders coming through the window while you sleep.

You do not want to see mirrors while you are in bed. If you wake in the night you can be startled by reflections. If you must have a mirror that is seen from your bed, cover it at night.

All of the above prevent a fully recuperative sleep.

Ensuite bedrooms have become very popular. From a feng shui perspective it is better to have one room for sleeping and another separate room for all bathroom functions. Bathrooms allow smells and moisture into the sleeping and storage areas. This can ultimately lead to health problems.

The bedroom should be a place of rest and retreat. Remove your computer and all work related items. Find yourself another spot for working and reserve your bedroom for rest and romance. Electronic items such as computers and even clocks and radios create disturbing vibrations. A fan over your bed can cause medical problems in the body part that is below the fan.

Clear out unused items for a calm environment. Sort through your closets and discard or donate clothing you haven't worn in the last year. The area under your bed should be kept clear. If you must use the area for storage make sure it is only clean linens. And leave some room between the storage containers and the box spring for the qi to circulate.

Use neutral colors and avoid busy patterns and fabrics. No flowers or fountains in the bedroom please. They are too yang.

Now, go to bed and enjoy a good nights sleep.

Autor: Diane Kern Diane Kern
Level: Platinum
Diane Kern has been trained in the ancient art of Feng Shui in the traditional method. The knowledge has been transmitted through 13 generations from ... ...

Diane Kern has been trained in the ancient art of Feng Shui in the traditional method. The knowledge has been transmitted through 13 generations from Masters to student via an apprenticeship of extensive study and practical field experience. Ms. Kern was included in a small group of students selected by her Master for advanced training. She is a member of an international team of experts, Alliance Feng Shui, whose resources can be called upon to accomplish your goals.

Ms. Kern assures the privacy and confidentiality of clients. Your name will not be used for advertising or referrals. The culture of integrity, respect and discipline instilled by her Master ensures you a productive working relationship and attention towards successful completion of your goals.

http://dianekern.com

Added: June 4, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Bathroom Basics Feng Shui Style

Recently I have had some questions from readers about bathrooms. I thought it would be a good time to talk about the smallest room in the house. Well now-a-days it isn't the smallest anymore. People are turning their bathrooms into meditation spaces, gathering spots with sofas and chairs and in some cases they are becoming palatial spaces. But for most of us the bathroom remains a humble place to take care of very human needs.

When planning a new house or major renovation that includes the bathroom there are some things to consider. One of the most important is where to put the bathroom. Here we can think of some common sense rules. The bathroom is prone to smells, bacteria, leaking pipes and excess moisture. These are all things we want to avoid in the rest of the house. If you put your bathroom into the middle of your home it opens up the whole house to these problems. If it is in the middle you will not likely have an exterior window to open to release smells and moisture. If this is the case then you must be sure to have an efficient ventilation system.

You also don't want to have your bathroom next to the front entrance or in view of the entrance. Not only is it unsightly and potentially smelly, you don't want your guests to be greeted in this manner. For the same reason you don't want to see the bathroom from the kitchen. Having a bathroom on the second floor over the kitchen is also a no-no. If pipes leak you can imagine this would not be a good thing.

I have talked in the past about the elements fire and water. They are in opposition to each other in a controlling relationship. Your stove is fire and the bathroom is water. So avoid placing your bathroom on the other side of a wall with a stove. As the "vibration" from toilets flushing or showers running creates a disturbance energetically as well as in sound, do not place your bed against a wall opposite the bathroom.

We start and end the day with a visit to the bathroom. Keeping it clean and hygienic is extremely important. As in any room of the house you want to avoid clutter. Piles of wet, dirty towels or shelves overflowing with cosmetics and cleaners need to be avoided. Even the bathroom closet should be kept as neat as possible.

The current trend is towards master bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. This may be the fashion but from a feng shui standpoint it is not desirable. Often the closet separates the bed and bath. This traps moisture from the bathroom leading to musty or even moldy conditions in your clothes and closet. Even if the entry to the bath is direct from the bedroom that just moves the problem to your bedroom. You can place some moisture loving plants in the area to help alleviate the problem. Bathrooms should always have a door on them!

Autor: Diane Kern Diane Kern
Level: Platinum
Diane Kern has been trained in the ancient art of Feng Shui in the traditional method. The knowledge has been transmitted through 13 generations from ... ...

Diane Kern has been trained in the ancient art of Feng Shui in the traditional method. The knowledge has been transmitted through 13 generations from Masters to student via an apprenticeship of extensive study and practical field experience. Ms. Kern was included in a small group of students selected by her Master for advanced training. She is a member of an international team of experts, Alliance Feng Shui, whose resources can be called upon to accomplish your goals.

Ms. Kern assures the privacy and confidentiality of clients. Your name will not be used for advertising or referrals. The culture of integrity, respect and discipline instilled by her Master ensures you a productive working relationship and attention towards successful completion of your goals.

http://dianekern.com

Added: June 2, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/