Event Calendar

The Importance of the Feng Shui Kitchen

0

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese discipline that incorporates the balancing of male, yang, and female, yin, energies or “chi”. Feng Shui is used for developing and maintaining a certain chi which can have drastic influences in everyday occurrences and situations. Having a feng shui kitchen is extremely important in maintaining prosperity and overall good health. In fact, the kitchen is the most important rooms when dealing with feng shui. There are several things that you should take into consideration before you develop your Feng Shui Kitchen.

 

It is a good practice to keep your kitchen open and spacious. Try not to overload your counters with an excess of gadgets and appliances because that will affect the way energy travels in your kitchen. Having clutter in any room, especially the kitchen, will disrupt your positive chi and possibly invite negative, harmful chi in.

The kitchen is always active with two elements: water and fire. Since, fire plays such an important part in the kitchen, try to steer clear of fiery colors, such as, orange and red. Steering clear of fiery colors will create a balance between the elements and between the chi. Instead, choose soft colors like green, blue, or white to add the balance of energies. For centuries the color yellow has been linked with the digestive system, so it is often a perfect choice for kitchens.

The addition of live plants and flowers can add a tremendous amount of good energy to any kitchen. Try adding a window box full of live, ready-to-be picked herbs. This addition will not only add more energy and provide you with nutritional herbs that you can pick from your window. You can also generate good energy by hanging crystals in your windows. During the day, the light will bounce off of the crystals and add movement to your chi or energy.

The kitchen has been thought of at the heart of a house for centuries. The ancient Chinese believed that using these fung shui tips in the kitchen could bring them posterity and improve their overall health. Using simple fung shui tips can turn any kitchen into a happy, functional room. Not only does fung shui put emphasis on making energies follow in a room, but it also puts a great amount of emphasis on making the room more organized and clutter free. Just the simple act of removing clutter from a room has the power to clear foggy brains and uplift moods.

July 12, 2013 |

Astrology 2013 July to September

0

Elliot Tanzer is a dear friend of ours at Feng Shui Emporium and Feng Shui Directory. He specializes in Astrology and Feng Shui Consulting.

Quarterly, Elliot releases his Astrology findings in PDF format.  If you would like to read July to September please download it here:

ASTROLOGY July – September

If you would like to receive the newsletters from Elliot directly to your email, find him at: www.elliottanzer.com.

 

June 19, 2013 |

9 Important Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Feng Shui Consultant

1

Feng Shui, which originated as an eastern ‘geomancy’ but transitioned into western exercise, fashion and spirituality, has thousands of applications and disciplines worldwide. One of the most common applications translates Feng Shui’s unique interpretation of energy and chi into therapeutic and fashionable results. Professional Feng Shui consultants help clients transform the chi of their personal life, business practices or even surrounding office and home environments to better conduct the flow of positive energy. Historical examples of Feng Shui find similar use in the practices ability to orient buildings for aesthetically and spiritually pleasing results, frequently hiring practitioners to observe the building, construction and decoration of tombs and other buildings of substantial significance, and this remains the closest parallel to modern day implementations.

Hiring a Feng Shui consultant largely depends on the aspect of Feng Shui the consultant services, and the western popularity of Feng Shui has streamlined this diverse practice into nine distinct interpretations and practices that should be thoroughly vetted before any agreement is signed or money is exchanged. Feng Shui consultants can service businesses, personnel or individuals through the unique channeling of their practice’s spiritualism and sensibility broadly used to both diagnose and solve various mental and spiritual ailments, including those contributing to stress and productivity.

Although some people might be weary of Feng Shui’s association with some less than reputable practices and practitioners, the inner workings of the practice are actually extremely pragmatic, dealing with an understanding of the colors, spaces and atmospheres of rooms, offices and even the makeup of a person’s personality that might make negative contributions, and uses fashion, psychology and only peripheral helpings of spirituality to alleviate those problems. This can be as simple as clearing up a cluttered office space to improve the space, improve upon any cluttering psychological feelings that could be caused by the messiness, or as complicated as redecorating and redesigning an entire building to better communicate a positive, industrious and welcoming atmosphere that will rub off on both employees and customers in order to create a more successful business venture.

Interested people need not concern themselves with any misunderstandings about Feng Shui’s purposes or the mislabeling of Feng Shui as any manner of religious, new age or exclusively spiritual practice that employs techniques certain people might find off-putting. The truth of the matter is that Feng Shui uses fashion and aesthetic sensibilities to achieve their desired results – the philosophy, mysticism and history of the practice remains important and substantial, but need not be the center of focus for people who are interested in hiring a Feng Shui consultant.

The following sections will explore the nine important questions to ask any prospective consultant, each of which are centered on exploring and qualifying the nine distinct sensibilities of modern Feng Shui in the western world.

The Nine Feng Shui Questions

There are nine modern disciplines any Feng Shui practitioner will be focusing on, and the following questions are designed to casually and comfortably bring out an explanation for those areas.

What is your Feng Shui?

The term Feng Shui has been adopted as a popular term used to refer to a person’s aesthetic, stylistic or personal preferences, and in a sense that’s not a wrong way to approach the opening question. Asking about the consultant’s personal sensibilities is exactly the kind of question that people would be all too eager to ask a professional stylist or decorator, but it’s also perfectly reasonable to bring up to any worthwhile Feng Shui consultant. Due to the practice’s reliance on communicating with the most positive aesthetic design of a surrounding area, the practitioner’s sensibilities are essentially their Feng Shui pedigree. This question will help to discern the aesthetic discipline of the practitioner, and also give people time to discover whether or not their views are compatible.

How can your Feng Shui benefit me?

If these questions are beginning to sound like a job interview, that’s good – Feng Shui consultants are being hired for their services, and it’s not inappropriate to inquire as to those services before deciding whether or not the consultant is a good match for the job. Due to the flexible nature of Feng Shui as a practice of design, Feng Shui is able to communicate through every single space that desires any kind of feeling or atmosphere, whether it’s one to promote productivity, relax employees, welcome customers, soothe, excite or even encourage a more profitable future. Young and old, new business or old mainstay – Feng Shui should be able to benefit any situation, and a consultant who isn’t able to clearly explain those benefits is not worth the time or money.

What is your discipline, and how would you employ it?

This is the first question that deals specifically with the consultant’s personal Feng Shui discipline, but it’s meant to serve as an introduction to what the consultant brings to the table and how the consultant plans to change that table based off their own personal outlook. While the first two questions concerned themselves with specificity, inquiring as to the discipline of someone’s Feng Shui stands a gesture for every consultant to make a handy example of. Ask for demonstrations about what the consultant would do to change the chi, flow of energy or aesthetic design of the surrounding environment, and let that demonstration explain their discipline in surer terms that uncertain Feng Shui terminology likely would.

Is your Feng Shui discipline religious in nature?

Not all consultants will come with the spiritual side of their practice, but there are still some practitioners who sell both a service and a belief system. People who are curious about the religious side of Feng Shui, or oppositely people who have no interest in the religious side of Feng Shui, should understand how those expectations meet the consultant. All Feng Shui practices employ artistic sensibilities and scientific assumptions about the ways environments influence a person’s psychology, but some will be more balanced – or imbalanced, depending on your perspective, than others.

How long will Feng Shui take?

Feng Shui is not only a practice, it is a process. How long the transformation of an office space, building or personal room will depend more on the practitioner than anything else, so people should always go out of their way to get a clear schedule for the process before making assumptions about any generalized time frames; in Feng Shui there are none.

How extensive is the process?

This is not the same question repeated twice, but rather a distinction made between the initial Feng Shui transformation and any subsequent changes the practitioners will employ. Feng Shui is not a static process, unlike the erecting of a building. Similar to professional decorating services, Feng Shui may change the appearance of a room, home or space several times in the same month depending on the needs of the people living there.

How will Feng Shui help my relationship?

Depending on why the consultant is being hired, Feng Shui may be employed to help with employer employee relationships, employer and customer relationships, inter office relationships or even personal and intimate relationships when employed in a home setting. Feng Shui is designed in part to effect people through designs and aesthetics and spatial sciences, and part of this effect can be emotional and psychological.

How will Feng Shui help my business?

Similar to the question above, it’s important that people make practitioners get specific about how their practice intends to transform the environment. There are particular styles and designs used to increase the productivity of the people in the room, or alternatively to help develop the relationships thereof, and it’s important to make sure the practitioner not only specifies this difference, but explains it clearly and concisely.

What variations, if any, do you intend to employ?

Feng Shui is a flexible practice, but it’s important to make sure practitioners don’t take too many liberties with this flexibility and lose focus on the goal of the transformation. Asking a practitioner about the variations they intend to use for a particular room, office or building will not only help to reveal an impromptu lesson plan, but also introduce the practitioner’s own unique outlook and manner, both of which will factor heavily into the actual execution of any proposed remodeling.

May 22, 2013 |

One Feng Shui Product For Prosperity, Weath and All Around Happiness

1

After the last newsletter was released (The Yin and Yang of Your Home), I received an email from Janice.  She wanted to know how to solve her dilemma.  She said she has several feng shui cures around her house and she is constantly trying to remember what they mean.  She’s getting confused and wants to know how to simplify her life.  I replied saying I would be happy to follow-up in my next newsletter… so Janice, this one’s for you.

What is one Feng Shui product that can be used to bring prosperity, wealth and all around happiness?

I honestly do not know of one single product that does everything.  With that said, I broke the problem down into two parts that would allow for only one product, the solution.  As far as products go, I’ll answer that specifically in a few moments.

Outside The Home

I would look at the five elements on the outside of your home’s property.  Work from the outside to the inside when addressing the elements and where they need to be placed in order to produce the most energy.

Find these locations on your property:  Fire in the South… Water in the North… Earth in the Southwest, Center, and Northeast… Wood in the East and Southeast… Metal in the West and Northwest.

Note: wealth and prosperity is brought to you from Earth and Fire.  Work on all of the elements as one helps the other (in certain order).  Remember, balance is necessary.

Formula:  Work on Fire and Earth equally.  Then, work on Wood a little more.  This increases Fire naturally thus Fire increase Earth.  When you want more wealth, increase Wood in the East and Southeast (also increase life and education)… you see?

A classic feng shui consultant can help you with these elements. You simply need to spend the Spring and Summer working in your yard to enhance the energy of your home.

The Classic Feng Shui Experts tell us that 70% of the Chi (Qi) comes from outside our home. We need to make adjustments in the yard to greatly maximize our home and personal energies.  Plus it keeps us health and happy to work and see such beauty.

Inside Your Home

So, if 70% of our Chi (Qi) comes from outside the home, then we have 30% we can work with inside the home.

Focus some of your attention on the front door.  This is the mouth of your home.  This is where the Chi (Qi) enters and begins to circulate.

The one type of product BTB Feng Shui would recommend INSIDE the home are the feng shui crystals.  Not only do they transmit and project an amazing amount of energy, which is their purpose, but they are absolutely spectacular to look at when the sunlight projects through the prism.  Rainbows explode in every direction shining beams of happiness.

We personally have 1 – 50mm crystal in the Southwest (Sunroom), to spark our relationship. We have 1 – 40mm crystal in the Northeast (front door entryway), to retain the Chi and distribute as it comes into the home.  We have 1 – 40mm crystal in the Center of the home, again to slow and distribute the Chi.  Finally, we have 1 – 30mm crystal in the hallway to do the same.

I really hope this helped Janice, and anyone else who pondered the question.

This email is also posted on our blog at Feng Shui Directory.  If you want to write publicly on the topic, I invite you to participate.  Also, you can meet some of our consultants.

Please write me at Jim@LuckyCat.com if you have a question or comment.  If I can’t answer it, I know where I can find some of the best Feng Shui Consultants on the planet at FengShuiDirectory.com.

Also, if you are in need of the finest feng shui crystals on the market, Swarovski Crystals, please visit us at Feng Shui Emporium (www.LuckyCat.com)

April 24, 2013 |

Louis Audet – Feng Shui Keys

0

Feng Shui Keys – Selecting the Perfect Home and Office

By Louis A. Audet (Click to see his profile page)

Louis has been on the Feng Shui Directory for several of years and has made a name for himself in many Feng Shui circles.  Louis began with the ancient Hawaiian Kahuna Tradition of Geomancy, then studied Black Sect Tibetan Buddhist Feng Shui (BTB) under His Holiness Rimpoche Grand Master Professor Lin Yun.

Louis was one of the first Westerners to consult and teach Geomancy and Feng Shui in the United States.  Louis is a speaker and lecturer, presenting seminars across the country.

We are proud to recommend and provide you with his new guide book, Feng Shui Keys – Selecting the Perfect Home and Office.

This 122 page Feng Shui guide is packed with easy to understand tips and drawings to help anyone understand and USE the elements of Feng Shui.  The guide is designed to assist a buyer or renter as they make their way though the challenges finding the perfect residents or office space.

Instead of spending countless hours studying the ins and outs of Feng Shui, Louis created a checklist to easily take with you when touring the space.  Some home and office modifications may be easy to work around, but other homes are a Chi (Qi) graveyard and should be avoided.

Take Louis with you on the hunt and don’t get stuck with a new home that drains your wallet or relationship. Buy Louis A. Audet’s book, Feng Shui Keys – Selecting the Perfect Home and Office.  

April 24, 2013 |

Feng Shui Products – Wealth or Money Tree

1

The Feng Shui Wealth or Money Tree is a holy tree that brings both money and fortune to those who own them. Feng Shui Wealth Trees are a symbol of riches, nobility, and affluence. Primitive societies accepted the money tree belief and its popularity spread. The earliest money tree concept came from the latest Han Dynasty.

These money trees are potted in ceramic pots and decorated at the root with gemstones. Copper wire creates the shiny trunk as well as its branches. For leaves, the Feng Shui Wealth Tree is adorned with Chinese lucky coins. Like the Bonsai tree, the money tree’s owner can move the branches until it meets their liking. Our Feng Shui Wealth Tree is approximately 4″ tall. Perfect for the home or business offices.

Feng Shui Products – Wealth or Money Tree

April 10, 2013 |

Brass Pagoda

0

This beautifully detailed 7-tiered Brass Pagoda is used for bringing peace and calm to any environment. Used on shrines, and for special feng shui purposes that will be told to you by your teacher or practitioner. Pagodas have been used in Chinese and Japanese cultures to mark a special place, hold sacred texts or relics, or simply to enjoy the view from the height of the structure. Measures 5.75″.

Click Here: Feng Shui Brass Pagoda
 

April 10, 2013 |

Three Horses Running

1

Horses are a symbol of success and loyalty, and represent courage, speed and endurance. These 3 horses bring strength and success in business and career as well as a good reputation. Three horses running forward means that you can do business without difficulty and win immediately. Place on your desk or in your office where it can be seen. 8″ x 6″, made of shoushan stone.

Three Horses Running – for doing business without difficulty and winning immediately

 

April 10, 2013 |

The Yin and Yang of Your Home

1

I’ve been spending a lot of time researching the Chinese theory of Yin and Yang and the Five Chinese Metaphysics. The funny thing is, the more I think about the energies or Chi (Qi) of Yin and Yang, the more I see it in everyday life.

If you don’t know, Yin and Yang is the cornerstone of Chinese Metaphysics. There are two main opposing forces in existence; Positive (Yang Chi) and Negative (Yin Chi – not bad, just opposite). Yin and Yang Chi exist at all levels of the Universe. From the big and unimaginable, to the infinitesimally small and minuscule, everything has an opposite.

Read More… Yin and Yang of Your Home

April 10, 2013 |

Feng Shui Tips for Winter

0

Catherine Hilker

Catherine HilkerOne of the many things I love about Feng Shui is the philosophy of connecting with nature and its cycles. In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the season of winter and long gone is the fiery, yang time of summer. Winter is the most yin time of year where plants and animals reserve their energy through hibernation or slowing down. Additional yin characteristics of winter mean less light and colder temperatures. During this time, cultivating stillness and looking inward are ideally aligned with the season.

Here are some suggestions for harmonizing with the season of winter:

 

  • Create quiet rituals by lighting a candle and sitting still for a few minutes focusing only on your breath.
  • Consider starting or recommitting to a journal process to release your thoughts, offer gratitude, let go of old hurts, or get clear about important choices.
  • Regularly perform yin yoga poses which focuses on releasing connective tissue and tight muscles.
  • Spritz lavender, geranium, orange, ylang ylang or clary sage essential oils in your space to cultivate relaxation.
  • Switch your frequently used light bulbs with full spectrum lighting. Full spectrum bulbs more closely mimic sunlight.
  • Display art and photography that depicts winter scenes.
  • Add water features of any kind which represent the season of winter.
  • Create a cozy nook with pillows, a throw and warm colors.

However you choose to connect to the season of winter, take advantage of the natural flow at this time. Consider cutting out unnecessary activities and slowing down even if only for a few minutes each day.

January 20, 2013 |
Vantage Theme – Powered by WordPress.
Skip to toolbar