By Caroline Patrick

Mapping My New Home

Now that we are settling into our new home and unpacking those necessary boxes, I’m overwhelmed with decisions on where to put what! Using the Bagua or eight-sided Feng Shui grid, I began by mapping the interior and exterior of the house, property and new office on the mainland, which immediately show where all nine aspects of life’s forces are located on the floor plans of these structures.

The ancient octagonal shape used by the Chinese spans some 5000 years with its origin in India as Vastu Shastra. This holistic system of discipline seemingly connects the earth’s rhythm [the Tao] or the Way, generating ease, progress and happiness. Feng Shui, or the balance of wind and water, is a science of placement and geomancy which aligns us with a sense of belonging in our location.

Giving five classes at Solano College, Vacaville McBride Center, and Benicia’s Best Western Hotel last spring on Mapping the Home, Room by Room, Interior/Exterior, Feng Shui Gardening, and Painting with Chi gave students a broad view of the art of placement. A favorite workshop was given several times at volunteered homes called View a Home and On-Site Evaluation. This gave the student a visual understanding of a Feng Shui consultation. If you missed these and others over the years, I figure you missed approximately 160 classes. If you are brave or interested enough, I will be giving more instruction in Feng Shui in the Northwest.

Skagit Valley College has accepted three of the subjects for winter and possibly two or more in the spring session. Friday Harbor, located on one of the many San Juan Islands, is also considering a Feng Shui class. So balance and harmony are alive and well and as exciting as ever. My office is coming together, as I buy a new cherry wood desk and place it in a power position near the entry with my back to the wall. Dark stained deck chairs were chosen for clients, accented with Chinese red and gold backings. Two matching multicolored tables colored brown, burnt sienna and tan marble tops enliven the visual energy. The large poppy picture I painted named "The Awaking," hangs behind the desk on the Fame, located in the middle back section of the 400-square-foot office.

The COMPUTER (which I said I would never bring to the office) sits across the room in the Knowledge corner of the room. In Wealth and Prosperity, or the far back left space of the area, hangs the large Bagua mirror with coins and bamboo symbols of longevity adorning the wall. Green bamboo activates the Wood element of any location. Master Lin Yun, Master teacher of the Black Hat Tradition of Feng Shui, lectures four hours in his workshops on the positive energy of this ancient plant, its strengths and its powers in restoring Feng Shui to your home and surroundings. Using bamboo in the Family Gua or middle left side of your home, business or any room strengthens family bonds. I have used this simple cure for raising Chi or energy in many situations with wonderful results.

A wild rug finishes off my classy new surroundings in the office. This creation of red, green, blue, and a little yellow, white and black lay in the center of the light hardwood flooring, creating a Five Element Combination of black for Water enhancing the Career, green stripes to bring in a Wood Family Element, red the action activator for Fire and Fame, a bit of white for Metal and last yellow, a grounding Earth color to promote Health.

Placing items in the correct Guas or areas of the home or business can balance any space.

My next project is a speaking engagement this week. I’m told fifty Anacortians want to know more about this mathematical equation and are excited about mapping their homes, but I have had many delays in trying to complete the necessary Feng Shui adjustments in our new dwelling. With little ones temporarily living in our house, the most important issues of the day are to make sure there is enough macaroni and cheese in the cupboard and if bath towels decorated with the cartoon, Square Bob Sponge Pants, which, being yellow and square, fit into the Earth zone as a cure or correction for a center bathroom?

Caroline can be reached at:

Caroline’s Feng Shui Concepts

2511 Commercial Avenue

Anacortes, Washington 98221

(360) 293-2268.

caroline@fengshuiartistry.com

www.fengshuiartistry.com

www.moongateschool.com