West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Balance and Harmony Review 2004

Six months have already passed as 2004 works its way through the circle of life. We might have a new baby in the family, built a new home, moved to a different location, started a new business, given yourself the permission to have joy in your life or finally forgiven someone from a past or present uncomfortable situation. Each important decision takes you to a new level of understanding. Your purpose was established by a higher force or energy and the sooner you discover that purpose the happier you will be.

The Bagua, or eight-sided octagonal shaped form, also moves and changes as we carry on the generations of environmental, physical and spiritual practices that carry us forward or backward on our journey. We can review our progress by looking at our own homes. The house, apartment, condo, boat or dwelling we choose to live in is a map of our intentions!

This morning I woke up to a lot of love and a bit of chaos - yes, you guessed it, the grandkids spent the night for the 4th of July boat parade and fire works celebration. Our new home is located on an island in the San Juan Islands of the coast of Washington State. After many years of living a long distance from our children and grandchildren, we now have them any time for sleepovers.

After a busy day of cooking cherry pies, making potato salad, barbequing, visiting and eating, the serious part of the day really begin. Walking down to the beach with bottle rockets, matches, glow worms, things that whorled and spun, popped and made loud noises, the children's second-wind chatter filled the usually tranquil forest path. I call it second-wind Chi because a day of swinging in a rope sling my husband engineered, playing crochet, running through a sprinkler and getting totally wet with no naps to calm a four and six year old, the second-wind syndrome is like getting a throttle stuck on a riding mower before shifting gears.

Wildlife scattered as we made way for our determined expedition. Although the summer gentle coast is only a block away, with all of the gear we were carrying, it looked as if a year's camp out on the beach might be a necessity. Northwest sunsets are equal to Arizona's, New Mexico's and Hawaii's finest. The difference is a mystic awareness that calms the heart and soul. The soft colors filtered through the 200-foot Cyprus-looking pines and the tiny round rock pebbles at the water edge make National Geographic photos seem second-class.

Jackets were zipped up to our necks, for the evenings can suddenly be brisk, as Alaska is only a short cruise away. Our purpose was to make memories and record them on video for future reviews. Questions, questions and more questions about the holiday filled our camp and then the fun began. Seeing the 4th of July through children's eyes is pure excitement, and stories of our childhood were retold. Of course, I heard my voice spouting warnings of burned fingers and eyes and all kind of nonsense as "THE MEN" fired missiles toward the open water while sailboats, water taxis, cruisers and ferries paid no mind to the interruption of their waterways.

The end of day was perfect as we huddled together on the deck of our home, watching several cities display fireworks across the water six miles to the mainland, listening to our pond and waterfall located in the Career zone of the property. A large hollow metal wind chime softly sang in the night breeze, and my red geraniums lined the front of the house inviting live new energy into the "Mouth of the Chi" or front entry.

Our choice to move to a Wood Element part of the country has been a wonderful experience. If a closer bond with your extended family is desired, look to the middle left side of your properties examine and review what is taking place in this Gua or section of you home inside and outside of the house or business. Wood symbolizes growth of the family and the health of family life. Use columned shaped objects, gardens or pathways to encourage the Wood Element. Bamboo is my first choice to plant on this side of the house as it creates a tight forest which is impossible to break through. Although bamboo is flexible and family troubles might blow your way, it is also stable and strong such as family ties can be. Paint the house a sage green or place wooden barrels full of lush green flower and plants to enhance this side yard of your home.

What do you want to encourage in your life for the next six months? Check my Art Bagua on my website for clues to each of the nine Guas and review your options in Career, Knowledge, Family, Wealth, Fame, Partnership, Children and Creativity, Helpful People and Travel or Health as you reread questions and answers which will give you ideas to refresh your life.