West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Balance Work and Play with Feng Shui

There are nine aspects to the Bagua or template which is placed over a floor plan. The Bagua can be stretched over a whole city. It can be placed over a neighborhood, a park or any building. Find the main exit to a city, a neighborhood, a facility, a government building, a playground, or a structure and you have found the "waterway" or "roadway" to the Career of the place. Airports, train stations and harbors also have an entry where the Chi or life force enters and moves around and through open and closed spaces. The aspects of the Bagua move in a clockwise manner around the octagonal temple like a clock ticking away, hopefully giving equal time to each aspect. Using a clock as an example, Family and matters of Family begin at a 9 o'clock position. Just as life begins with Family, it is related to new up-growing Wood. Moving upward, Wealth is located next in the octagon between 10 & 11 o'clock, Fame at 12, Partnership is positioned between 1 & 2 o'clock, Children and Creativity is 3 o'clock, 4 & 5 o'clock is reserved for Helpful People and Travel. Career is at 6 o'clock, while Knowledge completes the circular journey at 7 & 8 o'clock. Health lives in the Center of the ancient sacred design. It is considered the Tai Chi or the center from which all Chi flows.

Feng Shui, or the balance of 'wind and water," when used correctly nurtures all 9 Guas or pieces of the Bagua. If you only give attention to one aspect and not pay attention to the other necessary energies on the octagonal-shaped grid, the energy flow becomes uneven. For example, a city may become "sick" if the main street is under continual construction. Businesses don't get enough foot traffic, trouble in the government of the city begins to decay, officials argue as the "life Chi" of the city is disrupted and trouble starts "in River City," as they say! I have recently seen this happen to a small city in Washington State. Waterways are also connected to the Bagua in people's Careers, such as in the transportation of ferries. When the ferry system is interrupted, the flow of money comes to a halt.

To honor the balance of business and pleasure, I practice what I preach, not as much as I should, but when it is birthday time in our family we celebrate. So putting Career on hold and stepping across the Bagua from left to right, Children and Creativity was most important this week. A few clients emailed me to see where I had been, and this is what I wrote back on my return to our town Condo on the mainland.

"Sorry I missed you, I was in a rush to catch a ferry for my youngest grandson's birthday party preparations at the island. The theme was pirates. Taking a large sheet of paper I drew a big pirate with an eye patch and a hook for a hand, and then added Happy Birthday in all different colors and a black pirate flag. It was hung in the window facing the driveway where all kinds of celebration banners are placed, depending on the occasion. The pirate looked tough and was saying Aargh… Grandpa hung colored strips of paper all over the living room, on the fan and over the table, in lime green, purple and white. He made treasure maps with burned edges, stepped off paces, and then recorded them on the maps (two for both grandsons) to follow the treasure hunt when they arrived. Plastic gold coins filled two gold cookie tins and were hidden in the house at the end of the hunt. I baked a jelly roll-type cake, filled it with whip crème and chocolate chips (ugh) and frosted the roll with brown sugar icing. The cake "resembled" a cannon, with one candle for a wick and seven others on one end in a half circle. The end that the cannon came out had an orange rim and blue icing was oozing in strange places!

"I placed all the presents in a wicker chest that said Captain Hook's Treasure Chest. Two of the main presents were some strange, popular gun-cannon things, large and goofy looking, that shot all sorts of evil-looking sponge bullets and dangerous daggers. Fun was had by all and no one got wounded. Homemade chicken strips, mashed potatoes, asparagus, carrots and pickled cucumbers were served in pirate plates, with high edges so when the "ship" was in a gale or something, food would stay on the plates. Eye patches hung on everyone "aboard." No one was allowed to spit or cuss or we would have to walk the plank. All six family members landed from a sugar high about 8pm."

Check each section of your life's aspects. Drive around your city, read the paper, and listen to the citizens. May sure it is in balance. Pay attention to the big picture. Is your city growing or struggling? All cities are made up of families, so don't forget to check your home environment also. Take time to work and take time to play for a healthy future.

ATTENTION: I WILL BE COMING TO BENICIA THE LATTER PART OF APRIL (around the 15th to 23rd). Please call now to book a consultation, "check-up," workshop or speaking engagement. Can't wait to see everyone! caroline@fengshuiartistry.com or (360) 434-1501.

WHAT IS CUSTOMIZED FENG SHUI MENTORING?

· It is for those wishing to study with me privately, with the experience of over 4500 consultations. ONE ON ONE, starting where you need to start.

· A six-month commitment is necessary.

· A monthly mentoring date is set for at least one to two hours of phone conversation, at different intervals.

· Packets are sent for you to study each month. Emailing and faxes will be part of the course as we go over floor plans.

NEW CLASSES COMING IN 2008……… THE YEAR OF THE EARTH RAT!

Please visit www.fengshuiartistry.com and click on www.moongateschool.com for current local and out-of-state class schedules in Feng Shui, Art and Medicine making with Herbs. Caroline is available for teaching and speaking engagements.

Caroline lives in the Northwest Region of the US, called The Puget Sound in Washington State. She is a Feng Shui Practitioner, writer, author and artist. She gives workshops in Feng Shui, Elements of Art; private mentoring for serious students lectures and writes for newspapers. She combines teaching and traveling to other locations, here and abroad. Her 2008 schedule includes workshop and classes in the Northwest, Southwest, Midwest and Alaska. She is available speaking, teaching and consultations.

Please consult your physician for physical problems as this article only gives ideas and suggestions. Caroline is not responsible for anyone using these suggested plants or advice for cures or healing any problem either medical or Feng Shui claims. This column and article is for entertainment only. Please seek help from a qualified physician, naturopath, herbalist or other certified person for treatment.

Caroline Patrick Caroline's Feng Shui Concepts Mt. Vernon, WA 360-424-1501

caroline@fengshuiartistry.com www.fengshuiartistry.com www.moongateschool.com