By Caroline Patrick

Feng Shui from Boats to Bodies

Feng Shui is for everyone. This mathematical equation dividing life into nine equal parts and superimposing their aspects into an eight-sided octagonal-shaped template can be placed over any object or form, including land, floor plans, building sites, cars, human bodies and boats! How? My feng shui classes offer this information.

Each pie-shaped section of this eight-sided form, plus a center area to ground the wheel, let’s us find the ‘broken’ spoke, allowing the owner of the house, body, car or boat to ‘fix’ it.

This magical system called the art of placement was recorded thousands of years ago by the Chinese. Although this study of the environmental harmonies were written down by religious scholars, I find any religion, race or civilization can apply these rules of balance to find peace. Keeping in good physical health is important. Having a haven to unwind after a stressful work day provides a health atmosphere. Using feng shui is like balancing the proper amount of wind blowing gently on flowing water. The subtle energy given off by these equal elements bring a sense of well being into your life.

Make a list of what’s going on right in your life; next make a list of what’s going wrong in your life. Using the bagua, or eight-sided grid and placing it over the current home, clues such as clutter appear in those related problem areas.

Here are some recent emails reflecting very different people and questions which could all be helped by using basic feng shui principles of harmony and balance.

Email 1: This first case history is an example of a "10-year frustration concerning a couple’s sick daughter. Children respond quickly to change, especially when I explain feng shui to the child. It immediately empowers the youth in many positive ways. They are equally important in keeping the home clear of clutter. The reward? Better grades, more responsibility, an allowance to budget, which can be fined. Where to place the money enhancement in their room? Rewards for knowledge, family, peace and health. Kids want to know why computers and radio clocks don’t belong next to their heads. I comply with scientific explanations they can compute.

Here is a follow-up story:

Dear Caroline:

Earlier this year, I walked into your shop with my 10-year-old daughter. She had been suffering from U.T.I. since she was a baby, and had been on antibiotics almost all her life. I was fed up with the doctors, fed up with the chronic use of antibiotics knowing that she had already become immune to the less potent ones. I was ready for a change and so was my daughter in the way that we could keep her infections under control.

As I told you of the situation that day at your shop, you offered plenty of advice and remedies. You advised us to encourage her to wear more warm colors and possibly change the sheets on her bed to yellow, orange or red. You were very in tune with her nature and spoke to her about a hidden suppressed anger she may be carrying around. You told us about the different herbs like goldenseal, yellow yarrow, cranberry extract, and Echinacea. With your advice and suggestions and the cleansing and purifying of a healing altar that we put together the night before, she has been symptom-free and off antibiotics for almost eight months now!!! I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was meeting you that day. I thank you and my daughter thanks you for helping us to make it possible for her to lead a healthy life without antibiotics. We’ll see you again soon!

Sincerely, Believer

Email 2: This reader came into the shoppe asking for help in selling a boat. Working from the helpful people side of her living spaces (boat and home), I advised her to activate the space located to the left front of the entry, boat and home, with her own powerful affirmation and symbols. Whether your choice of objects is Native American-related, Christian-based or Buddhist symbolism, the shift in energy is respected, universal. Did she sell the boat? I haven’t heard back about the situation, but this cure usually works quickly, unless the action is stopped by unseen lessons on a higher level.

Hi, Caroline,

After our discussion in your shop the other day I came home and found a silver dish to put the photo of our boat in along with an affirmation. I thought I had some language at home but couldn’t find it. Is this okay? "I give the Lady S to thee with a pure heart and ask for assistance in finding the perfect people to buy her, free of all encumbrances and free of any contractual problems." Then I date and sign it. Is this correct? Is there something that will work better? I feel a real need to get this boat sold. My husband says he is definitely ready to get out of boating. The market is soft and this boat won’t appear to everyone. She is a very classy looking trawler but a lot of people want what he calls a "Tupperware" boat. I need the right people to come along.

Keep up your good work. I look forward to your column each week. Thanks for your help.

Reader

P.S. I put the six little Buddhas throughout the house in what I felt was the appropriate section. I enjoy looking at them each time I pass by. They bring a smile to my face.

Whether fresh flowers, fresh air, kitchen aromas of cinnamon wafting through the house, family pictures, a secret altar, a painting in glorious colors, a little four-footed companion, or little Buddhas peeking around the corner puts a smile on your face, be grateful and make each day a good one. We have the power in each word said to give a smile or cause a frown. You decide.

Fall Workshops 2002

1. Relationships — Love and Work Related

1. The Shape of the House Is You

• Choosing floor plans for easy feng shui
• Interior · exterior design
• Feng shui gardens
• Landscaping with the elements
• Plants · climate · terrain

1. Setting the Feng Shui Energy — 5 Element Altars

• Clear the clutter · Remove 27 objects
• Magical energy of numbers
• Remove blockage · restore health & wealth
• Space clearing
• Create altars for any religion or occasion
• Attunements

1. Greeting Cards for All Occasions

• Supplies furnished · limited space

1. Painting with Chi

• With your own supplies $98 or
• Supplies furnished $125
• Limited seating

Saturday, September 28^th, 9:30 a.m. — 12 noon - $98

• Body systems/organs
• Western/Chinese approach
• Tongue and pulse diagnosis