By Caroline Patrick

Chemo Therapy/Feng Shui

Science steadily pushes forward, slowly but surely testing, evaluating and updating valuable data, desperately needed for balancing our environment, physical bodies. Recently investigating the mind/body connection or the spiritual side of humans has been included in the search. Feng Shui, the ancient science, combined all of these aspects 4-5,000 years ago. Even the simple act of adding healthy plants, rearranging your furniture in a living space, or adding certain colors can move energy. Choosing hot versus cold foods in some cases provides a shift in physical healing. Learning relaxation meditation combined with a physician who understands and uses the three harmonies of feng shui; the environmental, physical and spiritual, can benefit you in the healing process.

Here is an email pertaining to this situation.

Hi,

I'm a single mom who is going to have to go off on disability to go on chemo therapy. This is my 3rd time and I want it to work! My children are only 9 and 10. Do you have any suggestions you could give me? In my mind, I have pictured light blue curtains, more plants and lace covers to put over my radio and TV. Any help would be appreciated. I have Indian music and Irish music to listen to during treatment. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thank you,

A Reader

Dear Reader,

Hi, Feng shui can be complex. There is the tradition of the red envelope which is used for information shared. The exchange verbal knowledge is an exchange of sacred energy, passed between individuals seeking this knowledge. Not all questions can be answered without this tradition being honored. The information you asked for is in that category. First money is

put into a new red envelope purchased by the client. Even when my own son asks me for certain cures, I honor the red envelope tradition, because this act symbolizes unity, creation, and complete manifestation. Passing the sealed envelope blesses both parties and "burns away" with the color red or fire any connection your problems and my problems mixing. This is a symbol

of your stuff and my stuff not combining. I have to take my energy home with me and not burden you with my journey. The envelopes are asked for in units of 1-3-9-27-99 or 108. Numbers are mathematical equations which hold information we don’t understand. The amount of money is up to the giver. It could be coins.

Now with that out of the way – I can ask you some questions and give you some answers which don’t require the envelope, which are mundane. What part of the body is involved? What is going on in the center of your living space. Is this a bath room, bedroom, kitchen, den, stove, water fountain. Elements must be balanced in the body and the home for good health. For

example, many people add a water feature to the center of the home. The element needed for proper harmony in the middle or Ti Chi of the house is earth. Using water or symbols representing water such as paintings, colors blue, black and gray can cause an overabundance of this element and "wash away" your health and cause mucus diseases. Look to the center of any

dwelling where you have lived or worked the last few years.

Here are a few more clues to consider. Each of the nine guas or sections of the bagua hold philosophies connected with color. Each color has a body part, musical note,

vibration, direction and action.

Wood-green-east-vitality, initiation, benevolence

Fire-red-south-will, realization, courtesy

Earth-yellow-center-balance, intuition, compassion

Metal-white-west-imagination, creativity, purity

Water-black-north-meditation, justice, potential

Check your home starting at the front door. Consider this the starting point for "north" regardless of the physical direction Make sure you are following these formulas. Using health as an example, place bamboo in the center of the home in a square yellow or orange container. Use images of golden wheat fields, Napa Valley scenery of golden grape vineyards or yellow

flowers, or any painting depleting fruit, vegetables, herbs or grains. I find many times using images of herbs which strengthen the immune system can assist the healing process visually. Frame these paintings with earth tones of ochre, yellow or orange mats. Square rugs, towels, earthenware and tiles made from mud create a grounding effect for the home. Use yellow to paint the center hallways, bath, bedroom or whatever room lives in the middle of the home. Throw away any old negative possessions and have someone declutter the house if needed. Trapped energy hides in these spaces.

Where do your animals congregate? Cats many times will sleep in strange places trying to dissolved the influence of geometric stress lines beneath the earth. These little helpers have a special ability to filter bad energy. Dogs and cats have a special knowing, and sometimes wrap themselves across the weak part of your body.

Do cover the TV or any other electromagnetic equipment. Radio clocks, waterbeds (sorry) or clutter under the bed can disrupt the flow of chi, needed for healing. Forgive yourself and others for past grievances. Sleep in yellow nightwear, use yellow sheets. Don’t sleep on a mattress from a former relationship. Place a large round lead crystal in the center of your

room and also the home. Place a healthy upgrowing plant in the middle of the house to direct the healing chi or energy upward. Spray the water of gently simmered orange peels in each room to lift the essence of the house.

I have a feeling the earth tones I have suggested in your home are not among your favorite colors. This is not a coincidence. Sometimes we overlook the simplest solution, not realizing the power of the home over the body, mind and spirit. Last but not least, fresh yellow flowers, good friends, family and a prayer are the powerful. The Lord’s Prayer or a mantra which balances your whole being, Om, Ma, Ni, Pad, Me, Hum, called the six true words. When

used properly these sounds of color illuminate the mind and heart with the resplendent light of the divine presence. Personally I use the Christian image of Mary. mother of Jesus, and Quan Yin, the goddess of compassion and mercy, as my favorite reminders of a higher power to which I surrender daily.

I hope these suggestions help you. Please call me for more information. May the light of God hold you and heal you.

Caroline Patrick

2003 Class Schedule – Solano College

March 1^st, Saturday, 10am - 12:30pm, $45 plus $15 materials – FENG SHUI MADE EASY – MAPPING THE HOME – MOVE YOUR STUFF, CHANGE YOUR LIFE

March 15^th, Saturday, 10am - 12:30pm, $45 plus $15 materials – FENG SHUI ROOM BY ROOM

April 26^th, Saturday, 10am -12:30pm, $45 Plus $15 Materials – FENG SHUI INTERIOR and EXTERIOR HOUSE PLAN for ABUNDANCE

May 17^th, Saturday; 10am -12:30pm, $45 plus $15 materials – FENG SHUI GARDENING – SUPPORT CAREER, KNOWLEDGE, FAMILY, WEALTH, FAME PARTNERSHIP, CREATIVITY AND CHILDREN, HELPFUL PEOPLE AND TRAVEL, AND HEALTH

May 3^rd, Saturday, 10am - 2pm with lunch break or bring sack lunch. $45 plus $15materials – FENG SHUI ART – PAINTING WITH CHI Acrylic

Call Solano Community College for registration.

LOCAL

March 8^th, Saturday, 10am -1pm, $125 prepaid one week in advance.

March 29^th There will be a second class at a different home.

Meeting Location- Caroline’s Arts and Feng Shui Shoppe, 129 First St., Suite K, Benicia, CA 94510. Call (707) 748-1127 for sign up, space limited. For cancellation policy, please check website: moongateschool.com.

FENG SHUI A HOME

Caroline Patrick will take you through a local home for an on-site consultation! This is the first time she has shared this knowledge with her students. This valuable experience will give you information to use in your own home. Don’t miss this opportunity for visual understanding in the art of placement.

Each room of the home can also be feng shui’d. Children’s bedrooms reveal important information for parents to help their child feel secure and focused in life. Family situations and money cures will be pointed out as she takes you through the bagua of the house.

Caroline’s Arts & Feng Shui Shoppe

129 First St. Suite K

Benicia, Ca. 94510

Phone 707-748-1127

Fax 707-747-9315

1-5 daily, closed Mondays

All clients and students receive a 10% discount on their purchases at the Shoppe open 1-5 daily, closed Mondays.

Caroline is available for speaking and teaching engagements. For consultations, call to make an appointment.

Caroline is a feng shui consultant, artist, herbalist, newspaper columnist, businesswoman, author and teacher. She has conducted over 2500 feng shui consultations. She has taught art for over 35 years. Her weekly column West Meets East can be viewed on her website moongateschool.com. Caroline’s advise is only considered suggestions and she is not responsible for any problems relating from her suggestions.