West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Chop To Grow ... Feng Shui Spring Tips

Spring is in the air. Once more she circles the seasons and seduces us outdoors with the promise of new beginnings. Buds and blooms appear suddenly on tree limbs. Vibrant Green color fills the horizon. Birds scamper over the wet ground with their heads bent sideways listening and watching for any vibration or movement in the grass. The sun teases the landscape as its rays tickle the new growth, lighting up the forest in its full glory and then just as suddenly he darts behind a rain cloud. The dance of life continues as each Element sprinkles energy on the land and in the air.

Each season affects our senses in different ways. I enjoy Winter, as it gives me time to meditate, think, revise and change my mind many times over before committing to Spring Action. Once new Wood energy is in an upward growth motion, it is hard to stop its momentum. Days are longer as daylight provides the hours needed for plants, trees, crops and children to grow. Procrastination is put away for rainy days, and decisions need to be made.

I had put together my Spring schedule for Feng Shui Water Tours and began spreading the word once again about giving art classes. Once the energy is “put out there” by written or verbal word, then you better be prepared for the results. It doesn’t always come in the “package” you expect. Listen to others you respect as they give input to your ideas. This is where learning the nature or action of the Spring Wood Element might come in handy! A small example might be a time change to accommodate people coming from the snow-covered mountains and the students coming from the opposite direction of the Water and taking into account ferry boat schedules. New territory always has different energies to incorporate. Getting everyone together is more challenging.

Here in the Northwest, Wood is prevalent. This represents benevolence and steadfastness. This can be good or bad; it depends if it is in balance. Young green up-growing Wood is very flexible; maybe too vulnerable when windstorms destroy new young shoots; or maybe the trees are too old, strong and stubborn and are destroyed because they can’t bend in the artic Winter storms. People also carry certain energy. Those deficient in Wood are like duckweed that floats on the Water. As the wind and current shift they have no strong views of their own and tend to be wishy-washy, often contradicting themselves in order to agree with the prevailing viewpoints. Others lean slightly with the wind and stand still when the wind stops blowing. These people are flexible and receptive. They listen to other young and old and reason after hearing everyone. Then there are those who are inflexible like a palm tree in a typhoon. These people are prejudiced, biased and self absorbed. They may have good ideas and intentions but can be undone by their own rigidity.

How do you fit into this scenario? What kind of Wood Chi do you have? Look around your room, apartment, condo, home or business to see the clues. How does your clutter define you? Are your plants healthy and sleek? Many clients keep indoor and outdoor plants way beyond their time. Please talk to them and tell them you appreciate the beauty and vibrancy they have reflected, but you will take them to the “happy hunting ground” and give them a rest. Sick, tired plants are a clue to why you feel tired and sick. Paper is Wood, books are Wood, old furniture which you don’t love in the Wood Element is breaking your back and keeping the household inflexible.

Dead trees, limbs and smothering overgrowth can keep you trapped and imprison your new ideas and thinking. Start inside by ridding yourself of Winter accumulation, old clothes, old medicine, and books to share at the thrift shop. Have blankets, comforter and coats cleaned. Paint the house inside or outside.

I never giving advice on things I have not experienced. Flood, fire, long marriage, childbirth, cooking disasters, results of being sick, surgeries, family divorce, being a mother, grandmother, wife, mother-in-law, giving advice when I shouldn’t have, having ego backlashes, being right, being wrong, not being humble, not honoring all of my teachers (big one), travel experiences, hunting, hiking, moving, and carrying anger and wounds to extremes are just a few of the topics I can share. I have done most everything wrong – before I got it right.

I continue to try as each Spring gives all of humanity another season to start over. Remove old growth to give space for new growth in landscaping, relationships and communication. Feng Shui supports all seasons, with its 5 Elements or moving phases of energy. Work with Spring’s new up-growing Wood Element and you will experience new options for your Family and the Family’s Health.

FENG SHUI TOURS IN THE NORTHWEST now forming, send contact information to: caroline@fengshuiartistry.com CUSTOMIZED MENTORING for Feng Shui. Contact for details if you wish to enroll, students learn by phone and email.

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

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

Caroline Patrick, Feng Shui consultant/practitioner, teacher/speaker, Feng Shui artist and writer, lives in the San Juan Islands, off the coast of Washington. Her weekly newspaper article called WEST MEETS EAST is a popular Feng Shui advice column. She enjoys answering your questions, when possible. Some questions will be chosen for publication with the permission from the reader. Enjoy her new 5 Element attached-folding cards which can be used as a Feng Shui enhancement or correction in any space. Larger prints of several selected paintings are also available. For consultations, speaking/teaching engagements and art evaluations contact her at caroline@fengshuiartistry.com or visit her websites at www.fengshuiartistry.com and www.moongateschool.com.

Any suggestions given in this column are only for entertainment. Please contact your physician for any medical or herbal advice or diagnosis. Caroline Patrick is not responsible for any misuse of her advice or suggestions.