West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick BorNei

Certified Red Ribbon Professional of the International Feng Shui Guild

Creating Sacred Space in the Home…Using Everyday Feng Shui Altars

For years I was creating altars in my home without realizing it. Even in my childhood, each shelf my Daddy built held something special and gave a warm feeling to my heart. If I was happy, sad, or just lying on the bed thinking about life, my eyes wandered around the familiar room savoring its comforting aura. My favorite possession was my miniature doll collection. I made clothes for each one so they would have several outfits but, at 7, 8 and 9 years old, my sewing was not the best, so I would use safety pins and straight pins and my mother’s beautiful Sunday handkerchiefs to fold, poof, crunch and pin into skirts, blouses, evening gowns and coats. I remembered how each one came to me, and on what occasion. These were pre-Barbie Doll days.

Another shelf held over 20 cups and saucers my Grandmother collected on her world travels. On the bottom shelf little colored bottles filled a tray, and a silk pincushion sat on my dresser. My brush, comb and a painted china bouquet of flowers glowed under a fancy lamp that lit up the objects, and a peach-colored silk ruffle covered the dresser chair. A large mirror reflected the whole setting and a bit of outdoor sky and trees, as well as my prize record player and a new radio. What more could I want? Each corner and wall was cozy and familiar. I mustn’t forget my little table full of crayons, scissors, glue, clay and paper. To top it off, a crooked peg mom hammered into the wall held a favorite cap gun and holster attached to my brother’s old belt!

Each house I have lived in has had hidden places for private special items such as religious objects and also beautiful open settings of art, boxes, vases, pictures, plants, lights, stones, gems, cloths, statues, baskets, mirrors, rugs, wall hangings and other objects and items which bring ambiance, life and remembrance to places, situations and life’s journey.

Learning the Art of Placement called Feng Shui later in life has given mystery, spirit, meaning and ceremony to my altars. The language of spaces has taken on new meaning to each shrine. Traveling to foreign countries has expanded my passion for my roots and is reflected in the areas of my homes with signs and symbols of what I hold dear to the past, present and future. To support your Career, Knowledge, Family, Wealth, Recognition, Health, and Partnerships, your Children and Creativity, and Helpful People and Travel, the 5 Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water must be placed in the correct rooms of your home. The 9 Aspects of life and their elements will give comfort and meaning to the dwelling.

Here are some of the things to consider before starting your altar. What do you want to celebrate, or bring support to? Your Marriage or Partnership, your creativity, a celebration of the past and present Family? Or do you want to bring communication to your Family, a sanctuary for meditation or prayer, a corner to honor your children, husband, wife, grandparents, a shelf for pet pictures or a portable altar for traveling, a healing altar or one to invite money or fame. There are 9 sections to a house, room or desk to start the process.

To choose the perfect areas, walk around your house and feel the perfect spot to place your altar or reflect on which aspect you would like to enhance or manifest the energy of that aspect. Use a shelf, table top, a whole room, a wall, the ceiling, a window, a window ledge or cabinet to place objects related to that aspect such as colors, signs, symbols, numbers, flowers, plants, pictures, lights, water, scents, music, herbs, spices, fruit, foods, shells, gemstones, minerals, metals, animal totems, sacred objects, tools, baskets, dishes, pictures, art, statues, special boxes, frames or sand.

After creating this special place, a ceremony will give life to your altar. Let your heart guide you while activating the Chi of the space. Using your Elemental shrine daily will give life to the aspect your have chosen. Music, devotion, meditation, prayer, sage, incense, chanting are some ways to make the altar glow and have a divine essence and visual power. They increase positive qualities joining Heaven and Earth together. Altars remind us to be grateful and receptive of the universal life force that flows through all life.

Caroline Patrick BorNei is a certified Feng Shui Practitioner and a Red Ribbon Professional of The International Feng Shui Guild. Her abilities as a consultant and artist are widely known in the US and abroad. Caroline has completed over 5000 consultations for individuals, large and small businesses. Return clients appreciate the value of her suggestions both mundane and transcendental, providing support on multiple levels. As a college art instructor for many years, Caroline understands the power of color; its symbolism and the visual effect images have on individuals in their surroundings. Her home base is Portland, OR where she continues to write, teach, paint, do illustrations and give herbal medicine making classes. She is available for Feng Shui consultations; Feng Shui art consultant, advises builders, architects and mentors a few serious students.

Call (503) 208-2960 or email caroline@fengshuiartistry.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.

Caroline’s “West Meets East” weekly newspaper column can be read from archives on her website www.fengshuiartistry.com.