E-mail Solutions West Meets East
Caroline Patrick 2001 8-20-01

I’m delighted to share my new website www.moongateschool.com with you — please go to www.fengshuiartistry.com first then click on moongateschool. The convenience of this addition directs readers to current class and workshop schedules and the weekly newspaper column West Meets East.

E-mail questions can be directed to www.fengshuiartistry.com for answers — and from time to time I will share this info with you.

Here is one question and answer that is asked again and again — wealth and health are two major concerns:

Hi Caroline: I spoke with you today by phone. If I had not been at work I would have loved to speak with you further. But it was not possible. I do, however, appreciate you sharing your knowledge with regard to my concerns. Like I said on the phone, I am trying to "cure" my home. It takes time. I have done a few things, and believe it or not I do see little changes. My concerns mainly are the wealth and health areas. You mentioned stairs in the middle of the house. Its true the stairs are along side the back wall leading to the upstairs bedrooms. The stairs cannot be seen from the front door. This room with the stairs at one time was a family room. We had another family room built and I converted the original family room to a formal dining room, for special occasions. The wall that separates the living room from the formal dining room (in my mind) is the middle of our home. I have been to your shop in Benicia and purchased some items for the wealth area. I grew up in Benicia. From kindergarten to graduation from high school. I didn’t move very far from Benicia, I live in Fairfield now. The McBride Center will be mailing me a registration form in order for me to sign up for your next workshop. I’m looking forward to it. I have so much to learn. As I learn different principles of feng shui, I try very hard to apply them. I am still working on the "clutter" principle. It’s difficult to do when you have lived in a home for 30 years. I have collected a lot over the yrs. Thanks so much Caroline for your tips today on the phone. I work at a newspaper and I have access to the Benicia Herald, so I always look for your articles. As a child I used to sell the Benicia Herald door to door and at the Benicia Arsenal when it was in operation. That was back in the 50’s. I am so sorry to be rambling I guess I wanted you to know a little bit about me. Thanks again. G.T. P.S. This is where I set up my health area. I hope I am doing this right.

Hello again — Without seeing the home I can’t say for sure where the stairway is located, but since you feel stairs to the second story are not in the center of the dwelling, I will give you some tips on the other questions concerning health and wealth. The wealth corner according to the Black Hat feng shui school’s method of determination is the far back left corner of the home, and the health area is the center of the house.

To determine the center of the house take a few minutes to sketch out the floor plan. This way you can learn some interesting things about you and your family, as the home takes on the chi or energy of its occupants.

Where are the bedrooms located for each family member? This simple procedure will help you understand who might have more power within the home. Built on additions can alter the command positions. When Teaching workshops I go into detail with this type of information. Allow the structure to flow inside as well as outside. Remove excess possessions. Many people overlook this important aspect of decluttering. All of these things are taken into consideration during a consultation.

Where is your home office? If your workstation is in the center of the home, the desk should be positioned correctly. Facing the door from across the room, with your back to the wall, is the self-empowerment area.

Storing for example household chemicals in the center of the dwelling will only give off negative energy. Paying monthly bills in the center of the house will only bring more stress to the fragile balance of the middle health zone.

Hopefully you have considered only positive objects of earth origin to place in this area such as square shaped pottery. To answer the questions about wealth and abundance, look to the far back left corner of the home. A fish tank is a "good thing" in this space. Chinese coins create a yin/yang effect with their round outside shape plus the inside square cutout creating a perfectly balanced enhancement for this area. Lead crystals provide and encourage money growth. Remember to look outside into the yard. Make this space into a beautiful view. Thanks for your interest in making life easier and more productive.

Come by Caroline’s Arts and Feng Shui Shoppe at 129 First St. to pick up your brochure for our upcoming Feng Shui Intensive Weekend. Registration is beginning now for this fabulous weekend getaway. Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28, 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. at the beautiful Embassy Suites in Burlingame. The nine story plant filled atrium will be the site of our luncheons. A special overnight room rate is available on a first come, first serve basis. Early bird registration fee $399. Call for more details (707) 748-1127.

Other Fall classes include: Zen Garden — create an individual desktop zen garden, all materials provided. Saturday September 15 10 a.m. — 12 p.m.

Watercolor Greeting Cards — beginners and advanced students welcome. All supplies included. Saturday September 22 , 9:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.

Location-Location-Location — How does your location affect your life? This class will be held at the McBride Center in Vacaville. Call 469-6671 to register. Special fee of only $30. Saturday, September 29, 6:30 — 8 p.m.

Feng Shui Secrets to Prosperity — the best office locations in your home or building and feng shui power placement of your desk and office equipment — business success. Register with the McBride Center in Vacaville 469-6671 for Thursday, October 11 10 — 11:30 a.m.

Caroline Patrick is an artist, herbalist and feng shui consultant. She combines these three talents into a unique practice. Herbal suggestions are suggestions only. Please consult a medical doctor for treatment of disease. Check out the website: www.fengshuiartistry.com and www.moongateschool.com for more classes and services available.

Contemporary Feng Shui and West Meets East Ó Caroline Patrick 2001