West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Empowering Your Properties With Feng Shui

There are many ways to create a more harmonious living space. Using Feng Shui, the art of placement, is a great tool for changing lives. This ancient Chinese system helps you choose the missing Elements, Shapes, and Colors when designing your own sacred space.

Blacks, reds, blues, greens, purples, pinks, grays, yellows and whites invite Feng Shui and its spectrum of healing. From science to folklore, we now understand the importance of these Colors. Each vitamin and mineral contains ingredients derived from plant or earth material. Each necessary microcosm has Color, shape and action. This action is how planets are born. This energy or Chi flows throughout the universe, creating new life on earth and throughout space. As the Wind blows gently into Water, an alchemy is formed. Energy is infused into every living thing as this invisible but powerful Chi fills our environment. How do we bring this magic into our personal havens? Simply walk your property and observe. Take notice of each section of your land and check for blockages which stop your “growth.”

Starting at the street entry to the property we first check on the beauty of the landscaping. Make sure the path leading into the house is clear and inviting, this first section of the Bagua or 8-sided tool placed over the structure is named Career. The element assigned to the area is Water. A running fountain placed in the front yard symbolically brings money into the home. Round flowers in bright colors of reds attract the passing Chi. Like a magnet, the Water Element nourishes the new growth of opportunities. Using lavender to the left side of my house and wormwood plants to the right, I provide energy for learning new things in the blue triad called Knowledge at the left, and the gray plants on the helpful people and travel areas to the right side of the house. These front three Guas are used to improve self-empowerment.

Next check the middle outside sections. To the left middle we find the green Wood Family area. Are you having problems with close or extended family? The sacred plant called bamboo is my number one suggestion inside and outside. Clutter inside the home or overgrown neglected landscaping will trigger family chaos. Pay special attention to this Family Gua. Plant fruit trees or use this space for family reunions. Trim any overgrowth or dead Wood to release any stuck energy.

Crossing over to the right middle side yard, we visit the joyfulness of youth called Children and Creativity. Pastel plants, flowers and round shaped Metal objects activate a special family garden space, with hide-and-seek bushes and trees, although one rule is to never let white flowers, trees or plants touch the house on this Gua. Any outbuilding or sheds should be a distance from this delicate section.

Children’s swings and play tables for endless mud pie and craft making. Herb gardens with chamomile beds to lie upon and watch clouds dance in the sky. Flowers of every color swaying in the breeze. Chocolate mint and feverfew herbs standing next to purple Echinacea or purple, white and yellow yarrow for fevers or gray and lavender lambs ear for play bandages taped onto play-like doll wounds. Fairies painted on playhouse doors and dragonflies in transformation as day wears into star-time.

Sit under the trees and read stories and participate in unplanned tea parties, for time gets away and before you know it, those little ones are gone and creating children of their own. Use this area for the potting or tool shed. Creation is the action for this right middle side.

These middle zones cushion the house and outside, buffering us from worldly woes. Step lightly as we travel. We are now in powerful Feng Shui country! The back yard from left to right and also the middle this territory is the power force which runs the house and ourselves. At the left backyard and inside the house we have the Wealth Gua. Take care of this triad like gold, for it is the gold section. Money is its purpose. Whether it’s your 401-Ks, stock market investments or your children’s piggy banks, this special space increases our assets. Do you have an unused hot tub, fountain, swimming pool or last year’s dead garden looking back at you? Time for clean up! Make this zone spectacular. Purple flowers, Zen garden, money plants, curving pathways toward magnificent fruit trees and purple bushes. Herbal gardens for teas and tinctures, nettles and mullein for strength and lavender, catnip and oat straw for calmness during stock market fluctuations.

The middle back Fame or fire zone should be a home for the barbeque cooking. Pointed trees, fire pits, plants and lighting ensure your reputation in the community. Flag poles placed at a sloping backyard will provide a needed lift to your money and marriage.

Last but most important, we find the power section of Partnership. The strength of this special place depends on how it is landscaped. This far right quadrant is the home of your mate. Some single people from choice, death or divorce of spouses tend to neglect this piece of property. Keep the dog run, children’s play equipment, hot tub or stagnant pond out of this area.

Two healthy fruit trees, a statue of two same sized animals, lovers or gardens is helpful. A lover’s lane could be created with a special hidden bench for two at the end of a winding path or maybe an outdoor bedroom for a honeymoon star- gazing night.

Invite vibrant Color and the 5 Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water into all indoor and outdoor spaces of the environment. Embrace your surroundings and experience the essence of heaven Chi, animal Chi, dwelling Chi and luck Chi in your own private landscaping when following the Art of Placement.

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS 2006------sign up now------

1. ART classes and workshops ---- from 6 weeks to Saturday All Day Workshops!

2. FENG SHUI ISLAND TOUR---- on site evaluations in the San Juan Islands, WASHINGTON STATE

Where is the entrance or “Mouth of Chi” to the Island ?

Please email caroline@fengshuiartistry.com for more information on classes or to purchase her greeting cards.

This site is great. GO TO www.fengshuifusions.com for all of your Feng Shui shopping needs, ask for Amanda and tell her Caroline sent you. She has great energy and that is important........ or order by phone, 1-800-792-9927,

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.