West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Everything You Own Is You

One of the most frequent questions I am asked as a Feng Shui consultant is, “Are the grounds surrounding my house included in the Feng Shui adjustment?” Yes, yes and yes.

Feng Shui, known as The Art of Placement, takes into account the terrain surrounding the home, local climate, vegetation, water source, power lines, shape of trees surrounding the environment, color and shapes of gardens and landscaping; statuary shapes, subjects and placement of these objects; ponds, lakes, swimming pools, hot tubs and color and shape of planters used for your flowers, vegetables and herbs. Not only is your surrounding landscape important, any land or buildings owned, leased or rented by the client is included in the evaluation of a person’s Feng Shui.

The initial response from the client is a blank stare. An overwhelmed look appears on their face. “You are your possessions,” I inform them. “Why?” they ask. “Because, everything is energy and what you own is a part of your energy pattern,” I respond. Being responsible for nature and keeping it healthy is the responsibility of humanity. The harmony and balance we seek in Feng Shui can be translated as when wind blows on water. This action gently infuses ions into the water, bringing life to the planet earth.

Here are some things to consider:

1. Do you rent a storage shed? If it is temporary, that is a plus. Before I studied the complexity of owning too many things, my husband and I rented three storage units for seven years. Why? Because we couldn’t give up our stuff. After learning the principles of Feng Shui, I began to add up the money we had invested saving our junk. The figures indicated we could have taken a wonderful six-week cruise or bought a little car. Not only did we block moving forward in our lives, the symbolism of hanging on to things, visually and mentally, created a fear of the future. Clogged, stacked, old ideas. The outcome of this dilemma was additional possessions. We couldn’t remember what was in storage, so we bought another drill, saw, mixer and rug to replace the “lost items.” Looking back over my life, I can now see why I’m getting so smart – because I have acquired a Ph.D. in dumb. Feng Shui has freed us from excess (almost)! Now before I leave a store, I scan the shopping cart for impulsive buying. Usually several grandma purchases are obvious. Forfeiting two of these fun items helps keep me in line and definitely helps my son and his family retain part of their living spaces.

2. What are your clutter habits? Are you moving or between jobs? Leaving your necessary stuff in Mom and Dad’s garage is hopefully temporary. Clogging up their space puts a damper on Mom and Dad’s life. Although I can say with some experience this leaving of possessions at the parents’ house can bring comfort to an adult child, subconsciously grounding Mom, Dad and child’s relationship. Leaving our belongings at the folks’ house gives us a reason to visit or not to visit, depending on the relationship between parents and offspring. This inaction only causes procrastination for both parties in moving forward toward a change.

3. What do you own? A business, a home, a boat? Are you a landlord? Again, the responsibility of maintaining the properties can be tied to your successes. Remember the questions to ask yourself. Am I bringing harmony to mind, body and spirit of my home and community? What is my God-given purpose? Now you are beginning to understand why less is more. It is easier to promote harmony when you aren’t bogged down with things. It frees the mind to pursue talents issued at birth.

4. Look around your property. Is it beautiful? Chi or energy doesn’t visit the dwelling with overgrown shrubs, dead trees and lawn. If you can’t take care of spaces, sell or pass on the excess of land for parks, herb gardens, houses for helping children learn, land to plant and nature to heal. The color yellow helps detoxify the system. Fields of yellow flowers, herbs, foods and art work help heal humans and animals. If yellow is lacking from your décor, depression begins to seep throughout the house like a slow-moving, stagnant river.

5. Does my yard need Feng Shui? Absolutely. When the Bagua, or eight-sided octagonal-shaped grid, is placed over the dwelling in question, the energy extends over the whole shape of the property. Landscaping the property correctly can make or break the consultation. Putting a fountain, swimming pool or hot tub in the fame area of the home can “drown out” the correction inside and outside the house. Placing the children’s play house, swing set or other toys outside or inside the Partnership section (located at the back far corner of the house) strains marriages. After 4500 consultations, I have found these placements to be detrimental. If clearing yourself of old ideas, habits, fear, worry and doubts seems overwhelming, start with one drawer, progress to one room and later the areas surrounding your properties.

Take time this summer to rid yourself of all excess possessions. Be careful not to fill up the empty spaces. Less is more. As the process becomes more familiar, you will begin to see subtle changes in your health and well being. New ideas and clarity seem to make life easier. Give yourself the gift of emptiness. From emptiness comes a new sense of being and awareness.

Caroline lives in the Northwest Region of the US, called The Puget Sound in Washington State. She is a Feng Shui Practitioner, writer, author and artist. She gives workshops in Feng Shui, Elements of Art, private mentoring for serious students, lectures and writes for newspapers. She combines teaching and traveling to other locations, here and abroad. Her 2007 schedule includes workshop and classes in the Northwest, Southwest, Midwest and Alaska. She is available speaking, teaching and consultations.

Please consult your physician for physical problems as this article only gives ideas and suggestions. Caroline is not responsible for anyone using these suggestions as information in treating the body, home, business, land and or properties.

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

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