How Do I Choose a Feng Shui Consultant?
West Meets East © Caroline Patrick 2001 • 9-24-01

I expected much less business this week at the Feng Shui Shoppe. With war looming, people have turned inward to reevaluate their lifestyles. What seemed important on September 10, 2001 in our life was certainly not as important on the day of September 11, 2001, when the television networks stunned the nation with horrific scenes of the New York World Trade Center’s attack by terrorists. Destruction of the twin towers was shown over and over again. Unbelieving the scene before our eyes, we became glued to the events unfolding. Unable to escape reality, our lives changed in that moment forever.

Although I expected less business in the aftermath of this chaos, the increased number of visitors from faraway pleasantly surprised me. Clients kept scheduled appointments, reasoning that maybe feng shui could ease other blockages in their lives and help them move forward again. Expecting negative effects from this tragedy blocked progressive thinking. Feeling this hesitation in my own life, I remembered a quotation one of my teachers once cautioned me with, "Never live in expectation only live in awareness" she said "It will only slow your journey." I have found this advice extremely helpful over time.

People from all over the Bay Area came in to ask about the art of placement. Travelers from London, Alaska, Minnesota, Iowa, and New York just dropped in!

With questions on their minds of how to calm the inner self and create a stronger self-awareness they lingered in the shop. Men buying pyramid shaped crystals to place on their desks to create fire energy for helping business flow easily. Bamboo pictures and plants to strengthen family ties and wind chimes to ease the environment with the sound of music were wrapped in bright yellow sacks. These travelers were looking for spirit in their lives to comfort the heart and heal wounds.

Praying also seemed back in fashion as churches welcomed back familiar faces. American flags flew in the breeze. This red, white and blue symbol of freedom couldn’t be bought. Stores ran out of flags in every size and shape as we reinforced ourselves with the visual image of unity.

Many feng shui questions were addressed and Barbara, Paula and myself addressed many issues related to offices, homes and furnishings. Here are a few examples.

  1. I’m so confused about feng shui, many books give conflicting advice. Which one do I follow?

    2. There are many schools of thought on how to enhance your living and working spaces. Intuitive, Compass, Form School, Geomancy and Black Hat theory to name a few. Although each is a science within itself, I usually compare these schools with the hundreds of religions all looking to find the correct "source" or God figure. All forms of feng shui work and I choose Black Hat as it works best in the United States. After 2000 consultations, I find it is the easiest school of thought for clients to grasp. I want you to be able to use the tools Black Hat School provides and I choose to carry only feng shui friendly books for your convenience.

    On hearing my discussion with the customer, another couple came forward with another question about confusion concerning feng shui.

  2. "We had a consultant come and do our house," the woman said "I’ve read different books on corrections used to help different corners or sections of the house," she related "but the consultant had me undo almost everything. Now I’m really crazy!" "What school was she using?" I asked. "I don’t know!" was the woman’s reply. This statement always causes me concern. My next step is to find out where the consultant assigned the career zone. Looking a little blank, the woman and her husband drew out their home on a tablet of paper I keep handy for this purpose. This helps anyone focus in on his or her property. "She had us put a water fountain at the front door." stated the woman. This is a clue for me. Placing a fountain or water feature at the front entry helps to symbolically bring money and job opportunities to the home. "The lady turned the fountain so people driving by could see it." she continued. "Is it a round fountain?" I asked. "No, it’s a waterfall." they replied. "Facing the street?" I inquired. They both nodded their heads in agreement. "What?" she questioned as she noted the expression on my face. After several other pertinent questions, I realized there was an unqualified consultant giving inaccurate advice. "One of us will come out and help you with your corrections." I replied. I feel bad when this happens and certainly don’t want feng shui to have a bad reputation. This situation is happening too often.

My advice when you choose a consultant is to check references.
    • How many consultations has the person completed?
    • Who have they studied with?
    • Ask about and choose a school of thought. Which school appeals to you?
  1. Another main question we are asked — Are you certified?

After feng shui or the art of placement had been introduced in the United States, mainly by Professor Thomas Lin Yun, Master of Black Hat School in Berkeley, California, his interpretation proved to be a more conducive method for Westerners to use when balancing building placement as a way of bringing peace into their homes and businesses. It is widely accepted and its success is now history. We have enjoyed the fruits of his knowledge.

This sacred wisdom of balance and harmony has now taken a western twist, which is good and bad. It’s called certification. Who certifies whom? This label of reliability of the consultant must be examined. "Drive thru" weekend schools are now available. One weekend class and you have a slip of certification. Certified for what? Human nature, thousands of years of experience in spiritual behavior, elements and their effects, colors, musical notes and their vibrations, face reading, body types, herbal medicine and its effects on the meridians, shapes of terrain, water and its effects over centuries, how water brings chi to civilization, the sacred bagua and its meanings.

Schools who offer certification for feng shui must be carefully evaluated. There are a few excellent ones. Steven Post is extremely qualified along with his associates. The training he provides is a three-year program. Katherine Metz is a long time disciple of Professor Lin Yun. Sean Zenja offers students valuable lessons. Deborah Gee provides her video for PBS pledge drives every few months. Terah Katherine Collins school in San Diego offers many hours of wonderful training. Many companies offer a certified feng shui person to assist you with your suggestions. After seeing such an ad many years ago in a magazine, I called the company and talked to the consultant. "How could I become certified?" I asked. The woman couldn’t give me an answer. Finally she admitted it looked good in the advertisement, but she did have a certificate of completion. "Completion of what?" I asked, not meaning to be offensive but truly wanting her guidance to the school. "It was a weekend workshop," she confessed.

I have no problem with certificates of completion; it shows willingness to learn and pride of finishing the lessons. I give workshops several times a year. Chaos needs taming during these unsure times. Choose schools that provide many months of training to provide proper adjustments in a home or business environment. The lineage of the teacher is what is most important.

Getting a degree doesn’t always guarantee "you get it." You develop all the senses over time. Train with an expert. After the flood of complaints about improper adjustments done by unqualified, inexperienced consultants, I urge you to question the "expert" and be sure this is the right person to help you bring sacred peace and harmony into your living space.

I also laugh at the new feng shui jokes appearing in magazines and newspapers, but good feng shui is serious business. These issues of certification are being argued by the feng shui experts. I’ll keep you informed.

Have you missed a weekly column? Check the website www.fengshuiartistry.com and click on moongate school to view archives of West Meets East. Come by Caroline’s Arts and Feng Shui Shoppe at 129 First St. for information on upcoming Fall classes.

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 medical treatment. For more information on feng shui visit the website: www.fengshuiartistry.com