West Meets East - 7/23/01
By Caroline Patrick

In last weeks story I literally left you hanging on the cliff! This particular cliff happened to be located in California’s famous city, San Francisco. My client lived near the ocean. I could see her address on my maps but finding the right "path" to the house was an adventure since the grade of the San Francisco streets left me breathless. My fear of heights was tested again and again.

Being late was not my intention so I chose one of those "streets" for a shortcut. Fear filled my body, as I looked straight up into the sky. Up and over this precipice was the only way. Letting go and moving on was the only outlet. I survived the ordeal much to my relief. Finding myself at the highest point in the city, I began the descent. The woman and her family lived a short half mile from my mountain climbing expedition.

The house was a typical 3-story city dwelling. Neighbors on one side seemed as if their house was built only two feet away. On the opposite side, a grocery store was doing a brisk neighborhood business. Garbage containers for the store were in view and nestled in my client’s knowledge section of her home. Steps, gates and bars greeted the entry. City life is more guarded.

The entry gate "bit" my arm and I felt blood trickle under the sleeve of the jacket I wore. The knob seemed awkward. Always checking symbols, I noted this gate latch needed sanding to help career issues of the residents.

A joyful welcome greeted me at the front door and I was introduced to her husband as he was leaving for work. His face showed stress from the repetitious job of 20+ years. Smiling he said hello and goodbye as the couple next discussed the pros and cons of locking the front entry gate.

"Now!" she whispered "We’re alone, what fun. I’ve been looking forward to this visit for a long time. Actually my husband found your advertisement for feng shui consultations in the Chronicle weekly insert. I had been talking about feng shui for a long time and wondered how this old house measured up?"

Looking around the efficient kitchen, updated from the original 1920’s structure, the kitchen was small but cozy. Her enthusiasm only increased as the bagua or 8-sided octagonal grid was placed over the tall house.

Getting the "map" ready is a crucial step. This template serves as a guide for finding the aspects of the homeowner’s lives. After this colored graph is completed, I can walk around the home and explain the good points, and not so good areas of the house. Now we were ready to proceed. Beginning at the front of the home or the career section, I began to evaluate the situation.

The phone seemed to ring every few minutes. Her daughter, age 24 yr., called twice to check our progress, a couple of friends rang up and then appointment confirmations took place. My tape recorder played on taking in all the excess action. When asked important questions about her family life her eyes sparkled. Her daughter and son (age 27 yrs) were her life.

Both children worked. I was puzzled why they didn’t want a home of their own? "Because I love them dearly, I want them here!" my client exclaimed. Her voice was louder now with a twist of "don’t go there" attitude. Clearly as I made an investigation of the 3-story dwelling, the section known as the left middle family side of the house was cluttered. Too much furniture can cause a blockage to the energy flow. The front door of this quaint San Francisco house entered at the top level, each floor of the home became more congested.

The stairways to the lower floors were built before codes were put into effect. These narrow passageways cause health problems for the owners. Stairways are considered waterfalls within feng shui principles. Usually they are located in the center of the house. This center or health gua is the element earth’s natural section of the bagua. When too much "water" falls too quickly the earth is washed away by the flood and thus affects the body.

Finally we entered the lowest level of the building. This lovely happy woman turned angry, then sad and now was crying. Her son’s room was lined with blackout curtains. Black sheets were held down by a black quilt. A black TV, black stereo and black clothes lined the walls. This grown son worked nights and needed the yin or darkness to sleep. Black is okay if mixed with other elements and colors. Red, yellow, greens and blues need to be added for energy, growth and health.

Just then, a handsome tall man came around the corner. Her eyes tightened with unreleased anger. It felt like a dark cave with two angry souls. "I’m glad you came." he roared, "I’ve told her a million times to get rid of this junk." He swung his hands and arms around in circles indicating the entire house. "I’m off to work. I hope you can change her thinking," he stated.

Fear crept across her face. "He’s just like his father, always complaining. He scares me sometimes, but I love him." she confessed.

We followed her son’s recent path back out into the basement, garage, past the washer/dryer and the son’s basement bedroom. "What are these boxes?" I asked pointing to fifty or more stacked crates. I looked around and noticed that tears were flowing down her cheeks. "My dead parent’s things" the muffled reply came. "Why are you keeping them?" I asked. "I can’t let go," she claimed. After another long extra hour I felt we had made some progress.

In homes that have basements, we must pay attention to what is stored in these dark underground "roots" of our being. Her family roots were clogged with unresolved blame and anger from her parents to her husband and now the son. Her life was so-o-o-o grounded with things that she and her family couldn’t grow and move on. These seemingly perfect relationships, buried the real problems.

"Only keep the things you love." I suggested. "But he (referring to her husband) said he won’t get rid of his stuff until I get rid of mine." she countered. "I just had quadruple bypass heart surgery three months ago. My children can’t leave, they are protecting me." she confessed.

As you can understand by now, this story goes on and on. This family has only buried itself with years and years of possessions to buffer the pain of unresolved issues. A web of confusion. Hopefully a few of my suggestions will be put into action. Change can only be accomplished when you choose to let go of the past.

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.