West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Las Vegas and Feng Shui?

It has been a hectic few weeks. I decided to ask some friends over for a study group. This is one way I trick myself into cleaning house. The time and date was set two months ago. That gave me plenty of time to get ready. Hang curtains, finish Feng Shuing the new condo and throw away old papers. The little home is used for my painting studio and office and is the perfect place to sleep over when our ferry to our island home breaks down. Since it is located near Interstate 5, I am near my clients or can travel quickly to a consultation in the Seattle area. Buying the property was the answer to many problems the San Juan Islanders face when commuting, especially during the summer months when the population doubles on most islands.

All of a sudden it was nearly time for the meeting, and I began to panic when looking around at the unhung mirrors and paintings. What will my new acquaintances think of the mess I had created when I’m suppose to have “it” all together. I had just spent a week in Las Vegas with a Feng Shui Mentoring Group with Katherine Metz. Her teachings of Feng Shui are well known as she was one of Professor Lin Yung’s early students. Master Lin Yung began teaching The Art of Placement in Berkeley in 1986 and the rest is history. This week in “the city that never sleeps” our project and assignment was to take the idea of Feng Shui to the edge! Usually the yearly meeting place was chosen for its beauty, serenity and harmonious surroundings, but our teacher’s assignment was to test our abilities and push her students to the edge of creativity.

Listening to her students, as some have been with Katherine for several years, they were in awe she had chosen this chaotic city to teach Feng Shui. Although Professor Lin explains the easy flow that comes from the use of Feng Shui principles, he also enjoys the “Chi lift” offered by the energy of the city in the desert. What brings life to a desert is water, fire action energy of the lights, money, entertainment, loud sounds and the never-sleeping movement. The airport alone transports over 40,000 persons a day.

My husband and I had lived in Vegas for two years, and two more years in Laughlin, another gambling city in Nevada, during our traveling years with his company. Later, after we had moved again, I had remarked I would never go back, as I had done my desert duty. Well, never say never, of course. So now I was back to discover the wild edge of Feng Shui. We were scheduled to see over 20 model homes and note the new trend designs in building. Homes are popping up at lighting speed, and shopping malls fill the land as people find this dry climate appealing! Like I said, been there, done that, including 20 years in Arizona! I tried to concentrate on the project, and soon we became inspired by the needs of these arid dwellings, and design ideas were born.

Open floor plans and outdoor “rooms” were the norm. Yang doorways or front doors facing the street directly were still in fashion, while other houses built only a few feet from one another entertained side or hidden Yin entry’s. Colors filled the new rooms as if the thirsty desert environment needed the wild pinks, reds, lime greens and brilliant blues to balance out the climate. The use of all five Elements was implemented again and again. The day was filled with discussions concerning “piercing heart doors” and too many sliding glass doors. Later we divided into several groups to come up with new western-style ideas for cures, corrections and enhancements. The crazy “edge” of the week was that we could not use any of the usual words associated with Feng Shui such as harmony, balance, flow, energy or Chi to describe Feng Shui.

The week was successful as the ideas created a whole new look of how Feng Shui can be offered to clients. I plan to offer a class in Upside Down and Backwards, as Professor calls it. Changing a routine daily can invite change in your life. But for right now, I needed to put my little house together for the study group. I hung wind chimes in several indoor and outdoor places as the sound uplifts the area of the home such as the front entry or doorway. This Career section also needs the Water Element added, just as the entry to the Grand MGM Hotel is loaded with crystals, lights and gold. The Massive Lion statue outside the Casino was blessed by His Holiness a few years back. This action or prayer has brought Chi to this hotel. Whether your space is small or as big as a Vegas Hotel, Feng Shui principles can be used to improve your home life or business.

My dwelling is now ready for guests. The three main objects are in commanding position, the main bed, desk and stove are arranged properly and feel good. The new friends arrive and they enjoy asking questions about the 5 Element artwork I created to open spaces while adding Water, Wood, Fire, Metal and Earth in the proper balance. Mirrors are placed in dark corners and “missing” areas to improve the feeling of spaciousness. The studio is in the Knowledge Gua or the left front room. All is well.

How is your life going? Call to schedule a consultation if you are in doubt, or email. With the phone, email and fax, Feng Shui can be done from a distance. From existing homes to new houses on the drawing board, check with an experienced practitioner to help plan your haven. You can reach me at (360) 424-1501.

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.