West Meets East

By ©Caroline Patrick • Map Your Home, Change Your Life

Mapping your home is the first step toward understanding the self.

Many self-help books on the market address mental, physical, spiritual or environmental aspects of ourselves separately, when they are, of course, one unit.

Feng Shui, the ancient art of placement, dates back before 4000 BC. The study of this science blends design, ecology, mysticism and common sense. Using theories and studies provided by ancient philosophers, we are able to combine our modern technologies with those thoughts and traditions of Feng Shui masters.

As God breathed life into the earth, a vital force was created to bring life to this planet called Earth.

The Chinese refer to this invisible force as Chi, which is in us and all around us. It is this fascinating, invisible power of god and nature, dancing, swirling and playing off of each other to create the song of life. This vital god force enables us to walk, talk, think, work, play and love. Every race and religion ‘feels’ this energy and incorporates this mystical aspect into their culture. The goal is to blend rich sacred traditions with scientific knowledge, bringing balance and harmony to their minds, bodies and souls. In doing so, it gives us freedom to pursue our divine destiny.

Chi, the foundation of Feng Shui, offers the seeker a grid, called a bagua. This sighting tool allows the practitioner to align a structure, room or a parcel of land to a more favorable position. The eight-sided shape of the mapping tool reveals the eight main aspects of ourselves, plus one for the middle of the octagonal wheel. The nine stations in life are called career, knowledge, family, wealth, fame, partnership, children and creativity, helpful people and travel. The last aspect is placed in the middle to form a spoke or center which represents the health of our being. If a person’s health is weak, it affects all the other sections of the bagua, and makes the wheel wobble.

To start the mapping process, place the base of the bagua at the entrance to the structure or parcel of land in question. The first three stations of life are now automatically aligned to the front of the dwelling or property.

The wonderful advantage of this concept called Feng Shui is the eight-sided octagonal tool is flexible, relating how freedom of flexibility in life allows balance to flow throughout the body and environment.

Now center the bagua over the dwelling, aligning the gua or section called health to the center of the structure. Place an imaginary tack to the middle locations, allowing the bagua or grid to expand in any direction necessary to fill the living spaces of the home or land in question.

For condo-type living, the shape of the grid will probably elongate; for other houses the shape of the octagon could take on the shape of a rectangle.

There are as many shapes and entryways to dwellings and landscapes as there are stars in the sky, but by aligning your own properties to the wheel, these directions will help you understand yourself.

As the map is formed over your current home, a better understanding of yourself emerges.

Which areas of the house are cluttered, which sections are missing? What shaped land plot did you choose?

Mapping the home not only allows us a map to the future, but let’s us travel to the past by placing the ancient grid over childhood homes.

Each of the nine stations represented on the wheel also reflects the five elements necessary for survival. Water, wood, fire, metal and earth, when used in the correct zones of the home, enhance the living space. The absence of health plants and animal life are an indication that the chi of the land is weak and can affect you and your neighbors. Shapes of land and water abundance are also necessary considerations when choosing a prosperous location to raise a family.

Body parts are also assigned to the wheel of life. One example might be, a broken window overlooking the backyard could create eye problems, since the flame or fire zone of the house takes on the energy of eyes and action chi.

Colors are the icing on the cake. As an artist, I realized every color has a vibration and a musical note. Painting a picture in these vibrant hues can alone raise the chi in a home. Using the correct colors in the correct quas or sections of the house allows Feng Shui, or translated as the flow of wind and water and how they enter your life.

Using the ancient methods, Feng Shui offers you a gift from god, to be utilized for enhancing and changing your lives. It isn’t necessary to be a certain race or religion to benefit from the wheel of life.

Classes and workshops are offered throughout the year in art and Feng Shui.

Feng Shui — Mapping the Home

Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. — 12 noon

Art — Upcoming 1-day acrylic workshop to be scheduled

"Watercolor greeting cards class"

Caroline’s Arts

129 1^st Street

Benicia

Sign up now by calling 707-748-1127

The year of the horse, 2002, suggests we finally gallop forward and find ourselves — but with knowledge or horse sense.

Come in the shop for more information.