West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick BorNei

The Winds of Change Bring Creativity, the Metal Element

Each season heralds in new activity and when the North wind blows, the Element of Metal is “on stage” with all of her Yin glory. I love autumn and winter, and my family consider me “abby-normal” as I sing silly songs, cook soups and tease anyone within reach. My inner-motor revs up to a high pitch, and creativity fills the air. I save all shapes and sizes of boxes, string, empty spools, disposal pudding and fruit cups, cardboard rolls from toilet paper, wax paper, wrapping paper and tape. Dispensers, chop sticks, pop tops, plastic anything, scraps of material, paper in all colors, tops from any spray bottles and ribbon to yarn are safely stored into large sacks. Rocks, leaves, sticks and maybe a baby bird shell left over from summer are added to the collection. You name it and if the piece is strange enough or shiny enough it goes into the Creativity Bag. Glue, paint and brushes are added to the treasures. These special one-of-a-kind junk collections are recycled by my own personal creative geniuses, my grandsons. They fight over the loot like scavengers at a gold auction!

Yes, I have trained them well. On a cold windy dark day, the living room transforms into an invention center similar to Santa’s workshop, only with a twist of imagination ships, ferries, airplanes and landing towers fill the 30-ft. floor space. I watch from the kitchen as scotch tape is used with the same abandon as breathing free air. I figure their two-roll-a-day habit is a cheap way to keep glue off the floor and encourage building skills, realizing that in a year or so, this phase will also come to an end, as my little guys are beginning to show signs of being tweens, a new term used to describe our babies of today, learning too much too soon. Their innocence is robbed quickly as computers, TV and many parents not editing their mouths at great cost to their children, too bad and very sad indeed.

Metal is also the Element of great thinkers. Notice, if you will, people who never stop talking, not even to take a breath, as the Chi or life force flows so quickly from their brain to their mouth, that others watch in amazement, as the person continues to spew unless information to anyone who will listen. This action is called “Metal Mouth,” or open mouth, insert foot! There are many “cures” for this problem, as it is as much a problem for the person doing it as the person who is forced to listen. Call me if you need help on this one, as there are exercises to calm the nervousness that causes this. Metal, when balanced, can give courage, support the ability to solve problems, organize thoughts, teach and speak well, encourage creativity, give comfort to children, especially the youngest daughter, bring joy to a place, keep your lungs healthy and help any grieving process. The color is White, but pastels, silver and gold are also to be used to enhance any rooms which are located in the middle right side of your house from the front door. Each room can also be Feng Shui’d separately, and Metal’s special place would reside at the middle right side of a room from the doorway. Don’t forget to check for detail designs such as slanted walls or doorways inside or outside a home or office, which can keep the family off balance. These walls need to be “corrected” as a “missing piece” could cause upsets.

Many enhancements can be added to balance the Metal Element’s round shape such as metal wind chimes, bells in all sizes and shapes, mirrored balls, Chinese coins, gazing balls, fountains with balls, doorbells, children’s piggy banks, round incense burners, copper prayer wheels, metal altar lights, round faceted crystals in all colors, pictures of balloons, round rugs, round clocks, metal frogs and turtles. Use your imagination, have fun, be a child again. A hobby room for a child can be located in the Children and Creativity section of the house, but the best location for an adult workshop or studio is in the left front corner of the dwelling called Knowledge. Add joy and fun to your life as winter winds encourage inside activities. Remember the shape and colors of Metal when buying holiday gifts for your loved ones. A special gift for your Metal mouth friend could be something made of Wood or Fire. Why? Because to cure excess Metal, add some “Wood” to chop, or Fire to melt those excess tendencies, or call me for more ideas!

Note: Caroline Patrick BorNei (pronounced Bornay) is Caroline's Chinese name give to her by her Master Teacher His Holiness Grandmaster Lin Yin.

Traveling is in full swing for fall of 2008. August traveling to OKLAHOMA, September 17-October 1st, teaching ARIZONA Workshops in Watercolor, Oil Painting and Feng Shui including a visit to Diamond Mountain Buddhist University, ALSO a workshop on Feng Shui in Phoenix...November BOSTON, teaching in NEW YORK 1st week and KANSAS CITY. 2nd week.... REDDING, CALIFORNIA the 1st week of December workshop on Feng Shui. CHINA TOUR MARCH 2009 WITH CAROLINE, SIGN UP BEFORE JANUARY 1^st. For schedules & contact info go to www.fengshuiartistry.com

Please consult your physician for physical problems as this article only gives ideas and suggestions. Caroline is not responsible for anyone using these suggested plants or advice for cures or healing any problem either medical or Feng Shui claims. This column and article is for entertainment only. Please seek help from a qualified physician, naturopath, herbalist or other certified person for treatment.