West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Moving Where? Why? And Now?

Are you considering a move? How did the idea first present itself? Were you on a Sunday drive, when out of the blue, around the next corner a scenic valley appears and you feel compelled to stay forever or are you being transferred by a company? There are many reasons a move happens, it could be desire or a “have-to” situation. Whatever the situation, use Feng Shui to determine and guide future events.

Although we first hear the “whisper of change” as a persistent fleeting thought, passing it off as wishful thinking or “I don’t want to go there! Okay?” attitude will only delay nature’s way of telling you, ”It’s time for a change, mother knows best, so clear the clutter and be done with it, now please!” Listen to the whisper before the whisper becomes a loud yelling in your ear.

Living on an island is bliss, but keeping appointments becomes a maze of planning. As a Feng Shui Consultant, I am asked to speak, teach and consult. Email, phone and fax are wonderful tools, but teaching and speaking assignments must be done in person. Our first experience of island life began when we moved from California to the San Juan Islands in Washington State. My husband retired and we have lived in the Northwest before, so we knew some of the adjustments that needed to be made for this lifestyle. What we didn’t expect was our county (not state) car ferry would be broken down three months out of the year. After the first long siege, we bought an island car to be left on the mainland. When the ferry was under repairs we could ride a passenger boat, get out and use the older car for errands. It seemed like the best solution at the time, but my husband had a bad habit of bringing the back-up car home with him, loading it down with necessities, like motors, fertilizer and tires, for who knows what? To make a long story short, the car was never on the right side of the ocean when emergencies occurred!

After spending many nights in a motel because a county ferry closes down at 6 p.m. except for weekends, I was hearing more than loud whispers in my ears! As a solution, we began to shop for a stopover house or condo to cure the problem. I began my Feng Shui search by “working out” of my Helpful People and Travel corner in the island home. For those new to Feng Shui, this corner is located to the front right section of your house away from the front door or entrance to the Chi. Energy or Chi enters the front door of any house or business, bringing new opportunities. I placed a large silver container on top of a cabinet and turned on the light above the Metal dish, inviting help to change this situation. Adding a note with my intention to the container activated the section devoted to Heaven’s Help. Metal and Water are the two Elements related or close to each other in the Bagua or template used by the consultant to map your home, which in turn teaches the clients how and where to place different “cures or corrections.” Metal makes Water in the constructive cycle or Metal and Water “make” money and bring in all the forces to assist with change.

Within hours we were hunting for our overnight cottage. My husband went online to search, and I began calling friends for any news of a little house nearby. Since the town is small, everyone knows what is available before a sign goes in the yard. Washington State’s coastline is the new frontier and everyone wants a part of this “valley.” No homes were available within 16 miles, so next we tried near I-5 because of my business, and I also decided to use this place for an art studio. As soon as I put the final thought into this action, three new condos appeared for viewing. The next day we were off to look at these homes. In one hour the decisions were in place and a bid put on the one with the auspicious address 9. This number is one of the best numbers to use in business, as the 9 energy is a completion of the aspects in life. I offered $5,000 below the asking price even though the condo had only been lived in six months, while the present owners were building a larger home. They were glad to get the offer because it was Christmas time, and buyers have their mind on the holidays and not the housing market.

The couple accepted the offer in less than an hour as they needed to sell quickly and took a loss to get out from under their debt of both dwellings. I investigated the predecessor Chi, or the owners personally and success. Everything was going quickly as it does when you are moving in harmony with the flow. We had our condo in one day at our price and an auspicious address.

Listen to the whisper, don’t ask Why, just Where? and move forward to the NOW. Dragging your feet will only cause blisters. My business has increased and my studio is underway. My husband enjoys the island and the city time with less stress. I enjoy the freedom of having both worlds.

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.