West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

North, East, South, West: Which is Best?

Questions about children and how Feng Shui relates to their lives are very important. Whether they are newborns, teenagers or our 29-year-old child coming back home to find himself, Feng Shui is a perfect tool to use to support the spirit and directions needed for moving on to new opportunities. The following email takes me back to those years of parental confusion, when each moment of decision making keeps you on your toes. Confusion sometimes rules the day!

Dear Caroline,

Reading your column every week and visiting your website has peaked my interest in Feng Shui from mild to intense! I have lots of questions but will begin with questions about my children. There is certainly no peace in my home, and I could use some suggestions from the ancient art of Feng Shui to create balance, harmony and PEACE in my own home. Anything you have to offer is appreciated.

Hi!

My first question to you is where are your children’s bedrooms placed in your home? Children’s bedrooms placed in the wrong section of the house can cause behavior problems and lots of stress on the child if his/her bedroom is assigned to the wrong section of the home. The far back right side of the house is the Gua reserved for the discipline of the parents of the home. Is your child’s room in that corner?

When I come to do a consultation, I like to know the birthdays of the family, to check out the elements they are familiar with. For example, water children are usually softer, rounder, with an easy smile. They seem to go with the flow of life but actually they are very sensitive and their feelings are hurt very easily. The fire child is full of spirit, jumps off swings and takes chances, as a rule. An air child seems to always be thinking, loves computer games and can be aloof.

Choosing clothing color is an important step toward supporting kids’ health. During the winter months, yellows and reds create a warming effect that encourages good health. Try dressing your toddler who is always coming down with a cold in a yellow t-shirt.

Everyone in the family is responsible for their own energy and for improving the energy of the home. If you send me the birth dates of your children, I can give you more information on colors and materials that may be of some help in supporting them on their life’s journey.

Dear Caroline,

You can lecture me anytime. I definitely do not give my kids ‘things,’ they do get me! From the day they were born I have devoted my life to raising them. I do work even though I would like to be at home with my last one. At least I’m only working until the others get out of school.

The birth dates of my children are enclosed so that you can analyze their elements, such as water, fire, wood, metal or earth.

My bedroom is in the southwest, oldest is in the northwest and the other two share a room and that is the south, right across from them is the bathroom in the north. The kitchen is in the northeast, I do have a door that is in that corner and right in front of that is a stairway going downstairs, the southeast is the living room and the front door is facing the east.

I do believe that our bedroom is where the wealth section is. Do you have any advice on that? And what about the bathroom, I always heard you shouldn’t decorate it but keep it plain – is that true? Aren’t there certain colors to put in certain sections of the house? Yes, I know, I have a million questions.

Do you ever have any conferences in Wisconsin? Thank you so much again for taking time to email me back.

Hi again,

I do travel, when the location supports a workshop. First, I must emphasize that I practice the form of Feng Shui known as Black Sect from the ancient Bon Tradition, made popular by Professor Lin Yun, Master of Black Sect in the world. When I first began consulting professionally, I used a theory known as Compass School. Realizing this school of thought was complicated for my clients to understand and that there are many schools of harmony and balance, I began looking for the right one that would easily translate to western culture.

Using the version made popular by Master Lin Yun, I could align anyone’s house or business to the Bagua, or eight-sided grid, to map his or her home easily by using the front door as the “Mouth of Chi.” Physical direction such as north, south, east or west wasn’t necessary to determine the nine aspects of the home or office.

The front door becomes “North” automatically and the far back of the house becomes “South.” True physical direction wasn’t needed. Professor explained why the Bagua is like life always moving and changing. It represents life to the fullest. Career and job opportunities are always at the front door as the Chi flows into the structure, hopefully unobstructed by toys, shoes or clutter of any kind, because any of this stuff blocks energy trying to nourish the family inside the house. So, when you are trying to explain the directions, I become confused. You might want to check into my website fengshuiartistry.com and click into each Gua or section. You will see wealth is located at the far back left corner of the home in relationship to the front door. What is happening in the far back left corner of your house? Stairs move energy from floor to floor. We want the Chi to gently flow, so a crystal, wind chime or plant may help this stairway or “arteries” gently transfer the energy from the front door to other stories of the house. Example: Where are the stairs? Back of the house, side – right or left, which corner? Cluttered staircases can cause blood flow problems in the body, as the house takes on the energy of the family living in the house.

Of course bathrooms should be decorated. Let the Bagua determine what colors and Elements to use according to where it is located in the house. If it is located in the Family or middle left from the front door, Wood would be the Element, green the color, and column shapes or striped towels or wallpaper, a mural or painting of trees or plants. Live plants would also be quite effective such as bamboo to invite longevity into Family life.

Go to my website www.moongateschool.com, click on newspaper columns for an archive of articles to help answer more of your questions or email me to arrange a phone consultation, where we can address your own personal goals and changes, which are supported by using Feng Shui as a tool for your future.

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS 2006------sign up now------

1. ART classes and workshops ---- from 6 weeks to Saturday All Day Workshops!

2. FENG SHUI ISLAND TOUR---- on site evaluations in the San Juan Islands, WASHINGTON STATE

Where is the entrance or “Mouth of Chi” to the Island?

Please email caroline@fengshuiartistry.com for more information on classes or to purchase her greeting cards.

This site is great. GO TO www.fengshuifusions.com for all of your Feng Shui shopping needs, ask for Amanda and tell her Caroline sent you. She has great energy and that is important........ or order by phone, 1-800-792-9927,

Caroline Patrick Caroline's Feng Shui Concepts Mt. Vernon, WA 360-424-1501

caroline@fengshuiartistry.com www.fengshuiartistry.com www.moongateschool.com

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.