West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

On the Move with Feng Shui

New Years Celebrations are sacred for many cultures. They offer new hope and opportunities, a time to rid ourselves of old beliefs, forgive others for past grievances, clean house and get ready for great beginnings. Food has always been included as part of ceremonies, celebrating death and birth as one big continuing circle. The Bagua, or eight-sided octagonal Chinese tool, has been used for centuries to adjust the home, land, sightings for graves and aspects of our life stations. Water, which “moves” opportunities toward or away from us, is located at the gateway or mouth of Chi. This tool is can also be found as part of the lopan or compass used thousands of years ago to find the best locations for villages, so the Wind and Water were in balance for the town’s best survival.

For example, this same circle of life is found in the Celtic and Indian Medicine Wheels. Using large round platters as serving vessels, round baskets to store food or designing a village in a round fashion, we visually celebrate the continuance of life. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter all have their magical birth and death cycles as the moon and sun dance with the changing seasons, and so our lives rotate with nature and the environment. The origins of the ancient time piece once again turned as I traveled to the land of Fame and Fire. The very nature of California forges beginnings, new ideas and gives its residents the extra boost of action energy to fuel the ambitions of the West Coast people.

Ideas are taken to California to be launched, tried and pushed into the ocean or Water of opportunities. The Water Element allows Chi to flow easily, and as I arrived in the Oakland International Airport, it was evident that Water was out of balance according to the pilot who briefly gave the current weather conditions before landing the plane. The plane jumped and bounced as the winds scurried under the wings. It was a rough landing, but we were safe and I was looking forward to resting in my simple little room, three flights up to the top floor of the Culture Center Building in Berkeley. I parked my rental car in front of the large structure and thanked my parking angel for finding me a perfect space, as parking in Berkeley can be a weekend adventure in itself!

I was greeted by friends at the large gate and walked across the red painted pathway to the old huge double doors. The lovely doorbell chimed and greeted me in friendly fashion and warmed my heart as it always does. Having a playing doorbell is a great Feng Shui feature, as sound activates Chi. Strong young men took charge of my luggage and freed me to check out the long, long dining tables with four very large turntables spaced over several feet. Food is placed on these moving pieces, which not only allow people from both sides of the table to serve themselves, but to use the “circle” shape once more to join the family together in a very special way. I find this way of eating very pleasing. Using the turntable on any dining room table seems to encourage communication as the family discusses their day over good food while not interrupting another person to pass a dish.

The kitchen lives in the Family Gua or middle left side of the old beautiful building. Families come together, visit and grab a snack as the huge pots are readied for 200 guests. When staying at the Culture Center, I have always asked to help in the kitchen, but the talented women and men who come together for these special occasions cook like a well-oiled machine. They certainly don’t need a stranger to Chinese cooking slowing them down, but once again I asked, “Do you need any help?” All eyes stopped, turned and looked in my direction. The long hesitation was beginning to have an uncomfortable silence. Suddenly I heard, “Yes.”

I immediately felt a strange “apprenticeship aura” form over my body and heard a familiar voice whisper in my ear, “Chop Wood, Carry Water.” The voice was a former teacher of mine who had passed to the other side years ago. Oops, “Ask and you shall receive,” also a common reminder of hers echoed in my ears. I stood at attention while my first task was given. I was a beginner and privileged. The lessons I learned in the kitchen that day were much more than expected. I was helping in chopping food that would change the lives of many people. Food is a special sacrament. It must be prepared in a sacred way to give your family love and sustenance. Putting anger into the preparation can poison the people you love the most.

Suddenly a loud commanding voice in scolding Chinese tones filled the kitchen. Everyone’s head dropped low as they continued chopping vegetables, meats and strange things I had never seen before. My head dropped in unison as I chopped cilantro in three different sizes, and I felt the same tension as the others. Without knowing the exact words, the main cook informed the group of some misdeed. My sense of the matter was someone might have been gossiping, a strict no-no, especially while preparing a special feast, as tale-telling is one of the ten commandments of their Tantric Buddhist religion. I have found these teachings are very similar to the Christian’s Ten Commandment given by Moses. There is such togetherness in our differences, and the Circle of Life pulls all nations together seeking human balance. Learning traditions of different cultures is one way to teach our children tolerance for others beliefs and enrich the souls of human existence. (continued)

WHAT IS CUSTOMIZED FENG SHUI MENTORING?

· It is for those wishing to study with me privately. ONE ON ONE.

· The cost is $350 for three hours a month, through phone, email and faxes.

· A six-month commitment is necessary.

· 27 red envelopes (first month only) and the first month’s payment of $350 due on the 1st of each month.

· A monthly mentoring date is set for at least one to two hours of phone conversation, at different intervals.

· Packets of hard-copy material are sent for you to study each month. Emailing and faxes will be part of the course also as we go over floor plans.

· The material is copyrighted, but I will give you permission to share a lot of the information.

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.