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The
Outback Chatting with people around the world via e-mail gives me an overall perspective of basic human desires with regard to their life’s ambitions and desires. This question from Australia is an example of the basic simplified desire for tranquility in the home. Dear Caroline, I just read your article on Feng Shui and I must say I do find it very interesting. I live in Sydney, Australia. My home is like a lot of modern homes these days instead of having a bathroom in the left hand side of my home, I have my laundry and the sink is right in the corner. What I did was, I hung a lovely plant over the window and I put purple African violets on the windowsill. I had my hubby put a shelf above the sink and put another lovely plant in a terracotta pot, a clay butterfly that my daughter painted, a big yellow bowl with a Buddha laughing and in the bowl we have silver and gold coins that he sits on top off. I must say it sure has helped with money since he has been there. We do borrow some coins for the toll for freeways but we do repay always. My girls have also placed citrine and blue agate near him too. I also placed 3 gold coins in red ribbon in the pot plant hanging near the window. I don’t let laundry accumulate in there and I keep that area tidy. We have plants outside on the verandah too near the back door. My home does have a good feel to it and I fell in love with it as soon as we saw it, this was a rental property for six years so it needed some TLC and we gave it… changed the carpet, put wooden flooring downstairs, painted the walls and lots of love here. We fixed the garden outside both front and back and I feel the house is smiling. I just feel that I need to balance the energy here a little as there are four females in the house, 3 daughters and myself, a female dog and 2 female guinea pigs (hamsters) and my poor hubby. What can I do to put a little more male energy in here? The house is painted neutral color and the carpet is neutral, but I do have lovely paintings on walls and ornaments, candles and we have lots of cushions in rich colors, the girls have their favorite colors in their rooms and their rooms feel great. What do you suggest that I can do to balance out the feminine energy here with a little bit more masculine? Thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail and I look forward to your reply. Hello, I was so happy to see your e-mail. Did you find my website? I’ve been delayed answering your question. I have an art and feng shui shoppe that keeps me busy. I have 3 great friends who understand the concept of feng shui and are able to help people with their questions. Of course, we in America are a little behind in understanding the mystical side of life, but I have devoted the last four years writing the weekly newspaper column on the art of placement, helping all races and religions understand this ancient science of harmony and balance can benefit everyone on earth. Your home sounds lovely and cozy. Are you a city person or in the suburbs. I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing your side of the world, but if you could arrange a large group, I would come and teach. I love to teach art and feng shui. I’m also an herbalist. These 3 aspects work well together in the feng shui world. There are several masculine enhancements. The main action color is red. Gold metal is also used to bring in this energy. The shape is cone or pyramids. Fire is the element. Red candles, crystal shaped pyramids, pictures of mountains. Your famous landmark of the red mountain is perfect. I painted a picture of that mountain for a friend whose homeland was in the outback many years ago. Sorry I can’t remember it’s name. Animals, birds, feathers, leather all call in the yang energy. Lanterns, or light in any form. Use these mainly in the back middle of the house or the Fame gua. I practice Black Hat feng shui. I feel all of the schools work, but Black Hat works best and is the main one used in America. Hopefully my book will be out next year. It will be the best on the market and will give anyone the ability to map their home. Thanks for your inquiry and write again to tell me what these enhancements have done for the feeling in your home. Caroline Patrick Hi Caroline, Thank you for replying. I do live in the suburbs of Sydney and yes I did look at your website too. I was reading an article in the Sunday papers last year and it related to wind chimes… where to hang them and last year they said to hang a wind chime either southwest or west. I was wondering where to hang the wind chime for this year 2002 or does it really matter where you hang a wind chime outdoors? Hello again, Wind chimes whether they are hung in the wind or not and make music symbolically attract chi. Of course if they are ringing, the higher the pitch, the higher your spiritual attunement. Like a tuning fork, each sound or musical note has a color and is healing in many ways. Hang them wherever you please. Some feng shui schools of thought give a precise direction to protect or enhance that part of their astrology chart for that particular year. The idea has merit. I sometimes use astrology when dealing with family issues. Knowing your sun sign, rising or ascendant sign and your moon placement helps me understand your elements, personality or mask to the world, plus how you’re mothered or how you have been mothered. The puzzle of the interaction of family personalities has always been of interest to me. It has helped me to become a more caring, patient and compassionate person. Thanks again, Caroline Simple yet powerful solutions, homes hold the answers to many unfolding daily mysteries whether your current problem is health, career change or divorce, one third of the clues needed for finding the answers are right under your feet. The dwelling! Mapping your home is the first step to life changes. During my feng shui workshops, I show you how to take charge of your life by introducing water features, fire items, wood pictures and plants, metal objects and earthenware in the appropriate sections of the home. Upcoming Saturday April 27th 10 a.m. — 12 noon. Mapping the Home, Answers to "Hidden" Questions about you and your family. Class location Benicia, Caroline’s Arts and Feng Shui Shoppe 129 First St. Suite K — Limited seating $48, with booklet $55. Register Early. Sign up for Spring Art Class — 1 day, beginners to advanced — Power Colors — Date to be announced. |