West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Question on Directions

Dear Caroline,

I would like to know which is the correct method of applying the directions for remedies. Is it the actual direction of the luopan or the standard front/middle, career; back/left, wealth; back/right, marriage; and so on. I tend to sway to the actual luopan reading but would prefer to use your method.

Also, I have two elephant statues inside my front door. Is it okay? If you have some time, I appreciate it if you give me some free advice.

Thank you for your time and ALOHA from Hawaii,

A Reader

Dear Reader,

There are always choices in life and you have a choice of choosing a Feng Shui school of thought to suit your needs. I feel they all work, but I am cautious with one called Intuitive, because I have found people drawn exclusively to this idea could have unresolved, private situations which carry over into their client’s environment. Example: A practitioner using strictly their feeling to balance your home could be going through a family crisis, divorce, death of a family member, health problems or an overdrawn bank account. If a consultant uses only gut information or a “spiritual guidance” to give you corrections and cures, I would be concerned for your evaluation.

Form school, Compass school and Black Sect are a few methods that are used. If you have visited my website www.fengshuiartistry.com , you will see which method I prefer. Grandmaster Professor Lin Yun of Taipei, Berkeley, and New York brought this method of Feng Shui to the United States in 1986. His approach of blending the environment with structures combines modern technology with ancient ideas. This approach has given Westerners an easy but effect way to bring peace at home and in the work place. This complex art and science was a part of his everyday world in China.

Educated as an attorney, city planner and having a medical background, this humble, humorous and enlightened being, continues to teach his methods throughout the world. His speeches at the United Nations bring the nations, great knowledge on how to create world peace. He believes the information of the Bagua, or eight-sided shaped tool used for mapping the home, is a guide which anyone can be used to benefit anyone, thus improve mankind through living and working in balanced spaces. When proper harmony is restored to the environment and surrounding spaces, the home, body and buildings enjoy health and well being. One example of improper alignment would be a desk out of commanding position or your back to a wall with your desk in front of you, greeting the “Chi” or new opportunities. Have you ever seen a picture of a famous President with his back to a door, or a successful banker or CEO or realtor? No, they sit in command of the energy welcoming it to the establishment.

Using a luopan is not a requirement of this world-respected method of Feng Shui. His basic teachings are simple and complex. I have found the Black Sect School to suit my client’s needs. It works! After hundreds and hundreds of consultations I have the statistics to prove its value.

Physical direction is not needed for aligning your home. Start with the architectural front door and use this as the entry or where Chi enters your home or business. Don’t neglect your lot or property shape when building your home. This process should start before choosing a location to live, but some people are just now understanding how the home affects all aspects of your life and have already bought, rented or built their dream home. My husband and I have owned over 15 houses and have lived in many apartments and condos over the years. Each residence offers another space to improve our lives and health by learning more every day as I continue to travel to his workshops.

The idea of Feng Shui, balancing the flow of wind and water in your environment, came from India over 5000 to 6000 thousand years ago. Using a compass to find a Southern facing entry was a good thing to do at that time. The sun warmed the home and protected the dwelling from unusual weather conditions. North winds created havoc on some continents while in other parts of the world, a north wind can bring relief in tropical locations, bringing much needed rain to drought-ridden crops. My question would be, how can we all have a southern facing front door? It is impossible with today’s building sites, condos and apartment living. So Black Sect form of Feng Shui is a blessing to many of us who desire a balanced home in a modern world. Creating peaceful living and working spaces has been practiced by surviving civilizations for centuries, and I’m sure will continue long after I pass from this world. Yin demands Yang and Yang demands Yin, action and reaction, cold and hot, male and female in a continual dance of life and seasons. The Elements of Water, Wood, Fire, Metal and Earth can be successfully used anytime anywhere using this type of Feng Shui.

While briefly living in your mystical environment for a year, I felt the ALOHA SPIRIT flowing around my soul. Sleeping in our bed at night, the misting mountain rains brushed against my face and body, healing my heart of past sorrows. Hawaii is truly an experience, not a destination.

So you have a choice of schools. Learn about all of them if you wish or have a consultant help if time is a problem, but choose an experienced one. If you are fascinated by Feng Shui as a tool in your profession, find a good teacher. I do consultations successfully by phone and have a mentoring program which is done by email and phone. I just finished a large assignment for a China facility and a 10,000-foot kennel in the Truckee, California area which was done without being on site.

Yes, the elephants by the front entry bring happiness and prosperity to your Career. Heavy statues on each side of a home ground and protect the family. Some people choose horses, tigers, dragons or Fu Dogs. I don’t think a bunny rabbit applies here as a Feng Shui enhancement, but they are cute for decorations as little chickens and ducks.

Blessings and Good Chi.

Caroline is a Feng Shui consultant, artist, herbalist, newspaper columnist, businesswoman, author and teacher. She has conducted over 3500 Feng Shui consultations. She has taught art for over 35 years. Her weekly column West Meets East can be viewed on her website moongateschool.com. Caroline’s advice is only considered suggestions and she is not responsible for any problems relating from her suggestions. Please consult a physician for any diagnostic evaluations concerning your health.

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