West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick BorNei

Certified Red Ribbon Professional of the International Feng Shui Guild

Release Generosity into the World through Good Deeds

Several weeks ago I received a phone call from a Pacific North West Koi Association representative asking if would be interested in giving a lecture on something called Fen Sway. We talked at length about The Art of Placement, sometimes referred to as Feng Shui, and how Feng Shui would be of interest to their members. In the Chinese and other cultures, live fish, paintings of fish and fish tanks are symbols of abundance, especially the beautiful Koi. There are many prized breeds and hundreds of dollars are paid for special rare species. Their colors range from yellow to gold, red, red and white, red white and black, silver and combinations of all of these Chi-enhancing colors. When visiting China and Taiwan I was amazed at the beauty of these fish swimming in ponds of the lovely ancient gardens. Being an artist I couldn’t resist taking a million pictures, well maybe hundreds of them, swarming and swirling among the huge lily pads and lotus blooms. Their scales sparkled like diamonds in the deep black and green waters, and you could actually touch and pet the backs and noses of the older and bigger ones.

I’m always up for a challenge so I said, “Sure, I’ll come.” I had just finished a painting of eight gold Koi and one black Koi on a large canvas, so the gentleman encouraged me to bring several of my paintings, “I will find some easels for you so you don’t have to lug more things to the meeting.” The evening turned into a wonderful experience. Over 30 guests arrived. Everyone brought their special dish for the potluck monthly get together. They fed me very well with their wonderful cooking and the conversation was delightful. There were three special views from the house. Mt. Saint Helen, snow topped and pink from the evening sunset; a Koi pond in the other direction; and out the front door, a huge three pillar rock water fountain which I advised the owner to turn the large fountain, if possible, so it looked as if the flow of water was coming toward the grand front entry of the house, which would bring opportunity to his Career. (He did – and received two checks, which were unexpected, the next day!)

I decided fish people are happy people. The constant swimming motion of the pet fish is very lucky indeed for those who have the time, money and love for this hobby. There were many questions and answers asked by this group about exterior Feng Shui, such as the best place on their property to dig a pond and why, but also what they could do to Feng Shui an existing pond without having to move it. Just hiring a back hoe, they informed me, could cost thousands of dollars. One woman whispered to me they had spent $11,000 on a back hoe and their pond was very small.

My talk continued way past the designated time. One hour became two-and-a-half as people began understand of the relationship with the home and property. I was now getting questions on master bedrooms and love-life cures. Laughter filled the large house, as everyone knew everyone’s business. This was a family of sorts, and my answers seemed to hit home in a good way. I had left my home at 3 pm and it was now 10 pm! It was time to say good bye to new friends. I decided I would leave the ponds and fish to the experts. Everything from filters to breeding, cleaning, preventative medicine, liners, photographing the surrounding plant life, zones, temperatures, pumps, turtles and special food to entering your fish in a contest and giving special names to their pets was discussed. The night was more than I expected. I drove out of the driveway with many people pointing the directions back to Portland. I waved goodbye to new friends, and the special full moon of March was my companion on the trip back to the city. The Man in the Moon seemed to be smiling, and I think I caught him winking a time or two, lighting my way through the late night journey.

Below are some of the things we discussed. Enjoy…

Feng Shui Landscaping:

1. “Mapping” the property according to the Bagua from the mouth of the Chi.

2. What aspect of your life do you want to enhance?

3. Explaining the 5-Element system of Feng Shui.

4. Choosing the theme of your outdoor creation using the correct shape assigned to the Element. Gardens, ponds, fountains, artwork, statues, stones, auspicious rocks, lighting, moving objects such as wind chimes, mobiles, windmills, plants and pathways can be used for example to increase wealth, family life, success and strengthen a partnership.

5. Baguas within Baguas, or garden themes within Guas. You are your house, you are your property, and you are the pond!

6. Three B’s……Choose auspicious day to break to Break Ground, Build and Bless your creation. Choose an experienced Feng Shui Consultant to perform a rice or birdseed blessing and activation on birth date of your garden.

Caroline will be coming to the Benicia area in April; call (503) 208-2960 for more details.

If you want an early bird price for our September 14th Trip to the Middle Kingdom of Tibet, please contact me before March 31^st. We will start in China and cross over into Tibet mid-trip. This is a lifetime wish and it has manifested!

Caroline Patrick BorNei is a certified Feng Shui Practitioner and a Red Ribbon Professional of The International Feng Shui Guild. Her abilities as a consultant and artist are widely known in the US and abroad. Caroline has completed over 5000 consultations for individuals, large and small businesses. Return clients appreciate the value of her suggestions both mundane and transcendental, providing support on multiple levels. As a college art instructor for many years, Caroline understands the power of color; its symbolism and the visual effect images have on individuals in their surroundings. Her home base is Portland, OR where she continues to write, teach, paint, do illustrations and give herbal medicine making classes. She is available for Feng Shui consultations; Feng Shui art consultant, advises builders, architects and mentors a few serious students.

Call (503) 208-2960 or email caroline@fengshuiartistry.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.

Caroline’s “West Meets East” weekly newspaper column can be read from archives on her website www.fengshuiartistry.com.