West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Spring Cleaning and More

It has been several years since Karen Kingston and Denise Linn’s top-selling books about clearing the clutter and space clearing hit the market. These authors have continued to write compelling books dedicated to the art and rewards of removing “old stuff” from your life. Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese system of the “less is more” theory, found its way to America. We began to investigate other cultures’ formulas for success, abundance and good health. From vitamins to herbs and exploring the benefits of acupuncture for the body, Feng Shui teaches us the value of getting rid of excess whether it is in the body, mind or environment.

The rules are simple. Examine your life. Is it stuck? Are you on target? If the answer is no, open the door of the house, walk outside to the front yard, turn around and tell me what you see. A water feature added to the front entry to a home will quickly bring opportunities to the residence. Walk around the entire property and check each section of the exterior. Trim trees and bushes to allow the Chi or energy from the outside world. Cleaning and organizing the garage is a must as usually the garage is located in the Knowledge or Helpful People and Travel area of the house floor plan. When dealing with money issues, the Helpful People, front right corner of the house, and the Wealth Gua, far left back section of the home, are the places to check.

Have fun while teaching your children and grandchildren the golden rule of giving. If you are not a garage sale person, let your children enjoy the pleasure of giving. Last week my son realized the cute pink and blue bicycle with ghosts painted on the side was an accident waiting to happen. Our little guy had just turned five recently. Going on a bike ride with his brother of seven wasn’t working. Their knees bounced above the handlebars as they struggled. It was time to “trade-up.” Giving the smallest bike away was painful to my son as it reminded him that his little guys are getting older. Putting the little “ghost bike” in the back of the truck and finding a new owner produced long faces on all three of the BOYS. It was delivered to a large military family that included a little girl of four whose face lit up when seeing the bicycle. Looking at her new pink and blue toy, she giggled and pointed to the painted images. “Ghosts,” she said. My son walked away happy and so did his children, knowing they made someone happy. The five-year-old got the bike he had wanted from the beginning, his brother’s red one, and the older grandson got a new one.

Being a good example to your family is priceless. Children today are on overload. Every fast food restaurant has one more plastic item to add to your floor. Bedrooms are full of electrical equipment. Computers a couple of feet from their beds is dangerous, radio alarms and cell phones are the norm. Storage under beds is a common problem, as everything you jam under a child’s bed blocks the body and mind. Study and sleep is impossible with all of the Yang or action energy bombarding their rooms. EMF’s are contributing to cancer and other strange illnesses. Keep mementos in marked boxes if you must, but giving space to adults and children will invite Feng Shui or the action and flow of “wind and water” to your home.

Check all nine sections inside and outside your house to improve life’s problems. Last week I spoke to the Northwest Mall Association about Feng Shui. They wanted Feng Shui suggestions to improve the Factory Outlet Malls of Washington State. I spoke at length about corporate issues, office desk positions of the CEOs and the buildings involved. Tall buildings next to small complexes, corrections and placement of flag poles, the flow of Chi from the freeway and how it enters each business, where the fountains, greenery and resting places should be utilized and I also pointed out the importance of the employees’ home environment, as the reflection of their homes create a trickle-down effect, helping or hindering the company.

Success begins at HOME! Complaining only delays change. Focus on the obvious. If your desk is full...there is no room for new business. If your kitchen counters are full, check which part of your life is affected by looking at a Feng Shui Bagua (check my websites) or send me an email question. Is your front door blocked with shoes, books and newspapers? “No place for new business,” is how Feng Shui would analyze that symbol. Is the fireplace balanced with a Water Element? What colors are your rooms and what type of artwork is hanging on the walls?

Everything is alive in the world of energy ...everything is talking to you! Now...I guess it is time for me to clean the kitchen, as it lives in my Children and Creativity area of my house. Applying Feng Shui to the floor plan of my house, you can see where my current problem needs attention!

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.