West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Stock Market — In a dance of balance?

 

What does feng shui have to do with the stock market? Everything. Feng shui demands seen and unseen energy forces find physical, mental and environmental balance, creating a proper harmony of human existence.

Watching the NASDAQ and the Dow Jones dance and dive across my television screen, interrupting radio listening and invade my home via mail, more bad news of my investments declining, shaky 401(k) statements and IRA’s standing still like stagnant water, I close my eyes and add these notices of income and outcome to my husband’s pile of mail. Annuities and CD have always been my choices of savings. My family laughed as I added another CD to my private conservative investment packet. Placing a small family inheritance into a 15-year annuity several years ago was a good decision. Not being able to have more cash than allotted by the annuity each month keeps my hands out of the till. As a cash windfall can burn a hole in your pocket, this strategy rarely permits early withdrawal without a high fee. Sticking your head in the sand also doesn’t make the situation easier, but to seek balance with my financial decisions, I can use the principles of feng shui on a personal and business level.

I began my investigation with a cause and effect checklist as to the reason behind the current problems.

Level One

    1. Mental question — Why is money running away from me? What are my experiences with money from the past? I would then ask myself or the client to think back to their childhood. What were your parents’ feelings about money? Was it a good thing or a bad thing to have money? Go back further if you must. What were your grandparents’ thoughts about excess dollars? What roles are you playing out today with these outdated patterns? The answer I heard last week from a client, after inquiring, "How are you?" was "I’m getting by." This is a martyr reply. What is your mental telling you? You are limited to only a certain monthly income. Examine poor me, interrogator, intimidator and aloof answers. Change your response to this everyday greeting. Your subconscious has no humor and follows your verbal commands. "She will just get by," it echoes in the brain. Evaluate the whole house for clutter, especially the left front of the home or office. This knowledge area provides clear thinking when excess is eliminated.
    2. Physical — During these crazy times of the unbalanced economy and stock market dips and peaks, have a plan to help the stress. Get busy treating yourself to a healthier you. Example — try giving up dairy for one week. Lactose is one of the hardest foods to digest. Using almond milk or soy products could be a temporary substitute during this simple test. Using a mucus-forming product such as milk, cheese, citrus drinks and sugars can only mask underlying muscle spasms. Instead of watching those stock figures rise and fall, walk outside, garden, sing, paint, exercise or pray.

      3. Check the center of the home or business for clutter. Take out any water fountains or water pictures from the center of the dwelling. This earth element center section doesn’t accept excess water items. Use the color yellow to ground the middle of the house.

    3. Environmental — Eliminate all excess. I strongly feel the last 15 years have set the stage for the current chaos in the world. The clear-cutting of forests throughout the world, the raping of the seas and the pollution of the skies have set the course of unbalance. Nature is crying as she moans her way back to harmony. Cause and effect in motion. Whether you believe in the ancient Chinese concept of feng shui or just cleaning up the greed of the universe, each person can start within their own spaces.

How many possessions can a family own? Children are overwhelmed by excess. The red, yellow and blue of plastic toys bores most kids after an hour or two. Working parents buy, buy and buy more toys to help please children. This cycle is killing their creativity. Everything is already made for them; what is their incentive to grow food, take care of animals and learn about the earth?

Start with your own space first. This concept is easy for children to grasp. Learn the art of placement. Show the family what part of the house is their responsibility. Placing the bagua or eight-sided octagon over the home maps the home and provides a visual plan for the family to follow. Career, family relations, money issues, love life and health are some of the sections found in the home.

For money and stock market investments, check the entryway to the home or business. Is it beautiful and inviting? This mouth of the chi represents job and career opportunities, acting as a waterway to float money in your direction.

Who is living in the back far left room of the home? This area is dedicated to abundance and prosperity. Clear the way for money to stay in your environment. Check these vital pathways inside and outside the home.

Do what you can to improve your money situations through the mental, physical and environmental. Feng shui can be applied to your home and office, giving you a physical application of effort and keeping you from feeling helpless. Find ways to use your creativity and help others by giving new ideas and hope. Find your passion and — turn off the TV for a while.

 

 

Fall Workshops 2002

Feng Shui Classes
    • Relationships — marriage, business, children and pets

Bedrooms and placement of furniture
    • Landscaping — garden design, climate and terrain

Choose the proper floor plan and plot shape
    • Space clearing, clutter busting, altars for any religion or occasion

Setting the intention for the room, reclaim a peaceful space.

Flower Essences — Attitude Adjustment
    • For balance and harmony

Children, adults, pets and plants

Herbal Medicine Making
    • The center of the home in connection with your health

Making of tinctures to take home.

Art — Painting with Chi — (Beginners through Advanced)
    • Acrylic
    • Greeting cards for all occasions

Watercolor

Handwriting Analysis
    • Know yourself and loved ones
    • Power signatures

Chinese Medicine — Introduction
    • Diana Gardner, L.A.C.

Acupuncturist

Disclaimer: The author is not responsible for anyone using herbal suggestions for cures. Please consult your physician for any health evaluations.

 

Times and locations to be announced

Sign up for your interest in fall classes at the shoppe or call 707-748-1127. You will be called later or emailed when dates are announced. Payment saves your space. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

Caroline is available for feng shui consultations, speaking engagements, radio and TV interviews.

Caroline’s Arts & Feng Shui Shoppe

129 1st Street, Suite K

Benicia 94510

Open 1-5 daily, closed Monday

707-748-1127 or caroline@fengshuiartistry.com

Log onto her websites: www.fengshuiartistry.com and moongateschool.com for schedules, bio and weekly feng shui column. You can email her at caroline@fengshuiartistry.com with questions.