By Caroline Patrick

Choose a Successful Business Space

Mirrors are sometimes called the aspirin of feng shui. Used correctly, they open blocked spaced, bringing in and reflecting much needed light in the dark stuffy areas. Complete books could be written about their effects. Used properly, mirrors double prosperity, push back walls, create "doorways" in the home or business structures. The reflective action of the mirrored surface attracts energy and sends it throughout the home or "erases" problems.

Several months ago I was contacted by a successful businessman wanting to expand his operations. Needing space located in another area of California, he began the consultation by sending faxed floor plans of available spaces for his next expansion venture. Noting the bathroom location of his current choice of buildings, I advised he keep looking for a more "feng shui friendly" floor plan. Choosing to start a new business with the bathroom in the prosperity corner or far back left corner of the leased space can only cause stress with finances. Against my warnings, he leased the building.

I record my consultations on a cassette player so the client will have the feng shui suggestions to play back after I leave. After I received this email, I called him directly, asking him to replay the tape and my advice about bathroom placement. Hopefully mirroring the whole bathroom inside and outside will help, but the plumbing becomes a downward drain, draining money away from the wealth section of the floor plan’s energy map.

Dear Caroline,

I thought you would be interested in how business has been since we last met and I implemented the various things you suggested.

Surprisingly, the business has slowed down and especially the month of May has been difficult. We continue to receive the calls, but don’t seem to be able to convert them into students and therefore the revenues are lagging from what we had expected.

Could I have done something wrong in implementing your suggestions or does it sometimes take time until better times are reflected in revenues? Would love to get your feedback.

Please email me.

With kind regards, Business Owner

Hello again,

I only want success for my clients. Bathrooms are a big issue in feng shui. The back three sections or quas as considered the most powerful areas. They symbolize completion of success and hold the structure’s ability to continue bringing in power to the home and business. Having the forceful downward motion of water leaving the wealth qua, or back left room of the business, causes stress to this area. Upward moving water in the prosperity corner brings money into the business. The only way to trick the chi is to place an upgrowing plant or a picture of upgrowing trees or plants above the toilet. The toilet must be covered because of this open vortex. I would also mirror every wall involved inside and outside of the bathroom to help the negative energy dissipate. If the small mirror isn’t working, I will refund your money. I always try smaller mirrors first on the outside of the door, but you also have a slanted wall needing a larger mirror.

You mentioned you placed a water feature in the hallway at home. Which hallway? Make sure it is in a related water qua section. Stairways facing the front entry are also a problem. A plant at the bottom of the stairway is also a good cure, with part of the plant growing up the railing.

Stairways are also considered a modern waterfall and shouldn’t face the front door. They eventually take money out the front door.

Again, good luck, Caroline

Caroline,

Thanks for getting back to me. We all knew the bathroom location was a problem but we could not do it any other way. I have put up the mirrors I bought from you as well as the poster with the dollar bills. I put a bamboo plant on the container in the bathroom but it died since there is no light in that room. I’ll look for a picture to hang there instead. I also did put some artificial red flowers in the bathroom as you suggested. Short of a mobile/crystal in the money corner I have implemented all of your suggestions, including the black flower pots at the entrance with red geraniums.

At home I immediately put our barbecue on the other side of the deck, put a water fountain in our hallway, a chime at the outside of our house and a mobile between the stairs and the entry door. I will check what else I could change.

I’ll keep you posted as the summer is our busiest time of the year.

Thanks again and best regards.

Come and sign up for fall classes now! We have wind chimes in colors, rainbow mobiles. Call for feng shui consultations and speaking engagements.

Caroline’s Arts & Feng Shui Shoppe

129 1^st Street, Suite K

Benicia 94510

Open 1-5 daily, closed Monday

Offering feng shui supplies and classes in many areas.

Please call or email for interest in the following class subjects:

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.

1. Divorce — How to stay, how to leave when chaos comes
2. Space Clearing, clutter busting, altars and attunements, reclaim a peaceful space
3. Garden Design and Landscaping using feng shui principles
4. Fountain-making using 3-5 feng shui elements
5. Herbal Medicine making and the center or health section of the home
6. Flowers Essence for balance and harmony — children, adults and pets
7. Children and Pets. Bedroom adjustments for good grades and good health. Colors of clothing and sleeping spaces
8. Animal Energy! Climates and terrain
9. Art — Painting with Chi — (1) acrylic, (2) watercolors
10. Handwriting Analysis
11. Chinese Medicine, Introduction
12. Clear Your Clutter Yard Sale

(Times and locations to be announced)