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West Meets East© By Caroline Patrick BorNei The Symbols of a Nation
This has been a week to remember. The storms crossing back and forth across our nation definitely have been a wake-up call to our hearts. Joplin, Missouri is a Midwestern town that everyone will remember forever. I was born in Joplin, Missouri and lived there for many years. I have much to talk about and will share more about this after the Memorial Day weekend in another column. Please remember Memorial Day used to be a more somber day. Tell your children why. I have decided to spend this holiday with my family and be thankful we are all safe. Here is a column from the past which is on a subject which we, as a nation, will never forget. Hopefully these tragedies awaken us to what is really important.
I’m not usually at a loss for words, but ever since early Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001 I prefer the safe haven of silence. I seem to have trouble responding to simple questions. Answers have temporarily lost their meaning. As we all try to make sense of a senseless, beyond violent, act of terror to our loved ones, words aren’t enough to explain our feelings.
Individuals always recall where they were and what they were doing when tragedy strikes. Hopefully we equally remember all the joyful times in our lives and record them in our minds as well.
My day on Tuesday, September 11 started out as usual. A Feng Shui consultation was scheduled several miles away and I began early to map out the destination, not wanting to be late by being lost. Opening the California map and unfolding it to the proper section, I absent-mindedly clicked on the television. By the looks of the image, another disaster movie filled the screen with skyscrapers exploding. An airplane made a quick turn, tearing a building in half. Flames filled the air in a huge ball of destruction. “Well, that’s cheerful,” I thought as my finger clicked the TV control to change channels. The image appeared again and again as I flipped through all the channels. This continual picture certainly got my attention. The rest is history. The world was changed in an instant on this September morning.
Quickly the New York scene became real. What cruelty has taken over the world my mind screamed!
Taking quick mental notes of loved ones’ whereabouts, I placed my daughter in Atlanta, Georgia, my son and his family in Arizona, my husband in California. Who knows where all the brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws could be I thought. Next, friends’ and neighbors’ travel plans came to mind. One friend is vacationing in Hawaii. Oh my God, one acquaintance is in New York. My attention focused in on her. Where did she say she would be?
I’m sure you all witnessed a similar experience that day. Later, listening to all the stories relating to this crisis from local tales to overseas experiences, we realize the world is very small and connected. Everyone knows someone related to this recent chaos.
One day before this unbelievable act of terror, I purchased a world and a United States map in order to demonstrate the entrance to the United States to students taking the October 27th and 28th Feng Shui workshop in Burlingame. The entrance zone to your home, property, business or country can be found at the front door. In homes and businesses, this career or job opportunities section is located at the entrance or the architectural placement of the front door of the structure. Countries can also be Feng Shui’d. How? By determining the entry point. This placement can change over the centuries, but since the 1600’s, the East Coast of the US is our career location. Every civilization uses symbols as meanings. From the written word to an eagle chosen as the American symbol for freedom, almost every image or item we see, feel or touch has a story. Feng Shui as a science gives us symbols to improve our quality of life. Each section of the 8-sided octagonal-shaped symbol recognizes another aspect of perfect balance. As humans, to live on this planet we need some sort of career; next we need knowledge to get the job. Family is the third necessary unit we need for security and love. Wealth or money is used as an exchange for purchasing necessary and unnecessary items. Reputation is a must to carry on a successful business, so the fire energy called fame represents reputation. Partnership is the faithful devotion of a couple needed to discipline and also teach offspring or children, giving them the knowledge to carry on the human race.
Helpful people are needed to help everyone with everything. From the policemen, firefighters and all the heroes connected with this current tragedy to the postman and carpenters helping us to live easier lives. Neighbors, friends and loved ones encourage us to overcome grief in these crazy days ahead.
The last aspect is our health. We must get sleep and eat correctly to stay strong for our families. How does Feng Shui fit into this scenario? Placing the Bagua over the US, we find the water element, which represents career, fills the rivers to New York with job opportunities for all peoples coming into its harbor. Its famous Statue of Liberty welcomes everyone of every race into its safe harbor for equal opportunity for success. The Twin Towers provided the symbol of family life for all, with its huge column-shaped buildings resembling tree trunks and the roots of family generations. High in the sky on top of one of the skyscrapers stood the pointed shaped sphere tower. This symbol provided the world with flame energy or fire of fame and reputation of the United States of America. New York entices chi or the breath of life to bring new opportunities into the country.
These strangers to freedom hoped to cripple our economy and life support by attacking our self-empowerment areas. Next, the towers of “wood” or family lives were chopped by the symbolic metal action of the airplane, like an axe castrating the towers or male fire energy of the nation. I mentally positioned the mathematical equation over our country. Los Angeles became the wealth zone. Our family area was the southern states. Fame was California. Washington State represented partnership, while northern states and Canada rested in the qua of children.
The next few days I watched the services held at the National Cathedral. Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Catholics and other Christians stood in prayer for the world. The camera focused in as one leader stood behind a podium. Looking downward, I realized this holy person stood in the middle of an inlaid stone Bagua or octagon. A perfect balanced energy surrounded his being. The camera continued to view the inner sanctum of the church. There, in the stained glass artwork in the window, was the image of Mary and Jesus, encased in an aura of blue. Eight equal circles containing symbols of life supported the masterpiece, totaling nine energies of perfection. I decided turning off the television was a good thing. It was too much. I needed space to assimilate the overwhelming news coverage. “Running errands will distract me,” I decided. Returning overdue books to the library might be helpful also, I realized looking at the past due date.
Leaving the library, I noticed a tree placed in the center divider. "Was that cement shape a Bagua?" I asked myself. Turning the car back into the traffic circle again I could see the 8-sided form. Yes it is. I could see the perfect octagon in the design.
Hopefully this national tragedy will help everyone put his or her priorities into perspective. Freedom is the only option I choose. Balance and harmony are certainly lacking in parts of the world. Everyone is responsible for its restoration.
Our September 14th Trip to the Middle Kingdom of Tibet 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.
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