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West Meets East© By Caroline Patrick BorNei Tornado Alley and Feng Shui of the Land
Spring in the Ozarks is very beautiful. The redbud and dogwood trees explode in beautiful colors of red, white and pinks along the ridges and hills of Arkansas, Missouri and North Eastern Oklahoma. The crisp mornings and gentle mist reveal artistic spider webs glowing in the early sunlight. Dew drops hang suspended from the spiders’ nightly masterpieces. Small pathways created by wildlife wind through the forests and, upon close observation, might “speak” to those who can read their footprints in the damp black rich soil or sometimes red clay earth. Most years, spring rain comes in a timely manner and nourishes all new life. When wind and water are in balance, the Feng Shui of heaven and earth are in balance.
Living in the four-state area of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas for over 30 years, I came to love the nature of this land. I explored most of these areas and experienced the seasons, each with their own personalities. I disliked the summer heat, loathed chiggers who could chew through shoes and socks to suck blood at leisure, mosquitoes that stung, horrible ticks and the ever oppressive humidity. Fall was my favorite, followed by winter, my second-favorite season; but spring was unpredictable and deceptive as the wind and water went to extremes during this time of new life and up-growing Chi. The worst mini-tornado that hit our home in Oklahoma lifted the roof off and set it back down two inches off center within seconds. Not good. Another time, while showering, a tree crashed through the bathroom window and into the tub. In one leap I made it to the living room just in time to save myself, then watched as more young trees were stripped of their new leaves and ripped out of the ground.
I have witnessed several of these twisters while living in what is known as “tornado alley.” In the days before radar was used to track the violet storm centers, citizens were at the mercy of the heavens. Most outlying farms had root cellars which doubled as storm cellars. The usual warning was driving hail, pounding rain and wild wind for a few moments, followed by an eerie green-looking atmosphere. Some parents rushed outside, grabbed their children and ran for the basement or cellar, while other parents went outside and waited for the coming excitement. As you can guess, my father took everyone outside, teaching us about cloud formation, wind velocity and what happened when high and low pressures collided. My father loved adventure in all forms, such as chasing fire engines, flying his airplane and racing boats. We were very lucky indeed.
Not so lucky was Joplin, Missouri on May 21st. My hometown of 30 years was hit with one of the most violent tornados ever recorded. I was stunned by the pictures and the 10 o’clock news that night in Portland, Oregon. I begin calling friends and relatives instantly. There was no answer, all lines and electrical power was gone within minutes. The six-mile path cut through the center of the town, starting on the west side and moving with the force of a giant plow, tearing and ripping across main street and not lifting until a few miles east of the city. Two parks, one major hospital, my parents’ first home, one of my brother’s homes from the 80’s, my parents’ homes as children, my daughter’s grade school, her kindergarten, and my cousin’s house flattened; her son, who was 49 years old, was killed. My aunt of 98 lived across from the hospital which the world was now viewing. (She survived in good spirits and her house is one of the only ones standing. I found her two days later in another cousin’s house.) My mother’s condo, where she lived until 1989, and the nursing home where she later lived, were gone. Two homes from my marriage were damaged, all the stores where we shopped vanished, and more was to come.
In my search of understanding the extreme violence of this storm, it seemed all of the houses built in the 60’s and 70’s between the west and the east sides were gone. After the shock begin to wear off, I wondered why this tornado stayed on the ground so long and followed such a straight path. Joplin has long been known for mining lead and zinc. All the cities around the area are filled with tailing piles, or the gravel mountains left over from the open pits. I realized most of the homes destroyed were built on top of the tunnels from the undermining terrain. When large buildings were first proposed for that area of town, my husband was called out to test the land to see would hold the foundations. They drilled for days and could not find the bottom of these manmade caves. No large buildings were permitted on these properties, but later homes were built by the hundreds! The first rule of Feng Shui is to have a secure base to build a dwelling. This was similar to building houses on water or hollow foundations. It is also a bad idea to have a parking garage (large open spaces) under your townhouse without proper Feng Shui adjustments and corrections. You are never fully supported in life symbolically. Please call me if you have this situation.
The next ‘aha’ moment came when I remembered ancient Indian warnings about mining. The Indian elders believed we are on this planet to help stabilize the land and keep certain types of mining of metals and ores from being mined. The uncovering of these metals attracts lighting and thunder! Well, it looks like I have more to uncover about the relationship of wind and water, our strange weather patterns, our threatened environment and the changes needed for harmony and balance. I have spoken to a few colleagues who will help me investigate these ideas.
My friends and family members are trying to rebuild their lives in the Midwest and now I am listening to the news about the fires in Arizona. So far these fires have destroyed most of the homes where we planned to build at one time in the White Mountains, burned out our old camping spots in this beautiful state, and have threatened many places we lived in this state. Wow, much to ponder about being kind to each other and our lands. When the Elements of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal are out of balance in a home or on the earth, they need adjustment also!
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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