West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

Fairy Land Tree House Village


As winter spirits give way to spring blooms, I watch out my 'window to the world' at the changing of he seasons. Our new home overlooks the forest and waterways of the northwest. Opening the blindseach morning is like opening a surprise package. Each huge window offers a scenic view of the property. To the east and down the lane is dark forest and a little intimidating to my grandchildren. The feeling I get when I look out the window is one of Hansel and Gretel getting lost in the green woods. It has an inviting pull to investigate its many secrets.

Looking south over Fidalgo Bay, the lay of the water tells the story of the next hour's weather report. The pair of eagles that nest in the nearby trees might be flying back and forth as the low tide reveals a breakfast treat. The sea gulls squeal as they glide with the air currents and disappear into the water to fish in the ocean.

To the West is another "picture post card view," as my mother used to say. Through the thick cypress the coastline winds around the cliffs, unveiling a crisp vision of what I consider my favorite window delight. Any time of day it restores my soul and calms any worries which I might perceive. In the evening I can see all of these views, as my kitchen is elevated up one step from the living and dining room, which allows me to look any direction as I prepare the meals. The woman who designed this altar knew what she was doing. The evening sunsets stream through the trees blending water, sky and forest in an amazing trio of magical Elements.

I sometimes question my sanity when I leave this sanctuary to continue my Feng Shui practice; but the mystery of why this ancient wisdom works still intrigues my spirit and I continue to teach and practice the Way of Wind and Water.

Last week I left you at the doorstep of a village of strange dwellings. The couple I was to visit lived in the mountains near a lake. They told me I would find the place if I just kept coming to the end of a lane with some unusual houses built near each other. "That's all I'll say, I will let you be surprised," she said. They were getting ready to buy another home and wanted me to check out the floor plan and the Feng Shui of the house in question before they bought it. "Good idea," I surmised.

I indeed was amused at the village of strange-built structures. Feeling as if I had stepped into a storybook of Little Red Riding Hood, I pulled the car over for a few pictures of the scene. It was misting rain again as I looked through the view finder on the camera at the two- and three-story homes. The rooms seemed as if the Keebler Cookie guys had taken over and designed the cute wraparound versions of living quarters.

In the distance I saw a woman standing on an overhang of one of the houses. "Here we are," she yelled across the silent landscape. I got back in the car and drove to where she guided me. "Wow," I exclaimed. She laughed a soft laugh and her eyes twinkled as she reflected my reaction to the house built like a tree, with whole trees, half trees, pieces of trees, and tree art. "Amazing," I muttered. "Come on up, or are you all right with the climb?" she asked. "I'm fine," I lied. Half way up the winding outside wood steps was an office room perched to the side. There sat a man working on a laptop computer. This is my partner. "Hi," I muttered as I hung onto the railing, not expecting a person to be sitting in one of the bulging rooms.

On the second story, I guess you would call it, a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared a large space with beautiful hand-carved cabinets jutting out in another half bubble. "I have lived here many years with my now ex-husband. He built these homes. I hate to leave this house, but I must move on."

I explained Feng Shui to the couple and what stories this house had to tell about her life. "I have one last room to show you," she said quietly. Her new guy excused himself as he had recently started a new business and needed to get back to his computer. "We both love this place but my ex lives close by and it is uncomfortable," she explained as we climbed even more steep stairs going up, up and up. "Are you ok?" she asked for the second time. "Sure," I lied for the second time.

Now we were at the top of the tree house with large windows in the castle's tower. "This is where I slept for many years." "Wow," I whispered again. Looking out one window toward the Partnership direction of the landscape below, her ex-husband had hauled in several old buses and vans. "Do any of them run?" I asked. "No," she responded with a frown. "When did he bring them in and leave them there?" I asked. "Just a few months before we separated," she responded in a sad tone. "He refused to do anything with them and we argued about it," she remembered.

After more of the story I gave her the symbolism of the vehicles blocking the Marriage corner of the land, and "not running" or working is another reason to keep appliances or any motors in top shape, as they give a sign that things aren't working. Her view of her world not working was vivid from the lookout tower every morning and night.

After checking out the new house floor plan it became apparent that it was time to more on, as the ex was going to continue to block her progress in some way if she stayed in the Munchkin village. Life talks to us in many ways if we just listen, through our homes, our bodies and our environment. The magical forest retreat had become a junkyard when seen from a higher view.

I left the fairy land behind me as I traveled back into the world of reality. But for a brief time in space I felt privileged to witness another world in the forest.

Caroline is currently traveling in China with Master Lin Yun's study group for three weeks, experiencing Feng Shui's origins. Hopefully you will enjoy some of her Feng Shui Gardening information for planning your Spring Gardens. She thanks her readers for their continued interest in her column and will have many new stories to share upon her return.

Caroline Patrick
Caroline's Feng Shui Concepts
Anacortes, WA
caroline@fengshuiartistry.com
www.fengshuiartistry.com
moongateschool.com