West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick

What Is the Real Problem, the Bedroom Placement or the Décor?

Dear Caroline,

I came to your workshop years ago when you were in the studio by the water in the Tannery building. Nothing has changed in the room but the color of the walls and the bedspread. There is nothing under the bed.

The master suite opens to a small foyer (family area of the Bagua) in which we have always had a brass and glass table with many framed pictures of family members in weddings. There is a large octagonal mirror framed in brass directly above the table facing out into the hall. The bedroom is to the left of the foyer in the front left of the house, the bathroom is to the right of the foyer in the wealth corner. We have done many corrections in the bathroom, including painting a wall purple, and wealth is not an issue. Unfortunately, sleep is. The bed is directly parallel to the foyer and bathroom, but this is the only wall it can go against. A number of years ago we purchased a magnetic mattress pad and comforter from the Nikken company, and we have always slept very well with these. I also read that with a California King mattress, which has the box spring divided in two, a red sheet should be placed on the box spring, unifying the base. We did that a few years ago. The only change is the color of the bedroom and a new job which brings more money, but also more stress. I thought enhancing knowledge would help with the learning cycle.

Thanks,

A reader

Dear Reader,

It’s hard to give you an answer without seeing the house, but my suspicions are it could be your new workplace. I will be in Benicia again the first of December and again in January (2nd through the 6th). I have time for a workshop or speaking engagement if anyone wants to plan one between the 3rd and 6th of January or for those of you who need consultations. A consultation can change your life. It would be a great gift for you and your family to have your home mapped. I will leave you with a template for choosing future floor plans.

I will be attending a panel discussion in Berkeley called “A Forest of Kindness” with Crystal Chu, Steven Post, David Kennedy, Barry Gordon, Edgar Sung and other BTB senior practitioners on December 4th. Then January 2, 2006 is a birthday celebration of MASTER LIN YUN, fondly known as Professor Lin Yun, most highly regarded Tibetan Black Sect Feng Shui expert in the world. On my last visit to Berkeley, His Holiness joined ten of my most dedicated students and me for dinner. It was a life-changing night, as Professor gave us three Feng Shui adjustments to use for our clients. His ability to adjust Chi is amazing to watch, and he gave each of us a blessings. Professor always relates to his audience, “use the power of your own religion to bring about change, such as the Lord’s Prayer and Jesus Christ .” Feng Shui is not a religion, but works with energy in the environment, which brings ease to all civilizations and nations.

Then there is a celebration on the 8th of January 2006, for the ten-year anniversary of the Yuan Yuan Educational Foundation, 205 De Anza Blvd., Suite 10, San Mateo, California (650) 349-8868. Thirty-year student and teacher, HO LYNN, CEO of the foundation, asked if I would participate in an OPEN HOUSE celebration that day with other practitioners using our skills for healing. Hope to see you there. Call for more information. This highly involved group sponsors the education of children and monks from $36 to $365 a year. Another worthy gift of Knowledge for world peace. Also give your time or money to help the victims of the recent excess WIND and WATER chaos created by the unbalance of man and nature.

Now back to your home office and new workplace. Having the bed, desk and stove in a commanding position are three adjustments that will ensure success. Where is your desk at work? Are you in a cubicle with your back to everyone? You can use a round faceted crystal between you and the “sha” or pointed energy continually coming at your back, or maybe a plant or folding screen would solve the problem.

I relate this situation to my mother continually yelling at me to quit playing in the hallway when I was little. A draft of air could actually be felt rushing down the long section of the house in the winter time. An unbalance of WIND or an unseen or unfelt draft of WIND can make your thoughts escape, allowing your productivity to float away. Is your computer to the wall with the door at your back? Use a large adjustable shaving or make-up mirror to place on the desk in a position to see who is coming from behind. The continual stress of coworkers and your boss “surprising” you from behind will cause Chi to become unstable.

Seeing a bedroom when first entering a home can make a person tired and want to lay down all the time, as a bathroom upon entering can visually create an urge to urinate more frequently. Visual images are powerful, and artwork in the wrong Gua is another mistake many people make. Example: a desert scene immediately in view when entering the front door. This is a Water section for bringing you money. So the painting says “the money has dried up.”

But we still haven’t answered your question. Sometimes it takes several years for a problem to manifest in a house, as the energy becomes your energy the longer you live in a dwelling. Your bedroom as you describe is in the front left of the house, which is the Knowledge sector. Blue and blue green are the colors mostly needed for this area, as WATER blends into the next Gua or section called Family, which is a WOOD Element and is activated by new spring greens. You could also have a white colored room in this area, but would need to add books, a study area, a painting of a mentor or forest, and some plants with blue green accents. Your idea of bamboo greens is perfect, but I would make sure there are enough greens (plant) and a tiny spark of red color for energy. In the Family Sector, with the brass mirror and table (Metal), the “chopping” of the Metal can deplete the energy of the Wood for Family stability and growth.

Having a bed in the front of the house or in front of the “midline” is not restful. To correct any bed or stove in the front of a house is necessary. It is an easy cure. Place a mirror on the mid-wall or back of the house wall, in line with the stove or bed, thus it “pulls” the stove or desk into a better commanding position, toward the back of the house. (There can be many walls in-between.) Pretend you are Superman with see-through vision through walls when placing the mirror. Mirrors can be small, but the bigger they are, the bigger the intention.

The red sheet between the box springs and mattress can help, but sometimes the energy of the red can be too much and keep you awake. I have better cures. Also the opening between any bathroom and bedroom is not good. There are easy corrections for that also. The magnetic mattress seems to help some, but I have other sources if you are treating yourself to a new bed, especially for children.

Doing a consultation solves problems quickly, as I can then ask several questions in a row with a phone consultation, or see the property which gives many clues such as design details you have added and haven’t thought would matter. Out buildings, sewage lines, steps leading down to a home or a graveyard across the street can create excess Yin energy. The good news is there are Feng Shui solutions for all of these situations. Good luck!

Caroline

WHAT IS CUSTOMIZED FENG SHUI MENTORING?

· It is for those wishing to study with me privately. ONE ON ONE.

· The cost is $350 for three hours a month, through phone, email and faxes.

· A six-month commitment is necessary.

· 27 red envelopes (first month only) and the first month’s payment of $350 due on the 1st of each month.

· A monthly mentoring date is set for at least one to two hours of phone conversation, at different intervals.

· Packets of hard-copy material are sent for you to study each month. Emailing and faxes will be part of the course also as we go over floor plans.

· The material is copyrighted, but I will give you permission to share a lot of the information.

Caroline Patrick Caroline's Feng Shui Concepts Mt. Vernon, WA 360-424-1501

caroline@fengshuiartistry.com www.fengshuiartistry.com www.moongateschool.com

Caroline Patrick, Feng Shui consultant/practitioner, teacher/speaker, Feng Shui artist and writer, lives in the San Juan Islands, off the coast of Washington. Her weekly newspaper article called WEST MEETS EAST is a popular Feng Shui advice column. She enjoys answering your questions, when possible. Some questions will be chosen for publication with the permission from the reader. Enjoy her new 5 Element attached-folding cards which can be used as a Feng Shui enhancement or correction in any space. Larger prints of several selected paintings are also available. For consultations, speaking/teaching engagements and art evaluations contact her at caroline@fengshuiartistry.com or visit her websites at www.fengshuiartistry.com and www.moongateschool.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.