West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick BorNei

Certified Red Ribbon Professional of the International Feng Shui Guild

North, East, South, West – Which is Best?

Questions about children and how Feng Shui relates to their lives are very important. Whether they are newborns, teenagers or our 29-year-old child coming back home to find himself, Feng Shui is a perfect tool to use to support the sprit and directions needed for moving on to new opportunities. The following email takes me back to those years of parental confusion, when each moment of decision making keeps you on your toes. Confusion sometimes rules the day!

Dear Caroline,

Reading your column every week and visiting your website has peaked my interest in Feng Shui from mild to intense! I have lots of questions but will begin with questions about my children. There is certainly no peace in my home and I could use some suggestions from the ancient art of Feng Shui to create balance, harmony and PEACE in my own home. Anything you have to offer is appreciated.

Hi,

Concentrate on the Center of the home when all else fails! But don’t forget to delete old records, papers, and things from the past to give room to new opportunity, new thoughts and better communication. I personally have given away, sold and emptied half of my library this last month. Now I have space for new ideas, new people, and new business, and have let go of old thoughts and ways of doing business. My first question to you is, where are your children’s bedrooms placed in your home? Children’s bedrooms placed in the wrong section of the house can cause behavior problems and lots of stress on the child if his/her bedroom is assigned to the wrong section of the home. The far back right side of the house is the Gua reserved for the discipline of the parents of the home. Is your child’s room in that corner?

When I come to do a consultation, I like to know the birthdays of the family, to check out the elements they are familiar with. For example, water children are usually softer, rounder, with an easy smile. They seem to go with the flow of life but actually they are very sensitive and their feelings are hurt very easily. The fire child is full of spirit, jumps off swings and takes chances, as a rule. An air child seems to always be thinking, loves computer games and can be aloof.

Choosing clothing color is an important step toward supporting kids’ health. During the winter months, yellows and reds create a warming effect that encourages good health. Try dressing your toddler who is always coming down with a cold in a yellow t-shirt.

Everyone in the family is responsible for their own energy and for improving the energy of the home. If you send me the birth dates of your children, I can give you more information on colors and materials that may be of some help in supporting them on their life’s journey.

Dear Caroline,

You can lecture me anytime. I definitely do not give my kids ‘things,’ they do get me! From the day they were born I have devoted my life to raising them; I do work even though I would like to be at home with my last one. At least I’m only working until the others get out of school.

The birth dates of my children are enclosed so that you can analyze their elements, such as water, fire, wood, metal or earth.

My bedroom is in the southwest, oldest is in the northwest and the other two share a room and that is the south, and right across from them is the bathroom in the north. The kitchen is in the northeast, I do have a door that is in that corner and right in front of that is a stairway going downstairs, the southeast is the living room and the front door is facing the east.

I do believe that our bedroom is where the wealth section is. Do you have any advice on that? And what about the bathroom, I always heard you shouldn’t decorate it but keep it plain, is that true? Aren’t there certain colors to put in certain sections of the house? Yes, I know, I have a million questions.

Do you ever have any conferences in Wisconsin? Thank you so much again for taking time to email me back.

Hi again,

I do travel when the location supports a workshop. First, I must emphasize that I practice the form of Feng Shui known as Black Sect, (black is the color of the Water Element) made popular by Professor Lin Yun, Master of Black Sect Feng Shui in the world. I started using compass school as my guide when I began studying The Art of Placement. Realizing this school of thought was complicated for my clients to understand and that there are many schools of harmony and balance, I began looking for the right one that would easily translate to western culture. Using the Black Sect Feng Shui, I could align anyone’s house or business to the Bagua, or eight-sided grid, to map his or her home. Using this easy-to-understand method, the front door of the dwelling is always lined up to the front entry designed by the builder. Physical direction such as north, south, east or west isn’t necessary to determine the nine aspects of the home or office. The front door ‘becomes’ north automatically and the far back of the house becomes south. Professor stresses the Bagua is like life, always moving and changing. It represents life to the fullest. Career and job opportunities are always at the front door as the Chi flows into the structure, hopefully unobstructed by toys, shoes or clutter of any kind because any of this stuff blocks energy trying to nourish the family inside the house. So, when you are trying to explain the directions, I become confused. You might want to check into my website, www.fengshuiartistry.com, and click into each Gua or section. You will see the Wealth section of the property and house is located at the far back left corner of the home with the front door as the starting point of the Bagua or “map” used in Feng Shui. What is happening in the far back left corner of your house? Stairways lift and direct energy from one floor to the other. To create an easy transition of this Chi or energy, hang a round faceted crystal, wind chime or a combination of both at the top landing. Where are the stairs? Back of the house, side – right or left, which corner? If you are still confused, began by clearing clutter from hallways, etc. This will help the house breathe better and will also help the family living in the house breathe better and lower cholesterol, as the hallways are the arteries of the house!

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.