In feng shui, the element for this season is water.  With its introspective energy, water is considered yin. 

In a quiet state, we turn inward and nurture ourselves as we prepare for the approaching newness of spring. 

Emotionally, a new year offers a clean slate.  What better time is there for a little life review?  No pressure; no declarations.  Just some suggestions for potentially improving your lifestyle.

Change Your Mind

Negative thinking is very detrimental.  It keeps us stuck in old patterns and behaviors.  Make it a point to really listen to your thoughts.  Remind yourself that each thought is powered by you, and only you can change them to become the person you want to be! 

Change Your Space

The simple act of adding or removing something in a personal space frees up energy, space and time for new things to come in.  Everything has a certain vibrational energy.  Lower energies come from things that are unwanted, unused, broken and unloved.  Releasing what no longer serves you brings in positive energy and a true sense of renewal. 

Change Your Eating

Alter your diet so that it aligns with the season. Warm the body by eating hearty soups, stews, whole grains, root vegetables and squash.  Avoid cold liquids and food.  Being in harmony with the natural world helps us to maintain good health.

Change Your Pace

Follow nature’s lead and slow it down.  Stress wreaks havoc on the immune system.  Get adequate sleep to restore and replenish your body, but be sure to connect with nature by spending time outside in fresh air and sunshine.  Find the balance.

Change Your Routine

Clutter causes stress, potential health issues, de-motivation and lethargy.  Its stale energy prevents us from moving forward in life, making it harder to make necessary changes and accomplish goals.  Eliminate things that are not important.  Releasing stuck energy will get you out of a rut and inspire you to do the things that do matter.

Change Your Need to Control

Loosening the reigns and trusting in the universe empowers us.  The process of letting go brings in clarity and focus.  We can then trust the decisions we make as we choose what and even who we want to live with.   

Change Your Life

Winter is all about reflective yin energy.  Use this opportune time to assess what works in your life – both literally and figuratively.

May you experience peace, balance, excellent health, prosperity and love in 2011!

Accepting the change in seasons and learning to appreciate the beauty each one has to offer is a way of honoring nature and trusting in the natural rhythm of life. 

In a state of surrender, I was recently clearing my deck and bringing in plants to protect them from the cold.  I was alarmed by one’s broken branch, but my concern soon turned to intrigue as it allowed me to notice the beautiful intricacy of the leaves.

It got me thinking about how Mother Earth is constantly nourishing us and tending to our senses.  She paints a beautiful landscape through flowers, plants, shrubs and trees.  She feeds us with fresh fruits and vegetables. 

She heals our bodies through herbs and essential oils.  She offers aromatherapy that soothes us and awakens our olfactory senses.  She lets us walk all over her as our feet get massaged in ocean sand or fresh cut lawns.

We can learn a lot from her unconditional love.  Why wouldn’t we reciprocate by being loving and respectful in return?  Learning to respect nature and all things will inherently teach us how to respect ourselves and others. 

Feng Shui is about connecting with and imitating nature to maintain a balanced flow of chi (energy.)  Taoism is based on the desire to live in harmony with the natural world.  Combining the two led to the discovery that having comfortable and harmonious environments helps inhabitants to survive and thrive.  

We know that it is detrimental to stay in relationships that do not support us.  Similarly, when we consider that everything is comprised of energy, we can understand that surrounding ourselves with clutter or objects that are broken, unused or neglected creates an unhealthy environment. 

When we increase our awareness and take care of the objects in our space, we are demonstrating respect and gratitude, which brings in positive energy.   

When we choose to clean, paint or rearrange furniture/furnishings, we bring in new energy, which sets the stage for making desired changes in our lives. 

A key aspect of Feng Shui is the ‘tao’ or way of being in tune to nature.  Just as Mother Earth nourishes us, we can learn to show respect for all things – animate and inanimate – and create spaces that support us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

Just think about the positive effects this could have on a global level.  I like this quote by John Muir:  “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”

I am still not quite sure how this happened.  The replacement rug was the exact same size as the one that I previously had so it should have been a quick swap! 

It never ceases to amaze me how the uncomplicated act of introducing one new item into a space can lead to a change in furniture placement, different lighting, rearranged artwork, and a huge cleaning binge.  A total shift in energy positively affected me and my entire home. 

My first attempt at replacing the rug was unsuccessful. It was too thick and prevented my front door from fully opening.   It was returned immediately as I considered the feng shui implication that a door that does not open freely results in blocked energy or chi. 

The front entrance of your home is referred to as the mouth of chi.  It is very important that you allow vital energy to enter and nourish your home.  The deterrent of a ‘stuck’ door can metaphorically mean missed opportunities, stubbornness or inability to move forward in life.

In the spirit of clutter clearing, it is said that getting rid of things that are unwanted makes space for the new to come in and I must say that this was certainly the case for me. 

Rather than putting the old rug back, I donated it to the animal shelter with the expectation that a new one would arrive shortly.  Lo and behold, just a couple of days later I found the perfect, affordable rug in a beautiful earth tone color.

In feng shui it is important to balance the five elements:  wood, fire, earth, metal and water.  The element of summer is fire.  It occurred to me as I took in the renewed energy that I was most likely drawn to a grounding color since earth (yin) reduces fire (yang).  As we experience the heat generated from the dog days of summer, a little yin brings in the energy of coolness.

Take a moment to experience the current energy in your space.  Allow yourself to intuitively feel what needs to be moved or replaced.  It is not necessary to do major redecoration. 

Change cannot occur in a stagnate environment.  See how even the subtlest of changes will refresh you and bring a sense of balance to your environment and life.

I instantly felt very fortunate that it didn’t occur as a blowout during highway driving, and I was doubly reassured that the angels were indeed watching over me when the Roadside Assistance rep was aptly named Michael.

Even the response time seemed to hold some divine intervention. Help arrived within a mere 30 minutes of my call.

As I was waiting for assistance, I started to think about the applications of feng shui to my car. My conclusion? A flat meant there was some imbalance in my life. For me personally, the implications were likely too much work and not enough play!

Majority of people spend a great deal of time behind the wheel. Start to look at your vehicle with feng shui eyes and you will discover how it can mirror your life.

Brake problems could symbolize the need to slow down and relax. Overheating could indicate the need to deal with anger or cool down.

What is your vehicle telling you?  Is she cluttered or in need of TLC? If so, perhaps you are dealing with some mental confusion or need a bit of nurturing and down time. 

Caring for your vehicle is no less important than caring for your home. It is, after all, your personal space and can affect your sense of peace.

Remember to keep her clean and healthy, and don’t let clutter build up allowing negative chi to linger.

I am happy to report that my girl is all better. My mobility is no longer compromised and with a regained sense of balance, I can now move forward in life.

After this experience, I will certainly be looking for any feng shui clues that may be hiding out in my car.

Sensing energy fields is really what feng shui is all about.

Crystal therapy is a tool used in feng shui to help keep chi moving throughout a space.

As conduits of energy, crystals can project, receive and reflect light, helping to revitalize and cleanse our environments.

A goal of feng shui is to imitate nature.  By working with crystals we can make a connection with the spirit of nature and create spaces that are nourishing and healing.

Reportedly, the use of crystals for healing purposes goes as far back as Atlantis.  Ancient Egypt and Rome, as well as the Mayan civilization have also had many uses for them. 

Interestingly, there are over 200 references to crystals in the Bible.  Just about every culture around the globe has tapped into their power to support physical, emotional, spiritual and financial health.

What Makes These Treasures So Magical?

Science teaches us that everything is comprised of energy and that every object or thing has its own personal vibration.

Crystals are the visible expression of minerals.  Our bodies and diet are composed of minerals, which is why we resonate with certain crystals and can experience physical and/or emotional healing when they are placed within our energetic field.

When the human body gets sick or feels out of balance emotionally it changes our vibrations, but crystals are set in their formation so their vibration is stored and does not change. 

Acting as a healer, they generate and absorb energy from our etheric bodies. Crystal energy neutralizes negative vibrations, brings in light and raises the overall frequency resulting in a natural healing power.

Using Crystals as a Feng Shui Tool

Because crystals are alive with energy, their mere presence can enliven a space.  Bringing in light and energy to keep chi moving is very beneficial since unhealthy stagnation of chi can result in lethargy, depression or even sickness.

The bagua is a grid that correlates various areas of our homes with aspects of life.  Consider the magnifying impact that crystals have on the flow of energy and you can either hang them in a window or place them in locations (based on the bagua) to activate and enhance specific energies.

Please see the following examples of crystals and bagua placement.

Amethyst - purifies the aura; encourages spiritual wisdom.  Prosperity (red) left rear.

Garnet – stimulates passion, creativity and purpose.  Fame (red) central rear.

Rose Quartz – the love stone.  Helps to open and heal the heart.  Relationships (pink) right rear.

Jade - powerful stone for healing; aides in health issues.  Family (green) left center.

Citrine - attracts abundance and increases self esteem.  Brings in joy.  Health (yellow) center.

Clear Quartz – probably the most well-known stone.  Energizes a space creating balance, peace and harmony.  Children & Creativity (white) right center.

Lapis Lazuli – expands your senses; brings in awareness and balance.  Skills & Knowledge (blue) front left.

Black Tourmaline – dispels all forms of negativity.  Also mitigates negative vibrations from the electromagnetic fields of computers, TVs, etc.  Career (black) center front.

Moonstone – new beginnings; encourages positive change.  Helpful People (grey) front right.

Crystals absorb both positive and negative energy.  Therefore, it is important that they are cleansed prior to use, and on a regular basis.  Cleansing new crystals will reset its vibration so that it matches yours, and not that of previous owners. 

There are several techniques for clearing including placing them in water with sea salt, burying them in the earth or infusing them with sunlight or (full) moonlight.  Be sure to inquire as to the best cleansing method for your specific collection.

Learn to tune in to the subtle, yet beautiful earth energy of crystals. Clearly express your objectives to them through meditation.

Set intentions and be strategic about the areas in your life that need some improvement and let these precious gems work for you.

And don’t forget…you can apply the bagua map to add a little magic to your garden.  I am sure these elementals will be grateful for the opportunity to re-connect with Mother Earth and Father Sky.

My yard backs up to a bird sanctuary that is home to a forest and a wetland habitat.  As a feng shui practitioner and nature lover, I spend joyous hours reaping the benefits of  my environment while offering appreciation and taking in the wonders of Mother Nature.

One cold winter day, my dearest friend and I were sitting in my kitchen as she lovingly provided her support during a potentially challenging time (which thankfully turned out to have a positive outcome.)

All of a sudden she stood up and excitedly exclaimed that she just saw (what she thought was) an eagle.  She is an avid birdwatcher so even though this sighting would be relatively uncommon for the area, I pretty much believed her, and with good reason.

I swiftly grabbed my binoculars as we both ran for the deck.  At just the right moment, we were feasting our eyes on not one – but a pair of adult bald eagles as they were landing, in all their majesty, on top of an osprey platform in the sanctuary. 

Apparently, they were house-hunting and liked what they found because these first-time renters chose that platform as their nursery.

How blessed I felt!  For the next few months I was honored with the extraordinary privilege of observing the fascinating behavior of these awesome birds of prey on a daily basis.

One of the most important aspects of feng shui is “the Tao” or concept that we are all connected.  My eagle watching opportunities allowed me to experience this connection firsthand.  I became keenly aware of the vital life force of creation.

On an individual level, seeing and actually feeling  the  grace and strength of those eagles brought me into total alignment with feng shui, as I considered just how meaningful and important it was to have feelings of connectedness to the outside world.

As part of a community, guided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Division, I was proud that we were all doing our part to show respect to this beautiful pair, who were very sensitive to human disturbance during the critical time of nest building, while educating others on how to compassionately and reverently give the new parents well-deserved privacy.

From an ecological standpoint, I was thrilled to have them as neighbors since it was a good indicator of the health of New Jersey’s environment.  Their mere presence signified positive energy/chi!

Feng shui is about getting in touch with our surroundings.  As we learn to sense the chi in all things and open our minds and hearts to what is around us, we can create spaces that are balanced and supportive.

I was taught many things while watching those spectacular birds.  In flight, they reminded me that freedom is our birthright, and that we can find the courage to reach new heights.

With intense stillness, they would spend hours perched in a tree exhibiting absolute patience and fortitude.  Clearly, they knew all about being in the present moment.

When nesting, they demonstrated sheer perseverance and unhurriedness as they (jointly) incubated their eggs with fierce dedication withstanding inclement wintry weather conditions.  Confidently and inherently, they understood how to abide by the laws of nature.

Unfortunately, as fate would have it, after more than a month of dutiful nesting it was determined that the egg(s) were not viable and there would be no babies this time round. 

This saddened me very deeply, but then I thought of the valuable life lessons being offered:  Experience Joy Now.   Respect Nature and All Living Things.  Just Be.  After all, the essence of feng shui is to follow nature’s lead to bring harmony and inspiration into our lives.   

Note:  During the 60′s & 70′s, bald eagles suffered due to the rampant use of DDT and other dangerous pesticides.  It is reported that the banning of DDT in 1972, combined with the legal protection they received from the Endangered Species Act of 1973, positively affected bald eagle recovery and comeback.  In 2007, they came off the list of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, but are still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald Eagle Protection Act.  May we learn from our mistakes as we continue to respect them, and all of God’s creatures.

Today, most children have computers and TVs in their rooms.  Consequently,  they are not getting adequate sleep, and performing at low energy levels equates to not functioning at peak performance in school. 

Stress is considered the most common cause of sleep disturbance.  Filled with anxiety, thousands of people suffer from insomnia.  Either they can’t fall asleep, wake up several times during the night only to have trouble falling back to sleep, or wake up too early in the morning without feeling rested.

Irregular sleeping patterns cause irritability, mood swings, or poor decision-making.  Worse yet, they can lead to severe medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Feng Shui Tips for Relaxation

Bedrooms should be private havens for rest and rejuvenation.  An uncomfortable sleeping environment can cause nighttime distress.  Applying principles of feng shui will help to create a space that supports and nourishes—one that allows you to feel relaxed as soon as you enter the room.

Considered a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), feng shui is grounded in the premise that our physical environment impacts our physical, emotional and mental health.  According to TCM, insomnia is an imbalance of chi (energy), and yin (female/passive) energy is needed.   See the following tips to create a restful, yin-like space in your bedroom:

•  Add soft and low lighting for a quiet and relaxed atmosphere.

•  Inventory your artwork, selecting pieces that are restful, serene or inspirational.

•  Remove computers, electronics, paperwork, bills and exercise equipment to alleviate subconscious stress.

•  In you must have a TV, keep it in a closed cabinet or cover it with a piece of fabric when sleeping.   Studies indicate that the electromagnetic fields they emit can cause stress on immune systems.

•  Clutter in your space means clutter in your mind!  De-clutter and de-stress.

•  Find a new home for the laundry basket and rid the room of stale chi.

•  For grounding and tranquility, use less stimulating colors like tan, beige, soft green, or aqua (earth/wood elements.)

•  Minimize blacks and dark blues.  An excess of these water element colors can lead to breathing problems.

•  Mirrors are discouraged due to their distracting yang (male/active) energy. 

•  Not having a view of the door can make one feel off guard.  Placing the bed so you can see the door (without being directly in line with it) helps to keep the nervous system calm.

•  Do not place the bed in front of a window.  Chi can dissipate during the night and make you tired.  If you have no choice, be sure to keep blinds/curtains closed when sleeping.

•  Always keep the door of an adjourning bathroom closed.

Engage Your Sense of Smell

Aromatherapy can mitigate the effects of sleeplessness. It is reported that introducing an aroma into a space can alter a mood within ten seconds!  Serving as central nervous system depressants, essential oils can help you to feel calm and relaxed, which makes it easier not only fall asleep but to stay asleep.  Oils to consider include:  Ylang Ylang, Marjoram, Valerian, Lavendar, Clary Sage.

Evening Rituals

Your body needs to know that your bed is for sleeping and the power of a bedtime ritual should not be underestimated.  Create an evening routine of quiet activities such as journal writing, yoga, or meditation.   Playing relaxation music for about an hour before you go to bed lowers the energy of the space and makes it more suitable for sleep.  Avoid late night TV in bed.

Unwind with a cup of  tea.  Chamomile, lavender, lemon balm and passion flower have calming effects.  Valerian is suggested for insomnia, but you may find that the taste is not the most appealing. 

Sleep is a necessary biological function; without it the body experiences stress.   Don’t let un-refreshing sleep affect the quality of your life.  Use feng shui to get in touch with your space and enhance your physical and emotional wellness. 

Sweet dreams…

Research indicates that smells are not filtered through the part of the brain that ruminates or analyzes, but rather though the part that responds and operates without conscious thought.  It is reported that our responses to smell take place within 10 seconds after exposure — with no thought process involved.  We react and then think.

Our olfactory sense is the oldest of the five senses.  Smell, emotion and memory are all linked in the limbic system of our bodies.  Not only do certain smells affect how we feel emotionally, but they can also affect our energy level.  When entering a room, we can either feel suffocated by a lingering perfume or enticed by the aroma of delicious food being cooked.

The basis of feng shui is that everything is comprised of energy or chi.  The only contact we have with the physical world is through our senses.  Scent not only influences how we feel, but it also relates to the flow of chi.  Unpleasant odors represent stale or negative chi, while pleasant ones bring in a healthy flow of chi.

Although we experience chi through aromas, both pleasant and unpleasant, smell is the sense that is most often overlooked.  From a feng shui perspective, however, we can use scent to evoke certain emotions and set certain atmospheres in a room.  Because response to smell is very emotional and personal, it is important to consider your individual experience with a particular scent before bringing it into your space.

One way to work with scent is through the use of essential oils.  While having a diffuser is the most common method of application, you can also add oils to humidifiers, vaporizers, washing machines or dishwashers.  A few drops can be added to a bowl of hot water or to the melted wax of a candle.

Other applications include saturating a cotton ball or making your own air freshener by adding 15-20 drops of a favorite oil to one cup of distilled water.  Whichever method of application you choose be sure to read labels prior to use.

Below is a list of scents, along with their generic qualities and possible applications.

Lavender

Calms and soothes; good for insomnia and depression.  Spray on bed linens or bathe in lavender oils or soap to help reduce stress at bedtime.

Lemon

Clears confusion; refreshes tired minds.  Associated with cleanliness.

Orange

Optimism and happiness.  For a basic orange cleaner, add 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons baking soda, 2 tablespoons liquid castle soap and 1 teaspoon orange essential oil.

Peppermint

Stimulating and invigorating.  Inspires creativity.  Often recommended for relief of migraines and nausea.  Considered a natural appetite suppressant.  Add 2-4 drops to a burner or hot water.

Pine

Cleanses and purifies.  Light a pine scented candle to let go of the past and release things that no longer serve you.  Note:  the National Candle Association reports that candles from beeswax have more health benefits as they burn much cleaner than paraffin wax, which is made from a petroleum by-product.

Rose

Considered an aphrodisiac.  Place fresh flowers in the bedroom or light rose-scented candles to set the mood for romance.

Rosemary

Strengthens a weak memory, restores mental alertness.  For an energizing bath, add 5 drops of rosemary and 2 drops of lavender oil.

Ylang Ylang

Relaxing anti-depressant.  Also considered an aphrodisiac.  Can be diffused or burned as incense.

A goal of feng shui is to learn how to engage all of our senses.  The more developed our senses are, the more we can tune in to our environments and make beneficial changes.   By considering the emotional impact of aromas, you can create a nourishing and healthy living space that has a positive and harmonious flow of chi.  So, remember — take time to smell the roses!

Upon my destination I received an email from my supportive partner sending me wishes to find myself or lose myself – whatever it was that I was looking to do.  Not only did this strike me as quite comical, but it also made me realize that maybe he was on to something.  Life really is all about perspective, isn’t it?

One morning as I was exploring my new territory and trekking in a calf-high winter wonderland, I found myself seeking spots on the ground that had seemingly less snow only to discover that the softer slushiness was actually more difficult to wade thru than the frozen, packed snow.  Two interesting points of view came to mind—things are not what they seem and hard can be easy.

As I continued with my journey, instead of stepping into the footprints others had made to make my steps easier, I decided to branch out a bit and make my own path.  With this came the simple actions of trusting myself and following my heart.

On a separate morning, my attraction for water was drawing me to follow the path around a vibrant river that seemed to live everywhere.  The word babbling, usually referred to as nonsense, certainly did not hold true for this waterway.  It had something important to say; it was noisy and alive and wanted the world to know it.  Merely crossing over a foot bridge offered a diverse sound and panorama.  Looking at the same things from different angles is like peering through a separate pair of lenses.  Perhaps if we take this approach of varied viewpoints when dealing with other people, we can learn to be more empathetic, compassionate and understanding.

Continuing, I noticed that the clean and crisp air was much colder than I was accustomed to, resulting in some shallowness of breath.  At that moment it came to me that I could either let the cold restrict me and my breathing or I could give myself to the perfection of nature and let its beauty take my breath away.  By letting go, I was rewarded with feelings of nourishment and abundance.  There was a certain oneness with my environment.  This game with perspective was becoming fun.

For most folks, the mere sound of abundance usually invokes feelings of wealth and prosperity.  By definition, the Latin word, ab means from and the Latin word unda means wave.  Therefore, the literal meaning of the word abundance is overflowing waves.  Another definition, and one that I find to be very powerful, is a fullness of spirit that overflows.  Interestingly, neither meaning correlates to a monetary state.  Abundance is really multi-dimensional and like most things in life is based on pure perspective.

With the economic uncertainty that we are being faced with on a daily basis, it is important for us to remember that abundance stems from love, trust and positive perspectives.  By tapping into our inner source, we can create our own reality based on our individual thoughts and beliefs.  We can choose to feel prosperous and not allow fear, lack and limitation to creep in.

Rather than giving in to feelings of despair, resistance and frustration, remember that everything comes at the perfect time in the perfect way.  Focus on the positives in your life and affirm your gratitude for all the joyful things.  Thinking with positive intention raises your vibration which helps to produce more loving thoughts.

Open your heart— trust in yourself and the universe.  Let go and surrender to your higher good.  Learn to give and receive freely.  It is a law of the universe that to get something you need to give something.   As Mark Twain once said “If you want love and abundance in your life, give it away.”