Daily Feng Shui Tip 11/5/09

This day and consequent ‘Bonfire Night,’ commemorate the plot that British subject Guy Fawkes participated in while watching over the gunpowder in efforts to eventually blow Parliament, the British King James I along with it, off the face of the planet.

Although Fawkes and his fellow countrymen planning this plot had their own burning desires and reasons to set their intentions ablaze, the plan was eventually foiled before its final execution when Fawkes was found out and the plot was blown to smithereens.

But something about his zeal and passion has obviously resonated as Fawkes seems to have left a lasting mark on both history and pop culture with blazes and bonfires taking place in the British Isles on this night even to this day.

I think that Fawkes must have known his Feng Shui since that philosophy says that using the fire element can make your name both known and respected in the community at large.

Look, Guy might have his yearly bonfires but you can heat up your own ‘Q’ factor simply by placing and then lighting nine red candles in the ‘Fame’ area of your home and/or office.

This Feng Shui 101 cure promises to create both recognition and reward for all and any of your efforts even if the opposition thinks it might be closing in!

If you practice this adjustment then all those who oppose will more than likely only meet with one word, one that Fawkes knew well:  Kaboom! 
 

Daily Feng Shui Tips 11/4/09

Forget Steve Martin’s whimsical '70s salute to King Tut, this day celebrates the energies of that ‘Boy King’ without any special dance steps required.

The tomb of this short-lived Egyptian Pharoah, Tutankhamen, was actually discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter, who was the first to find the mummified remains of the teenage ruler inside.

As legend has it, the curse of this mummy began after many terrible events began recurring after the opening of this tomb.

It’s said that the Lord who funded the Carter’s expedition, a man named Carnavon, took strangely ill directly after the discovery and immediately died, thereby sparking the lore that surrounds this archeological find even to the modern movies of this day.

It’s too bad that Tut himself or all of those who came to be fascinated by these findings in the centuries that followed didn’t follow an old Egyptian ritual that prevents illness, accident or even death.

You see, this Egyptian rite says on the seventh day following the birth of any child, olive oil, salt and onion juice should all be blended together in a natural or earthenware bowl.

Into this mix a feather should be dipped and, then, it should pass, without actually ever touching the baby, over the child’s open eyes.

This is believed to make them beautiful, smart, sharp and healthy, and, most importantly, immune to the “accidents” that can befall young men who inherent powerful positions.

Daily Feng Shui Tip 11/3/09

You might think that this is just another cheesy excuse to use magically delicious recipes, but the ‘Sandwich Day’ recipe I’m about to share really can make you some more bread, so why not just try it?

It’s that ages-old staple, peanut butter-and-jelly with a mystical ingredient wrapped around it…oat bread! 

That’s right. See, raw or roasted peanuts have long been believed to be money attractants and, when eaten in any form, with this same intent and visualization have been known to increase prosperity.

Grapes, when eaten with this same intention have been long known to boost the bottom line as well.

In fact ancient Egyptian tombs were often stocked full of grapes.  Some say that you can surround a bunch of grapes with silver coins and hold your hands over them in order to find yourself suddenly enjoying the sweet smell of financial succe$$.

And, then, no matter how you slice it, oats mean money too!  Combining the peanut butter with grape jelly and on oat bread will bring big abundance into your life while also bringing new meaning to the words ‘spread’ sheet.

You should see some new numbers rising on that same agenda as well!  Bon appétit! 

Daily Feng Shui Tip 11/2/09

On this, All Soul’s Day, it's customary to remember those loved ones who have passed on.

Although putting flowers on their grave is one simple but very emotional and effective way of helping anyone who is bereaved to focus their thoughts and feelings on the dear one who they are missing, Feng Shui says that there is another way to honor the sweet soul who is missed so much.

In fact, many Eastern traditions extol that on the anniversary of the death of a loved one, it is customary to draw a picture of a present or gift and put it into a red envelope.

Once done, you add your love and intentions and your personal messages as well and then go ahead and burn the envelope so the smoke can carry your message to the otherworld.

A sort of smoke signal from your heart and sent straight to theirs.

Soul satisfying on every level and perfect for All Soul’s Day!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 11/1/09

On many calendars, today is All Saint’s Day.

Following directly on the heals of All Hallows Eve, today is a day devoted to celebrating saints both known and unknown.

I have a special affinity with many of the more well recognized saints since I was taught to call upon a lot of them when I was a child.

Saint Anthony of Padua (patron saint of lost items) was one of the most frequently pestered when I was younger as it seemed like I was constantly asking his assistance in helping me find something that I’d misplaced.

In fact, I still believe that the saints are always watching us and always waiting to help us in whatever way they can.  All we have to do is ask.

I hope that you use the collective and combined energies today put an image of some symbol of your saint inside the Helpful People area of the main floor of your home.

Merging your own energies with that of any saint that can make your life, well, happy, healthy and, of course, heavenly! 

Daily Feng Shui Tip 10/31/09

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Oh, this is the one night of the year when it’s believed that the veil between the world of spirit and that of us mere mortals is so thin that ghosts and spirits can walk among us and we can actually see them.

For this and other reasons many peoples leave food outside their houses in the hopes that it will nourish and nurture the spirits of their dear and departed loved ones.

Some traditions also tell that we should bury apples in the garden to feed the souls of any loved one who has passed over within the last year.

But my favorite Halloween tradition of all (besides grabbing the full size Milky Way from my son’s usually huge haul) is to stand before a mirror anytime after sunset in order to make a secret wish.  You can do all same.  While staring into the mirror actually try to “see” the fulfillment of your wish as you silently whisper what it is to the spirits all around you.

Your wish should come true in some form or fashion before this same time next year. But, just to make sure, put away the Gummies and the gumballs and grab another apple. Legend and lore tells us that eating an apple after midnight on All Hallow’s Eve will bring bunches of fortune and bushels of luck in the weeks and months to come!

 Now, there’s a treat I’ll take anytime!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 10/30/09

It was on this day back in 1938 that a then young actor/director by the name of Orson Welles broadcast ‘The War of the Worlds’ on live radio.

This story, centered around an invasion of earth by unfriendly aliens from Mars, caused a widespread panic in the country, despite the fact that regular and recurring references were made to it not being true.

Apparently that didn’t matter to the hundreds upon hundreds who left their homes in the dark of night looking for some safety, some shelter and any form of security.

That night and, and, well, so many others since then, would have been the perfect time for anyone to take four drops of Aspen Flower Essence under the tongue every four hours until a certain and specific serenity was the only thing invading their psyche. 

Aspen Flower Essence works to heal in a simple and yet powerful way. Completely natural, using this particular flower essence will calm and clear the mind of worry and fear.

It is truly and all natural or “green” way of restoring peace and balance and harmony to the body, mind and spirit.

And how very appropriate for this spookilicious time of year? The next time there are just tricks and no treats, try a bit of Aspen to bring the balance back.

Daily Feng Shui Tip 10/29/09

Marigolds mean money in Feng Shui, especially and specifically if you enjoy them during this month October!

Place a big basket of brilliant marigolds on any spare space in the kitchen, long considered to be THE room of abundance according to this ancient philosophy, and watch as your own bottom line sprouts some positive and productive ‘green shoots.’

And, while you’re manifesting your next million, why not double that pleasure and double that financial fun by placing a mirror under the basket to bring in twice the energies while multiplying the marigold earning power by two too?

Daily Feng Shui Tip 10/28/09

If you have any persnickety or cranky co-workers then today’s the day to celebrate ‘em! 

I’m so not kidding. Honestly, someone thought that your cranky co-workers needed a day all to themselves, and, so, voila!

Now, if your cranky co-workers are actually frenemies in the workplace too, then you’re going to need to take a little more action than just paying for their double decaf mocha with skim milk and giving them a feeble fake smile.

If you think you are the object of some back-biting office politics then try not to either cry or crow about it, but, rather, let the rooster handle the offender and the issue. 

In fact, a small statue of a rooster on your desk is believed to be able to overcome any sort of backstabbing in the work place.

Taoist Feng Shui practitioners say that the red comb on the head of the rooster is an all-powerful office ass deterent and that the claws can quell gossip, backbiting and partisan politicking in as much time as it takes them to sharpen theirs. 

Now, if for whatever reason, you can’t keep a teensy statue of the rooster on your desk at work, he can still make that cranky co-worker fly the coop if you keep him anywhere inside the ‘Fame’ area of the main floor of your living space.

In both cases, be sure that his beak is pointing to the south or at least away from you. 

Pretty soon your boss will be asking you if you remember that cranky cock-a-doodle-who? 

Daily Feng Shui Tip 10/26/09

One of the fastest Feng Shui ways to find a job is to put a fish to work for you!

That’s right, you should station a fishbowl anywhere immediately inside your front door in order to create an ocean of job opportunities.

Feng Shui says that one of the best symbols that can quickly trigger or activate ‘Career’ energies is either one single fish in this same space, or, if you are really aggressive, eight gold as well as one black one sharing space in an aquarium in that same front hall location.

If all else fails and you can’t put real, live fish in your front hallway, then at least be sure to place a picture or image of an arowana there.

According to Feng Shui, the arowana or dragon fish is considered a powerful energizer of career luck and happiness and when displayed either immediately inside the front entrance or in the ‘Career’ area of your main floor will make sure that your job hunt goes swimmingly and successfully!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 10/25/09

Love, like her or, um, however else you feel about her, today is ‘Mother-In-Law’ day and, well, c’mon, she did give birth to the light of your life so it’s totally worth while to gift her with something special as well!

How about bringing her a bit of bamboo, a gift that’s believed to bring good energies, solid support and add longevity in every area of her life?

There are numbers of stalks of bamboo that you can give to her that will enhance specific and certain areas of her life.

For example, if she is living with you until she finds a new job, well, gifting her with one lone stalk will share a shift in her career area and get her opportunities galore.

If she’s looking for someone else to focus her attention on, well, giving her two stalks will bring the perfect partner.

If her health is hazy, five stalks are just what the doctor ordered.

Like I said, no matter what, your mother-in-law gave birth to your special sweetie, so today’s the day to say thanks for that!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 10/24/09

In many cultures of old, the month of October was looked upon as a time of impending darkness; days when the circle and cycle of the year were readying to close and a sense of death and dying seem to pervade every energy.

According to Celtic calendars, all things both natural and supernatural were greatly enhanced at this time of year creating a sense of otherworldliness all around.

This sense of other dimensions includes the one that the angels inhabit as well.

You can bring angelic assistance into your life today by activating the ‘Helpful People’ area of your main floor.

Simply put any representation or symbol of an angel into this space and ask or state your intention aloud.

Enhancing or adjusting this singular space will bring beneficial and blessed energies to light.

Daily Feng Shui Tip 10/23/09

Today’s energies fete those personalities that keep us captivated as we celebrate ‘TV Talk Show Host Day.’

So here’s to you Oprah, Barbara, Whoopi and Meredith.

And, of course, here’s to my personal fav, Joy Behar, the most wickedly smart and funniest woman I know!

Now, if becoming a talk show host is a dream of yours, or you wish to become well-known in your field, take a page out of Feng Shui and try a ‘Fame’ cure or two.

Locate the ‘Fame’ area of your main floor and/or office (see www.ellenwhitehurst.com for details) and place nine 9 red candles there.

The number nine in Feng Shui is considered the number most associated with culmination, manifestation and fruition.

Of course the color red is symbolic of fire, exactly what you are about to set the world on! 

Light these nine candles each day for a few minutes while visualizing making the most of every media opportunity that is soon to come your way.

And, if you hang a mirror in this same space, then you'll double the power.

Daily Feng Shui Tip 10/22/09

Silky ambers and bright and bold oranges, golden/ scarlet leaves cloak the trees and set the hills ablaze as Autumn glows in full glory.

However, even with all this natural beauty ablaze and afoot, the changing colors of the  leaves as well as the shifting seasons can often have you walking around with a heightened sensitivity to seasonal allergies as well.

If you find that you are shedding as many tears as there are leaves lazily drifting to the ground then you may want to try a simple therapy from the wonderfully effective world of medicinal aromatherapy.

Add ten drops of 100% pure eucalyptus oil to six drops true lavender oil and six of chamomile and then drop this entire blend into a bowl of steaming spring or distilled water.

Diffused into your immediate environment, this synergistic blend should stop the wheezing and the sneezing and even help all that crying as well.

Daily Feng Shui Tip 10/21/09

Now here’s one delicious day!  It’s ‘Pumpkin Cheesecake Day,’ an energy that I can really sink my teeth into!

And, well, since pumpkins are a vegetable that are commonly seen in the Western hemisphere at this holiday time of year, it might behoove you to know that according to legend and lore left behind by early Americans, if half a pumpkin is left open or exposed in the kitchen then negative energies are thought to arrive soon afterward.

This dovetails with the idea of carving a face into pumpkin and leaving it to guard the outside of the home on All Hallow’s Eve in order to frighten fear and evil away.

Pumpkins are also considered a symbol of the fruitfulness of the earth as well as believed by some cultures to represent the womb of the Great Mother.

The meat of the pumpkin is said by many to be a money attractant so, when you make that pumpkin cheesecake to stay in the flow with today’s energies be sure to add some ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg too in order to get all the prosperity this tasty pumpkin dish can offer! 

Daily Feng Shui Tip 2/10/09

Chew on this: Today is National Toothache Day, so I feel like it’s my duty to remind you to check your calendar and see when the last time you went to the dentist was!

No kidding, for years now there are many of us in holistic practices that have been trying and trying to get the word about the link between gum disease and various other illnesses that can then spread systemically throughout your body.

Only very recently has much more information become much more available to the public regarding this very relationship of how what’s going on inside your mouth has a tremendous impact on what’s happening inside all the rest of you.

If you get a simple toothache and need some relief while waiting to see a professional, then dip a sterile cotton ball in the juice of a freshly squeezed lime and put that on the ache itsef to help it temporarily abate.

Or you can rub a little cinnamon on the infected area (as well as sprinkling some in your wallet to help find the money to pay the doc!)

And, then, if and when you do have any dental work done, be sure to drink a cup of two of pineapple juice every day for two weeks before and two weeks after.

This will help reduce both inflammation and discomfort that can sometime follow dental procedures.

Just bite the bullet and call your dentist today.

You’ll be happy (and smiling!) that you did.

Daily Feng Shui Tip 2/8/09

Remember that part of the movie "Mary Poppins" in which the kids and their parents all rush to go and fly a kite all the while singing that catchy little tune? 

“Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest height, let’s go fly a kite and send it soaring!” It seems that those kids really did know how to let their spirits soar right alongside the flowing tail of their kite.

But whether or not they knew that flying a kite is great Feng Shui remains to be seen.

Being that this is "Kite Flying Day," we can take a brief spin back in history and learn that the kite was actually first invented by the Chinese over 2000 years ago for military purposes.

But then with the inauguration of the Ming Dynasty during which peace and stability prevailed, kites became recreational in nature.

In Feng Shui, kites can be recreational as well as representational, as in the theory that envelopes Tibetan wind flags, you can use a kite to promote and put your own intentions and goals out into the Universe.

Simply find any kite that you can imprint and, with a red or black pen, write a word or draw some symbol that describes your wish, your dream. 

Then on any clear, sunny and windy day take those wishes out and let ‘em soar “up through the atmosphere, up where the air is clear,” and now, your intentions and their rewarding results will be right up there too!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 2/7/09

When he wrote that “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” clearly, Charles Dickens didn’t know his Feng Shui or he would have known that through these teachings, obstacles turn into opportunities and bad times into blessings.

He himself started out his professional career working torturous 10-hour days inside a London boot-blacking factory.

But that factory gave him fodder for the literary classics that he was soon to pen, gracing the world with a legacy of literature that endures to this day.

In celebration of this, his birthday, and in order to bring balance to your space and make all of your days “the best of times,” place a lamp or a light or even just a lit candle into the "Knowledge" area of your main floor.

Let them burn brightly for at least three hours. This effort is believed in Feng Shui to bring elucidation and education and an incredible lightness of being into your home and into your life.

This cure is, quite literally, a true page turner!