Daily Feng Shui Tip 2/4/10

The energies of this day celebrate the famous showman and pianist Liberace!

Now, you might think the Shui I would share might deal with candelabras or the effect wearing tons of sequins has on your aura and energies.

Instead I'd like to talk about the potential that the piano can play in returning a state of balance to your entire body.

In a traditional diatonic scale there are seven primary notes with no sharps or flats. But in our western octave there are sharps and flats and even half-tone intervals.

It's believed that when we use all the tones, we balance out all our body's major meridians or pathways of energy.

When used with this intention, the chromatic scale can actually restore balance to these same pathways and help rebuild broken down or depleted life essence.

Tones can remove congestion in these primal and critical pathways while also aiding the overall functioning of the autonomic nervous system.

The two meridians, the 'governing' and the 'conception', run up and down the front and the back of the body. Simply by using the tones of middle C and high C (sung or played on any instrument) those two critical circuits of energy are cleared, cleansed and connected, allowing for a rebalance of life sustaining freedom of flow.

Playing those two notes in concordance with one another will have you singing a sweet tune of health and harmony before you can say 'I'll cry all the way to the bank!'

Sweet dreams, Piano Man!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 2/3/10

'National Girls and Women in Sports Day' is a good time to think about how best to get a leg up on the competition -- not by pulling your defender's ponytail and pushing her face down in the dirt, but by using ethical and effective ways to bring the heat.

As anyone involved in competitive sports knows, the day eventually comes when prowess must be proved, and a good dose of confidence can be our best coach as well as our closest ally.

Confidence can come from knowing secret Shui that can have your performance hitting a high note that capitalizes on your training, preparation and, most importantly, your belief in yourself.

Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth four times in succession with fifteen seconds between each breath.

Pull in a deep breath of air that completely fills your belly, almost extending it outwards. All the while visualize a white bubble above your head and then 'see' whatever it is that would represent your perfect outcome actually happening.

Is this you earning the cup at the French Open or ordering the French onion soup at the head table at the country club where your group just took the doubles title?

Either way, see whatever it is you're destined to win happening in this white bubble above your head.

Then blow your intention, inside your breath, into that same bubble. Blow hard. Wait 15 seconds and repeat four times.

It gives you an edge. It gives you confidence. It gives you the opportunity to strut your stuff in the winner's circle.

Winner, winner, you owe me a chicken dinner!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 2/2/10

I think that this 'Purification Day' is the perfect time to share a secret Shui cleanse that will push away all stale, stuck or negative energies while inviting fortune and luck to come in and stay awhile.

This cleanse is a bit more detailed and even a teensy bit more complicated than the standard smoking your space with sage cleanse.

Called 'Appeasing the Hungry Ghosts' (some call this cleanse 'Feeding the Hungry Ghosts' -- but I think we get the idea, right?), it requires a non-synthetic bowl, preferably made of glass, crystal, ceramic, wood, some uncooked rice and sea salt and dark rum.

Fill the bowl approximately 70 percent with the raw rice. Top it off with sea salt and then add as many drops of dark rum as you are old plus one If, like me, you're 29, you would add 30 drops  ;-).

Once the alcohol has been added, use the index finger of the hand that you write with to stir this whole mix in a clockwise direction the same amount of times as drops of rum you added.

Take this blend outside and walk the perimeter of your house in a clockwise direction while throwing small handfuls of the mix at the base of your home.

There should be no mixture left in your bowl when you return to your front door and no negative vibes left in your space!

Yum, those hungry ghosts go away full, never to darken your doorstep again.

A complete cleanse that has an aperitif, a main course and seasoning all in one big bowl.

Better than a crock pot!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 1/18/10

In Feng Shui, the saying that 'the eagle has landed' really does mean that a special payday will be winging it's way to you very soon.

And that eagle will find its way to you sooner than you think if you put some symbol or representation of it anywhere in your office. See, 'Office Shui,' (be that a home office or the one you travel to each day) says that suspending or hanging any symbol of an eagle in that same space will bring big, bold and bald face opportunities for abundance and auspicious opportunity to come calling.

One caveat though, before you allow an eagle to nest inside your workspace, be sure that it's facing so that it appears to be flying into your office and not the other way around. We want to make absolutely certain that this cure fulfills its powerful promises and, well, doesn't lay an egg.

Bring an eagle into your office and it won't be long until you spread your wings and fly high. When this eagle lands that's the exact direction your bank account will be heading

Daily Feng Shui Tip 1/17/10

Today is known on some calendars as "Blessing of the Animals at the Cathedral Day," a time to bring a cosmic sense of love and protection to our fine furry and feathered friends.

Some orthodoxy holds that the Christian Saint Francis was the Divine protector of animals, while others believe that that moniker belongs to Saint Anthony.

The Saint Anthony to which I refer was born in Egypt around the year 251 and reportedly lived with his disciples and scores of scurrying ones near the Red Sea.

He loved and cared for all animals, and so it's long been held that any household that invokes his intercession will never lack for protection or food when he is involved.

There's even a special ritual that's said to hasten his health giving efforts. Whenever an animal is ill, place seven bowls of water next to seven candles. Add to each bowl a laurel leaf, a pinch of salt and few drops of blessed holy water or oil.

Lighting the candles, call on Saint Anthony with your whole heart and soul to bless your faithful companion and keep him or her healthy, happy and whole.

I'll add one word of my own to that heartfelt invocation: AMEN.

Daily Feng Shui Tip 1/15/10

On this, "Humanitarian Day," why not do something for someone else?

Of course, foremost, please, please consider helping the people of Haiti who are in such dire straits right now. And watch for news later today of a partnership with pnn.com that will benefit www.fotcoh.org, an awesome group I know pnn has a personal connection to, that's near and dear.

In the meantime, pay the toll for the car behind you or sneak a Starbucks onto a co-worker's desk.

And then do something in your own space that will affect a shift towards peace and harmony.

Bring home a new and healthy green plant or hang a round and faceted crystal somewhere in your space.

The plant will facilitate healing on every level while the crystal will bring in prisms of light that lift the soul and the psyche.

Because when you do something, anything, to improve the place that you reside in, then you are, at same time, also improving the neighborhood you live in.

And if you've improved the neighborhood, then you're contributing to improving the city. And the city lends itself to improving the energy of the state.

And on and on until the ripple effect heads out into the cosmos and you've improved your small part of the big wide world.

So, you see, just one special little symbol placed anywhere inside your space can have a huge and beautiful impact on the entire universe.

Now, that makes you a real and true humanitarian.

Daily Feng Shui Tip 1/11/10

Now that we're almost two weeks into 2010, are you one of millions of New Year's "resolutionaries" who vowed to win the well-being battle and shed some pounds?

If so, while you're on the front lines remember some Feng Shui weight-loss advice that says you should wear white while you nibble and that you should also eat off black plates.

The tonal tableware is believed to combine colors with the food that goes on it and it's that same combo plate that will satisfy a subconscious craving while killing your own appetite.

Wearing white will also help quell hunger, as will chewing a few fennel seeds or a handful of almonds before sitting down to a meal.

It's black and white and clear as the nose on your face that putting these practices to the test will have you conquering your cravings and winning the weight war in no time at all.

Daily Feng Shui Tip 1/10/10

On "Positively Penguin Day," what else should I talk about then, well, the always-formally- dressed penguins!

This bird can't fly, but that doesn't mean that those wings don't serve a perfectly positive purpose.

The penguin uses its wings almost as fins to help propel and steer it seamlessly through water.

As well, the penguin can literally jump out of water and land standing up on its feet and can leap over five feet into the air.

Because of all these cool qualities and characteristics, many ancient cultures believed the penguin could penetrate the astral realm and have a positive influence over anyone's dreams.

Those certain shamans say that this bird's ability to leap from water to land reflects our own abilities to leave our bodies during dreamtime.

Therefore, using this bird as a symbol becomes very, well, symbolic. Hang an image of a penguin around your space if you want to have sweeter dreams or even have a question that you'd like answered while you're sleeping.

This same image will also allow you a two-month period of increased creativity, inspiration and awakening.

All that from a perfectly positive little bird who thrives in the very, very cold. Very, very cool - brrr!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 1/09/10

The name given to the month of January is actually derived from the ancient name of Janus, a Roman god who is said to have presided over the dawning of each New Year.

He was referred to and often revered as the 'God of Gateways' or 'God of Doorways.'

As such, he's also known as the 'Lord of Beginnings' (sensing a theme here?), and is associated with that goddess of birthing new babes, Juno.

Janus is the original Two Face (where's Batman when you need him?), as a visage that looks both backwards and forward at the same time often symbolizes his image.

So this is a good time to reflect on events of the previous year while also recognizing the proverbial clean slate of opportunity that waits immediately ahead.

This would be a great day to look at the front doorway that you enter your space through and take some time to make some lucky little upgrades.

If at all possible, paint that front door red to auger in big fortunes and fabulous luck, or green to grow health and happiness and prosperity galore!

If you can't or don't want to paint the front door, at least give it a thorough cleaning and maybe save the fresh coat for another chilly winter day.

Remember, this front door calls in most of the subtle energies that enter your home and has an influence and impact on your opportunities and your income, so be sure it's in very good working condition.

In the case of your front door, the words 'open wide' promise to put a really big smile on your face.

Daily Feng Shui Tip 1/7/10

Today is 'Old Rock Day' with the 'rock' most associated with January being the beautiful gemstone garnet.

That's right, anyone who celebrates a birthday in January should know that their special birthstone, the same one that can bring them big fortune and lots of luck, is the very same garnet.

In fact, this stone promises to bring anyone who wears it much more than just those two aforementioned blessings and boons.

Long considered a regenerative and healing stone, the garnet is said to bring strength and stamina as well.

It's also believed to be super supportive if you're looking to take some time for yourself, as it aids all efforts at going within.

Wearing it can also clear your mind while initiating clarity and compassion.

It might also have the ability to dissolve feelings of isolation as well as alienation and replace them with opportunities to have intimate encounters that inspire and motivate.

A true jewel, the garnet is a stabilizing old stone that is strong and sincere.

Celebrate the garnet on a day devoted to special rocks because, well, that's just how we roll!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 1/5/10

How about some fast Feng Shui facts about the blessings that birds can bring on this, "National Bird Day?"

According to Feng Shui, all birds represent the celestial phoenix who can crash and burn and live to tell the story.

The ability of the phoenix to rise from the ashes makes this bird a universal symbol of hope, opportunity, optimism, faith and possibility.

Placing images of any bird, but specifically the phoenix, into the Fame area of your will open doors of opportunity that helpful people, places and things will fly right through.

And if you're looking for love, using birds in the bedroom will give that effort wings. Birds are excellent love energizers since they're believed to be the messengers of the God of Marriage who lives in the moon (so that's who the man in the moon is)!

In this case, the phoenix is again the best bird image to use.

But pairing an image of the phoenix with the all-powerful and magical dragon in the "Romance and Relationship" area of your bedroom will trigger one of the most powerful marriage symbols in the Feng Shui pantheon.

Pairs of lovebirds, mandarin ducks, geese and magpies placed inside this same space can also make your heart (and a special someone else's) take flight. 

Daily Feng Shui Tip 1/4/10

Happy Birthday to my nephew and godson, Christopher, as he turns a very special 21 today!

On "Trivia Day" no less. I won't ask you trivia about Chris, like what college football team does he play for (Fairleigh Dickinson!) or what other sport does he excel in (golf!), but I will share some Feng Shui trivia before sharing a Shui tip or two.

For instance, did you know that a research paper presented at a 1978 conference stated that the lo shu, or "magic square" that we use as an integral tool in Feng Shui, is actually a 3-D star map?

Researchers at the Zhouyi Conference say that this 'astronomical phenomena' dates back to at least 6000 B.C.!

Or did you know that traditional Feng Shui followers believe that the few days following the Winter Solstice are the best times to build a new house because of the auspicious position of the noonday sun?

Did you know that you can bring balance and harmony to any home simply by placing the five elements we use in this modality throughout your space with peace-filled intention?

That's right! So go ahead and put some sort of moving water directly inside your front door; an image of waterfall will do.

Then place posies or a picture of three green trees in the center left side of your main floor.

The back middle of the main floor should have some fire burning there, maybe a red candle or nine.

And the right center side should have some metal making magic there. Seven metal coins placed with childlike hope and wonder will do this trick.

Stick some earth in the center of your space, a terra cotta planter with a healthy green growing plant or a brown bowl filled with yellow lemons will do quite nicely.

Water, Wood, Fire, Metal and Earth.

Representing all these five elements in your space will bring you unlimited health, happiness and prosperity -- and that's no trivial matter!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 1/2/10

About a year ago a beautiful orange striped tabby cat come calling out of the blue and he's never really left.

It turns out that Max belonged to a neighbor who could no longer take care of him and so now he sorta/kinda belongs to my son and me.

I'm more of a dog person, so it's taken a bit of an adjustment for me to bond with this little guy, but I have.

So, that's why it behooves me to share that on some crazy calendars today is called 'Happy Mew Year for Cats Day.'

I've found that a 'green' way to put a stop to a cat from climbing on the furniture is to put mothballs in the seams.

 Although it doesn't do much for the odor of the space, it does teach that cat that 'get off' means exactly that.

Adding a teaspoon of white vinegar a day to the cat's water can prevent male cats from forming stones that can disrupt or injure their urinary tract.

If your cat suffers a scratch, cut its fur and clean the cut with warm water only and then treat the cut with Vitamin E oil.

Lastly, put some cedar chips or shavings in kitty's litter box. Fleas hate the smell of cedar and will stay far away from any pet that wears Eu de Cedar as their cat cologne of choice.

Happy Mew Year to all of our feline friends!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 1/1/10

In many Eastern traditions the belief in fate or predestination is very strong and almost fundamental to the core beliefs in our innate ability to invite and engage both good luck and fortuitous fates.

These same traditions have many ways to avoid bad energies or fortunes and also offer empowering tips and techniques to increase abundance, prosperity and peace of mind.

Performing any sort of Feng Shui on New Year's Day using just one of the Oriental instruments can guarantee all the goodies that any burgeoning New Year can bring.

Move 27 things around your house. Move the saltshaker over to where the peppershaker is and vice versa. Or hang a six-rod metal wind chime outside and to the left of the front door.

Many cultures and traditions believe that laughing on the first day of the New Year will bring smiles for days and weeks and twelve months to come!

Eating foods shaped like a ring is also thought to bring blessings full circle. The Dutch eat donuts on New Year's Day while people in the southern United States eat black-eyed peas.

And then there's the old axiom that eating cabbage on the New Year will make all the months to follow just flow and grow with health, happiness and prosperity.

So, watch your thoughts, laugh a lot and eat circularly shaped food.

And then have the best year ever! That's my wish for you in 2010 -- your most fortunate and lucky year EVER!

Daily Feng Shui Tip 12/31/09

Okay, ready for the best year ever? Burn 7 candles anytime this night to bring unlimited amounts of fortune and luck to the next 365 days that follow.

Or, how about a few minutes before the clock strikes midnight, opening every door and window in the house, allowing the old to leave and the fresh and healthy new to come calling?

This will release any residual negativity stuck hanging around your house as well as bidding all the questionable vibes "goodbye."

And don’t forget that if you wash your face at midnight with pure well or rain water and look into a mirror by candlelight, then the whole of next year will have that "mirror, mirror on the wall" declaring you the most beauteous of all! 

Finally, the piece de la resistance of the whole year: Make absolutely sure that the very first words that anyone speaks to you in the brand new year are symbolic or representative of what you intend your year to be.

HAPPY NEW YEAR will do it, but HAPPY, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS, MAGICAL, PEACEFUL and LOVE-LY NEW YEAR says it even better.  From me.  To you.  Same. 

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!