July 15 new moon. The Month of the Ram.

Posted on July 16, 2015 by bette

“I see my life as an unfolding set of opportunities to awaken.”
–Ram Dass

Ram, the day dreamer, the peace maker, the artist of the Zodiac, enjoys the rarified air of the mountain. It’s the climb they take pleasure in. Whether to the summit with deliberation or climbing to the spaciousness within they achieve the same outcome–embracing the view that offers an awakening to opportunities. The journey also allows room for the gifts that they cannot experience anywhere but on the ascent: peace in emptiness, clarity in perspective and stability in perseverance.

The Sheep person is also content to live in their imaginings. They love to go to cultural events and be a “no holds” nurturer to their loved ones. This lunar month set aside time for delicious inner musings and use these fertile moments to nurture your creative impulse. Put a trip to an art gallery on your calendar and give your mind a breath of “aesthetic air”. Take a crafts class or pull out the sewing machine and make something whimsical. Plan to do something creative or artistic to expand the spaces in your mind that get filled up with the details of life.

If your emotions are ruling your actions and life is one conflict after the next, let Ram’s gentleness influence this impulse. Think through differences and deliver your words with kindness. In other words: when an argument is brewing–focus on peace; when someone cuts in front of you–breath in peace; when a loved one says hurtful things–emit peace from your heart. Balancing opposites is always the proposed route to maintain peace in your life when the pace seems to burn up the road.

It is a month to see the benefits of perspective and perseverance in achieving your goals. When you slow down and take a long view, the appearance of life changes and you will see that results come easy without a lot of fire and smoke.

Here are what the stars are saying about your Chinese zodiac animal in the Month of the Ram. Rat: not so lucky this month. Be aware of conserving your energy. You may be giving more than you receive. Watch your romantic life, there may be conflict that turns into crisis. Ox: watch for unexpected misfortune (ouch). Keep your head up to smell the air and be on the alert with your finances and health. The potential for accidents is far greater this month. Do not hang out with friends who demean you, in fact think about letting them go. Tiger: a little good and not so good. Helpful People abound. If you have been in a long term relationship you might be finding yourself on a plane to Las Vegas. Indeed that will create happy Ch’i. Be aware of disputes at work and rumors spread by those who wish you harm. Hare: good news! Blessings, luck, promotion and marriage are all strong candidates for fulfillment this month. Do not force things to happen, allow them their own time and you will double your return. Dragon: shall we say a little intense this month? Keep your heart open, be flexible and practice patience. Young people should avoid acting on impulse to avoid confrontations with others. Snake: good news! Helpful People are coming to assist you. There may be small financial losses but these will offset a bigger disaster. Identify channels to generate wealth. Perform good deeds daily and accumulate long-term merits. Horse: lucky you! Prosperity and happiness come easily. If you are being offered a job your application will be considered among the first so seize the opportunity to advance. Your finances are steadily improving. All in all a fortunate month. Ram: luck is not on par with what you are accustom to. Watch for people cheating you. Make efforts to understand the people you associate with. Monitor your expenditures according to your income. Beware of of your finances before you lose too much. Monkey: it’s an ordinary month. A time to prepare yourself for rainy days. Make long-term family or career plans during the month of the Ram. Rooster: a month to reflect on whether to make investments and enter into partnership. Assess these thoroughly in order to avoid financial loss. Do not quarrel or be combative. Refrain from gossiping instead go about your business and be content with yourself. Dog: stay put! Don’t be risky with investments, take to travel, start a business nor sign a contract. Consult with the best advisers you know if you must. Be cautious! Pig: life is happening around you with family members getting married and giving birth to babies. Watch your diet. You may be susceptible to stomach aches and illnesses.

H. H. “Professor” Lin would say, perform a good deed daily. This act of compassion will counteract negative energy. If you are at a loss, move your attention to helping a family member, friend, stranger, animal, the environment or cause. Reflect upon how this creates a purification for your mind. Your relationship to all things will smooth out and solutions will come easily.

Thank you to Khadro Crystal Chu, Black Sect Esoteric Buddhist Feng Shui for your unfailing command of Feng Shui and Chinese metaphysics.

Feng Shui touches on every aspect of life. If you want a small taste, try Feng Shui A La Carte.

What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.

Unraveling Your Home’s Floor Plan With Feng Shui.

Posted on May 22, 2015 by bette

“We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us.”
– Sir Winston Churchill

Floor Plans might appear cryptic if you don’t know what to look for. To a trained consultant reading a floor plan with “Feng Shui eyes” reveals a rich narrative of the occupants’ lives: a twisted stairway bringing the onset of a heart attack; a contrary door blocking a flourishing career; a detached garage confirming money theft from a relative; a biting door transforming an obedient child into a bully; an empty door sending a partner packing. As truth teller, architectural details disclose the stress, the emotions, the entanglement and worry where the heart of the occupants spill forth onto the blueprint of their home. It takes courage and patience and willingness to believe in what cannot be seen. But when a client chooses to celebrate their life integrating Feng Shui principles, they create balance and renewal in their space and in their life. Their home now receives them, it feels welcoming and their dreams can breathe. What will you choose? Take a look, maybe there is a design detail that reminds you of your home.

If you need only a few questions answered I invite you to check out “Feng Shui A La Carte”. An hour could change your life exponentially.

The list will continue to grow. Please check back for updates.

Piercing Heart Doors
PHD are three or more doors through which you could walk in a straight line. They create an unseen barrier through the house. By their nature they create a barrier between husband and wife, parents and children and between the siblings. As the crevasse widens over the passage of time, it becomes more and more difficult to express love and compassion between husband and wife or parents and children.

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Stairway in the center of the house
Life can be complex and come at you fast. A strong center can hold a family or business together. If the center is weakened by a stairway, all life situations will feel like a runaway train. Your finances will fluctuate uncontrollably. Stability will be compromised leading to worry and angst. And the effects will be exaggerated if the stairway is built after the initial construction. Ch’i can leak from every room and from every occupant. Health will be particularly affected and life could feel like one pitfall after another.

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Detached Garage
If the door of the detached building is facing the main house, there are no windows in the back, and there is a light in the Wealth corner of the lot shining back to the main house, you will keep your wealth. But without the light, a detached garage suggests that one of the spouses or members of the family is keeping money from the other.

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Mandarin duck stairway
A front entry with a split stairway represents a major split, tearing apart partners, families, businesses, devastating the occupants. Every situation and relationship start to fall apart. Married couples don’t see eye to eye, children may struggle to find their place, finances fluctuate and health can be taken for a wild ride. Confusion and exhaustion are direct byproducts of this arrangement because life is constantly up and down. There may be no coming to agreement with this arrangement. When this is true for an entire company, it affects all the employees and the effects can bring the company to ruin.

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Master bedroom running front to back of the house
The master bath is inclusive of this design detail. Money and resources can leak out of the house.

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Hidden front door
A hidden front door is where the door is not visible to the street. This type of front door may find family members, or coworkers (of a business), without opportunity. A door is indicative of a voice. Your front door is your voice to the world. The occupants may not be able to speak up, their voice, in a sense, is choked. At home, “strange” ch’i (feeling/acting isolated) is a symptom of this design detail. At the office this detail is a strong indicator of loss: clientele, income, and motivation. There will be an increase in anger and melancholy.

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Master bedroom in front of the front door
If the master bedroom is outside the front door, distraction is characteristic of this design detail. One of the parents may be away from home often. It may be travel, work or that passion has heated up outside of the house.

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A front door that opens out
All good fortune may leave the home. This design feature depletes all the resources that the occupants have accrued. Many Florida homes (now by code) open out to allow for safety of exiting during hurricanes. This feature is a detriment to the occupants. Health ch’i, wealth ch’i and good fortune leak from the home.

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What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.

Her House Not Only Talked, Her Feng Shui Got The Last Word.

Posted on March 1, 2015 by bette

“A house is very much like a portrait, it gives an indication of the character at the heart of it.”
–Anonymous

“Your House Is Talking!” is an metaphor I use to explain the impact architectural details have on our health, family, career, happiness and degree of success. It never occurred to me that I might have the pleasure of hearing that a client’s house actually talked, let alone getting the last word. Dee called me last November and explained her home was a Feng Shui nightmare. She said, “Don’t get me wrong. I love my house. It sits on a quiet street, has a lot of light and the yard is a bird sanctuary but I cannot make out the Feng Shui. I need help!” I came over and saw straight from the curb the issues she was facing. Missing street numbers, missing front door from the street and the master bedroom three feet from the front door entry to the house. She admitted she was feeling vulnerable with this last arrangement and was losing sleep.“Could we make it work?” She really detested the idea of moving her bedroom upstairs. She also confided that she didn’t feel welcomed in the neighborhood. I could see in her eyes this was her dream home and the relationship wasn’t off to a good start. She had found my Chinese New Year segment on KATU AMNW and felt confident I could guide her out of her Feng Shui mess. She believed in Feng Shui and knew she needed my assistance but also yearned for reassurance that Feng Shui would be the answer. I assured her the changes would be reasonable, efficient and help her feel at peace. She nodded, took notes and as we moved through each room became more and more confident how Feng Shui would help her. When we finished she was beaming.

Whether it was her excitement to see the magic of Feng Shui work or the consultation inspired her to be her most creative, or both, Dee was zealous. She was proud of her accomplishments. She shared stories that were funny and amazing like after painting the bedroom and bathroom (her wealth gua) she received a lucrative contract for her business.

Dee worked tirelessly too, to make her home “Feng Shui” ready for the holidays. In celebration she invited her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren over for a little party. During the festivities, Matt, a big, husky guy, was standing in the kitchen and noticed the wind chime over her stove. As she told it, he screwed up his face, mimicking a comic he had seen on T.V. and said, “Oh, Feng Shui is stupid!” As quickly as he said it, a thunderous clap shook the entire house. He ducked, looked about frantically as if the walls would come down over him and said, “I promise, I won’t say that again.” Dee is a petite, demure woman with a wry sense of humor. And though she knew the house sent a message to Matt, she added with a shake of her finger, “Don’t you go saying bad about my Feng Shui.”

Since this episode and my January follow up, Dee’s neighbors have cleaned up the jungle in their back yard and she became treasurer of the neighborhood association. She planned to refinance her house to a lower rate which meant having her home appraised. She completed all the rituals at 11 p.m. which corresponded to Chinese New Year ceremonies as well. As she described it, “Orange peels were everywhere. I was given a target and hit it out of the ball park which I owe much to you, so thank you again!” Her next agenda item is to triplicate the success and I will consult for her on her new office which is the realization of her goal to work in the city in which she lives. Dee’s story is anyone’s story and a great story: she moved into a home with Feng Shui design challenges but with perseverance, enthusiasm, TLC and Feng Shui cures, she’s feeling happy and right at home.

Epilogue:
H. H. Lin Yun would teach that every object, utensil, appliance, every furnishing in our homes are animate. “Every thing in the house and every part of the house has its own spirituality. This is true of every piece of furniture, and every system in the house.” So here is a ritual to perform in your home. “Touch the stove and visualize that the God of the Stove has become aware of you and raises its head to look at you. The God is “energized.” Then request the God of the Stove to bestow blessings upon your family, that everything you require will be made available and your resources will be abundant. You can do the same for the God of the Desk and ask for blessings for your career and that your dedication to your work will yield fruitful results. Go to the God of the Bed, touch it and visualize it listens to your request. You can ask for more restful nights or good health. If you have clutter, you can tell the object you are sending it on and thank it for serving you well. This precept gives you access to communicating with the Gods wherever you may travel, albeit your home town or a far away land. When you energize these Gods, in turn they will offer you abundant good energy.

If you feel you have benefitted from this teaching, please support the tradition of receiving transcendental cures with a red envelope. Email me bette@shenmenfengshui.com for details.

Closing The Gap On Joy.

Posted on September 2, 2014 by bette

“If you make joy your goal, you are eternally joyful.” – Abraham

Do you love treasure hunts? Here is a pretty special one about Joy that I am excited to share with you and I think you’ll be excited too. I was searching the internet and came across Abraham and Ester Hicks. Their work is well known but up to now it had been in the background for me. I found one of their Q&A videos. I clicked. Flashes of truth appeared on the screen. Brilliant like a diamond, the talk encapsulated this phrase, “our reason for being is joy”. This time it really came home (literally)! Now at my house, Joy and Happiness have come to play and I am having the most delicious time. Joy is open, receptive, expanding and allowing. Happiness embraces “Yes!” Like Botticelli’s Venus, her presence uplifts. But it is not her emergence from the sea of emotions but from the senses that makes her presence most felt. I recalled H.H. “Professor” Lin’s immortal teaching, “We have 100 hundred senses in our body and Feng Shui helps us to open up to them.” Another piece of the Feng Shui puzzle landed in its rightful place–live your highest potential when you create mirror-like resonance between your senses, space, Feng Shui and Joy.

Closing the gap. Abraham shares we will always be in a place of wanting. It is our inherent nature. It creates a life of expansion. Our part is to experience joy by matching our energy vibration to the things we want to experience. How do we close the gap? First admit the wanting creates anxiety. You ruminate and worry, “I want it but will I get it? I don’t have it yet but I want it…” relax into the dance until it manifests. But if you cannot and your thoughts are in a spin, know it will create resistance and push your desire away. Quelling your anxiety to receive what you want can be supported when you create a Feng Shui umbrella over your home. Where there is a blocking wall at the front door (limitations), create space with a mirror. Where there is a stairway in the middle of the house, (fluctuating health and finances) lift the Ch’i with a wind chime. Feeling good is the path to your desires. When you take your difficult design details out of the anxiety equation, you are poised to send laser-like focus to what you truly desire and care about and this has joyful side effects.

One more word. Well being flows from Joy and visa versa. A home where the Ch’i has been adjusted expands awareness, creates calm and supports your well being. The interconnectedness of well being, Joy and Feng Shui shine through a beautiful home that delights your senses. What more could you ask for than living in an oasis for Joy to expand.

But if Joy evades you. Though I would love for you to feel Joy, there may come a time when you don’t quite know how to resolve a problem or you are overwhelmed by a crisis. Go to the Center (of your home). The eight trigrams of the Bagua were created as a representation of the thousands of things in the universe. However they cannot manage to cover everything. So, what is not covered, is in the center. Go there to find what you cannot find anywhere else. If, for example, you are having an issue with your oldest daughter and your not quite certain whether to place an adjustment in Tui (Children) gua or Hsun (Wealth) gua which represents the oldest daughter, remember the following: If you are not sure about the appropriate gua, or if you want to be “totally covered”, adjust the center as well. If something cannot be resolved, the t’ai ch’i also faces outward to all the trigrams. In this way you may find the answer. Herein lies the poetry of Feng Shui and the effectiveness of its wisdom will get you through.

Happy Treasure Hunting!

Friggatreiskaidekaphobia And A Full Moon? Hold On! Don’t Get Unhinged By Superstition Again.

Posted on June 12, 2014 by bette

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.”
– Albert Einstein

This week as I stay awake late collecting the waxing moonlight for a cure, Einstein’s quote and my friend’s words, “Just because you don’t understand something, doesn’t mean you have to put it down or fear it.” filtered through my thoughts. It occurred to me it would be a missed opportunity if I didn’t talk to you about a subject that is the underpinnings of the work that I do – superstition. Rare indeed and equally profound, tomorrow is a full moon plus friggatreiskaidekaphobia aka Friday the 13th. If you have experienced accidents or conflict on either of these days, it may be hard to swallow but you need not anticipate this double whammy as a cause for double trouble. You can shift your anticipation from a bump in the road to a bright spot. Let me share with you why and how.

Taoist Master Deng Ming-Dao wrote, “The moon is faithful to its nature yet its power is never diminished.” Before science there was superstition, folk cures and rights of passage to ensure a life of safety and prosperity. Before science, life was rich with connectivity to Nature. Continuity via tribal tradition and family unity were celebrated with cultural rituals that included the moon. Water was honored as the essence of life; we are born from a watery womb and we are made of 70% water. Primal and creative, the moon has the power to influence the tides and to pull an entire ocean from shore to shore. Equally profound the moon can pull the tides of our emotions within us too. In the early development of Chinese cosmology, this constellation quickly acquired cultural significance because of it’s life altering qualities and gentle influence. The Chinese believe the moon’s indirect reflection and bright silver, fullness bring a happy life. Its mystery continues to captivate our gaze and its 28 day waxing and waning cycle has birthed myths and ceremonies that emulate its essence.

Our 21st century urban mindset and high tech world may get us through the day but our computer-age brain still needs the basic requirements for safety, comfort and prosperity that only ritual can fully satisfy. Eventful times need ritual. It gets to the heart of our emotions like a mother comforting her child. The moon is the great crone, the grand mother of all, the Yin to the sun’s Yang, the other half of the Tao. Without the moon life would stagnate, there would be no hope for peace within, a sense of benevolence, balance, nor forward movement.

Select BSTB Feng Shui methods and rituals honor the moon.
Anger dissipates your sensibilities. If you find your emotions are getting the better of you, someone just cut in front at the check stand or a car nearly hit yours and this has left your fuming, when it is safe take yin time, take five to draw within yourself. Here is a spiritual breathing method that may help. Hold your hands in the heart calming mudra (left hand over right, thumbs together, palm up) and place them over your tan’tien (two inches below your navel). As you take a deep breath in through your mouth, chant: gate, gate, para gate, para sum gate, bodhi swoha, nine times. Breath in positive karma and good luck. Visualize and focus on the cool light of the moon and see yourself releasing distractions. See it penetrate your cells, smooth the Ch’i throughout your body, its silver essence relaxes your mind. See tension release when you exhale in eight short puffs with the ninth puff expelling all the air in your lungs. See any negative karma and bad luck disappear. Repeat nine times. Email me for the complete spiritual breathing method. Red envelopes apply.

Special Offer!

Until the July 12th (2014) full moon I am offering a $26 (13 doubled) discount on first time residential consults only. Plus the first nine who sign up will receive a beautiful 38mm crystal. Consultation appointments must be completed by July 31, 2104 to apply the discount.

Think Outside The Travel Channel – Feng Shui Travel Cures

Posted on May 2, 2014 by bette

“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way (s)he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”
– Maya Angelou

Minimizing stress on a trip makes for more relaxation and fun. I want you to have a great time so here is my Feng Shui A list that have worked for me. I believe these travel cures will help you experience an out-of-the-ordinary vacation, complete with feeling safe, at ease and when an unusual circumstance happens, you can respond with an open heart.

Travel With The Buddha Purchase a small Buddha statue, one inch is a good size. Place it in a container that holds heat such as an incense holder or a cauldron. Place this in a private area like the top of your bedroom bureau for nine days. Each day offer incense, visualize this is your “Traveling Buddha” and it will protect you when you travel and bring good luck. Let the incense burn down and allow the ashes to fall onto the Buddha. On the tenth day take out the Buddha, do not brush off the incense and carry with you. See you are protected wherever you travel.

Start On The Right Foot The Red Carpet ceremony is performed when departing your home for an business appointment, wedding or trip. Create auspicious opportunities and safety by placing a six-foot red cloth over the threshold of your front door. As you step down onto the carpet (cloth) with your left foot, visualize your trip is accident free and negative energy is cleansed. Make eight steps and end with the ninth step, your left foot, stepping of the the carpet. Fold and take with you. Do not go back into the house.

Boost Your Immune System Jet lag, time change, activity fun can catch up pretty quickly. Color influences how you feel. Make sure you pack a scarf or ensemble that has the five elements-black, green, red, yellow and white. At the first notice of overall weariness change to this and start to feel the vibrance, radiance and balance of these colors. Visualize you are receiving what you need and paid heed to what advice your intuition is giving.

Remove Old Energy It might be old, it could be negative. It could be whatever. Don’t take chances on who or what has resided in your room even if it is five star Hilton. If you forgot to carry orange spray or mister made with true essential oils, you can also use the peels of an orange to clear out stale or negative energy. Cut nine circles, rubbed them in your hands then place them under your pillow for a great night’s sleep.

Use Insight Over Anger Probably the biggest influence keeping the trip upbeat and good luck coming. If anxiety flairs quickly for you: before you say something you will regret, step back and “Swallow Your Saliva”, nine times. First create the saliva with the tip of your tongue on the upper palate of your mouth by moving your tongue back and forth 27 times. Then swish the saliva around your gums and teeth. While doing this think whether what you have to say will cause harm. Swallow then speak. It connects all the meridians in the body. Not only will this create positive relations with your family and travelers but strengthen your organs, in particular, your stomach and spleen.

photo credit: Bubo Blog, A New York City Dad

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