Natural Remedies To Drive The Cold Winter Away

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“Don’t think the garden loses its ecstasy in Winter. It’s quiet but the roots are down there riotous.”
– Rumi

Nature is a pharmacy of natural remedies. It may seem counter to our modern sensibilities of running at top speed that the wet, dark slow cold is Winter’s cure. But conserving our life force brings a more robust Spring. Wintertide supports extended periods of rest and rebuilding your reserves. Imagine the hawthorne submerging its energy into its roots; the gestating acorn dreaming of becoming the mighty oak; the bear huddling in its cave, breathing an imperceptible but rhythmic breath. It is a time when your physical strength and psyche are succored by your ancestors’ wisdom. For those of us in the northern hemisphere the weather may be cold this time of year, but for all of us worldwide, we can put to good use these five forbearers’ customs that bring in good cheer.

Create A Circle Of Harmony. Celtic custom: Our entry protects us from the outside so what we place on our door is important. A wreath blesses, unites and insures harmony. A circle is a key feature of a wreath, it suggests inclusion and encloses that which is sacred and our homes are our sacred space. Winter Solstice and Christmas evergreen wreaths cast a field of vitality that protects us during the cold winter months. Look forward to escaping to a holiday instead of setting an appointment with a doctor.

Bring Life To The Dark. Viking custom: Pine, spruce and firs represented eternal life because they remained green throughout the year. Boughs were hung above doorways and over windows as a reminder of the bountiful crop ahead and to ward off ghosts, witches, evil spirits and illness. Evergreens adorned homes on the Winter Solstice, primarily in the belief that the sun, made sick by winter, would be restored to good health at the solstice being both the shortest day and longest night of the year.

Foot note: 25 -30 million real Christmas trees are sold and discarded in the United States every year. When an acre of trees are cut down, the daily oxygen needed for 18 people is destroyed. If you put up a live tree consider one of the following: rent a living tree that is delivered to your doorstep in a pot. Or plant a tree in your yard and on Christmas you can gather around the tree and celebrate with hot cider and songs. (resource from Raeanne Rubenstein)

Decorate With A Splash of Red! Chinese custom: Outside or at the inside of the front door, don’t forget a splash of red. It means happiness and auspiciousness. Its radiance is a heart/mind protector and it dispels negative Ch’i. And who will know but you that you are keeping your home safe and out of harm’s way.

Cleanse With Citrus. Chinese custom: Purchase nine oranges (or lemons). Cut nine round circles from the zest for a total of 81 circles. Break them down with your fingers onto a plate. Take the plate and walk to the front door, then begin clockwise or counterclockwise walking the interior perimeter of your home casting the peels using the “planting seeds mudra”. This space clearing cleanses your home of unwanted energy. Where lemons calm, lighten and refresh, oranges are auspicious and bring good fortune. Leave them one day, three or nine days. And if you are looking to tame your cat, the peels will keep your fur baby at bay.  I am again offering the Chinese Lunar New Year Ceremonies where you can purchase the complete version of this ceremony (see below). 

Hyggelig Your Holidays. Norwegian custom: Hygge is a Norwegian word for “well-being”. It is believed to have made the cold and dark winters more tolerable. Hygge (get cozy) is about spending quality time with no agenda. It’s about warmth, humor and being connected. It’s about spending time alone and with family. Remember if you get out your to-do list, it will vanish.  Next time you are with friends, throw into the conversation “this is hyggelig,” and see if you don’t get a smile. (source PBS Newshour)

Ritual celebrations help us link to the past. It strengthens our ties and builds our Ch’i. Celebrations are necessary for society and for the individual–for they are about cultural identity, life transitions and personal discovery. The Chinese believe they form a spiritual protection against unseen forces. Creating stability leads to success and prosperity.

My mission is to help you strengthen your Ch’i. I have put together “Three Lucky Feng Shui Secret Traditions Packet”+ Two Bonus Cures and the Three Secret Reinforcements (body, mind, speech) to amplify your intentions. $27 + nine red envelopes. Please remit with your payment + nine red envelopes by January 19, 2017 to receive “Three Lucky Feng Shui Secret Traditions Packet”+ Two Bonus Cures ceremonies to you before Chinese Lunar New Year”s Eve.

Wishing you supreme abundance and infinite joy for now and the coming year!

Welcome the light with Recipes For Living Coloring Journal. Turn your writing into an ecstatic journaling experience plus give yourself permission to color and dream. Each chapter ends with a mindfulness “recipe” to help you integrate the practice.

Have you decided this will be your season? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

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.

Take 15 Minutes Of Self-Care Everyday And Journal

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Winter is the Water element when Nature goes dormant. Seeds are nestled in their moist, dark beds dreaming of becoming big strong trees. This is the perfect time for you to be like Nature, still, quiet and listening to your inner muse. Reflection builds life force. In “water time” your resources are charged preparing you for the right moment when the Spring of opportunity ignites your senses. You can call upon your strength and burst forth with vitality to meet the challenge.

“We write to taste life twice. In the moment and in retrospect.”
– Anais Nin

If stress becomes part of your holidays have you considered creating a 15 minute self-care routine to turn down the volume? There is no better therapy than expressing your emotions. Journaling is a kinetic form of dialogue where you wash your mind with pen and paper. Studies show that writing down your thoughts lowers your blood pressure. It also forms a protective shield around your heart and connects you to the essence of who you are. It’s the number one self discovery tool that activates your self love button. 

Design time for you. Recipes For Living Coloring Journal is the perfect comfort and joy companion guide to get started on journaling. I, along with seven other authors, poured our hearts into this banquet of eight impassioned essays because we know how important it is to feed your soul. Experience the power of dreams, movement, sound, Feng Shui, auric healing, art, food and soul healing tips to express what is in your heart. It’s a great excuse to get out your Crayolas and favorite writing pen and express your way to personal wellness in this first volume sponsored by the Holistic Chamber of Commerce.

Some of what you will experience.

Feng Shui: Feeling rested you enjoy the deliciousness of living in the moment. Learn a color scheme that activates the life force centers in your body and a visualization to clear your mind before going to sleep at night.

Dreaming: a dream is most effective and has a lasting impact when it inspires you, the dreamer, to take action. Dialogue with the symbols in your dreams and they will guide you. Learn how to prepare for “capturing” your dream.

Movement: breath and movement create a dynamic synergy to detoxify the body and create positive physical changes. Learn the 7 primal movement patterns to maintain a balanced mental and spiritual state.

Art: unlock your imagination by freeing your feelings. Learn that a scribble drawing is a fun way to release stuck thoughts and emotions. Erase the “creative speed bumps” from your mind when you put them down on a page.   

Food: learn about foods that create “fire in the body”; how inflammation is connected to events in your life and how to change them. A wonderful Turmeric Tea recipe is included.

Sound: your every thought, word and action is recorded in your body. Learn how to use your voice to send soothing vibrations to every cell. Discover how to write about an issue and create its unique sound to heal it. Reflect in silence then journal about the experience.

Auras: an aura is an electromagnetic representation of your Soul that contains valuable information about who you are. Learn that you can write about a current life issue and understand how to use the body temperature changes around you to resolve your problem.

Soul Healing: step into your power and find the deeper meaning in your life. Learn the importance of recognizing your needs. “Me First” helps you to be happier and it helps you to be compassionate towards others. Journal about a time when you didn’t choose “Me First” and what you did to resolve it.

Welcome the light within you when you take 15 minutes of self care. Dialogue with your inner muse using the prompts to write out your thoughts plus give yourself permission to doodle with color to ease your mind. Each chapter ends with a “recipe” to help you integrate the experience.

There is no better time than now, let Recipes For Living Coloring Journal take you there.

Journals are soft bound, 120 pages, 4-color cover, b/w contents. Cost: $16.95 + $6.45 shipping and handling for within the continental Unites States. Go to PayPal bettesteflik@centurylink.net and make a payment “friend to friend” $23.40. Include your mailing address in the comment box. Buying more than one journal? Email me at bette@shenmenfengshui.com for shipping cost.

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

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.

November 29 New Moon I Seize The Cheese

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“Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present.”
–Albert Camus

November 29 new moon the legendary Rat expertly sniffs his way onto the Zodiac stage. In the number one position of the Chinese Zodiac this rodent is a nose ahead when it comes to sizing up a situation and acting on it. Very social with a charming personality, Rat is curious, imaginative, has a great wit with an amazing memory which is perhaps why he/she is the most auspicious Chinese symbol for success and wealth. Rat can see the detail within detail and their heightened awareness makes them masters at seizing opportunity. This month borrow Rat’s super powerful x-ray vision and refine your sensibilities. With your polished sixth sense you’ll have the nose of a rat to seize the cheese. Carpe diem!

Start the new moon with a little sleuthing through the Chinese astrology forecast to find your animal protector and then be prepared to seize the cheese for you and your loved ones. Rat: your health may take a turn, seek immediate medical advice. Take precaution against theft and burglary, check your entrances and doors. Money could be lost. Overall be conservative in your dealings and do not begin any construction. Ox: much celebration!!! Expect lots of wealth and joy! But be careful when selecting a partner for a joint venture, there can be disharmony. Go for what you want and take advantage of opportunities, don’t hold back. Tiger: Helpful People abound. You will find you will receive twice the reward with half the effort. If you are on a job interview or making a long term business projection this will go smooth. Expect adversities to turn into blessings. If you decide to perform good deeds the merits gained will enable wealth and fortune to flow naturally to you. But beware of scoundrels talking behind your back. Rabbit: the month shows some less favorable conditions: money loss, traffic accident – pay attention to safety wherever you go. Perform the “Driving Safely Cure”. Do not travel this month if you do not need to. Dragon: this new moon brings a Three Harmony month. Expect auspiciousness, prosperity  and joyous celebrations. Your wealth and career are flourishing as well as your family financial situation is blooming. However beware of traffic accidents. Snake: “befriend those who exert good influence  on you and you will get the assistance of Helpful People.” Don’t talk about others and do not interfere in their business. Guard against unrighteous behavior from friends and relatives. Beware of accidents and be cautious, the energy is rife for being cheated and deceived. Horse: it is a “Direct Conflict” month. Your luck this new moon and your attitude will not be the best. You will encounter difficulties both inside and outside the household. It is advised to chant the White-Robe, Kuan-Yin mantra both morning and evening to help you feel calm and stable. Ram: “it is a confrontational month and your luck will be the worst of the year” so be passive, remain low key and practice patience. Your finances will be fair but be cautious about spending more than you earn. Monkey: “the sun has come out after days of rain.” Starting this new moon all your dealings and operations will be  joyous and satisfactory. Money luck will be good! Seize the day when it comes to your career or a relationship. Rooster: it is a “Mutually Offensive month” and your luck will not be the best. Helpful People will be at your side but exert forbearance in your words and your behavior. Observe the rules and regulations and remain enterprising. “Pay attention to your diet for illness finds its way by the mouth.” Dog: the sun is shining on your luck and it is running better. Whatever you  choose to do it will be supported. If you keep the faith and act with sincerity your career will climb. However monitor your expenses with your income, you would not want to find yourself in an embarrassing situation. Pig: “it will soon be the end of a bad year however do not let your guard down, misfortune has a tendency to escalate at the end.” In short be extremely careful in all that you do at the commencement of this new moon. If you request a cure from this forecast, I will ask you to honor the red envelope tradition. Have a great month, Zodiac friends! 

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

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

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.

“Busy Making Plans” Become Priceless Surprises

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“Life happens when you are busy making plans.”
– John Lennon

My “busy making plans” was to write a space blessing blog. But this was abruptly tabled last Wednesday when in high density traffic my car was rear ended. The explosion of breaking glass and the helpless feeling that my car was out of my control served to intensify the fear that it was moving without my volition, straight towards an unsuspecting Nissan directly in our path. I say our path, my little Shih Tzu, Coco was my passenger. Moments like these wipe out the sparkle of a friend’s laughter just hours before and the dinner I was cooking in my head. Time eerily stood still. No past. No future. Just the pounding in my ears and the slow motion of my brain trying to comprehend the whirlwind around me while my body ached for safety. By God’s grace it stopped. When the smoke cleared and the damage assessed, the cost was apparent: irreparable automobile loss. The upside, no life was lost: priceless.

Accidents have an uncanny way of rattling your routine. But beyond their inconvenience, powerful truths can emerge like the phoenix rising from the ash. Inside this blog I share “five graces” that have deepened my appreciation for life plus I am passing along two life-saving “Driving Safely Cure” you will definitely want to protect your car.

Detour from plans that keep you busy, slow down. My “busy making plans” for the evening: eat dinner, connect on Facebook and write. But the force of two cars colliding changed all of that. The impact wasn’t just metal crushing metal, this collision impacted my consciousness too. Since the accident I have become acutely aware of another force, a spiritual force of healing I have not felt in this way before. What has arisen is a force of forgiveness and deep gratitude that all involved are here to laugh and hug our loved ones again.

Watch for grace, even when circumstances appear unfavorable. Val stopped her car behind the driver who caused the accident. She may have had plans that evening but her heart told her this was where she needed to be. She kept the other driver company amid the wind and din of traffic. She took him to the hospital after his car was towed and said she would return for me if I needed her. Her compassion lessened the strain of our ordeal.

Expect there is love for you when life explodes into chaos. All of us are doing our best. The outpouring of care and concern and love and advice from family and friends has greatly eased the emotional trauma of this unfortunate occurrence.

Pray for what you want, not for what you see. I would never wish for an accident. And despite the material loss of time and personal transportation, those are incidental to the big picture of what an accident teaches – letting go. If you can let go of controlling the outcome and let your prayers be the standard for what you want, what you see will be the best possible outcome.

Take the high road, even though your circumstances have turned upside down. Throughout this ordeal I have come to appreciate how systems work and the people who serve those systems. I’ve learned the efficiency of our municipal processes in emergency situations and how insurance companies get our lives back on track. And most important I continually am reminded of my attitude and how it influences all of this coming together easily (or not). I attribute this to the philosophy of alignment, Feng Shui.

I am deeply grateful to H. H. Lin Yun for his supreme wisdom for extending Feng Shui beyond the four walls of our home. The “Driving Safely Cures”I perform on every car I have owned. These cures cast a field of protection in and around my automobile. In my heart I know their power prevented an extended trip to the hospital and much worse, a casualty. I want you to receive this protection too! Here are two “Driving Safely Cures” I used on my automobile.

Driving Safely Cure no. 1: Red String on the Steering Wheel
What you need:
9 inches of red string or red ribbon (or a multiple of nine inches)
Procedure:
Place the string under the mattress for nine nights. On the day after the ninth night, tie the string to the steering wheel. Say a prayer from your tradition and visualize the car and its occupants are safe.

Driving Safely Cure no. 2: Crystal Ball
What you need:
1 faceted lead crystal ball, 40mm
9 inches of red ribbon or red string (or a multiple of nine inches)
Procedure: Using a piece of red ribbon or string (cut in a multiple of nine inches), hang a crystal ball from the rear view mirror. Say a prayer from your tradition and visualize that the crystal ball is both absorbing and reflecting the light of Buddha and/or all the auspicious light in the universe. Visualize that the car and its occupants are safe.

If you wish to obtain the rest of “The Driving Safely Cures”, please contact me.

Postscript: Coco and I are doing all right. We have been to the vet and the doctor and receiving treatment. 

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

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.

October 30 New Moon I When Pigs Fly…

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When pigs fly (indeed they might this new moon)…
People will treat you the way you treat them.
You will never be judged by appearances.
You will never be take for granted.
Your heart will never be broken again.
People will know what you have been through.

When you fly…
None of those things will matter.
Spread your own wings and soar!
– Bryant McGill

October 30 new moon the unassuming Pig quietly takes the Zodiac stage. Pig is the last of the Chinese Zodiac animals but the first animal to consistently practice self love. Honest, calm, discerning, fair, tolerant and kind, they are loyal to their friends. They have a strong interior grasp of life and the people around them so they can be in the company of family and peers yet spend time alone. Their self love, their self worth, enables them to remain patient and persevere when times become difficult.

With the radiant summer sun a memory and the fruitful autumn harvest behind us, winter can bring a cold chill to our hearts. During this time call upon Pig’s reliable sense of self love to warm and sustain you during the dim, frosty months. This super power is a potent reserve that will lift your emotions from fear and bring you the resolve to stand firm when you feel judged, endure a broken heart and carry on if you have been treated unfairly. With self love you can lift yourself out of despair and soar.

Start the new moon with letting yourself F.L.Y (First Love Yourself). Soar by the stars when you set your GPS to this Chinese astrology forecast. Rat: a month to be realistic. You might lend towards worry but that will only intensify what you are worried about and it may bring obstacles. An antidote is doing good deeds and lots of them. While you are helping think how pleasurable it is. This way the merits  you have accumulated will to eliminate anxiety and sorrow. Ox: it is a busy month with lots of travel and lots of work. But to your advantage the more you apply your time and talents the more you gain. There may be a death(s) in the family. Do not visit the those who are sick, in the hospital nor attend wakes and funerals. Watch your own health, prevention is better than a cure. Tiger: it’s a Six Harmony month! Much good fortune will come your way –increased wealth, your status will rise, career advancement and if you own a business, expect it to accelerate. However be mindful of what you say, it could cause you trouble. Be aware of unexpected worries. Rabbit: Helpful People will surround you and you will enjoy fulfilling interpersonal relationships. Wealth luck will be smooth. Good fortune is favored. This month your mind will be clear and happiness at your doorstep. Do not visit the sick or enter a hospital or you will experience a minor disaster. Dragon: this new moon your luck is on the rise. While disaster is being dispersed, wealth and prosperity are readily available. Whatever you attempt you will achieve satisfaction. Though things are progressing, do not be overly smart or else you will be a victim of your own cleverness. Snake: luck of the month is in Direct Conflict. You may experience more unpleasant circumstances than happy ones. Couples will be arguing and big family issues may emerge. Remain patient and maintain a calm mind. Use your wisdom to approach problems. Be aware you may health issues may come up. Best advise: relax your mind and connect with nature. Horse: your luck will glide but be mindful of your career and family. They will take more than stamina so commit to them and remain calm. It is common for those in fortunate positions to overlook their luck; but if you show appreciation and appreciate your good luck you will avoid minor transgressions. Ram: if you decide to travel beginning this new moon you will encounter Helpful People and reap profits. When leaving home on a trip abroad, perform BSTB “Walking on Red Cloth” cure and visualize you will have safe travels with everything going smoothly. It is not wise to invest this month and be cautious of interpersonal relationships. Monkey:  are in a Mutually Offensive and the Most Confrontational relationships. You must be extra, extra at the beginning of the new moon and throughout the month. Do not take trips, purchase real estate, change careers, start a new business or host a grand opening. Though there will be an influx of money, monitor your expenditures in accordance to your income. Rooster: luck of the month is Most Confrontational. Rooster: your money luck is good. Expect your investments will pay premium dividends. The harder you try at work the more the bigger your harvest. In business planning forbearance is key. Be judicious with timing and you will reap results. Do not be impatient or there will be waste. Dog: your luck is on the rise. Both business planning and processes will run smoothly. If you have a joyous occasion, go all out and celebrate. Beware of death in the family as well as illness. Pig: there is more misfortune than good luck. You may be doubting and hesitating which could spoil your plans. Do not travel and refrain from changing jobs. Be mindful of your finances and do not initiate any legal action. If you request a cure from this forecast, I will ask you to honor the red envelope tradition. Have a great month, Zodiac friends! 

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

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

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.

Breast Cancer Never Takes A Day Off!

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“The only person who can save you is you: That going to be the thing that informed the rest of my life.”
–Sheryl Crow on being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast cancer never takes a day off. About one in eight (12% in the US) women will experience this invasive, malignant shadow over the course of their lifetime. For me it came home the moment my oldest sister, Grace, heard the words, “You have a malignant tumor in your breast.” Her world came crashing down and her dreams dissolved into a puddle on the floor. For 18 years she “battled” nausea, pain, depression, sadness, stress, anger and the despair that she would not get the life back that she once knew. Though Grace didn’t survive cancer, she was a survivor.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You may not think of turning to your home to address your health however neuroscience continues to uncover evidence that indicates your environment is a large part of your wellness package. As you know from my blogs and if you have had a consultation with me, I share that multiple factors influence our life’s situations, particularly when we are dealing with illness.

I believe education is an important part of our health picture. In holistic health Feng Shui is part of the cure. I have included some design features that deplete your Ch’i. Plus I have included Feng Shui cures and natural solutions to help you fight off illness and cancer, because I want you to believe you can take your health into your own hands and survive anything.

General Illness
Environmental
If you are sensitive to toxicity in the environment such as carpet off-gassing or paint fumes, one of the ways to address this is to:
–Plant a garden. The greenery has beneficial affects on your vitality, nervous system and general well-being.
– Go outside, walk barefoot in your backyard or in a park. “Just touching the earth, which is electrically conducive, neutralizes free radicals in your body and brings you back in sync with the earth’s energy field. Upon contact, the negative ions from the earth’s surface rush into our bodies to discharge the many unpaired positive ions (or free radicals) we’ve picked up from modern living.” – “Healing By Grounding”, Radical Beauty, Harmony Books, Deepak Chopra, M.D. and Kimberly Snyder, C.N.
If you know you have toxins in your body, you can neutralize them by performing “Ice-Cold Heart in a Jade Teapot”.*

Reoccurring
If you want to minimize the reoccurrence of illness:
Make an adjustment to a house that is situated too close to the front of the lot and especially if the lot is rounded at the back.

Fluctuating
If your health is constantly seesawing:
– Make an adjustment to a building with many levels, especially if it is a residence.
– Adjust a stairway in the center.

Persistent
If your illness never ceases and just persists:
– Make an adjustment to a dead tree that is planted directly in front of the main door.
– Make an adjustment to a sickly tree that is planted directly in front of the main door.
– Make an adjustment to a tree that protrudes and pokes at you as you walk up to the main door.

Chronic
If your condition is chronic.
–Make an adjustment by removing dead plants from the front door.

Breast Cancer
H. H. “Professor” Lin Yun’s first and foremost advice:
Find a doctor who is a specialist. Seek a second opinion.
Seek an oriental doctor. If these avenues do not prove helpful seek holistic healing.
Feng Shui
– Adjust the Relationship gua and the T’ai Ch’i position (the center of the house).
– Perform the Red Slipper Cure* (for cancer in general). It is also a cure for other illnesses, bad luck and legal problems.
– Place nine vital plants around the front door (for cancer in general).
– Practice the Sunshine Buddha Exercise.*
– Plus practice the Medicine Buddha Six Ch’i (Sound) Healing.*

If you are in the Pacific NW, I will be at Nu Life Chiropractic and Sports Medicine, Thursday, October 6 5-7 p.m. as part of their Women’s Wellness Event to promote breast cancer awareness. Please stop by. I would love to meet you and answer your questions. The address is: 14 SE Grace Avenue, Battle Ground, WA 98604. See you Thursday!

*Please contact me, 503-232-2543, if you have a health concern or you are dealing with cancer.

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

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.

September 30 New Moon I Selfless Before Selfie

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“Did you know that there are over three hundred words for love in canine?”
— Gabrielle Zevin

September 30 the “selfless before selfie” Chinese Zodiac animal wagged its way onto the horizon. Every month the leading zodiac holds a super power that can help us expand our awareness and reach our full potential. Dog has a multitude of exemplar traits so which do we choose? Its friendly nature? Faithful character? Smart brain? Straightforward manner? Venerable composure? Responsible attitude? Or is it our four footed friends’ “bow wow practice” that they have mastered so effortlessly? Bowing to the divine in their owners and feeling the wow of devotion. This simple act of expressing unconditional love creates strong bonds and gratifying relationships that can help you through difficult times. And maybe too that caring about what happens to another is all you need to feel good throughout the day. For us humans it might be easier to understand the love of dog by watching this Tonglen Meditation of Compassion performed by Tulku Tsori Rinpoche.

Will this month be pets and praises or dog poop? Discover what the stars are saying and how they can help. Rat: what you are working on goes smoothly and as you planned. Your fame will be outstanding and both family and romance will go well. Consider refraining from verbal disputes and avoid communication that creates misunderstandings or you may experience unexpected disaster. Ox: a good month to remain low key in the areas of investing, career changes and hosting a grand opening. There is a larger margin for interpersonal disputes. Keep your impulses in check. Be mindful that others may see through your schemes. Tiger: it’s a Three Harmony month!  Your luck will be auspicious. Wealth will be available but do not be greedy. Let Nature take its course and then money will emerge. Maintaining a benevolent heart and doing good deeds benefits your family and you will gather in fame, profits and much good fortune. Rabbit: lots of money lucky bunny so take advantage of the full throttle Ch’i to support your investments or partnerships. Romance will be smooth sailing. Dragon: it’s a month of Direct Conflict. It there is money loss consider it as a way to maintain the peace. Be on the look out for car accidents, illness and refrain from associating with folks who will demoralize you. Perform a good deed a day and be willing to help others. A “single act of benevolence avoids a thousand evils.” It’s the antidote to disaster. Spread it around generously. Snake: “Heaven helps a good man.” Helpful People are at your assistance. Your endeavors demonstrate luck, prosperity and ease. If you establish a new business or take a trip abroad, both will be profitable. If you are offered a joint venture do not reject but rather go with the flow. Horse: gaiety and joy will be in abundance. Your career will flourish, your assets will rise and progress will be smooth in all endeavors. Keep a calm outlook and remember that matters can be resolved through good communication. Ram: a month of Mutual Offense with possible adversities so avoid going out for a walk at night and beware of thieves. If you come across a dangerous situation, chant the “Five Thunders” mantra for protection. Monkey: you are in a Mutually Offensive and the Most Confrontational relationships. You must be extra, extra careful this month. Do not take trips, purchase real estate, change careers, start a new business or host a grand opening. Though there will be an influx of money, monitor your expenditures in accordance to your income. Rooster: luck of the month is Most Confrontational. Rooster and Dog fight so you may expect disharmony in your relationships. You may quarrel with your spouse or loved one you are dating. At work you may experience personal disputes. Practice forbearance and see harmony as fundamental to your everyday interactions. Perform “The Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell” at the beginning of the lunar month to avoid disaster. Dog: you will experience both bad luck and joy. Be mindful that sorrowful events and unexpected disasters are possible in your sphere this month. Keep kind thoughts and do good deeds in order to break through misfortune for “a single act of benevolence avoids a thousand evils.” Pig: your luck will be smooth this month. Monitor your expenditures in accordance to your income. Your health may give you trouble so watch what you eat. If you have a chronic condition perform “Changing The Ch’i Of The House”. If you request a cure from this forecast, I will ask you to honor the red envelope tradition. Have a great month, Zodiac friends! 

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

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

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.

Polishing The Mirror

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“As you live deeper in the heart, the mirror gets clearer and cleaner.”
– Rumi

With tonight’s Mid-Autumn Moon Festival celebration I am reminded of the tens of thousands who venture out of doors to dine on moon cakes, drink wine with loved ones and pay homage to their ancestors. I too have worshipped the moon as I held my sake cup up high to the sky at the Portland Japanese Garden. In ancient China women would bring out water-filled basins to absorb the perfectly round moon used to purify their homes when they cleaned. This gentle influence can pull an entire ocean from shore to shore. And because of its power, it has been collected for centuries to remove heat from an angry heart or clear a furrowed brow of confusion.

Like the water basin filled by the moon, mirrors can also be filled–sometimes it is the moon’s yin essence, sometimes the sun’s vitality, yet it is always filled with intention. A “programed” mirror can create soft words between partners, pull water across a bed to attract money or flip an oppressive building upside down. Understanding how this esoteric magic works has largely remained untapped. If you desire to understand the transcendental nature of your mirror cure or if you are a first time seeker of Feng Shui, the following wisdom may give you a greater appreciation for an ordinary mirror.

Mirrors Help Us Release Judgement “The Mirror is an ancient Buddhist symbol for clarity, completeness of perception and purity of consciousness. A mirror reflects a thing objectively but what we see in the mirror is not the thing itself. Because the object is not seen directly, it may be seen more accurately – more clearly, without judgement and with great perspective. This can lessen the tendency to see a thing as fixed or solid and encourage better understanding. The mirror or perception, more effectively propels the mind toward insight and compassion than mere argument or lecture.”
–Baronet 4 Tibet

Mirrors Fill With Whatever Is Before Them A mirror has no color, no image and can fill itself with whatever is before it. This “empty” nature is what makes it possible. Take an object like a vase of red flowers and it becomes the flowers and the vase. Take it away and place a bowl of oranges and it becomes the fruit. We, humans, are also capable of reflecting what is before us. However we may not be conscious of the effect of the content of what fills us. Often this leads to unhappiness and limitations.

Mirrors Give Us Insight Looking into the mirror’s reflective surface reminds us of the impermanence of nature and bends the limitations of our thinking. We may experience a sudden insight that the thing is not good nor bad, not beautiful nor ugly. And we begin to see ourselves in the same way and embrace our true nature.

Polish The Mirror In Your Heart Sprinkling your day with meditation, spiritual breathing, chanting a mantra, for example, Om Mani Padme Hum, and taking walks, help you shift from a busy mind into focused perception. These precious, out-of-time still moments create a direct path to living deeper in your heart. The stillness polishes your mind and with your intention refreshed, your wish projects into the mirror and beyond the wall on which it rests, expanding all possibilities and opportunities.

Mirrors

  • Bagua mirrors protect everything that are behind them. Most often they are hung outside to protect everything within. Their power rests in the power of the eight trigrams, the five elements and theory of yin and yang.
  • Convex Mirrors widen an area of view, they broaden the scope of an adjustment creating an array of possibilities.
  • Concave Mirrors widen an image and soften a potential threat such as a knife-edge or an oncoming road.
  • Sun Moon Mirrors create balance that is represented by yin and yang, night and day, the moon and the sun. This universal balance of light can create clarity, cultivate good judgement, keep you safe and strengthen your prosperity. When life gets a little frenetic, this mirror can be like the ocean–calm, steady, rhythmic and pure.

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.

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

September 1 New Moon I Be True To Yourself

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“Impossible is not a declaration, it’s a dare.”
 –Muhammad Ali

September 1 new moon, the high stepping Rooster with his vermillion crest and forthright manner strode onto the Zodiac main stage. Divine creature that calls in the new dawn, Rooster lives up to his colorful attitude as well as his honest nature as expressed by the ancient scholar, Tian Rao. “The five virtues of the Rooster…. The Rooster dons a crimson cap, a mark of literary sophistication! It claws its enemies, what martial prowess! It calls to its cohorts when food is available, a creature of compassion! It fights to the death with its nemesis, what bravery! And it never fails to keep time, a trustworthy soul.” What is unique about rooster is its ability to keep time for humans which leads the Chinese to the conclusion there is a divine spark in the rooster that makes it capable of this unique task.”

The great Ali portrayed many of Rooster’s exceptional characteristics with authenticity being his most outstanding trait. He leaves a legacy for us all, “be true to yourself’”. For when you stand true to your heart nothing is impossible and the grit built from your integrity is the foundation for manifesting your dreams.

Develop your character and your future will be guaranteed. But strategizing is always a plus. Let the stars help. Rat: your luck this month will be uneven. Take a conservative approach to all your endeavors. Refrain from sexual misconduct and entering establishments offering sensual pleasure. Be mindful of your speech and behavior because hasty conduct attracts catastrophes. Ox: it’s a Three Harmony Month!!! Your luck is on a high. You will find prosperity, experience an increase in your fame, wealth will come easily and your happiness will be doubled. In your career you will be acknowledged for your efforts. Entrepreneurs will enjoy much success. Tiger: disasters and obstacles have dissipated. Planning will be smooth with your endeavors achieving success. Beware of minor money loss. Watch out for gossips and crisis. Remain cautious, be conservative and keep a low profile. Rabbit: dear friend you are in Direct Conflict this month. Avoid aggressive individuals and be mindful of quarreling. Refrain from sexual misconduct and entering establishments offering sensual pleasure. If you experience depression then perform the Black Sect Tantric Buddhist “Nine Step Breathing”. Dragon: a time of harvest and plenty. Helpful People are about, take advantage of this lucky opportunity. Not only is your career on the upswing, people will take notice of you. Beware of troubles caused by sexual misconduct. Lead a clean and righteous life otherwise disasters may befall you. Snake: it’s a Three Harmony Month and you will experience peace and happiness in your family. Your career will glide on the waters of abundance. If you establish a new business or take a trip abroad, both will be profitable. If offered to go into a joint venture, go with the flow and take it rather than rejecting it. Horse: a month of “Mutual Offense”. Do things in a principled manner to avoid the risk of prosecution. Theft may come to your doorstep, valuables could be lost and there is a possibility of a traffic accident. Have your wits about you. Ram: don’t be surprised if the month has some volatility so welcome the smooth parts when they arrive. Keep calm and carry an attitude of steadiness. Do not let your emotions rule your life. Be careful of traffic accidents. Perform the Black Sect Tantric Buddhist “Driving Safety Cure”. Monkey: Helpful People are all around to aide you. You will enjoy good interpersonal relationships. It”s a month to stay on track with your work and be conservative with your expenditures. You may experience “Peach Blossom Luck”” do not let it go unchecked and develop into sexual misconduct. Rooster: your luck fluctuates this month with as much misfortune and auspiciousness. Be mindful of money loss, arguments in the family and marital trouble. You are advised to recite “The White-Robe Kuan-Yin mantra” in the morning and at night. Dog: this is the “Most Confrontational” month. There may be family disputes, money loss and illness. It is not wise to go into business partnerships with others. Practice patience and do not be led by negative emotions. Perform the Black Sect Tantric Buddhist “Nine Step Breathing” in the morning and at night. Pig: best advice is to be still, observe what is going on around you and don’t make any hasty decisions. If you have considered marriage you may just take the next step. If you request a cure from this forecast, I will ask you to honor the red envelope tradition. Have a great month, Zodiac friends! 

In China Feng Shui practitioners paint a red Rooster on the walls of a house for protection from fire or a white one to safeguard the home from demons.

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

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

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.

Take Command Of Your Sleep, Start With Feng Shui Design

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“By helping us keep the world in perspective, sleep gives us a chance to refocus on the essence of who we are. And in that place of connection, it is easier for the fears and concerns of the world to drop away.”
– Arianna Huffington, The Sleep Revolution

In July I shared with you I will be part of an anthology, Recipes For Living Coloring Journal. It’s no surprise my chapter is devoted to how Feng Shui bedroom design helps you sleep better. I truly believe the bedroom is the most important room in the house. So when I read Arianna Huffington’s account of her “wake up call” in The Sleep Revolution, I knew that the benefits of Feng Shui design need to spread throughout the world.

“We are in a sleep deprivation crisis,” writes Ms. Huffington. “I experienced firsthand the high price we’re paying for cheating sleep when I collapsed from exhaustion.” She goes on to say, “If we look at our lives as a spiritual journey, sleep becomes a key paradox: when we completely identify with our persona in this world–with our job, our appearance, our bank account–we are asleep to life’s deeper dimensions….We are living in a golden age of sleep science–revealing all the ways in which sleep and dreams play a vital role in our decision making, emotional intelligence, cognitive function and creativity. And how lack of sleep is often the culprit behind anxiety, stress, depression and a myriad of health problems.” (Harmony Books, The Sleep Revolution)

Consulting with my clients I have discovered a similar loop. Usually it takes the form of an underlying anxiety that monitors their decision making where their choices are based on a stress response. For nearly everyone of them this stems from an exhaustive bedroom design.

Sleep not only helps you work efficiently but be a productive part of society. Yet productivity is but one piece of the well-being matrix. Living fully and consciously means tapping into your creativity, your rich well of emotions and you soul’s purpose.

Of all the Feng Shui design advice I give on the bedroom, I have found “placing the bed in command position” carries the most weight in addressing productivity (yang) and creativity (yin) of our everyday lives. And for those who constantly deal with anxiety, worry and depression, it is a gift for the soul. Bed placement creates a palpable shift in your emotions and I have seen a positive attitude change as a result. Choices come from confidence rather than the seat of the pants. Clarity eliminates self-sabotaging behavior that cycles into stress. Inspiration flows freely as the brain functions at its optimal capacity rather than run on auto-pilot.

If you’ve had doubts why changing your bed position is a good idea, I’ve included a short list. You may be surprised how it influences your health and peace of mind.

  • Heart troubles. Where your bed is positioned can place stress on your emotional heart. Prolonged stress can develop into physical heart troubles including a murmur and arrhythmia.
  • Illness along the midline. Your major organs from your brain to your kidneys can be affected.
  • Insomnia and restless sleep. Our brain is responsible for our survival. It we’re too close to an entrance, either facing it, to the side of it or behind it, this placement triggers the amygdala (the fight-or-flight mechanism). Our brain never shuts off and this weakens the immune system which depends on releasing toxins and building tissue in sleep.
  • Missed opportunity. If you sleep in line of the door your body never lets down at night to rejuvenate. During the day you may be preoccupied with a low grade headache which will invariably eclipse a chance meeting or being considered for promotion.
  • Mood swings. If your bed is on the door wall, you cannot see who is coming, you may feel a sense of danger and you may be blind-sided.

Command position is based on H.H. ”Professor” Lin’s Theory of Relative Positioning which states, the energy that is closest to you affects you the most. Think of the gunslinger in the old westerns. He always had his back to the wall and his eye on the saloon doors. Never too close and not in line of those swinging doors.

  • Your bedroom door determines command position.
  • The door should be within eyeshot of the bed.
  • The bed placement should allow the widest scope of vision of the door.
  • The best placement when feasible is the farther wall from the bedroom door.

As you lay in bed tonight take a moment and observe your surroundings. What do you see? What do you feel? Self awareness is key to getting a good night’s sleep.

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

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.