Feng Shui, One Man's Self-Discovery

In this time of stress and fear of the unknown, with companies imploding and war and terrorism all around us, it's important to have good tools to remain centered and focused.

I had heard a lot about Feng Shui, it sounded interesting but was skeptical. I went to my neighborhood Feng Shui supply store to see what I could learn. I met a rather knowledgeable woman named Fee Lo Mee, she obviously wasn't Asian. She said the name helped her online sales of Feng Shui paraphernalia.

After she got a little background on me she determined the most important thing was to get a Chinese Dragon and a little water fall. I was to display this in the Southeast corner of my room to bring me maximum wealth luck. Also, since I need all the side income I can get, she advised getting a three legged toad and put him on my desk. She also tried to get me to buy windchimes and some fish figurines, but I told her I wasn't so concerned with career luck I just wanted more money.

As we chatted about her online business, I mentioned I wrote for a website. When she heard that it was all I could do to escape the store with just a small crystal globe. You see a crystal globe brings great success, wealth and recognition in literature, publishing, media and communications. I guess that sums up what I do--especially the literature part--so I was sure to put one in my shopping cart.

I hope the wealth luck works because the merchandise was over $100, which included a few I-Ching coins tied with red and gold thread to keep in my pocket for added luck.

At this point, I must admit, I was pretty excited to get home and properly place my new "energizers" in my home and office. But Ms. Mee was not done with me. She pulled aside and softly mentioned, "Feng Shui is not only about symbols and placement, it involves the whole person, including their dress." I looked at my clothes and looked back at her and she nodded slightly with that "yes I'm talking about you" look in her eyes. So I let her begin.

First thing, never ever wear faded or worn jeans like I did, it attracts poverty and bad luck and she let me know it (oh so that's what the problem's been!). Next, make sure you're always well groomed. You don't have to dress fancy, but make sure it's balanced and harmonious. And of course dry your clothes outside in the daylight to absorb purifying yang chi energies.

She started to tell me about kua numbers and elements and colors and shapes and how I should add these into my wardrobe. I told her I was pressed for time and I'd come back again to pick up that information. I really had nowhere to go, but I felt I had all the feng-shui information I could handle for one day.

Well it's been a few days since my trip to see Ms. Mee and everything is properly placed. I feel excited about the new me. Of course nothing has really changed, like anything I have to give it time. Now I'm thinking about learning about how to feng-shui my whole house. I don't really know anything about it, but I hear it really is great.

Ba Zi And Feng Shui

Ba Zi can be literal translate as 'Eight Characters'. Basically, Ba Zi is derived from birth date: the year, month, day and time you were born. Each consists of a distinct pair of characters, hence making up the eight characters. From these eight characters, thousands of combination is possible. Ba Zi is derived from four pair of character, thus, sometime people refer to it as the Four Pillars or Si Zhu as well.

To the Chinese, a period of sixty year is known as one Jia Zi. In ancient China, from experience and by observing the nature, the Chinese discovered a phenomenon. A cycle of climatic or chronology event seem to repeat every sixty year. Meaning if year 2000 is a full of rainfall, the climate for 2060 would be similar. With this knowledge, prevention can be make. Especially, since the weather has an impact on the agriculture, economy and health.

The eight characters are make up of Yin and Yang variation of the Five Elements: Yang Wood, Yin Wood, Yang Fire, Yin Fire, Yang Earth, Yin Earth, Yang Metal, Yin Metal, Yang Water and Yin Water. By analyzing the combination of these eight characters, the personality, destiny of a person can be determine.

With a deeper understanding of ones own personality, you can open up potential and maximize growth. Have better emotional control and decision making. With the knowledge of upcoming influence forces, you are more ready to react and bring out the best performance and avoid unnecessary set back. Knowing your destiny does not mean "That is it. I am fate to be..." This knowledge should be view as a guidance, a map, a motivation booster.

Destiny can be change. But you have to put in a lot of hard work, a lot of perseverance, a lot of determination. There is no free lunch. For example, you have a Ba Zi which indicates that you will be rich. Each day passes by, you dream about what you are going to do when you are rich. You dream about how you are going to spend the money. BUT, you do nothing to make your dream come true. You say to yourself "I am fated to be rich one day... it does not matter if I work hard or not ..." Soon, one day, when your are too old and weak, you will find that you are not rich at all, instead, you are in debt, facing bankruptcy!

What does Ba Zi got to do with Feng Shui? You might ask? Think of Ba Zi as a map, with road sign and indicators to guide you along your life path. Feng Shui becomes the tool that would help you to overcome any obstacle and let you have a smooth journey. For example, if your Ba Zi indicates that you are a hot-tempered person and you find that your relationship with others is not too good. You are constantly angry and it seems like everybody come looking for a fight. The Feng Shui consultant would analysis your Ba Zi and might advice you to wear a sapphire ring, for example. Slowly you would find that there is a change to your life. You find that you have lesser argument with the people around you. You feel good. You can focus on your personal growth. You can do the things that truly resonate with your heart.

Qi Yuan Feng Shui offer feng shui, palmistry, face reading and selection of auspicious date consultaion for individual, businesses and residential clients. Check for more info at http://www.qyfengshui.com or feel free to drop us a mail at enquiry@qyfengshui.com.

Feng Shui Fertility Suggestions

It is unfortunate fact of many people?s lives that infertility strikes where and when it wants. The desire to have a child is a natural, normal progression in a couple?s relationship. While there are certainly individuals and couples who choose to not become parents, an overwhelming majority are happier with the idea of starting and raising a family. The reasons for infertility are wide and numerous. Some are focused on health issues for the potential mother, while others strike the would-be dad. Despite all of the amazing strides made by the medical community to battle infertility, many couples give up after long, expensive treatments make their lives miserable. It doesn?t have to be that way any longer. In addition to medical treatments, many couples are turning to Feng Shui and fertility suggestions to increase their odds of having a baby of their own.

The uninformed know that Feng Shui is related to decorating and arranging their homes. In actuality, this ancient practice is far more than that. It is a time honored Chinese philosophy that helps practitioners create an environment rich in harmony and balance in all areas of their lives. Modifying your home in this tradition may help you and your partner achieve your goal of becoming pregnant. Using Feng Shui and fertility friendly practices are less stressful ways improve your chances of having a baby.

As we have already mentioned, Feng Shui is intended to completely balance and regulate every aspect of existence. In terms of conception, this harmony is nothing short of a miracle. Doctors and other medical professionals will be the first to tell you that it is essential to be at peace and relaxed during the conception phase of creating life. Both potential parents will experience the positive influences of good chi if their environment is conducive to the Feng Shui philosophy. For this reason, if none other, Feng Shui and fertility are a powerful combination.

To begin using Feng Shui and fertility to improve your chances of having a child, start outside. Take a look at your front entrance. Is there anything blocking good energy from moving into your home? One couple struggled with infertility for years. When a Feng Shui consultant recommended removing the tree that blocked their front door, the couple finally experienced success and became parents. Make sure that the main entrance to your home is clear and open to the flow of positive energies.

With Feng Shui and fertility, the focus is a little different than what most of us are accustomed to. The focus is primarily on the man. All of you ladies out there can take a relaxing breath now. Feng Shui is guided by the Descendant?s Luck principle. This luck determines the success of a husband or partner will have starting a family with his significant other. Learning the best ways to stimulate this luck is a beneficial practice for the man in the relationship to aid in the conception process.

This won?t come as any surprise, but the bedroom is instrumental in combining the forces of Feng Shui and fertility. The first step in the master bedroom is to make sure it is free from unwanted and unneeded clutter. Clutter stands in the way of good energy and makes it difficult to achieve a harmonious flow. This means to throw away the receipts on the dresser, pick the clothes up off of the floor, and arrange things neatly. Don?t forget about the closet either. It should be clear of any unused items.

Now that the bedroom is ready for Feng Shui and fertility, it?s time to add some decorations and furniture placement that is perfect for encouraging the production of children. When you think about it, it makes sense. Elephants symbolize pregnancy in the Feng Shui tradition. A couple trying to conceive should consider displaying elephant figurines in their sleeping space. Another animal reference that will help with fertility is fish. The symbol of two fish represents marital unity. As a matter of fact, any decoration you use in this room should involve the number two. Throwing the color red around is helpful as well. Place two red paper lanterns on either side of the bed. These represent the positive yang influence and will help increase fertility. A single piece of hollow bamboo is useful as well. Once again focusing on the potential father put a dragon on his side of the bed to flame his passion and add potency to the union. These well placed items are a good way to encourage the flow of energy through the room.

With the correct use of Feng Shui and fertility energies, a couple struggling with infertility can give themselves an edge in the conception process. The creation of a relaxing, loving home environment will improve the couple?s chance at starting a family of their own.

Candace Czarny,ASID,CFM,LEED AP, "Award Winning" Interior Designer, Feng Shui Expert & author. www.artofplacement.com is continually ranked "Top 10" in Google and Yahoo. Clients testify of dramatic results!