MAKING WAVES WITH FENG SHUI

Happy anniversary phenomeNEWS! Like many, I look forward to another 25 years.

The feng shui (pronounced “fung schway,” the ancient Asian philosophy that embraces cultural, geophysical, architectural, folklore and metaphysical modalities to attract happiness) MailBag continues to runneth over, so let’s start divining, no whining.

Dear Dennis:
After attending a fabulous Buddhist weekend in California recently, I’d like to know where to place my altar and new statues in the bedroom. Any tips?
Donna, via internet; Atlanta GA

Dear Donna:
Denise Linn’s book Altars is fabulous, and a perfect-o title to peruse while planning your prayerin’. Ms. L is a great writer; spectacular human being, and has brilliant ch’i —pronounced “chee,” which means energy. Highly recommended on all accounts.

However, feng shui-wise, it’s not a good idea to situate an altar in one’s bedroom whenever possible. Ditto for statues or large icons of deities. However, if there ain’t another place, locate it/them beyond the foot of the bed and never on the floor or too highly elevated. The concept is that the spiritual objects are always active and is said to interfere with repose. So, it’s not a smart situation to have altars with icons “preachin” while sleepin.’

In addition, refrain from featuring too much red, gold or other yang-toned altar cloths. These colors are said to disturb peace of mind in a boudoir. In an ideal feng shui-oriented home, the northeast sector of the ground floor plan suggests learning, spiritual understanding and is the best place for an altar. It’s also said that hanging a pair of six or seven golden-colored tinkling bells from a red cord in the northwest aids in meditation, promotes understanding. 

Dear Dennis:
I got a stone with geode-encrusted black tabletop fountain given to me on my recent birthday (Aries). It looks really good but I don’t know where to put it to attract luck. At the moment, it’s in my south part of my main floor but it doesn’t feel right. 
Gina, Sterling Heights, MI

Dear Gina:
The cascading waters of a home fountain are rejuvenating and wonderful feng shui (except in a bedroom). The sound constantly shifts the energies in your environment, no matter its size, and is said to imbue prosperity. Negative ions (a positive thing, actually), created by the splashing action against the stones, is said to create alertness and good energy. That’s the a-OK news!

The challenge is that water features should never be used in the south (fame, fortune, longevity). Ch’i is always running around the home and garden and the flow of ch’i is also influenced by the elements, especially water. The north (career) and southeastern (prosperity) most parts of your floor plan are best-suited for fountains, birdbaths, aquariums and other water features. Your uneasiness about situating yours in the south is feng shui-justified because what is called the element of fire is the south and water extinguishes flames. Fire is symbolized/energized by lights, candles and the color red. So by placing a bright light, for instance, in the southern sector of your home, you can enhance your personal fame and recognition. However, putting H2O in the south is all wet.

Geodes, like crystals, work best in the earth areas of southwest to enhance relationships and love, and northeast to reinforce personal development.

Dear Dennis:
Because I have loud neighbors, after attending a feng shui lecture in Ann Arbor recently, I asked my friends to get me a bagua mirror for my anniversary to “repel” their noise. I was pleasantly surprised to receive two bagua mirrors, but one is scooped inwards (the mirror) and the other one is flat. For my boisterous situation, is one type better than the other?
Sami, Livonia, MI

Dear Sami:
Bagua mirror on the wall, which is the fairest one of all? Mirrors reflect light and “introduce” it into a dwelling, open up confined areas and are said to deflect negativity. They’re considered the best vitamin supplement a home can feature and are one of the nine basic “cures.” Locally, CostPlus outlets carry bagua mirrors. Online, try www.fengshuiemporium.com.

There are many types of bagua (pronounced “bah-gwah”) mirrors. Generally, it consists of a round-shaped mirror embedded on an eight-sided frame that is encircled by the eight trigrams I-Ching symbols. For centuries, these are the big guns that one uses to face bad neighbors by reflecting back their cranky energy, giving them a dose of their own medicine.

Bagua mirrors are most effective when used outdoors (if you live in a highrise, aim from interior window outwards). Flat mirrors are the least powerful and are best-used above the main entrance door facing toward the street. Concave (“scooped inwardly” and like the inside of a bowl), are used to absorb negative energies without sending anything back, the best choice. Convex mirrors protrude like a frat boy’s beer belly and are said to bounce back the aggravating energy to offenders. However, it’s also said to maintain the ugly vibes, thereby affecting the home owner. To help prevent this karmic backlash, convex bagua mirrors should not be embellished with trigrams. Feng shui-frankly speaking, stick to the flat ones and maybe invite noisy neighbors for a picnic. Always use prudence and caution and maybe some Lithium iced tea.

Dear Dennis:
My neighborhood has so many solicitors who knock on my door from breakfast to dinner that it’s driving me crazy! I heard that brooms in the foyer may help sweep them away according to feng shui. Is this true?
Dolores, via internet;
St Clair Shores, MI

Dear Dolores:
Aside from a pitbull or trap door on your front porch, good luck! Please see above response about bagua mirrors. Try installing one on the outside and above your main door. Brooms are highly respected in feng shui circles. They provide us a vehicle to create a “clean slate,” remove the “old.” However, brooms inside your home should never be seen. Make them a special bed in the closet. It’s also said that if you stand a broom on its handle outside your front door during the day (remember to bring it in at nightfall), it will deter pesky door-knocking salesfolks. Good luck! If all else fails, try displaying an “Under Quarantine” sign on front porch. (Just kidding.)

Dear Dennis,
My friend just began a home business. Her office is in the southeast area of her main floor. That’s money, right? She can’t stand water fountains or fish, but I want to give her something to “activate” the income.
Sean, via internet; Royal Oak MI

Dear Sean,
Yep, all southeastern areas are associated with wealth and are ruled by the element of small wood. Use water features as water produces wood in the element productive cycle. In addition, the southeast loves plants, flowers and the color green. Flora and fauna with sharp leaves, such as cacti, should not be used. The feng shui money energizer is the jade plant. 

Dennis Fairchild is a local psychic-astrologer and author of several titles on divination and Feng Shui. For info about one-on-one appointments, call (248) 646-3555.
Fairchild’s newest books will appear in bookstores April 2003.