|
 MAKING
WAVES WITH FENG
SHUI
Tips From The Feng Shui Mailbag
by Dennis Fairchild
With spring (officially)
here, the Feng Shui (the ancient philosophy about the effects that home
decor, landscaping and color has on dwellers) mailbag runneth over. So
let’s plow through and plant some seeds.
Dear
Dennis,
My
gardening-self is excited about getting my hands dirty again. My
favorite flower is the chrysanthemum. Is one color “better” than another
in Feng Shui?
Janis;
West Bloomfield
Dear Janis,
In Feng Shui lore, the
chrysanthemum symbolizes longevity and long-term happiness/success,
especially the yellow (like the blazing sun above) types. Its blossoms
are dried for many oriental tonics and cosmetics. In the Midwest, this
plant is best used in conjunction with light scarlet-toned azaleas which
also “govern” muscle aches and bronchitis (but keep the beautiful
flowers away from pets and kidlings as they are toxic when chewed).
Dear
Dennis,
Anything
to say about my home telephone that sits near my front door that faces
north? I put it there because I thought the good ch’i from the front
door would make me rich.
Toby;
Ferndale; internet
Dear Toby,
Telephones represent
communication, of course. When located in the north of your major floor
plan, it suggests help for career; in the south, luck from peers; the
east, tips for health; west, involvement with kin and family; northeast,
kid and credential attraction; northwest, help from those in other
cities and luck with travel; southeast, for extra bucks; southwest for
better personal talk with lovers.
To “energize” your phone,
(contemporary) Feng Shui-lore suggests taping three Chinese or I-Ching
coins to the underside of the phone to bring prosperity and personal joy
into your home. (Same goes for a fax machine with a phone attached.)
Ditto for your office digs. But remember to pay the bill when it
arrives.
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 the south area of my main
floor but it doesn’t feel right.
Thomas;
Mt Pleasant; internet
Dear Thomas,
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 H20 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,
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.
Sandi,
Ferndale; internet
Dear S,
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.
Dear
Dennis,
I recently
developed a passion for statues of Buddha. There’s many types –
laughing, with kids, real fat and slimmer. My question is the proper
placement for good vibes.
Gloria;
Royal Oak; internet
Dear Gloria (pretty name,
by the way!)
The general Feng Shui rule
is to never place a Buddha on the ground; always at knee-height or
higher and, preferably, atop a piece of clean cloth (usually scarlet or
royal blue). Yep, there are many varieties of the Big Guy. The “Smiling
Buddha” (or “Laughing”) is highly regarded in wind and water lore. In
most situations, it’s best to position him on a high shelf (or at least
3-5 feet from the floor) so that he is angled to face your front or main
door of home or business.
When placed in the eastern
part of the living or main gathering room, it’s said that Buddha will
bring improved health, especially in the throat, mouth and shoulder
area. In the west, luck is bestowed to family members who have moved
away. In the southern sector of a main room, he helps one gain
self-esteem and stick to their diet better (even tho he’s a chubby
character).
Buddha statues are best
used at main gathering entrances or dining rooms rather than bedrooms.
Try to obtain a chubby one that features a gourd by his feet or a bag
around his shoulder to insure good luck (the bag/gourd will attract and
contain your troubles and worries). Golden-toned statues are better than
red resin types, by the way. And, be sure to stroke his belly. Bubba
Buddha loves that!
Dear
Dennis,
What color
candles would help me gain fame and fortune?
George;
Allen Park MI
Dear George,
In addition to talent,
sweat and auditions, Feng Shui suggests placing red, blue or
purple-toned candles in the south to stimulate celebrity and reputation;
refrain burning candles in what is called metal sector, the west or
northwest area of your largest room.
Dear
Dennis,
My friend
bought me two bagua mirrors because I have some very loud next door
neighbors who stay up all night and she thought they might help.
However, one mirror-gift is convex and the other is flat. Should one be
situated in a different spot than the other?
Melanie;
Port Huron; internet
Dear Mel,
What are called bagua
mirrors (see
www.fengshuiemporium.com) are most frequently used to hang above a
main door entrance facing the street, especially if neighbors are loud
or buildings are taller than yours. Those which feature flat mirrors are
not as powerful; shiny door knockers included.
A convex mirror-feature
(like a beer-belly “pushing out”) are said to keep away negative energy
from entering one’s home or apartment. And, indeed, they can be just as
powerful when placed in a window facing the offensive energy.
Unfortunately, I don’t think it’ll make the sound of the heavy metal
music diminish. But it may curb its length of play; so, give it a try.
Dennis Fairchild is a
local author-lecturer and columnist for HomeTown newspapers. For
information about his astrological/intuitive sessions or Feng Shui
classes call (248) 546-6912 or e-mail DenFairchild@aol.com. If you have
a Feng Shui query for consideration in a future column send to
DenFairchild@aol.com. Please understand that Fairchild cannot respond to
individual e-mails about your Feng Shui particulars. |
