MAKING WAVES WITH FENG SHUI
Spiritual Spring Cleaning
by Dennis Fairchild
 

Feng Shui (pronounced “fung schway”) is an ancient universal philosophy that says that what surrounds home-dwellers affects them. Let’s examine some curious concerns and aim to make your life exciting, prosperous and happy.

Dear Dennis:

I’m sick and tired of the rat-race of my life and want to incorporate more down-time to assist me in my spiritual development. I have statues of Buddha and Kwan Yin and others all over my bedroom but seem to always have bad or uncomfortable dreams. Am I doing something wrong?

Paul; Farmington Hills MI; internet

Dear Perplexed Paul:

Yours is a complex question, but from your query about statues in the bedroom is easy: don’t put dieties or spiritual icons in the bedroom. Period. Their energy is deep and, according to many Feng Shui-beliefs, may interfere in a mortal’s simple but necessary pleasure called sleep. Spiritual icons can be freely displayed everyplace else – as along as they are not on the floor. Create a small altar, put them on a bookshelf no taller than yourself.

Examine and replace “busy” patterns on your bed, like paisleys, polka-dots, stripes and try using soild toned sheets, comforters, etc. Lighter shades of blue, dusty rose work best. To assist in sleep and meditation, also remove any live plants from the bedroom and “tuck in” a bedroom television by draping it with a cloth. Pull up its covers like you would your own. And only feature photos or artwork that are positive to/reflective of your current frame of mind.

Take good note what is displayed in the northeast area of your bedroom as that (for everyone) impacts one’s spiritual developement – especially, when sawing logs at night.

Dear Dennis:

I loved your article about cats and Feng Shui. My furry baby always seems to sleep in my romance section of the home which is far away from our individual beds. Both of us are single females. Any comment?

Darlene; Southfield MI; internet

Dear Darlene and darling:

Indeed, watch your fab feline’s movement and note where she likes to settle. As a Feng Shui “cure, anything that “moves” (like a mobile) or is alive (like a plant) and breathes (like a fish) “energizes” a specific sector of the pa kua (paw kua, for cat-lovers). Naturally, a cat is going to gravitate to where the sun shines – especially now, as winter is behind us. So, your four-legger may have instinctively/intuitively identified an area of your life which requires some Feng Shui enhancers. Take note.

For instance, if she hangs in the southeast area of your floorplan (money and finances), it could be a good idea to lay a small metallic green-colored area rug there to increase your resources. In the east: ditto, and for increasing two-legger’s health. If the cat (or dog) hangs in the north (career; what you aspire to be when you grow up), try incorporating something squarish and in a shade of deep blue like a vase or wall-hanging with turquoise accents to assist in increasing your bank account; similarly, if she naps in the south (acknowledgement from peers), try adding some sort of decorative accent that is scarlet or red and plan on some applause from co-workers.

If the cat naps in the northeast (education, credentials) try incorporating something yellow or light orange; in the northwest, try items that are metallic, white or gold for assistance in networking and spreading the word about who you are and what you offer. For improving relationships, something in a deep yellow is appropriate where kitty sleeps.

On the same level, many Feng Shui pet-lovers think that if a cat or dog sits or hangs out in what seems to be a dark, shadowy area of the house or room, that she may have found a spot (pa kua) spot that needs some tweaking. Have fun!

Dear Dennis:

My husband bought me a dragon door-hugger hanger thing that can sit above the entry. Once upon a time, you mentioned in your column that a dragon should be closer to the floor. I’m confused.

Kimberly; Madion Heights MI

Dear Confused Kim:

The dragon is the traditional Feng Shui and Eastern symbol of growth, longevity and vitality. Their “magic” works best when displayed in any eastern portion of a floorplan or room, especially when groups of two, three, five or nine are huddled together. Ideally, they should never be hung above eye level. However, if you’re over six-foot tall, feel free to place above a doorway frame – unless the door-in-question is in a bedroom.

Bedrooms should be serene and peaceful (what is called a yin room). Dragons are yang (active, energetic) and are best when displayed in living rooms, libraries or kitchens. To increase luck and fortitude, keep them out of bathrooms, laundry rooms. Dragon images do very well by front and back entrances, acting like guard dogs but should not “face” dwellers. The preceding applies to the elephant, which is another powerful symbol. Elephants are best used around staircases or flanking doors and both critters should be stroked or rubbed often. Just like you and yours.

Dennis Fairchild is a nationally-syndicated columnist and author of many books on divination and conducts personal Feng Shui and intuitive-astrological consults in the Greater Detroit area. He can be reached at (248) 546-6912. To submit a Feng Shui question for publication consideration, e-mail DenFairchcild@aol.com.