MAKING WAVES WITH FENG SHUI

Q & A

 by Dennis Fairchild

The house, the stars, the desert – what gives them their beauty is something that’s invisible. Antoine de Saint Exupery

What makes our home special? Is it the shape of it, carpeting and color or doo-dads? Location?

According to Feng Shui (pronounced “fung schway,” the ancient global philosophy about how to create a harmonious environment that nurtures and sustains you) the answer is yes! Your home can be your greatest ally to help you achieve your potential. When you implement Feng Shui into your dwelling, you will notice that your life also transforms.

Feng Shui embraces astrology, gardening, decor, color, aromas, eating well and the belief that the your living space affects you and yours. As in every phenomeNEWS issue, we invite you to send your Feng Shui queries. So, let’s peek into this month’s post.

Dear Dennis,
I’m a big fan of your Feng Shui column and phenomeNEWS. Thanks to you and all of the phenomeNEWS’ writers, I’ve learned bunches of valuable tools for improving my life.

My question is what subtle things can I do to make my husband less sarcastic? He lets me Feng Shui-decorate all the time and loves everything about my decor-tweaking except filling our rooms with floral aromas – which I enjoy – so lavender, chamomile and such seem to do the opposite for him.

Like many, he is the crankiest when he returns from work. Dinner is “our” time because we both love eating. I’m the chef, not he.

Any Feng Shui tips about a non-floral incense to mellow him out when he walks in the door for dinner?

Savannah H; Bloomfield MI
via internet

Say Sweet Savannah:
Feng Shui-wise, floral fragrances are most effective when temperatures aren’t too hot – i.e., they work best during early spring or late autumn-early winter type weather. Woody smells, like musk or woodruff, compliment chillier weather.

When planning a romantic, mellow soiree upon his return from the office, classical Feng Shui claims light, sweet fragrances such as vanilla, lily-of-the-valley and lilac are sensational for seductive one-on-one, while woody whiffs emphasize chi’s (pronounced “chee,” meaning “energy”) sensual cha-cha and self-expression.

Before I address your concern about sarcasm-reducing smells, may I suggest a couple of foods to welcome your edgy spouse home and both enjoy? Feng Shui lore promotes lentil dishes – soups, casseroles and such – for creating mellowness and peace among diners. Lentils are said to be ruled by the Moon (emotions, female energy) and are governed by the understanding element of water. Incorporating lentils in your din meals twice a week is a good idea for de-creasing anger, sarcasm. Plus, they taste great!

However, a most favored Feng Shui food is brown rice – short grain moreso rather than long. It’s ruled by the almighty Sun, astrologically and the intellectual element of air and is said to make one’s fortitude and beliefs strong and healthy for all concerned. Throughout autumn and winter or when temperatures become chilly, add (4-10 hours soaked) red aduki beans to the mix. It’s claimed that cooked rice mixed with honey, mirin or sugar and cinnamon makes men mellow, less angry.

USA’s leading Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago shouts that whenever garlic bread is placed on a table, hostile dinnertime comments drop by nearly 23 percent! “The smell of garlic,” says Windy City researcher Alan HIrsch, MD, “enhances intimacy and passion and triggers both positive and nostalgic feelings.”

So, leave the lavender oil alone for a few months (but keep the breath mints handy) and try some garlic with lentils and rice. And check out November’s phenomeNEWS’ Making Waves as I’ll also explain more about “magical food/meal” info.

Dear Dennis,
Over the past couple of years, I got a gig in the hospitality services at a delightful local bar restaurant. I’ve noticed that there are certain spots over others in the place that singles get “luckier” at various times of a day when hanging in the lounge.
As an unattached Chinese astrology-born Metal Dragon gal on the prowl, is there any Feng Shui suggestions about why some folks seem to score better standing in one spot versus another when in a singles bar?

Claire F; North Carolina;
via internet

Yo Cool Claire:
Yes, there are more Feng Shui favorable places to hang in order to attract interest in a lounge or local pub when your hara (inner life-force) is hungry for some huggin’. Whether a bar or restaurant or hotel lobby, stand inside to the right of the main door (when sipping, looking out) when patrons enter the room. Hang in there and you’ll get first dibs on everyone. But stand at least 10-feet away from entrance or catty-corner in the back facing the main door in order to give one-night wannabes an opportunity to acclimate to the amorous atmosphere... before you pounce.

Stand in small spaces and where you can view the entire parameter of space. (This applies at home as well as other joints.) The simple fact is that the smaller the room/space, the closer people stand to one another. Steer clear of wide-open expanses or huddle towards a corner. The more cramped the quarters, the more exquisite the excuse you have for rubbing shoulders with a sensual stranger.

Kings, judges and other high-and-mighty mucky mucks always hang out in the back of the room against solid walls. This way, you can scan whos walks towards you – you don’t have to face front. Feng Shui-wise, when you plant yourself in a back area or corner, one transmits an air of authority (whether male or otherwise). Plus, potential suitors are forced to push through the crowd to get by your side. After all, you’re worth the struggle.

Finish each day and be done with it. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dennis Fairchild is a Royal Oak psychic astrologer-author.  For information about his Fen Shui/asro/tarot card sessions, call (248) 546-6912. E-mail DenFairchild@aol.com if you have a question for consideration in a future Feng Shui phenomeNEWS column.