
Monday, January 21, 2008
FENG SHUI - Setting Intention
This means first that you have a clear intention of what you seek to accomplish when making the change. It’s a good idea to take a few minutes to clear your mind, relax and visualize the results you’re seeking. For instance if you are placing a tabletop fountain in your wealth position you’d want to set the intent that money is flowing to you and be thinking that as you place the fountain.
This would be true of other “symbolic” items. If you place a fish (for success) in your career position you’d want to set that intent and so on.
It is also important that you instill your personal “CHI” on items when placed along with the intent. This is especially true when hanging mirrors or crystals as corrections. This also serves as a form of blessing you give before placing the item. All you need do is exhale on the item, thus instilling your chi while setting the intent for the result desired.
One of the most empowering ways to set intent for feng shui purposes is to create an affirmation box.
The directions are simple and are as follows:
1) Select a box that you’re attracted to. Preferable one that is symbolic (i.e. angels would symbolize blessings)
2) Use a NEW pen (black or blue ink) and select paper that appeals to you (if seeking a love relationship you might choose a pink paper)
3) Write your desires while visualizing what you seek. (i.e. if seeking a mate ...list the qualities you’d want. Be as specific as possible) Note: don’t be vague and say “I want a mate”...you may get one but not one you really want!
4) End the list with one or more positive affirmations, a blessing or a prayer.
5) Fold the paper up tight, blow on it (instill your “CHI”) and place it in the box.
6) Place the box in the most appropriate position (i.e. marriage/partnership)
7) Leave it alone...don’t look inside again until you’re satisfied it’s been fulfilled.
Seeing the box daily will be a visual affirmation that your wishes have been stated and given to the Universe.
This method is often recommended for people selling homes. Doing an affirmation box with the the qualities you wish for the new purchaser’s family along with the realtor’s card should be placed in the helpful people position in the living room or entry.
Setting intent is one more way to empower your feng shui applications!
© Sharon Kasmira
History of Feng Shui
The founding history of Feng Shui is lost in time.
The first historical documented reference to Feng Shui was in an ancient Chinese text dating back to around 200 AD. However artifacts bearing Feng Shui symbols go much further back. Such symbols have also been found in a grave excavated in 1988 that dates back to around 4000 BC. So Feng Shui may have a timeline that date back 6000 years!
There are also claims that it is derived from Vastu which is a ancient Indian art of architecture that dates back thousands of years. This is however not proven.
Feng Shui continue to be developed through centuries of research, analysis and experimentation and new findings were recorded and old theories refined.
The Tang dynasty (618 - 906 AD) mark the coming of age of the Form School which place emphasis on environmental features such as mountains and water (e.g. lakes, river).
Later on, saw the development of a system that is more mathematical and largely based on the numerology of the I-Ching. This system is favored in areas where the terrain is flat and featureless and saw tremendous developing using the Sung dynasty (960 - 1279 AD).
Feng Shui remained popular during the Ming (1368 - 1644 AD) and Ching (1644 - 1911) dynasty.
However after the fall of the Ching dynasty, China attempted to catch up with the modernization and industrialization of the west and many non-scientific practices like Feng Shui were marginalized.
When the Communist government took power in 1949, more efforts were made to discredit such practices. Despite this, practitioners continue to practice their trade. However the Cultural Revolution between 1966 and 1976 took its toll on Feng Shui and many such books and paraphernalia were destroyed.
Many practitioners fled with their knowledge to Hong Kong, Taiwan and other overseas Chinese community. It is today alive and widely practiced in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia (which has a significant Chinese minority), Singapore and the other expatriate Chinese communities such as London, San Francisco and Vancouver.
Interestingly, it is experiencing a revival in China with the more open and liberal policies of the current Chinese government.
(History of Feng Shui Trivial: Feng Shui was previously known as Kan Yu or the study of Heaven and Earth)
What is Feng Shui?
In Chinese, 'Feng' means Wind while 'Shui' means Water.
It is an ancient Chinese metaphysical study that looks at how mankind is affected, for better or worse, by its surroundings.
Surrounding include the external environment as well as the internal layout of the home. External features include the mountains and rivers and in an urban setting includes buildings, roadways etc. Internal features include the completion date and orientation of the house, location and facing of the main door, stove, beds etc.
A right combination can influence the luck of the occupants positively while an incorrect combination can bring about misfortunes.
For example, a house is generally better if it supported by a mountain at the back rather than facing one in front. Or a house should ideally be higher than the road rather than the other way around.
Over the years, practitioners have researched, analyze, documented and refined a set of rules and formulas that define a compliant dwelling or office.
Occupants of such compliant dwellings are more likely to enjoy good fortune and have better luck with money, good health and more harmonious relationships.
Feng Shui is also called Fung Shui, Foong Shway, Fong Sui etc. China is a huge country with different regions and many dialects. The different spellings are a result of translation from the different Chinese dialects!
I hope you have a good understanding now on what is Feng Shui?
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Your Fortune & Luck for the year of the Earth Rat 2008
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2008 - The Taisui and the Suipo
The Tai Sui (literally Great Year) is the controlling influence for the current year. It corresponds to the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness for the year. Each year it relates to a different direction depending upon the current year. In 2008, it is to the Zi direction or North. Zi relates to the year animal, or in 2008, the Rat. Did you know that each animal sign had their own direction?
As such there is another qi energy called the Sui Po or Year Breaker. This is an unfortunate energy and is located opposite the Tai Sui. In 2008, the Sui Po is in the South or the Wu (Horse) direction.
These are two important directions to be aware of, especially because you do not want to disturb the earth in these directions. Doing so can lead to inauspicious results.
In Feng Shui, the directions are as specific as 15 degrees. For each of the eight compass directions, there are 3 sub-directions. Thus, there are a total of 24 directions on a Feng Shui luopan (or compass.) In 2008 the Tai Sui is to Zi or the middle third direction of North. The Sui Po is to the Wu or middle third direction of South. On a Sang’s Luopan, the direction for Li is referred to by the A direction and the Wu direction is referred to as M. Another way to look at this is from a Western compass perspective in that the Zi direction is from 352.5 to 7.5 degrees on the compass. The Wu is from 172.5 to 187.5 on the compass.
We are specific to the 15 degrees, but to be on the safe side, avoid digging, break ground, or otherwise disturb the earth in not only the 15 degrees, but the entire 45 degree segment of North or South for this year. That way you are assured that you are safe. Additionally, you should not have major reconstruction to your home. Lastly, you should not bury anyone to these directions this year.
If you would like to read more about these directional influences, please see the 2008 Astrology and Feng Shui guide by Master Larry Sang.
2008 Flying Stars
On February 4th at 7:03pm, the new Solar Year begins. This brings in the new qi for 2008. This new energy has both good and unfavorable effects. The key is to knowing which directional energy you need to watch out for and which are areas in which you should spend time.
In 2008, the ruling star is #1 white (tan lang). This is a fortunate star with positive effects that include wealth, fame, and romance. It is the star that provides the flavor of this year. While this is a good star, there are some negative issues too. It is a water star, so be careful of water related dangers.
The other key star to be aware of this year is the #5 yellow star (lian zhen). This is a troublesome character who brings misfortune wherever he lands. This year he is in the South. The number 5 yellow can bring money delays, accidents, and other misfortune. It is especially important that you do not dig in the South direction (in relationship to your house) this year. Additionally, in the south section be sure to add the metal element to reduce the negative qi. Try not to spend too much time in a southern room. If your bedroom is in the South section of the house, use metal to reduce the negative qi and spend a minimal amount of time there.
The #8 star (zuo fu) arrives in the East this year. This is an auspicious star and can bring money prosperity. But being in the East, it is weakened by the wood qi of the East. Adding the color red can give strength to this wonderful #8.
These are a sampling of the key energies you need to be aware of.
If you would like to read about all of the flying star influences for 2008, be sure to read the Chinese Astrology & Feng Shui Guide 2008: The Year of the Rat.
Feng Shui Tip - Help on Clearing up the Clutter
Clearing the clutter is the first thing you should do to improve your environment around you. After all, Feng Shui is about creating beautiful and supportive environments in which you can thrive. Organization and neatness are important to keeping your home environment supportive and beautiful.
We ran across this site that focuses on all sorts of home improvements. At this site, you can download household planners, including calendars, checklists, to-do lists, phone message stationery, and more at Household Notebook, a web gallery with almost 100 different types of forms that make task management easier. The site also showcases a pantry and freezer inventory for keeping track of your wares, a packing checklist for the occasional trip, address lists to pin on the fridge door, and birthday calendars, among numerous other forms. Don’t bother to create a template in your favorite word processor for your to-do list; the Household Notebook already has one created for you.
Additionally, this site has an entire section devoted to cutting clutter. This includes closet decluttering, kitchen organization, how to hold a garage sale, and a slew of other things. You might want to check out this cutting clutter section.
By clearing out a lot of junk from your environment, you can get on with focusing in to the future and having a beautiful, comfortable and supportive environment.