Event Calendar

Catherine Hilker

Catherine is the owner of Creating Sanctuary, a Master Teacher of Interior Alignment™, a Certified Practitioner of Feng Shui and Space Clearing, a Certified Empowerment Life Coach, artist and business woman.

Mirrors are popular in feng shui because they are energetically active, they open up spaces by bringing in more light, and they can direct the flow of ch’i.  As interior designers know, mirrors visually expand a room.  In addition, mirrors are used in feng shui to increase pleasant views, provide protection by reflecting what’s behind you, and to reroute ch’i.

• Use mirrors to open up small spaces that may feel claustrophobic, like a tiny entrance way.

• Use mirrors at a workstation or desk when your back faces the door.  Position the mirror so you can see behind you while seated.

• Use mirrors to reflect pleasing views.  For example, position a mirror that captures an outdoor garden and brings the garden inside.

• Use mirrors to redirect the flow of ch’i.  For example, redirect an unpleasant view or sharp architectural angle ‘shooting’ in your direction.  Strategically place mirrors throughout the home to create a specific desired traffic pattern.

• Mirrors are active and can be overly stimulating in bedrooms.  If you sleep in a bedroom with a mirror, try covering it and notice if your sleep improves.  Also, mirrors can be distracting in dining areas.

• Mirrors that are broken up (like wall tiles) can be unsettling to the nervous system.  Large, clear mirrors are best.

• Note the placement of your mirrors.  Hanging mirrors across from each other can be disorienting.  Also, mirrors ‘double’ whatever is in a room so take note what you choose to amplify.

• Be sure to hang mirrors so that you can see your entire head.  It can be disturbing to you, your family and your guests to view themselves with their heads cut off.

Mirrors can be an inexpensive and practical way to enhance your space.  They open up small spaces, bring in more light, energetically liven things up and reroute the flow of ch’i.  Be creative in their use and notice the difference they can make for you!

Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA

Feng Shui Master Practitioner

www.FengShuiForRealLife.com

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2013 is Emerald, the Feng Shui Wood Element color that represents rejuvenation and renewal. After a year of the Fire Element color Tangerine Tango, this year we get to see a color that represents much needed growth, expansion, and creativity. Once known mostly by graphic designers and manufacturing pros, the Pantone color matching system has infiltrated pop culture with its Color of the Year, chosen by representatives from around the world at a hush-hush meeting and after much debate. Emerald was selected as a “lively, radiant, lush green color.”

Woodis the Feng Shui Element that represents vitality in your life. Actual Wood Element objects are composed of natural wood, like wood furniture and hardwood floors, as well as plants and flowers. The colors of the Wood Element are green and teal, like tree leaves. The shape of the Wood Element is rectangular, somewhat like a tall, straight tree trunk.

In addition to wearing the color of the Wood Element, you can surround yourself with objects in the wood shape (rectangular) and composition (wooden objects and plants) to help grow your wealth. Here are a few simple ways to “go Feng Shui green” throughout the year and improve your overall well-being:

• If you feel blocked, place a bushy green plant on your desk to get your creative juices flowing.
• If you want to encourage family harmony, add green accents like pillows and throws to your family room.
• If you want to find a new job, place a beautiful wooden box on your desk and place a positive affirmation inside.
• If you need to feel energized on a cloudy day, wear a green scarf or clothes made from cotton or floral patterns.
• If your family is prone to arguments at dinner, set the table with green napkins to promote harmony.
• If you are surrounded by a lot of electronics, place a bushy plant with rounded leaves within 3 feet of your equipment to balance any negative energy, especially in a home theater or home office.
• If you want to find a new job this year, decorate your workspace with green objects, or with artwork that shows growing plants and flowers.
• If you are an author struggling with writer’s block, surround yourself with green objects for inspiration and growth.
• Add green accessories to your bathroom to symbolically dry up some of the excess water in this room and bring balance.

Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA, is a Feng Shui Master Practitioner, author, and speaker who has taught thousands of clients, students, and readers the simple secrets of using Feng Shui to improve their lives. For more than 15 years, Carol has practiced a contemporary version of Feng Shui that honors the essence of its Chinese heritage, but focuses on the practical applications for our culture today. She works with clients nationally and internationally, both on-site and by remote consultation. Carol is author of two books, the 365 Feng Shui Secrets e-book, and the award-winning Feng Shui Quick Guide For Home and Office – Secrets For Attracting Wealth, Harmony, and Love, available at Amazon.com and the Feng Shui Emporium. Connect with Carol at:

Free Feng Shui E-zine: http://bit.ly/FreeEzine

Website: www.FengShuiForRealLife.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/FengShuiForRealLife

Blog: www.FengShuiForRealLifeBlog.com

YouTube: http://bit.ly/FengShuiVideos

Twitter: @FengShuiMaven

Join the Feng Shui 360 Community: http://bit.ly/FengShui360

Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA

Feng Shui Master Practitioner

www.FengShuiForRealLife.com

On New Year’s Day, I posted this tip on my Feng Shui For Real Life page on Facebook: Do the “Feng Shui Fling.” Take a large plastic trash bag, move quickly through your home, and fling 27 things into the bag. Include things you don’t need, don’t want, or don’t know why you are keeping. Get rid of those empty holiday gift boxes and wrapping, open drawers and cabinets, dig down under the sink, go through your closets and cabinets. Don’t analyze, don’t hesitate…just fling. Then take the bag right out to the trash before you change your mind.

Why do you need to fling 27 things into the bag? Three is an especially auspicious number in Feng Shui, and because the number 27 includes multiple sets of three, your Feng Shui Fling will be especially prosperous. Do the Feng Shui Fling on New Year’s Day, and once a week this month, then stand back to enjoy the good things that flow into the open spaces you have created.

Do I practice what I preach? Last year, my big New Year’s Day “flinging” project was the garage. As it is for many people, my garage occupies the Helpful People area of the bagua. Helpful People is located in the lower right hand corner of your home, and this is the area that relates to your clients, mentors, and travel plans, and in general is important for attracting people who will support you as you move toward your life goals. But how many of us can say we keep this Area clutter-free on a daily basis?

The big garage clean out took a lot of trash bags set up for recycling, donations, and just plain trash, but by the end of the day the garage was clean, open, and beautiful, with ample open and clear space to allow new energy to flow throughout this critically important area. The added benefit was that the garage could comfortably fit both cars.

The Feng Shui result? In the first week of that year, my book, the Feng Shui Quick Guide For Home and Office went international when I received an unexpected large order of books from an international library service. That same week I was contracted to work for two new clients. Was it cause and effect or simply coincidence? I invite you to clean out your garage, or any other space that’s a clutter magnet in your house, and see for yourself. And to keep your good chi energy flowing throughout the year, it’s a good Feng Shui practice to schedule a clearing project not only on the first day of the year, but on the first day of every month.

For New Year’s Day 2013, my clutter-clearing project was my office closet. What will happen as a result this year? Stay tuned, I’ll post results in a future article.

You can subscribe to the Feng Shui For Real Life E-zine at www.FengShuiForrealLife.com.

Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA, is a Feng Shui Master Practitioner, author, and speaker who has taught thousands of clients, students, and readers the simple secrets of using Feng Shui to improve their lives. For more than 15 years, Carol has practiced a contemporary version of Feng Shui that honors the essence of its Chinese heritage, but focuses on the practical applications for our culture today. She works with clients nationally and internationally, both on-site and by remote consultation. Carol is author of two books, the 365 Feng Shui Secrets e-book, and the award-winning Feng Shui Quick Guide For Home and Office – Secrets For Attracting Wealth, Harmony, and Love, available at Amazon.com and the Feng Shui Emporium.

Connect with Carol at:

Free Feng Shui E-zine: http://bit.ly/FreeEzine

Website: www.FengShuiForRealLife.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/FengShuiForRealLife

Blog: www.FengShuiForRealLifeBlog.com

YouTube: http://bit.ly/FengShuiVideos

Twitter: @FengShuiMaven

Join the Feng Shui 360 Community: http://bit.ly/FengShui360