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Feng Shui Classes
What is Feng Shui
The Feng Shui IQ Test
The Theory Behind Feng Shui
Spring Cleaning with Feng Shui
How to Feng Shui your House for Health, Happiness, and Prosperity
Yin and Yang and Feng Shui
Who Practices Feng Shui?
20 Ways to Benefit from Feng Shui
The Most Important Feng Shui For Office Desk Rules
The Theory Behind Feng Shui
What Feng Shui Is Not
Feng Shui and Pets
Feng Shui Tips


What is Feng Shui
 
You're not an idiot if you're confused about 
feng shui (pronounced fung schway). 
This ancient Chinese tradition has bulldozed its way into the 
West, becoming the craze du jour. It seems everyone is either 
doing it or dissing it.  Feng shui articles, books, entire magazines, 
complete schools, and comprehensive websites have crowded the market. 
Some of these offer advice and varied techniques far removed from 
the real thing. They all seek to cash in while misleading 
the unsuspecting, taking full advantage before the uninformed 
consumer wises up and begins to question the myriad 
inconsistencies.  Actually, this dilution of the classic 
tradition can be likened to playing "telephone.   
Remember that childhood game? One kid whispers a sentence 
into the next kid's ear.  Something like, "My 50-foot 
alligator lives in a black lagoon. By the time the sentence 
reaches the end of the line of kids, it may have become, 
"My pin-striped crocodile swims in a pink polka-dot pool. 
Get the idea? This book will avoid such silliness and present 
to you a clear, concise explanation of feng shui. 
Let's get started by taking a little quiz.
 
The Feng Shui IQ Test:

Before you learn what feng shui actually is (and what it isn't), 
let's test your feng shui IQ.  For each of these questions, 
pick the answer you believe is correct. 
(Hint: Some questions may have more than one correct answer.)  
Don't worry, your grades won't be sent home to Mom!
 
1. What is feng shui?
a. A specialty of Chinese cuisine
b. The study of time and space
c. A belief system of warding off evil spirits using mirrors
 
2. You should always sleep with your head pointed north.
a. True
b. False
 
3. Which instruments are used by a feng shui practitioner?
a. A smudge stick
b. Crystals
c. A compass
 
4. You're practicing good feng shui when you:
a. Open the window to let fresh air in
b. Hang a mirror in a small room
c. Hang a wind chime in your entrance
 
5. Which sort of house promotes a more healthful well-being?
a. A house made of bricks
b. A house built on a level lot
c. A house built on a hilltop
 
6. You and your significant other have submitted an offer on a new house. 
At the last minute, you discover the previous two sets of owners divorced 
while living in the dwelling. Do you withdraw your offer?
a. Yes
b. No
 
7. You should always keep toilet lids down so your money qi 
(pronounced chee) won't flush away.
a. True
b. False
 
8. Feng shui can help you:
a. Find love and romance
b. Increase your earning potential
c. Gain fame and respect
 
9. The object of feng shui is to activate your
fame, marriage, children, helpful people,
career, knowledge, family, and wealth qi sectors
within your home.
a. True
b. False
 
10. Feng shui is practiced by:
a. Individuals like yourself
b. Major corporations
c. The Asian population
 
Feng Shui IQ Answers:
1. b, 2. b, 3. c, 4. a, 5. b, 6. b, 7. b, 8. all of the above, 
9. b, 10. all of the above.  So, how did you do? 
Did the correct answers surprise you? 
Or maybe you feel more confused than ever. 
Don't worrywe'll tell you everything you 
need to know to understand Feng Shui. 
It's time to embark on a unique journey 
that will change the way you view the world. 
Let's start by discussing what feng shui isn't.

The Theory Behind Feng Shui 
Feng Shui is other than simply rearranging furnishings, 

it's a routine. And lifestyles require mindsets or 
concepts that are dominant. Feng Shui experts simply 
say no to a number of things with no reason. 
Nearly all of the things they do come with a 
line of reasoning that might not necessarily 
be embraced by many people.  
However, it is still a point of view that amongst 
other things, need cautious contemplation and thought. 
So what are the thoughts that prevail on the onset 
of Feng Shui? Here are just some of these common 
concepts that a Feng Shui enthusiast 
or researcher could find useful.

Sense of Stability:
The number one thing that Feng Shui promotes is stability. 
This equilibrium comes in several forms, in the color 
layout, in the spatial factors up to the numbers that 
concern your working space or environment. 
The equilibrium is further promoted by the five Earth 
elements of Feng Shui and the bagua, which is designed 
symmetrically and with complete reference to the different 
elements of the earth by Feng Shui principles. 
The standards of Feng Shui is made customized 
in every person, but it all boils down to having 
the correct sets of things that supplement 
and balance each other out.
Sense of Positivity

A sense of positivity is also what Feng Shui promotes. 
Positive energy is the detail largely sought after by 
people who try to get the services of Feng Shui 
consultants. This positivism needs to be maintained. 
On the other hand, it wards off all the forms of 
negative energy that may possibly come in a 
particular space. This is why there are gems 
that assist cure the bad luck in a particular place, 
specially those which have been established 
without assistance of Feng Shui.

A Natural Leaning for Beauty and the effects that Promote 
Its Beauty in symmetry and symmetry in beauty is one of 
the foundation concepts of Feng Shui. It appeals to the 
physically inviting, and furthermore adheres to fighting 
for beauty and balance in things. 
Feng Shui, in some ways, is a celebration of beauty 
in design and other physical elements of the space being designed.

Love for Your Environment:
Feng Shui promotes the conscientious contemplation 
of the environment before establishing places. 
Good Feng Shui compliments the elements of the earth 
and makes the Feng Shui aficionado more watchful of their 
surroundings. They don't merely work instantly in any 
oppressive place, but strive to eradicate 
any existing negativities in the surroundings.

Love for Self:
The love for self is also promoted by Feng Shui. 
You will perceive energy based on what normally feels 
good to you. Love for self involves not subjecting yourself 
to oppressive places or harboring negative energies that 
can be counter-productive to your diverse activities.

Dreaming Big And Making The Atmosphere Jive With That Dream:
In conclusion, Feng Shui is more anchored on the 
greater scheme of things. When you have a vision 
and you propose to execute it in various ways, 
the best way to begin is to have an environment 
that embraces those dreams. If you dream big 
and work hard, but your environment cancels all 
the things that you are striving for, it will be a 
exceedingly demanding task for you.
Feng Shui ensures that there is alignment linking 
the things you want and the things that are 
manifested in the objects you see day after day.

Spring Cleaning with Feng Shui 

If you are striving to improve your health, 
do get rid of all the items that are cluttering 
and blocking the energy flow in your
kitchen (especially your cupboards and the freezer) 
The state of your kitchen is the state of your health, 
so do yourself a favor and 
thoroughly clean that kitchen!
 
De-clutter the refrigerator; 
clean the stove and all the pots and pans.

If you would like to welcome a new relationship into 
your life, make space, and I mean actual, physical 
space, for this new person to be in your home. 
You literally have to create an open, free flow 
of energy in your physical space so that your 
life can attract and manifest more of what you 
are looking for. This applies to all aspects 
of your Life.

How to Feng Shui your House for 
Health, Happiness, and Prosperity 

The general idea of feng shui is to attract chi, 
which is a positive energy force, into your house 
and keep it there. It enters (and
exits) through doors, windows, and other openings 
such as chimneys, vents, and even plumbing. 
Chi is greatly enhanced by positive
feelings from within yourself. It likes clean, organized, 
and open spaces that flow well from one room to another, 
and prefers having a good view from any particular point. 

Chi is also attracted to living things: Plants, pets, and wildlife.
 
So the first and most important thing you need 
to do is eliminate clutter. This can be a big project 
for some of us! But it is critical. Dedicate a 
Saturday to cleaning your house up and throwing 
things out. Do not designate a clutter room or 
closet, as everything that you know about the 
Chi also knows about - there is no hiding from 
it. Once the clutter is gone you can move on 
to strategic decorating and arrangement of furniture. 

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Yin and Yang and Feng Shui

So what do yin and yang have to do with feng shui? 
A lot. If yin and yang aren't balanced in your 
environment, their imbalance can produce unwanted 
emotional and physical effects. We have many clients 
who complain of fatigue, depression, 
and lack of motivation.  Generally, 
these people spend much time in dark places. 
Conversely, we have clients who live in bright, 
sun-filled homes, offering no relief from the 
sun's intensity. Is it any surprise these clients 
complain of headaches?  Much of feng shui relies 
on plain old common sense. If a room is dark, 
add more light. If a room is overly bright, 
add window blinds or curtains. If a room is stuffy, 
open the window.  If it's too warm or too cool, 
adjust the thermostat. This is the easy stuff. 
Yet, life is not always easy. Feng shui is here 
to help us confront and overcome the difficulties.

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Who Practices Feng Shui? 

Interior designer, architect, or landscaper. 
Nor a philosopher, scientist, or celebrity. 
In fact, there are no prerequisites to 
practicing feng shui. Yet, this is not 
to say that feng shui practitioners 
don't share common traits. They do.

Generally Feng Shui Practitioners:

Have an open mind.
Are willing to try alternative forms of therapy.
Believe that the world 
and its peoples are interconnected.
Believe in God or a Higher Power.
Believe harmony and balance 
are essential to our well-being.
Believe in a sense of fate or destiny.

Feng shui practitioners are global. 
They transcend cultural, racial, 
economic, and political barriers.

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20 Ways to Benefit from Feng Shui

1. Getting a job, raise, or promotion
2. Improving health
3. Getting married
4. Getting pregnant or preventing miscarriages
5. Guarding against separations or divorce
6. Increasing motivation
7. Creating more harmonious family/work relationships
8. Developing better study habits
9. Increasing creativity
10. Feeling more in control
11. Feeling more comfortable in your home/office
12. Eliminating depression
13. Stimulating social life
14. Spurring better business
15. Preventing lawsuits or malicious influences
16. Preventing accidents
17. Finding an apartment, home, or business
18. Warding off addictions
19. Promoting better sleep
20. Bringing respect and fame

Even if you feel your life is on track, 
practicing feng shui is fun. Get involved. 
Enlist your friends and family.

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The Most Important Feng Shui For Office Desk Rules

A solid wooden desk is preferable. 
Wood is conducive to a natural flow of chi. 

A glass-topped desk speeds up the flow of chi 
and helps you work fast. However, this more yang 
surface is not suitable for projects that need patience 
and long hours to complete. According to feng shui, 
glass topped desk also lets your money and business 
"fall through the desk, finding no support. 

An ideal feng shui office desk features full front 
and side panels. The longer the panels the better. 
From the five feng shui animals, side panels 
represented by tiger and dragon, guard and protect 
every step of your career. 
The phoenix at front lets your career move forward. 

Feng shui recommends to rectangular shape 
of your desk so that it's balanced and 
complete (no missing areas) 

Top feng shui for office desk advice: 
For the best career achievement, 
an executive style desk made of 
solid wood is your best choice. 

What is the best feng shui color for your office desk?

Darker wood colors (mahogany)are more yang 
and create more official, serious '
or formal atmosphere in your office.

Lighter wood colors are more yin 
and create more relaxed and light atmosphere in your office. 

Feng shui for office and business Golden Rules:

Don't store more than nine objects for everyday use 
( phone, computer, lamp.)on your office desk . 
Make sure their placements correspond to the bagua map. 

Keep your desk clutter free and organized at all times. 
Clean the way for prosperity energy to come your way. 

Use bagua to set up your feng shui office desk. 

Your phone should be in the Wealth area of the desk 
(far back left corner). Phone in this feng shui
area is more likely to ring with business '
and bring good deals in. You can place nice 
purple crystal on golden stand next to your 
phone to attract even more money flow. 

If you use computer to generate money for your business 
(web design, stock broker.) keep it in the wealth area 
instead of the telephone. Make sure it 
doesn't block your office door view. 

Place your desk lamp in your fame area. 
It will activate good future career options 
as well as improve your reputation. 

If it's not suitable, use a small plant with 
red flower or pot, which will greatly stabilize 
your career and reputation. Lucky Trees are our 
recommended option as many of them are easy to 
take care of, good size even for your office 
desk or other stands and have important feng 
shui characteristics (round leaves, color flowers.... 
We don't have to mention that they are really 
beautiful and powerful feng shui 
cure for your office. 

To fully activate helpful people keep your black 
computer mouse or tape black under an office desk 
in feng shui Career area. If you are creative person 
(designer, architect. ) keep your computer 
in the feng shui creativity area. 

Simply do the best matchup. I think you get it by now..

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The Theory Behind Feng Shui

Feng Shui is other than simply rearranging furnishings, 
it's a routine. And lifestyles require mindsets or concepts 
that are dominant. Feng Shui experts simply say no to a 
number of things with no reason. Nearly all of the things 
they do come with a line of reasoning that might not 
necessarily be embraced by many people.

However, it is still a point of view that amongst other things, 
need cautious contemplation and thought. So what are the 
thoughts that prevail on the onset of Feng Shui? Here are 
just some of these common concepts that a Feng Shui 
enthusiast or researcher could find useful. 

Sense of Stability:
The number one thing that Feng Shui promotes is stability. 
This equilibrium comes in several forms, 
in the color layout, in the spatial factors up to 
the numbers that concern your working space or 
environment. The equilibrium is further promoted 
by the five Earth elements of Feng Shui and the 
bagua, which is designed symmetrically and with 
complete reference to the different elements of 
the earth by Feng Shui principles. The standards 
of Feng Shui is made customized in every person, 
but it all boils down to having the correct sets 
of things that supplement and balance each other out. 

Sense of Positivity:
A sense of positivity is also what Feng Shui promotes. 
Positive energy is the detail largely sought after by 
people who try to get the services of Feng Shui 
consultants. This positivism needs to be maintained. 
On the other hand, it wards off all the forms of 
negative energy that may possibly come in a particular 
space. This is why there are gems that assist cure 
the bad luck in a particular place, specially those 
which have been established without assistance of Feng Shui. 

A Natural Leaning for Beauty and the effects that Promote It:
Beauty in symmetry and symmetry in beauty is one 
of the foundation concepts of Feng Shui. 
It appeals to the physically inviting, 
and furthermore adheres to fighting for beauty 
and balance in things. Feng Shui, in some ways, 
is a celebration of beauty in design and other 
physical elements of the space being designed. 

Love for Your Environment:
Feng Shui promotes the conscientious contemplation 
of the environment before establishing places. 
Good Feng Shui compliments the elements of the earth 
and makes the Feng Shui aficionado more watchful of 
their surroundings. They don't merely work instantly 
in any oppressive place, but strive to eradicate 
any existing negativities in the surroundings. 

Love for Self:
The love for self is also promoted by Feng Shui. 
You will perceive energy based on what normally 
feels good to you. Love for self involves not 
subjecting yourself to oppressive places or harboring 
negative energies that can be counter-productive 
to your diverse activities.
 
Dreaming big and making the atmosphere jive with that dream:
In conclusion, Feng Shui is more anchored on the 
greater scheme of things. When you have a vision 
and you propose to execute it in various ways, 
the best way to begin is to have an environment 
that embraces those dreams. If you dream big and 
work hard, but your environment cancels all the
things that you are striving for, it will be a 
exceedingly demanding task for you.
Feng Shui ensures that there is alignment linking 
the things you want and the things that are 
manifested in the objects you see day after day.

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What Feng Shui Is Not

From the many questions we receive from readers, 
clients, and students, there is great confusion 
about the different schools of feng shui: 
"They all conflict. "Which one is right? 
"How do I activate my wealth corner? "Where 
is my wealth corner? To address these concerns, 
we have added information to this 
chapterinformation that will help you 
separate fact from falsehood; information 
that will help set you on 
the proper feng shui path.

Unfortunately, feng shui is plagued with many misconceptions. 
Largely steeped in myth and superstition, 
a discriminating feng shui enthusiast can 
easily learn to distinguish faux from 
authentic schools of feng shui by a 
number of telltale factors. 

Here are some attributes associated with faux schools of feng shui:
They are often linked with Life Aspirations or Black Sect 
(also known as Black Hat Sect Tantric Buddhist feng shui) theory. 
Developed during the 1970s and 1980s respectively, 
these commercialized schools are referred to as "modern or "Western
schools of feng shui.

They divide a home into eight "life aspirations 
or eight "life stations of career, knowledge, 
family, wealth, fame, marriage, children, and 
helpful people.

They use the location of the front door to determine 
the orientation of the eight life aspirations/stations. 
See the following figures 
(Life Aspirations theory and Black Sect theory).

They match each of the five phases of qi (fire, 
earth, metal, water, and wood) with its affiliated
direction. Stated another way, fire "activates 
the southern fame aspiration/station; earth 
activates the northeastern knowledge and southwestern 
marriage sectors; metal activates the western 
'children and northwestern helpful people sectors; 
water activates the northern career sector; 
and wood activates the eastern family 
and southeastern wealth sectors. 

They also use "cures such as mirrors, crystals, bamboo 
flutes, red ribbons, and statues or sculptures of fu dogs, 
frogs, and cats, among other things, to "activate the 
eight life aspirations/stations. Statements like 
"A mirror will help to ward off evil
spirits, "A fish tank placed in the north will 
bring prosperity, or "Hanging bells inside your 
door will ring in joy and happiness are 
commonplace among these schools.

It's a pity these inaccuracies have clouded 
the nature of feng shui. In fact, these 
widespread assumptions have made the practice seem
 like a fad reserved for the gullible and eccentric. 
 As you get further along into this book, 
 you'll understand how these misrepresentations 
 have never been part of classical feng shui. 
 For example, 2 + 2 = 4, correct?

Could you be convinced otherwise?
Surely not.
Just to set the record straight, feng shui is not 
a charming Eastern philosophy grounded
in superstition. It is not a religion, 
nor does it derive from any religion. Feng shui does
not provide elixirs or cure-alls for your problems. 
It is not magic. It is not a New Age discovery.

Feng shui will not reduce your wrinkles, 
zap your fat, or help you win the lottery.

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Feng Shui and Pets

If you are a pet lover and also want to have a 
beautiful home that you enjoy being in, 
this article is for you!

Let me be clear, this article is for the humans 
side of this equation.Your pets don't need 
feng shui-ing' they are perfect as they are! 
(Except, of course, keeping their cages and 
living spaces clean.) We all know our pets 
would be happy sleeping on an old towel as 
long as they can be by our side.

As a Feng Shui Consultant, Interior Designer 
and an avid pet lover myself, I have helped 
many a client figure our how they can 
co-habitate with their furry better half's 
without their place looking and smelling 
like an animal shelter. With a little 
planning and effort, you and your beloved 
four legged's can successfully share 
a space where the needs of all parties are met!
 
Furniture Coverings:
Are you one of those people who has lovely furniture 
but it is all covered up by the unattractive 
and un- matching pet blankets? Training your 
pets to not jump up on furniture is a subject 
for pet behaviorists, however, if you do allow 
them on the furniture, with a little planning 
you can enjoy looking at your nice furniture 
and take care of the pet fur issue as well. 
Here are some ideas on how to do so.
 
Order Slip Covers along with additional 
material in the same fabric.
 
If you will be purchasing new sofa and chairs, 
Pottery Barn and other stores have furniture with 
a canvass base where you choose your slip cover. 
Choose medium blue denim or any of the other 
washable fabrics. It is best to match the color 
of your pets, i.e. darker fabrics for darker coats, etc.

Medium blue denim worked well for me when 
I had multiple pets. Order extra yardage and 
ask them if they will do a special order as well. 
This will consist of sewing two sets of arm covers 
and two sets of seat and back covers in the same 
fabric as the slip cover. Add an extra 12 inches 
for seat and back to allow for shrinkage. If they 
won't do it, order the extra fabric and hem 
them yourself. Most dry cleaners also 
have sewing services available.

You can then wash the slipcover monthly 
(because this is more of a pain) and change the seat, 
back and arm covers once or twice a week as needed. 
One always goes in the washer when the other 
replaces it. I had nine feral rescue kitties at one 
point and this method worked wonderfully. I always 
had attractive furniture to look at, and could always 
replace a furry seat with a clean one when needed. 
When company came I would remove all the covers and 
just have the slipcover showing. Everything was in 
the same fabric creating a neat and coordinated look.
 
I had to be diligent about vacuuming and cleaning 
more often, but was committed to having a place 
that I could enjoy as much as my pets.

If you are going to use your same furniture, 
find washable throws in solid colors that match 
your furniture. Costco has great fleece throws 
in solid colors that work wonderfully. Ross 
and T.J. Maxx are other great resources for these. 
Purchase enough of them to successfully cover the 
seats and backs so that you have one extra set that 
is in the wash while you are using the other. 
If you furniture with patterned fabric, choose 
one color within the pattern that is more neutral 
and stick to this. Avoid the loud reds and yellows. 
This will bring a uniform look to the room that will 
appear planned and purposefully arranged. 
If you are a seamstress, do it yourself. 
Find a washable fabric that matches a color 
in your pattern, measure the seat, back and 
arms allowing 12  more for shrinkage 
and sew two pairs of each as described 
in the slip cover section above.
 
Select Pet Beds in Colors that Match Your Furniture:
If you have large dogs it is ideal to train them to go to 
their special bed and not the furniture. Find a bed that 
matches your color scheme in a neutral color with a 
neutral pattern, not something loud and busy. 
(Remember, this is for you to enjoy looking at, 
your pet could care less as long as they are near you!) 
Make sure the cover is washable and easy to take off. 
Commit to washing it weekly so that you and your pets 
can enjoy a clean looking and clean smelling home.

This attractive dog sofa matches the pets coat and 
adds to the docor of the room as well.  
If you sleep with your pets in the room, Costco has 
inexpensive large dog beds that can be stored under 
the bed during the day and pulled out at night. 
This way you are not tripping on them during the 
day and everyone has a space to cozy up at night.

If you have a little extra money you can purchase 
attractive pet sofas, as shown here.  These raise 
the bar and allow you to have a room that is both 
fashionable and pet friendly where everyone has 
their own attractive place to perch.

This attractive Dog crate by Denhaus Dog Furniture 
serves as an end table and a comfortable 
space for your pet to be.
If your dog is crate trained (I will not go into the 
pro's and cons of this, but will leave it to the experts) 
you can purchase attractive crates that will look like 
a piece of furniture and add to rather than detract 
from your décor. They are pricey but are quite 
beautiful and run about what you would 
pay for a nice end table.

Find Rugs that Match the Colors of your Pet's coat:
For easier cleaning, it is ideal if you have wood 
floors rather than carpeting. If you are a renter 
I realize you don't have a choice. If this is the case, 
choose area rugs that can be cleaned in areas pets 
spend most of their time and put them over the carpeting.  
Sanchez and Gina's coats match the area rug and carpet choices.

My friend Lisa Spector (pictured above with her 
beloved dogs Gina and Sanchez) is also a pet 
blogger with Care2 and has Yellow and Black Labs. 
Your pets will always gravitate to your favorite rugs, 
so choose colors that match their coats 
and the hair will not show as much.

If you own your home and are choosing carpeting, 
match your animals coats to the new carpeting 
if possible. I chose a golden color carpet to 
match my beloved golden retriever and didn't 
have to vacuum as much. (Of course you run 
into the problem of stepping on them on occasion 
because they are so well disguised!)  
In redoing Lisa's loft, we chose a patterned 
area rug with cream colors, blacks and browns 
which covered all bases, as you can see from 
the photo of Lisa's dogs, Sanchez and Gina.

Cat Boxes:
One of the dilemmas in working with my clients 
is where to put the cat box for indoor cats. 
Here are some tips for these tricky necessities.

Wicker Cat Boxes from Solutions Catalog are 
attractive and can be placed anywhere appropriate

1. Do not put them in the bathtub! It is 
unsanitary and unsightly, 
and humans won't enjoy being in the space.
 
2. If you do not have an attractive cover, 
find a place preferably out of sight such 
as the laundry room, garage or in a closet.
 
3. If it must be in the bathroom or somewhere 
where you can see it, have a nice looking cover 
and a mat surrounding it to catch the litter. 
Solutions Catalog has attractive cat box covers 
that are made of laminated wicker so that they 
can't claw them. You can also purchase a piece 
of furniture for the bathroom that doubles as 
a cat box cover. The good news about these is 
you can take it with you when you move.
 
4. If you own your home cut a small opening in 
a bathroom cupboard, insert a small cat door, 
and put the cat box in there. This allows for 
easy cleaning by simply opening the door, 
and everything vanishes from view!
 
5. Make sure to get odor free and pet-friendly 
kitty litter that is also environmentally 
friendly and clean it often.

6. Address Pet Smells
 
Feng Shui is about creating a warm 
and inviting space that we love being in. 
It also acknowledges our intimate 
connection to all things.

Our home should be a place where we feel 
proud of entertaining friends and family. 
If we are ashamed of our space because it 
has been over run by our pets, we are not 
honoring ourselves.This impacts our lives 
and everyone we are close to including 
pets, family and friends.

When we live with pets we often cannot 
smell them anymore. Ask a friend who 
will tell you the truth if your house 
smells like your pets. If you are 
wondering why your friends make excuses 
to not come to your home, it may be because 
they can't stand the unpleasant pet 
odor and are afraid of offending you. 
You owe it to yourself to find out 
the truth and take care of the problem.

If this is the case you may want to purchase 
a good air purifier. Find one that does not 
need replacement filters but uses washable 
ones. I used one by Ecoquest International 
for my home when I had nine rescue kitties 
and it took all pet smells away. It also 
kills mold and air-borne germs. I am sure 
there are other good ones, but I found the 
less expensive ones were useless after 6 months.

A very inexpensive way to eliminate odors 
is to have a large pan of water with sliced 
lemons in it heating on a hot plate. However, 
if you go away and leave it and the water 
evaporates it will be dangerous. Try for a 
good air purifier, you will use it for the 
rest of your life and it is well worth the 
investment. It will also help those who are 
allergic to animals and those 
who have breathing problems.

Pet stores will also have good cleaners to 
take out pet smells. If you have one you 
can recommend please share it with 
us in the comments section.
 
Scratching Posts:
If your cats are shredding the furniture, 
you will want to nip this in the bud. 
I have found keeping a water spray bottle 
close at hand when they scratch will curb 
this behavior. You will also want to get 
them a scratching post where they can 
sharpen their claws. These eco friendly 
posts can be found on line under eco 
friendly cat supplies. They are also much 
more attractive than the huge carpeted 
ones that cannot be cleaned successfully and shred.
 
Safety Issues:
A big part of Feng Shui deals with safety 
issues in the home. When you are constantly 
tripping over pet toys, it is a safety hazard 
for you, your family and guests who come over. 
Get an attractive basket large enough to handle 
all toys and commit to gathering them up 
frequently and putting them back where they belong.

Make sure all toxic chemicals and cleaners are 
stored safely away from pets and children, 
or better yet, eliminate them all together. 
Replace all of your cleaning solutions with 
green ones that are pet and children friendly. 
Advanced Generation has a good line of cleaning 
products that you may want to look into.

You also want to make sure all pet beds 
are out of the main walking paths so that 
people are not constantly tripping on them. 
Just like people, pets will naturally 
gravitate towards being in the power position, 
which is where they can see the action 
from where their bed is, have a wall for 
protection behind them and not have their 
back to the door. Your pets will instinctively 
not feel secure in the space if they are run 
into constantly, and will have an aversion 
to spending time in their bed.
 
Smaller Pets:
If we have fish, hamsters, birds, mice, 
snakes and other reptiles as pets, their 
cages and tanks must be clean at all times 
and attractive to look at. All of our 
beloved creatures on the planet deserve to 
be honored, loved and taken care of so make 
sure their cages are large enough for them
and filled with objects that will keep them 
occupied, engaged and happy. Beware of keeping 
small pets in children's rooms. They can be 
too easily neglected and are often disturbing 
to children's sleep if they are nocturnal.
 
Deal With Separation Anxiety:
If you have a puppy that chews through furniture 
when you are away, my friend and pet blogger 
Lisa Spector, a Juilliard graduate, concert 
pianist, and Canine Music expert has developed 
a CD series that has been clinically demonstrated 
to calm the canine nervous system. It helps them 
stay calm and quiet and alleviates separation anxiety.

Her CD's are wonderful, I love listening to them 
myself and I play them for my cats when I am gone. 
I come home to a totally Zen house that is in 
the same order I left it. You can find these 
wonderful CD's of Lisa's at ThroughaDogsEar.org

You and your pets can live in harmony with 
a little effort. You owe it to yourself to 
create a space that not only accommodates 
your beloved pets but also honors you and 
your own need to have a home that 
you enjoy spending time in!

Erica Sofrina is a motivational speaker, 
author and life coach specializing in 
connecting people to their spiritual 
essence. She is also an Internationally 
recognized Feng Shui speaker, teacher 
and the author of the book Small Changes, 
Dynamic Results! Feng Shui for the Western 
World and the Founder of the West Coast 
Academy of Feng Shui. Erica is the founder 
of Earth Spirit Adventure Travel, which 
takes people on retreats to powerful 
energy vortexes such as Bali and Hawaii 
to facilitate their deep earth/spirit connection.

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Feng Shui Tips

Tip:
I got positively bubbly when I saw that today 
is Bathtub Party Day.' And then I got even 
giddier when I remembered a recipe for a power 
packed bath that brings gifts of luxury, 
opulence and comfort, as well as harmony 
in romantic and other relationships! 
This bath comes from South American shamans 
who share it in the hopes that your wishes 
and dreams will come true. Add a pinch of 
cinnamon, a handful of pink rose petals 
(from roses with the thorns removed) 
and a handful of marigolds to a tub 
filled with water. If you're looking for 
power or self-confidence, simply add a 
handful of mango leaves as well as some 
coltsfoot, comfrey or mint to a warm 
water soak. Remember to steep all ingredients 
in hot water for about an hour 
and when cooled, add to your waiting bath water. 
Totally immerse in or pour the water over yourself 
and ask the spirits of the plants to invest 
you with their own energy and empower 
you with their bath blessings!

Tip:
If you live in Farmington, Maine, then chances 
are pretty high that you've heard of the inventor 
of earmuffs, especially since you celebrate him 
with a parade every year on this Chester Greenwood Day.' 
Greenwood actually invented the ear protectors at the 
age of 15 when he reportedly came up with the idea as 
a way to keep his own ears warm while ice skating. 
But what if the ache in the ear isn't caused by 
the cold at all? Actually, an earache is generally 
an infection of the middle ear, usually resulting 
from either a cold or flu. It goes without saying 
that if any ache or pain persists anywhere on your 
body then you need to see a qualified professional. 
And if your ear is draining or discharging liquid 
material, you need to see a doctor immediately. 
However, if you determine that medical care is 
not required, you can fill the affected ear
with three drops of warmed garlic oil. Simply 
rub a softgel between your hands until the oil 
is warmed, then puncture it and pour the liquid 
into the ear. Finish by plugging the affected 
ear with a cotton ball or puff. Do this three 
or four times a day and the earache should ease 
considerably, as this remedy is known for it's 
fast relief! Garlic oil and a puff 
and  poof!  the earache disappears!

Tip:
If you need to relax, add Water energy to 
your home. Fountains, the color black, 
aquariums, and wavy patterns symbolize Water.

Tip:
The precious gem most associated with 
this month of November is the venerable 
and mysterious topaz. This stone has 
been a body adornment for at least 
2000 years and has been called one 
of the precious gemstones that formed 
the foundations of the twelve gates to 
the Holy City of Jerusalem. These stones 
are often referred to as apocalyptic' 
in their nature since they are believed 
to hold miraculously protective powers. 
It has long been believed that when worn 
with this same intent, the topaz can keep 
anyone safe from enemies. In the realm of 
mystery and mysticism, the topaz contains 
a cooling or antiseptic effect while also 
being said to be able to dispel sadness 
and anger. It's also said that simply 
sleeping with a topaz close or next to the 
skin can relieve nighttime fears. Some 
legend goes so far to share that a man 
who wears a topaz will grow more handsome 
and intelligent while a woman will become 
much more fertile and happy. Handsomer, 
smarter, fertile and happy? 
Get thee to a jeweler!

Tip:
At a time of year when the tune Over the River 
and Through the Woods to Grandmother's House We 
Go' runs through everyone's head as they 
scramble off to distant destinations, 
today's Go For A Ride Day' energies 
couldn't be more apropos. So let's address 
an automobile agenda before stuffing that 
last piece of luggage into an already 
overcrowded trunk, and look at ways of 
making driving a far more pleasant experience 
than you might think. First, never leave 
clutter in the car. Treat this traveling 
space as you would your own home, 
and realize that clutter in the car contributes 
to chaos on the road. It's essential that 
the center of the vehicle remain clean 
and clear, as this space relates to the 
health of driver and passengers, reason enough 
to pull over the minivan and pull out the 
Mini-Vac! These next middle-of-the-car 
energies will bring your driving the 
middle of the road to a smooth and 
flowing agenda. Add ten drops of 
lemon essential oil to an atomizer 
bottle filled with spring or distilled 
water and spritz the inside of the car. 
This will help cleanse the more obvious 
odors while also bringing a bright, 
sunny scent to your driving experience. 
Finally, hanging a small and round faceted 
quartz crystal on nine or 18 inches of red 
string from the rearview mirror will pump 
protective energies, and make sure that 
everyone arrives at Grandmother's house 
safe and sound and ready for a big slice 
of her homemade apple pie!

Feng Shui Classes
What is Feng Shui
The Feng Shui IQ Test
The Theory Behind Feng Shui
Spring Cleaning with Feng Shui
How to Feng Shui your House for Health, Happiness, and Prosperity
Yin and Yang and Feng Shui
Who Practices Feng Shui?
20 Ways to Benefit from Feng Shui
The Most Important Feng Shui For Office Desk Rules
The Theory Behind Feng Shui
What Feng Shui Is Not
Feng Shui and Pets
Feng Shui Tips


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