Friday, July 24, 2020

Home - A Healing Sanctuary




Home - A Healing Sanctuary

Using the ancient principles of feng shui architecture and design, you can make your home a healing sanctuary. July is a perfect month to pay attention to home and family, as the trigram Zhen is positioned in the center.

Everything in the Universe is driven from the center, thus family becomes the driving force for all things. The subtle energy of Zhen trigram is a reminder that strength, strong roots and forgiveness enables us to meet the challenges of surprise and develop strength of character.

Creating a home environment that maximizes positive vibrational energy is essential when it comes to living your best life. Feng Shui, literally means "wind and water." It focuses on aligning structures with the laws of nature by observing the cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), the inter-cardinal directions (southwest, northwest, northeast, southeast), welcoming the energy of the sun, and observing the 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water).

Feng shui's main goal is to manage energy within an environment to create harmony between people and their spaces. Traditional feng shui utilizes a 9 sectioned grid known as the bagua. There is a multitude of information comprised within this grid that follows the macrocosm of the cosmos or universe. The bagua follows the energy patterns of nature. Each part of the grid is associated with the 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) - and rooms, furnishings, artwork, etc. correspond with these elemental qualities. 


For example, the east and southeast correspond to the element of wood and therefore have an upward energetic quality that bodes well for active rooms such as a family room/living room or kitchen. The south areas of a house are associated with the element of fire. This is a powerful element that represents clarity, expansion, goals and life mission. A home office bodes well in this direction but so does a kitchen as the element of fire represents the cookery. The southwest and northeast holds the energy of earth - grounding and stabilizing and therefore bodes well for a place of rest and meditation. The west and northwest represent the element of metal - precision, organization and structure. Additional qualities include playfulness (west) and travel/culture/mentorship (northwest). Rooms that fare well in these directions are children rooms (west), office (northwest). The north direction is associated with the element of water, the depths of the ocean and journey through life. Water can be a soothing quality and therefore reading room or meditation room can work effectively in this direction. 

Feng shui does take into account the personal energy of the occupants and further refines the 8 directions and 5 elements to energetically fit each person. This means that certain rooms will fare better than others for the people living in the structure. In addition, there are specific charts that represent each home that further refines the energetic vibrational energy of the structure.

You can apply feng shui to any home. Sometimes you'll notice a dramatic shift right away. Other times it is the consistent use that makes all the difference. What exercise, meditation and healthy diet does for the body, feng shui does for the home. The whole point of living your best life is to energetically support all aspects of your life. Your environment is one of them!

If you are serious about learning feng shui and designing your home using these principles, The Feel Good Home - Feng Shui and Taoism for Healthy Living is the book for you. Available on Amazon by clicking here!



Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

June Feng Shui Garden Tips


June is a fabulous month to navigate your flower garden. Here are some feng shui gardening tips to keep your garden fully energized.

1.Lights:  Energy flows badly in any area that is too dark. You can introduce light with mirrors, reflective stones, garden lights or by simply cutting back plants.

2. Sound: This is a wonderful way to uplift stagnating energy. Introduce chimes, bird feeder or perhaps a fountain.

3. Color: Color stimulates sluggish energy. Infuse bright color flowers, painted ornaments, pots or lawn furniture.

4. Life: Plants are an ideal solution, but you can use a pond with fish in it, or a bird feeder or birdbath.


5. Movement:  You can encourage movement once again with bird feeder or birdbath, fountain, stream or wind chime. Planting an aspen tree is also beneficial as it moves easily in the slightest breeze.

6. Stillness:  Where energy is overactive you can slow it down by placing something still in its path such as a statue or garden urn.

7. Functional Device:  Anything that serves a function such as a sundial, barbecue or garden hose.

8. Straight Lines: Straight lines help to move energy along. This can be achieved with straight paths or by planting straight stemmed plants.


Happy  Gardening!
MJ Kasliner 

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Leave the Old Behind!


Leave The Old Behind

The month of May energetically is a combination of the Snake archetype and the core of Mother Earth. The Snake is a legendary totem that symbolizes a transformation of energy from lower vibrations to higher aspects of the mind, body and spirit. Snake sheds its skin in a ritual representing rebirth and new beginnings. With the ability to leave the old skin behind, Snake represents a fascinating metamorphosis. Therefore, the month of May can be a time for decisive change. The Snake also represents self-awareness or the power of a clear mind and an open heart. The two go hand-in-hand making it easier to navigate around situations that arise.

The secondary energy fueled by the Snake's fire is the 5-yellow star representing the core of the earth. At the center of earth is a large ball of liquid iron that causes the earth to rotate on its axis. Therefore, it is important to remain fully grounded and centered when making choices and decisions this month. The Snake energy will push for change but it is essential to take a slow and methodically pace. Think what would happen if your core was suddenly agitated. This type of shift would cause instability. Hence, the caution to tread slowly with any major decisions this month.

The 5 - yellow earth star that is active this month represents the earth's axis line. It is the connecting aspect between two portals on the loshu grid (self-cultivation and relationships). Therefore, it behooves you to take time to be still and contemplate things before acting, especially when it comes to partnering relationships including those with your clients.

It is also important to keep your mind and environment free of clutter this month. This is so important, as this earth star has a highly volatile nature in this current 20-year cycle. The negative components can potentially create chaos in every facet of your life.


The 5-yellow star does have related qualities of Mother earth such as being more receptive, supportive and transformative. Think of the center as the driving force of the earth’s rotation and the ability to see all things that revolve around it. Therefore, tune in this month to all parts of your life that revolve around YOU and how you can partake in each area with a mindful methodical approach. This includes your health, as all body systems are activated this month in a rotational movement like that of the earth. Let's take a look at focus points to consider this month as the energy of the Snake and Core of the Earth enter.


Family:
- Gain support from those you are closest to
- Maintain a flexible viewpoint
- Accept change is a natural order of all things
- Be supportive to others
- Stave off procrastination
- Practice patience
- Place fire element in east portent for feng shui balance this month

Fortunate Blessings:
- Consult your common sense
- Set optimistic intentions
- Put away, throw away & give away this month
- Set deadlines to complete tasks
- Engage in active exercise
- Increase dark green leafy vegetables
- Place fire element in Southeast portent for balance this month


Goals & Vision:
- Move forth with your heart's desire
- Keep a clear & focused mind
- Let go of what is not essential
- Become familiar with your inner truth
- Don't conform but transform
- Be joyful
- Place healthy plant in south portent this month to meet your goals

Relationships:

- Connect with the outdoors with significant other
- Show mutual love and respect
- Be truthful
- Receive with grace & give with love
- Be kind
- Place metal element in southwest portent this month

Creativity:
- Rely on your inner child
- Think outside the box
- Plan a staycation in your backyard
- Choose your words carefully
- Be upfront
- Place virtual water element in the west portent this month

Helpful People:
- Take the lead in virtual networking opportunities
- Be precise in your business strategy
- Access information from partnering business industries
- Refine your long-term plans
- Look to those who have blazed the path
- Seek your guardian angel and spirit guides
- Place strong earth element in northwest portent this month

Career:
- Keep a journal of your dreams
- Be willing to navigate through uncharted areas in your career
- Work and play in the flow of abundance
- Be tenacious
- Practice effective communication tactics
- Update your social media platforms
- Delve into the depths of your profession to see what you can open up
- Place metal element in north portent for the month

Self-Cultivation & Knowledge:
- Listen with intention
- Challenge yourself
- Be steady & methodical with your thinking process
- Embrace a walking meditation practice
- Make a campfire and enjoy the stillness of the evening air
- Place moving water and strong fire elements in the northeast this month

Center - Where All Things Revolve:
- Remain centered and grounded
- Don't be quick to make decisions
- Take a methodical approach to everything this month
- Practice meditation & yoga
- Place strong bronze metal or ring a bell frequently in the center of your home

Vulnerable Body Systems for May:
- Abdominal discomfort so be mindful of take-out foods
- Teeth, jaw, mouth and skin irritation
- Overall, keep a clean diet and healthy exercise regiment 

Be Safe & Remain Healthy!
Mary Jane


Friday, April 3, 2020

April -- Heavens Gate

April is the month of the trigram Qian--Heavens Gate. Be inspired, help others and seek the unknown. 

Family: 
--Family is the initiative
--Practice effective communication
--Welcome support
--Read & write more
--Engage in outdoor exercise
--Increase your intake of green leafy veggies
--Add the element of fire to the east portent to keep wood energy balanced this month

Fortunate Blessings:
--Practice gratitude daily
--Be mindful & watchful of finances
--Avoid rash decisions of any kind
--Engage in hip opening exercises
--Set a routine & include a check-list
--Place strong metal & virtual water element to southeast portent for balance this month

Goals & Vision:
--Stay on top of your daily career goals
--Discover innovative ways to approach your mission
--Go with the flow of information you receive
--Spin ideas & remain rooted in your vision
--Tap the minds of those who are experienced
--Be humble yet tenacious
--Prioritize
--Add strong wood element to south portent to balance the elements this month

Relationships:
--Be flexible with others
--Accept change & allow relationships to morph
--Be supportive
--Embrace new beginnings
--Collaborate with others
--Practice patience
--Add the element of fire to the southwest portent to blend the elements this month

Creativity:
--Let go of the minutiae
--Take time in silence for spark of inspiration
--Tap into resources that are available to you as they can bring financial gain
--Listen to your intuition
--Set up some rest time - chill out
--Add the element of fire, strong earth and moving water to the west portent to open resources

Heavens Gate:
--Be a leader
--Take on a boundless perspective
--Let go of what others may think
--Be in awe of life
--Learn to trust
--Speak your truth
--Innovate
--Place virtual water element in the northwest portent to balance the elements this month

Career:
--Respect and honor your virtual co-workers
--Gain wisdom from others
--Develop courage & fortitude
--Assistance brings success
--Persevere
--Add metal element to north portent for balance

Inner Knowledge:
--Self reliance
--Philosophical
--Practice non-attachment
--Create a vision board and seek it often
--Be present
--Place fire element in the northeast portent and assist this powerful energy


Vulnerable Body Systems for April:
--Pelvic/hip - especially left side
--Eye irritation - allergies
--Heart irregularities
--Intestinal discomfort - food source
--Ears - clogged/fluid - allergies - dizziness

Be safe & healthy,
Mary Jane Kasliner
www.fengshuiyoganj.com