The Fragrant Flower Blessing

Hello lovelies!  Today I am going to share an uplifting and beautiful Feng Shui cure called The Fragrant Flower Blessing.  This is a transcendental (mystical, magical) cure used in BTB Feng Shui to bring fresh opportunities and lovely, vibrant chi (energy) into your home and your life.  The Fragrant Flower Method can be used if anyone has been ill in your house (hello cold & flu season, kiddies!), after surgery of any kind, to welcome new paths to abundance or just for an energy "lift" in your space.

Flowers are symbolic of new beginnings and the blooming of countless possibilities.  We want to create the feeling of fresh energy.  You know the palpable feeling of joy that you have when you receive an unexpected bouquet of flowers?  The flowers don't have to be elaborate and expensive to work magic.  You can find gorgeous flowers at your local grocery store that will work beautifully for this cure.

 

OK...here is how the cure works:

Over a period of 9 days you will place a vase/bouquet of fresh flowers in three rooms in your home:  the kitchen (symbolic of nourishment of body and soul), the bedroom (your foundation and security) and the living room (the social center; connection; your role in society).   On the first day of performing this blessing, you will purchase one large bouquet (at least 9 stems, hopefully fragrant) and divide it among the three vases.  Place each vase in those three rooms (living, kitchen, bedroom) with the intention that they will absorb any negative/stagnant/sick/yucky energy.  

As we place each vase, we will use a powerful "activator" called the Three Secrets Reinforcements.   

*Disclaimer: Stick with me, as this part may seem a little "woo woo" or "out there" to some...but this is where the real power comes into play.  

The Three Secrets are Body, Speech and Mind.  Body=any mudra (symbolic hand gesture); Speech=prayer, mantra, spoken wish; Mind= visualization of your desired outcome.  The "Body" can simply be prayer position or the "ousting mudra" or The Heart Calming Mudra (Feng Shui mudras)..whatever resonates with your belief system.  The "Speech" portion can be the Lord's Prayer, a Feng Shui mantra (OM MA NE PAD ME HUM) or just your wishes.  Finally, the "Mind" simply means that you are imagining/visualizing that you have achieved your desired outcome with this blessing.

After three days you will dispose of the first round of flowers, buy a new bouquet (try to buy different flower types) and distribute it among the three vases in the same three rooms.  Utilize the 3 Secrets again to ensure that the flowers are absorbing all negative/stale/tired energy in the home.

After 3 more days you will repeat the ritual for the third and final round (remember to get rid of the previous bouquets and start fresh).  

At the end of this 9 day cycle of performing the Fragrant Flower Blessing, your home should feel light, vibrant and bright with possibilities!

It's Flower Time!

As a Feng Shui consultant, I regularly buy fresh flowers to lift the energy and beautify our home.  I don't have many expensive habits, besides my daily Starbucks chai and my weekly flower addiction.

Shortly after we moved to the neighborhood, I stumbled upon the most amazing flower boutique.  You know the kind of flower shop/boutique/neighborhood spot where you can always find the perfect gift?  The shop that knows your favorite color, favorite flower and reminds your husband that your birthday is coming up?  No?  I feel incredibly lucky to have found this spot, Moss Pink Flora.

The owner, Jill Schlisner is seriously adorable (always smiling, kind and dressed in an outfit that I wish I could steal)!  Since I have become a weekly flower hound, I've connected with Jill and her fabulous staff, Melinda and Rebeka.  Over the holidays, Jill invited me to an Open House at Moss Pink to enjoy yummy nibbles and discounted flowers.  I entered a drawing to win a private Flower Arranging Class with Jill....fingers crossed, Feng Shui secrets implemented, good karma?  I WON!!

Last week we enjoyed wine, appetizers and soaked up Jill's insane wisdom and tricks of the trade:

Jill using my vases, made the art of flower arranging look "easy"!

 

 

 

 

 

A HUGE thank you to Jill and Moss Pink for such a fabulously fun evening!!  Tomorrow I will share an ancient Feng Shui cure called the Fragrant Flower Blessing, as well as the symbolism of flowers in Feng Shui.

TAKE FLIGHT!

According to Ellen Whitehurst, "It is tradition on this, the second day of the New Year to go visiting, gambling or to simply and generally have some FUN! This sets the precedent for the days, weeks and months to come. The idea for today is 'risk taking' which supports the Eastern New Year greeting of "May you live in interesting times." Risk-taking is believed to make life truly interesting."

I've been ruminating about success lately.  Why are some people living life to the fullest, embracing every possibility-- while others are frozen in their comfort zone?  In honor of today's tradition to stretch my wings and inch my way out of my own comfort zone, I made a list of 9 innovative ideas for my business.  It is hard for your dreams to take flight, when they're parked on the tarmack!

(via Pinterest)

Part of my problem has been the notion of "waiting for the perfect time".  After meditating on that for a while today, thinking about the balance between being a loving wife, a busy mama and a Feng Shui consultant....I stumbled on this reminder:

(source:  Pinterest)

What can you do to shake things up (in a good way!)?  By taking even a small risk or approaching your daily grind with a new perspective, you can turn the mundane into the magical!  A fun Feng Shui cure to try is to literally change your route.  Drive home a different way from work, try a new restaurant--outside of your neighborhood or favorite food genre.  Write a handwritten letter instead of hitting send on that e-mail to your friend/family/colleague.  All of these little changes mix up our brain neurons and force us to shift gears!  Happy exploring. ;)

GONG HAY FAT CHOY!

Happy Chinese New Year (Gong Hay Fat Choy!).  Today marks the first day of a two week celebration to invite the energy of the Water Dragon. This year we  are welcoming the magical, mystical, uber-powerful Dragon.  Many are grateful for the new beginnings associated with the charming Dragon.  The Water Dragon is associated with the Wood element and his essence element (Wood) will be nourished and fed by the Water of this year.  The Dragon loves to be near water (even inside of your tabletop fountain, if you've purchased a statue for the year's symbol).  It is best to keep the dragon at eye level or below...you don't want to be symbolically staring into the fiery eyes of an angry Dragon!  We want the Dragon energy to be supportive of each of us...we want him doing battle on our behalf, edging our goals closer to realization.

 

(my newly purchased Dragon for 2012)

I know many people have felt an energy of lack or struggle, of trudging uphill and feeling worn out.  Fortunately, the Water Dragon brings great gifts to 2012:  positive transformation, innovative ideas, increased wealth and opportunities, the ability to connect socially (social media will be even bigger this year), the will to manifest our long held desires.  Be especially careful with your thoughts this year.  The Dragon amplifies the power of connection, coincidences and synchronicities.

Some simple tips to harness the energy of the Dragon:

 -buy a new welcome mat to symbolically "roll out the red carpet" & welcome a fresh start

-buy 3 or 9 new healthy, green plants (Wood element) to add health and vitality to your home

-look at your front door/entry with objective eyes- remove anything broken, cracked, dirty, unused or unloved.  Clean like the Queen is coming.  Wash the door and handles. Make sure the doorbell works.

-replace any burnt out light bulbs (inside or out).  Burnt light bulbs relate to adrenal fatigue, overwhelm, poor decisions and an inability to see the brighter side of life.

-perform a good deed or unexpected kindness.

-buy a new purse or wallet-- red is especially powerful for women

-pay down or pay off a debt to intentionally move towards financial freedom

-connect with an old friend or anyone who you may have lost touch with, but think fondly of

-wear green (Wood element) if you are a woman; blue dress shirts are great for men (Water).

-the Dragon loves children (think Puff the Magic Dragon).  Today I handed out 27 red envelopes and some sweet treats to my son's kindergarten class:

The five and six year old kids were brimming with smiles and curiosity as they came to me and tried to say, "Gong Hay Fat Choy" before I gave them their little gifts.  If you can remember to be playful, be inquisitive and take baby steps in the direction of  your dreams, the Water Dragon is ready to help you SOAR to new heights!!!

The Three Immortals

I have been practicing Feng Shui for over 15 years and I have spent many of these years dispelling the myth that Feng Shui is a religion or a cult.  Another common myth is that in order to have "good Feng Shui" one must display countless Chinese tchotckes or have a waving Lucky Cat in their home or business.

I recently had to reevaluate my own perceptions about the myth and lore and symbolism inherent in Feng Shui.  Feng Shui is ancient and powerful.  I love the symbolism and meaning behind so much of the practice.

I take care of my elderly Uncle Tom, one of my very favorite people in the entire world.  He is witty and deep.  He has wisdom and life lessons beyond my wildest dreams.  He served in the military and traveled the world for over 20 years, gathering countless memories along the way.  Even though he has mild dementia, he recalls the stories of his past in great detail.  One day recently, while at his house I asked him about some of the carved wooden figures that he gathered on his trips to Singapore, the Phillipines, Hong Kong.  I was drawn to these three smaller carvings.  I recognized some of the symbolism, but wanted to know more.

 

 (image of my new carved gifts)

 Tom said that every Asian business, political official or person of importance always displayed the "Three Immortals" in their office or a prominent place in their home.  He offered them to me, saying he knew with my love of Feng Shui and energy, I would appreciate them.

After doing a little research, I found out that these little fellas are totems of Abundance and blessings on every level.  Their names (don't laugh!!) are Fuk Luk Sau or Fu Lu Shou.  Fuk typically holds either a scroll or a child and he represents Good Descendant Luck.  Luk holds either a gold ingot or a scepter and he represents Prosperity.  Sau (Shou) holds either a staff, a peach or a Wu Lou (health gourd) and he symbolizes longevity and a happy/healthy life.  Grouped together, the Three Immortals symbolize wealth, happiness and longevity.  Who could ask for anything more?

Ofcourse, now I am noticing carved wooden totems on design blogs:

(source: Pinterest)

I'm not sure if I'll be painting my newest symbolic gift, but I do know that I am grateful for the auspicious blessings and the wisdom they promise to bring into our home!

What symbols are on display in your home that add positive energy, evoke good memories or just make you smile?

HGTV Green Home Decor Sale...SERIOUSLY?!

Was it good Karma?  My luckiest day of 2012?  I still have no idea how I managed to stumble upon the fabulous (somehow unpublicized??) details of an "Estate Sale" on Craigslist.  But it wasn't your average Estate Sale....no cobwebs, tchotchkes or musty smells anywhere.  It was a preview sale of ALL of the 2011 HGTV Green Home furnishings.  What??!!!  I almost fainted with excitement as I browsed the photos last night that were posted on Craigslist.  The proceeds from the HGTV sale are being directly donated to Rebuilding Denver, a local charity that offers free home services (repairs, maintenance, paint, heat, plumbing, etc.) to elderly, disabled, low income, Veterans and other needy families.

I could barely sleep as I imagined myself being the first in line to get the graphic chair that I couldn't stop obsessing over.  Can you spot it below? ;)

I first spotted this sassy chair at the actual HGTV Green Home, which was ironically built and featured in my neighborhood (we live in the green community of Stapleton, a former airport) in 2011.

 (Source: HGTV.com)

Ofcourse, when you walk into a warehouse of stunning, top of the line home decor items...you don't walk away with one chair!  Unfortunately, in my mad frenzy to snatch up amazing deals, I only snapped this photo with my phone of the wares:

I'll share more of my loot tomorrow...but here, without further adieu is my coveted, funky, graphic chair that came to its new home today:

I tend to buy furniture based on a "love it, have to have it" vibe and also because it's too comfy to pass up.  What I didn't realize until I got home, was that this chair is a custom Charles Stewart Heavenly chair.  It's totally green and eco-conscious (great Feng Shui!), comfortable, fun and....retails for $775 with this fabric choice!!!!!  I bought it for $230 (did I mention it helps a great charity and is also tax-deductible?).  I also had to have the custom Alexandra Ferguson "Let's Be Friends" pillow (retails for $99, purchased for $20).  Isn't it fun??!!

OK, enough gloating.  I'll share some of the other finds tomorrow. 

Peace & Good Karma,

T

Happy New Year!!

Just popping in for a moment to remind you to expect MIRACLES in 2012!!