“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Do not resist them – that creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” Lao Tzu*
Fall – a time for endings and new beginnings
A change in season brings a change in focus. Feng Shui focuses on using nature as our model for living our lives. We have just entered the season of the harvest – reaping the fruits (and vegetables) of our (or somebody’s) labor for the past months. Likewise, most of our summer events and projects are over, too. Often it is reassuring to get back to a more predictable schedule and lifestyle. Our focus is turning inward towards our homes where we will spend more time during the colder winter time. There is enthusiasm in a fresh start and we want our places to be fresh as well. Let’s take a fresh look at our homes from a yin & yang perspective before tackling our more mundane concerns.
The yin and the yang of it
| The Yin | The Yang |
|---|---|
| earth | heaven |
| female | male |
| black | white |
| death | life |
| winter | summer |
| cold | hot |
| night | day |
| moon | sun |
| shade | sunlight |
| stillness | motion |
| inward | outward |
| back | front |
| bottom | top |
| passive | active |
| soft | firm |
| imaginative | detail-oriented |
| intuitive | logical |
| creative | analytical |
| motionless | speed |
| tai chi | karate |
| yoga | aerobics |
| observer | participant |
| reading | game-playing |
| sadness | exuberance |
| depressive | aggressive |
| fatigued | energetic |
| dark | light |
| blue/ black | reds |
| green | yellow |
YIN & YANG – natures’ balance
We define our ideal feng shui feeling as being in harmony with nature and in perfect balance. Feng shui acknowledges the extremes which can upset the balance and classifies them as either being yin or yang. The yin and the yang are the extremes and opposite from each other. In feng shui we try to keep to the middle ground not by destroying the extremes but by balancing them. This puts us on the middle path. You see, the two extremes together neutralize the impact of each alone. They are actually complementary and one cannot exist without the other.
Balancing the Extremes
In feng shui these extremes are desirable within a space to make it whole. For example, we want the masculine to have corresponding feminine features. Keep the overall look from being one extreme or the other too consistently. This doesn’t mean you can’t have areas that are totally masculine (a man cave) but just be sure there are feminine features somewhere else to support the female energy and females living there. Look around and see if your home has a dominant theme or color – dark, light. For example, I’ve seen homes with almost all the art work contained mountains and trees. Another home contained pictures of snow and only light colors. There are bridges in a majority of my art. You might be surprised to see what themes you have at your house. Look at your house in a new way. Remember, if you intuitively chose it, it probably supported your needs at the time. Ask yourself if this is still comfortable and working for you or do you need a change?
In dealing with your stuff:
Our homes don’t have to be too minimally Zen or too maximally cluttered with Chinese tchotchkes to be feng shui.
We want a balance of what looks good, feels good and suits our needs.
You don’t want to have everything so hidden away (yin) that it requires much energy to bring it out every time you need it that you don’t bother looking for it or you forget you have it. Useful things should be accessible.
On the other hand, you don’t want it all “out there” where you are tripping over it. (yang) Give it some thought as you prepare for the change in seasons as to what you need and how often you need it. Doing that now may save valuable time later when you know exactly where to find something because you took the time to think about it. You may even find some things in your closet that you had totally forgot about.
Feng Shui Tips:
- Organize outside items as you bring them in for the winter. You can use the idea of metal going on the west, wood items going in the east as you put them in your basement or garage.
- Throw away obsolete or repair broken items.
- Consider revising storage areas to minimize your stuff – recycle, donate, throw away….
- Rotate your art work, change some accessories for the season.
- Consider a fresh coat of paint in areas that may be neglected – closets, storage areas.
As you bring out fall bedding and winter coats, etc., visualize a fresh start with the bagua below:
BASIC BAGUA
* While Lao Tzu takes a passive approach to the future with acceptance of the inevitable (in the quote at the beginning of this newsletter), some of us like to balance this by putting out our intentions, desires and visualizing what it is that we would like to manifest using the basic bagua. Then we reinforce this with the Three Secrets Reinforcement. This proactive approach can make a successful difference. Sometimes we don’t get what we want because we forget to ask (pray, visualize, meditate) for what we want. Apply the basic bagua template to your house, clear out any problems in the corresponding area of the building, add some energy to that area you are working on by leaving a crystal or symbolic item there. Have your home working for you – supporting your life and your goals.
FALL LUNAR CALENDAR
October
15th – New Moon – start a new project
29th – Full Moon – complete a project
31st – Halloween
November
4th – Daylight savings time ends (fall back an hour)
6th – Mercury goes retrograde
13th – Solar eclipse on a New Moon
22nd – Thanksgiving Day
28th – Lunar eclipse on a Full Moon
