Where Energy Flows

I suppose one tends to think that a feng shui practitioner would be completely clutter-free. Well, surprise! Almost all of us have clutter to some degree. I admire homes which have that ‘a place for everything and everything in its place’ look, but that’s not me. I do try my best to keep things in order, realizing at the same time that having things around probably feeds my creativity. 

One room in my house periodically gets completely out of control though — our tiny storage room. When we moved in, it was difficult to imagine filling it. We saw the empty space and thought ‘meditation room’ or even an office space (vetoed because it was really too small). There also needed to be a place for the cat litter box and this was the best location for it.

Once the litter box went in there the space wasn’t long filling up but it was organized at least. Soon however, it became the ”I’ll just put this here for now” room. By the time I couldn’t stand it anymore I had created a narrow aisle on one side, in which to get to the litter box.

It took a few days to get it completely cleared out and reorganized. Right now it is clear and the energy is good. At the same time I know that this room will always suffer from the ‘let’s put this here just for now and get it out of the way’ syndrome.

It is good feng shui to keep on top of what we are keeping and deal with accumulation before it grows to the ‘can’t stand it’ level, but at the same time we do need areas in our home that are utilitarian and functional — the place where the litter box goes, to store the recycling, or to keep the Christmas decorations — or whatever.  

I believe the best feng shui strategy it to acknowledge that we need storage rooms and that they will get messy from time to time, and to allow it. We can compensate for whatever bagua map gua these areas fall into into by enhancing that area in other rooms — and to schedule periodic clean ups in that storage room to keep the energy moving.

(c) Deborah Redfern, 2008. All rights reserved. 

A few months ago I wrote about how my husband and I enjoyed watching a colony of bees that decided to build a hive on our porch.  I also wrote then about the mystery of disappearing bee colonies, and now that it is summer it seems like a good time to revisit this story. 

Bees and other pollinators are suddenly in decline due to a phenomenon that has become known as Colony Collapse Disorder. 

While the exact cause has not been established, there is some evidence that bees are dying due to disease, loss of habitat and pesticide use.  Other possible explanations include a new parasite, flowers that produce less scent and a combination of stresses such as poor nutrition, limited or contaminated water supplies, and the need for bees to be transported long distances for pollination of particular crops.

In some areas of the world the bee loss is being described as “catastrophic”, with some beekeepers in 2006 reporting between 30-90% losses. Similar losses were reported in 2007, but scientists do not know how many bees have died overall, since statistics only reflect what is happening in managed colonies.  

Consider for a moment what will happen if the pollinators of our planet disappear! 

About three-quarters of flowering plants rely on birds, bees and other pollinators to help them reproduce. And, bee pollination is responsible for $15 billion annually in crop value. 

Ice cream maker Haagen-Dazs and Burt’s Bees, a maker of natural personal care products, are among companies who have pledged money for research and begun efforts to help save the bees.  The problem affects about 40 percent of Haagen-Dazs’ 73 flavors, because ingredients such as almonds, cherries and strawberries rely on honey bees for pollination.

Haagen-Dazs has created a new limited-time flavor - Vanilla Honey Bee - and will use some of the proceeds for research on the disorder. Burt’s Bees has introduced Colony Collapse Disorder Lip Balm to “soften your lips while saving honeybees.”

The US government is also taking steps to approve financing for bee research.

One reason I am an Interior Alignment^TM Teacher is to awaken people to the interconnectedness of all things.  All creatures are a vital part of the web of life and we human beings balance carefully on the shoulders of all other life on this planet.  It is essential that we live in harmony with the rest of the animals and plants on this beautiful rock we call Earth. 

This summer, if you find a hive in a spot that you believe would be harmful to you, your children or your pets, please do not spray the hive with chemical poisons. Contact a local beekeeper to relocate the hive.  Also, raise awareness by sharing information about Colony Collapse with others.  You can even write to your local news editors - newspaper or television - asking them to run the story and highlight local beekeepers as helpful resources. 

Help the planet, save our ice cream, save the bees!

Copyright 2008, Deb Swingholm.  All rights reserved

I’m currently reading “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire and in a round-about kind of way, it reminded me of the post I wrote a while ago on the Five Element and the Wizard of Oz and this seems like a good time to offer it again. 

Five Elements and the Wizard of Oz

In Feng Shui the Five Elements are used to bring a balance in our lives. Usually this means having a balance of all five elements of Fire, Water, Metal, Wood and Earth in our living spaces. But first, let’s understand the Five Elements. L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard Oz illustrates this delightfully! In this tale you can see balanced and imbalanced examples of the five elements.

Cast  

Fire: The Wizard
Water:  The Cowardly Lion
Metal:  The Tin Man
Wood: The Scarecrow
Earth: Dorothy

Fire is about taking action. The Wizard is not in balance when we first encounter him. He portrays himself as a firey ball. but he is all talk and no action. When he is revealed as a fake, he steps up to the plate as a real leader and initiator and in so doing, he finds a new sense of direction and purpose for his life.

Water is about emotions and the Cowardly Lion is a very fearful and sensitive creature who cries at the drop of a hat. The Wizard gives the Lion a medal for bravery and the Lion finds his courage. While keeping his sensitivite nature he is much more composed emotionally after he get’s his medal for bravery.

Metal is about rational thought, organization and intellectual powers. In an imbalanced state, someone who has too much metal energy (as the Tin man believes) lacks compassion and depth of emotion: he is rigid and has no heart. At the end of the story, The Wizard gives him a heart, and a testimonial which increases his capacity to both give and receive love.

Wood is about growth, flexibility and productivity. In the beginning the Scarecrow is so flexible he can hardly stand up. He also believes he has no brains, and judging by what happens when he loses his straw stuffing, we see that he does indeed lack substance. The Wizard gives him a diploma and as soon as he believes in himself, he grows substantially and becomes ’smart.’ 

Earth is nurturing and supportive.  Dorothy’s story is about feeling un-nurtured and taken for granted. In her inner journey and interactions with the other characters/elements she learns how to nurture others and through this, recognizes something of her own value, hence the famous line “there’s no place like home.” She comes to rely much more on her inner recources to give her stability and value.

Copyright Deborah Redfern 2007. All rights reserved.

Himalayan Salt Lamps have been used for years to improve the quality of the air in the home. I purchased my first one over a decade ago and it continues to work beautifully clearing the air. Since they operate on a nightlight bulb, their operation is inexpensive and they are easy to maintain. Over the years, I have added many more to there being one in nearly every room in my house, quietly doing their amazing work.

Although some people remain skeptic, further scientific research is revealing that the lamps can really change your physical well-being, especially related to breathing problems like allergies, asthma and second-hand smoke. New studies now reveal that they can also improve your mental health as well. We all want to lead calmer, happier lives so read on.

The conveniences we surround ourselves with in our every day world: cars, radios, televisions, computers, tobacco, microwaves, the list grows, output positive ions at a much higher rate than the environment can balance them. Scientists are beginning to realize that this is a red flag for your mental health. Himalayan salt lamps give off an overabundance of negative ions, which can help to counteract the positive ions given off in your home that lower healthy air quality.

Since negative ions are found in large numbers at the beach or mountains, away from the cities we generally live in, our brains associate negative ions with happiness and energy. Doctors are now beginning to study the connection between negative ions and the release from depression, as negative ions also have a positive affect on the serotonin levels in the brain.

Many of my clients report significant calming effects from their salt lamps. Most likely this is due to the negative ion output into the air. They report feeling of greater peace, tranquility and happiness. They find their stress levels reducing and enjoying greater levels of calm. Stress is a major catalyst to more serious health problems, an indication that salt lamps might help you discover a healthier, happier life. Several of my clients have salt lamps in the bathroom. They report noticeably lower levels of stress from the feeling of spending time at the beach - while day-dreaming in the tub. Logically the salt lamp is imitating the wonderful negative ion filled air that is created by the ocean water condensing and the salt drifting on the breeze.

Other clients find that having a small salt lamp in their office at work helps their day go faster and their stress level greatly reduced.

Salt lamps can be purchased from many sources. Metaphysical stores often carry them. Several health food stores in my area have them. They can be ordered online. Make sure you purchase them from a reliable source and that they are genuine Himalayan Salt Lamps.

Peace and Harmony - enjoying negative ions….

© Roberta Binder, 2008. All rights reserved.

Although many people are happy to have Himalayan slat lamps for health, spiritual and mental benefits, there is an even deeper set of benefits. Before you purchase a salt lamp, it is a good idea to learn a bit more about how they really work. It begins with ions. Learning the intricacies of how negative ions are created from salt lamps sounds involved and scientific, but once you understand a few basics, it is not too difficult to grasp. The basic concept with Himalayan salt lamps is that the air around us is electrically charged. The particles in the air are called “ions.” Ions can be either negatively or positively charged. In a natural environment, all living and non-living things change the quality of the electricity in the air.

However with the plethora of electronics, automobiles, computers, cooling systems and other luxuries of our modern world, these conveniences are putting out more positive ions than they use. Add to that smog from factories, cell phones, heating systems (just a few of the things that output a large percentage ions), that put out negative ions. Soon the mix becomes an imbalance within nature. Science has found that rock salt crystals are actually one of the best natural emitters of negative ions in the world. That means that a rock salt lamp can help to equalize the positive ions in you house, especially in home offices, television rooms and kitchens.

You probably won’t consciously notice this difference, but your senses will on a subtle level. Just like the feeling in nature at the beach, after a lightening storm, or in the mountains near a waterfall. The air is refreshing, easy to breathe and healthy. Most people associate these negatively-charged air situations with calmness, peace and relaxation. In these natural health places, there are about 4000 negative ions in a cubic centimeter of air. However, in a city during rush hour, that number drops to more like 100 negative ions per cubic centimeter. So you can really see how this big difference affects the stress level in your body. This is what a Himalayan salt lamp does in your home.

Salt lamps have been found to help with allergies, asthma and other breathing problems. The negative ions help clear the air of pollen, dust, smoke, pet dander, odors, mold, dust mites and other forms of pollution.

And, of course, when you purchase a Himalayan Salt Lamp, make sure that you are getting one from the true source. Other lamps may look beautiful, but they will not be as effective. Know your source and always purchase a genuine Himalayan Salt Lamp.

Himalayan Salt Lamps not only affect your physical health, they are also beneficial for your mental health, and we’ll look at that next.

…to be continued.

© Roberta Binder, 2008. All rights reserved.

Many of my clients have been asking about Himalayan salt lamps and wondering what they do. Well, the answer is simple and complex. They affect different people in different ways, and most often people find the lamps assist in bring peace and calm.

Just their colors alone create delightful gazing stones -a diversion and rest to release your eyes from the computer screen, TV or even the book or heated discussion. Their striated coloration reminds one of a camp fire, perhaps, easing your being into a relaxed state.

Himalayan salt lamps are formed from rock salt found in the Himalayan Mountains. The important reason in selecting salt lamps from this source is that they were formed in an area that was relatively pollution free during their formation.

Millions of years ago, when the earth was in its beginning times, an immense pressure caused the Himalayan Mountains to rise out of the ocean. The primordial waters that were present at that time were forced up inside the massive Himalayan Mountains. Under incredible pressure this salt ocean was converted into solid Himalayan salt. This is the salt that is mined by hand to create the majority of the salt lamps we enjoy today.

In addition to contributing to relaxation as a gazing stone, the lamps emit negative ions which help the human body to experience a sensory relaxation response. Thus you feel the exhilaration you experience near the fresh ocean air or the clean fresh feeling just after a thunder and lightning storm. Thus Himalayan salt lamps work great near computers, in bedrooms and are the perfect night light. Bring back a natural fresh quality to the air and improve your home or office ambiance. I have a salt lamp in nearly every room of my home.

…to be continued.

© Roberta Binder, 2008. All rights reserved. 

A while ago I wrote a series on the impact of colours in feng shui and it was suggested that I bring all these posts together in one place. So here it is!

© Deborah Redfern, 2008. All rights reserved.