It’s August! That means summer is almost over for us in the Northern Hemisphere. How can that be, since I haven’t taken any vacation yet? We wait, and not very patiently, for summertime and it just flies by every year. This is the month that many kids in the Southern U.S. states and college students are going back to school. Everyone else is rushing to go on vacation before the fall months. No matter what you’re doing this month it’s definitely busy!

To get off to a good start this school year, help your family to get on track by setting earlier bed times, buying new clothes and supplies, and creating new routines. As we all know, clutter is a Feng Shui no-no! It’s time to clear out old papers and drawings. Yes, I know that’s hard to do! I recommend asking your child to keep only his or her favorites. You can take a photo of the others and then discard them. Wanting to keep everything your child creates for you is a fabulous and heartfelt idea, but it’s just not practical.  Clutter includes outgrown clothing, shoes, backpacks, toys, etc. Donate, recycle, or gift unused items to the school! Clutter keeps us feeling stuck and tired and we want our kids to grow in all ways; academically, physically and spiritually. To encourage a good balance of school work and recreation here are a few Feng Shui tips:

• Remove clutter from a child’s bedroom and work space.
• Position a desk and chair so your child can see the doorway & feels secure.
• Set a full-spectrum lamp on the desk for late night studying.
• Add an owl, world globe or inspirational poster to the Knowledge area (front left corner).
• Prepare healthy lunches and snacks.
• Encourage time for outdoor play and exercise.
• Remove an abundance of red or orange items as they are too stimulating and the energy may interfere with a good night’s sleep.
• Hang academic or other awards in a red frame in the Fame area (middle of the back wall).
• If your child makes crafts, place them and the supplies in the Creativity area (middle of the right wall).
• If your child is older and works after school, place a bank in the Wealth area (back far left corner) for their earnings.
• A family or sport team picture is perfect to hang in a wooden frame in the Family area (middle of the left wall).
• Following these recommendations and removing clutter will allow for a good flow of energy through the bedroom to nourish your child. This is represented by the Health area (the middle of the room).

If you’re a teacher you’ll greatly benefit from using Feng Shui in the classroom. A fun and organized environment makes for happier, attentive and calmer students! You can use the Bagua Map featured in this column. Overlay it on top of the floor plan of your classroom. Use the colors and elements to balance each area. Be creative and have fun, your students will too! I know that you may not have total freedom to Feng Shui your classroom. By using some of these ideas you will create harmony and both you and your students will definitely have an advantage!

• Add an aquarium or water feature for a soothing sound. Water promotes knowledge.
• Desks should be placed in a curved shape if possible to promote ‘out-of- the- box’ thinking. If they remain in rows, try not to face the doorway.
• Leave space in the room for the energy to flow and the students to walk easily.
• Open windows to stimulate sleepy students.
• Take advantage of natural light to create reading or art centers near windows.
• Bring nature inside. Have plants such as bamboo, a class pet or paintings of nature in the room.
• Store away art and other supplies keeping clutter to a minimum.
• Try not to use too many items in the color of red as it can bring out aggressive tendencies.
• Soft blue, green and other pastel colors are great for creativity and they are calming colors.
• Create space for students to hang up their own artwork and be proud of their accomplishments.
• Most of these tips can be used for high school students too, be creative.

For students going off to college, organization is crucial. A dorm room even though small, can still benefit from using Feng Shui principles! Since it’s a shared space, hopefully the other roommate will be open-minded. Since the room itself is generally a boring beige color, use these tips to make it feel like home.

• Smudge or use an essential oil spray with the intention of removing anyone else’s energy from this space.
• If the roommate agrees, hang a round faceted crystal from the ceiling. Daylight will shine on it and shower the room with rainbows. Hung with intention, it will also disperse the energy in a small space.
• If you have a window, use sheer curtains so you can bring in natural daylight.
• Try to position the desk within view of door. If not, place a mirror on the desk to reflect who comes in the door. This adds a sense of security & safety.
• Use a full-spectrum light on the desk.
• Only bring a few items from home that your student loves otherwise you’ll just create clutter.
• Hang a mirror to reflect a pretty view. A mirror is a water element and can be used for opening up small spaces and expanding the mind.
• Add a bed spread or artwork with a pop of a favorite color.
• Some dorms allow a TV, computer and of course there will be cell phones and other electronics. For a good night’s sleep, turn them all off and face the alarm clock away from the bed.
• Encourage your student to study outside, in a student lounge and to join some clubs. This may be their first time away from home and making friends is vitally important for their happiness and sense of belonging.

Now that the bedroom and dorm are tidy let’s bring in some angelic help for your student! You do not have to be a certain religion to have an angel statue in your room. Actually angels appear in every written religion in the world. I have statues in every room of my home! Because humans have free will, we must ask for help from the angels. They cannot intervene in our lives unless it’s a life or death situation.  Please encourage your student to ask for angelic guidance and to walk with them on school grounds for safety and protection.

• Archangel Michael will provide your student with protection and courage. He also helps you find your life purpose or career path.
• Archangel Metatron is in charge of education and children’s issues and will help your student organize priorities.
• Archangel Uriel helps with ideas, tests, studying and problem solving.
• Archangel Zadkiel helps with remembering names and course information.
• Archangel Chamuel will help you with finding a career that meets your passion. He also helps you feel more peaceful and even helps find a soul-mate.
• Archangel Gabriel helps with writing and communication.
• Archangel Haniel helps with decision-making & increases self-confidence.
• Archangel Raphael is a master healer who can help them when they don’t feel well or need some intuitive guidance. He also assists those with addictions.

Please tell your students to call upon their guardian angels too. When you send them to school every day or off to college their guardian angels will accompany them! They just need to remember to ask the angels for help. If you’re a teacher, call on Archangel Ariel for confidence and focus with planning class work.

I offer discounted services for Bellesprit Magazine readers! Please view the Services page of my website listed below for intuitive life coaching, angel communication, oils, Feng Shui consultations and my new ‘Do-It-Yourself Feng Shui™’ service. As always, feel free to contact me with Feng Shui or angel questions for an upcoming column.  I wish you all an exciting and fulfilling new school year!

Donna Cantone
Feng Shui Practitioner, Angelic Life Coach®
Angel Communication Master™
www.Phoenixholisticservices.com
donnabellesprit@comcast.net
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