As most of you know it has been a very challenging time on the East Coast of the U.S. Mother Earth has been shifting and purging herself of what is no longer needed to make way for the ‘New Earth.’ Hurricane Sandy’s devastation was quickly followed by a nor’easter with heavy rain, wind and snow. Thousands of people are still without homes or power and the basic essentials. The recovery is expected to take years! People are in need of everything. If you’re so inclined, please contact a trusted organization and make a donation. It will do your heart good! I have been busy praying for these folks, collecting and supporting donation efforts and of course, asking legions of angels to provide comfort, love and safety!
With these events and family obligations, I’m sorry to say that I will be stepping away from my monthly column for a while. This is a difficult decision because I love writing for Bellesprit Magazine. I hope you’ve enjoyed creating a home sanctuary with my Feng Shui tips and bringing in more love and peace with the angels. Please feel free to ask me questions on either topic through my Facebook page or my email address listed at the bottom. I would love to answer your questions in a future column!
December 2012 – We made it! Many people assumed with the ending of the Mayan calendar that we would not be here at this time. We have literally weathered the storms and we are still standing. People are coming together to help others. They are opening their hearts, wallets and homes to share with others. Isn’t this the shift in consciousness we’ve been expecting? We are changing from an ego driven life to an understanding and acceptance of our life purpose. I pray this ‘New Earth’ will be loving, compassionate and filled with harmony and peace for all of humanity!
December Holidays and Fun Facts
This is quite a month for celebrations! Hanukkah begins on December 8 – 16. The Winter Solstice is December 21. Christmas is December 25. Boxing Day is December 26 in the U.K. and Canada. Kwanzaa, an African-American festivity, also begins December 26. May all who celebrate these holidays be blessed beyond measure in the coming year!
In my family we celebrate Christmas in the Christian tradition. It is both a holiday and a Holy Day and it’s the biggest holiday in America. Religion aside, it’s also the time for Santa Claus to visit good boys and girls around the world. The tradition of gift-giving is said to have begun with the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus. Gift-giving really caught on during the late 1800’s. Today it seems this retail and marketing phenomena is too focused on gifts and not the true meaning of Christmas – Jesus’ birth. Of course being a wife and parent I know that presents from Santa are expected! Hey I’ve been good, haven’t you?
The Christmas tree and decorations have origins in Germany and England and were brought to the U.S. by German immigrants. In Victorian times, trees were decorated with cakes and ribbons and later candles. Poinsettias plants became popular in 1828 when imported by Joel Roberts Poinsett, a U.S. ambassador to Mexico. The stockings hung by the fireplace for old St. Nick seems to come from a story of three poor girls who needed money for their wedding dowries. It’s been said that St. Nicholas put a few coins in each stocking. My grandmother lived in England as a child. She used to tell me exciting stories about Christmas back then and receiving an orange, nuts and a few coins in her stocking! Christmas cards were sent in England in 1843 and the tradition soon followed in America. Current estimates of mailed holiday cards here are over 2 billion yearly. And don’t get me started on fruitcake! It seems the reason it was so full of alcohol was to stop the growth of mold. I do apologize to the fruitcake lovers out there!
Feng Shui for the Holidays
The holiday season can be very stressful. Feng Shui principles bring harmony and peace into your home, so allow your décor to reflect serenity too. The colors usually associated with Christmas are red and green. Red is a fire color and green represents wood. Symbolically you’re burning up your home’s energy and it can cause you to feel emotional, irritable and stressed-out. Have you ever noticed that some people feel depressed after the Christmas holiday decorations are taken down? That’s because they’ve been relying on all the Fire energy!
My suggestion is to tone down the Fire red, keep the green for healing and add some blue for calming Water and silver or white for Metal’s clarity. The tree is the Wood element. Now you’ve balanced all the elements and you’ll feel calmer too! You can do the same with the decorations on your tree. Here are more Feng Shui tips that you can use with intention!
- Pack up everyday décor items before adding holiday ones to cut down clutter
- Add items in hot pink or purple which are a weaker Fire energy
- Place the tree in the Family area (left middle of your home looking in from the front door) for positive family growth & harmony
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A tree in the Abundance area (back far left corner) will enhance prosperity
- A tree in the Career area (by the front door) to enhance good fortune
- A tree in the Health area (the center of your home) will increase good health
- If you can’t place your tree in these areas, put it where your family really likes to see it and just be mindful of balancing the colors of the decorations
- If you’ve accomplished a milestone during the year, hang a decoration on the tree to represent this
- Add some non-toxic or beeswax candles for softer Fire energy
- If you use pretty tea light candle holders you can place them anywhere
- Use aromatherapy in the scents of the season like balsam fir, orange, and blue spruce for relaxation
- Take time for yourself for a nice relaxing bath with salts and lavender oil
- Late nights and too much food & drink can impact your digestion and immune systems. Get proper rest and eat nutritious food
- If you own a store and need the holiday sales, keep the red Fire energy
- Decorate the exterior of your home to make it look inviting and cozy
- Placing a wreath on the door with intention attracts good energy into your home. Put a red ribbon or bow on it to encourage good fortune
- Swag garland so it drapes upward like a smile for joy and fun
- Drape garland on the stair railings if they’re in the center of your home to alleviate health issues. The garland also represents growth and vitality
- If your front and back door are in alignment, hang mistletoe between them to slow down the flow of energy and bring more love to your home
- Don’t worry if your tree is artificial. Place it proudly and set the intention for upward healthy growth for your family
- Place an angel at the top of your tree for protection
- Create an altar in your home to display pictures of loved ones in Heaven, angels, flowers, a candle and let it be a haven for peace & love
- Use a dimmer switch to keep the Fire energy of the lights low
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Play calm and relaxing music when you have company
- Set up quiet spaces for kids to play and do activities
Angels and the Holidays
Angels and cherubs are lucky Christmas symbols. They bring peace, goodwill and spiritual protection into your home. A great place for angel statues or paintings is the Helpful People area (right front side of your home as you enter). Personally I have angels everywhere in my home every day of the year! As you place an angel at the top of your tree you can say an affirmation: “I AM grateful for the heavenly wisdom and guidance that protects our family at all times.” Here are some Heavenly tips:
- Make it a habit to bless your food as you prepare it and before you eat
- Ask the angels to bless your family & home for the upcoming new year
- Ask AA Michael to protect your home while you’re away & for safe travel
- Place one or two angel statues inside at the front door for protection
- Take time to admire the beauty of your home and thank your Higher Power and the angels for making it a welcoming place of love and joy
- Ask AA Gabriel to keep the communications clear and loving
- Ask AA Ariel to keep your pets safe at this busy time
- Ask AA Raguel to heal any arguments or misunderstandings
- Ask AA Azrael to heal family members who have lost a loved one
I want to wish every a very Happy New Year on January 1, 2013! Happy Chinese New Year on February 10, 2013 – The Year of the Snake! It is said to be a good luck year with prosperity and peace. I look forward to this New Year and this ‘New Earth!’ I’m always available to provide readings and Feng Shui consultations. Check my website next year for new services that the angels are guiding me to offer! Please feel free to contact me with Feng Shui or angel questions for an upcoming column. I wish all of you a very happy, healthy and blessed holiday season!
Donna Cantone
Feng Shui Practitioner, Angelic Life Coach®
Angel Communication Master™
www.Phoenixholisticservices.com
www.facebook.com/phoenixfengshuiandholisticservices
