I feel very blessed to be writing for Bellesprit again! I’ve had a challenging time with my health lately and I decided to take my angels advice to slow down and allow space for the healing. Whenever we’re faced with a challenge, illness or any situation that distresses us, remember to release it to God and the angels. It’s not always an easy thing to do, but it really does help. I’m still healing and I accept this with grace and gratitude.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, a chilly holiday season is upon us. The Yang fire energy of summer seems like a beautiful dream. We’re entering the more Yin season of winter.  In Feng Shui, Yin and Yang are two complementary forces that are omnipresent as they exist everywhere in life. Nature is a perfect example. The trees go from bare to lush and green, turn to gold and orange in autumn and are again bare. The Yin and Yang cycles in nature, as in all of life, are interdependent. One cannot exist without the other. Yin energy is restful, quiet and allows time for introspection. This energy is wonderful for a bedroom or meditation room, but might not work so well when entertaining. You might need active Fire Yang energy to balance softer energy that may already be in your décor. Yang is represented by a fireplace, red and bright colors, candles, triangular shaped items and brighter lighting. Your home will feel more harmonious if there is a pleasant balance of both energies.

December Holidays and Yang Energy

This is a busy month! We celebrate Hanukkah, The Jewish Festival of Lights, from November 27 (my birthday) to December 5. The Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere begins on December 21. It’s the shortest day of the year, and in some cultures there are celebrations of rebirth. In the Christian faith, Christmas is celebrated on December 25. Boxing Day is celebrated in the U.K. and Canada on December 26. Kwanzaa, an African-American festival, begins on December 26 until January 1.  Whatever holiday you celebrate, I wish you abundant blessings!

December can be a stressful month with all the planning, shopping, wrapping, cooking and entertaining. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed with preparations, parties, too much indulgence and demands on your time. It’s even more critical now to remove clutter and excess furniture to allow the space for a good flow of joyful energy. Pack away the every-day items and display holiday décor that makes you smile and elicit happy memories. If we love an item and proudly display it, it raises our own vibration and that’s good Feng Shui! Don’t forget to plan sacred self-care time for you! How about a nice candle-lit soothing bath with salts? I’m sure Santa Claus would approve!

I know how much we all love to decorate our homes at this time of year. The bright red and green traditional Christmas colors with blinking lights, Menorah lights and colorful Kwanzaa candles are all Yang energies. To offset these stronger energies you can add a water fountain, cooler colors like blue, silver and white, and low-level lighting.

Feng Shui of Christmas Trees

I’ve been asked many times “Where is the best place to put the tree?” From a Feng Shui perspective the Family area of the Bagua energy map is the only one that represents the Wood element (tree). This is the left middle side of your home as you look in from the front door. It’s a perfect spot since you’ll want to encourage strong family ties and harmony at this time of the year.  If this area doesn’t allow space for the tree, at least place some holiday greenery here to support the energy of this area.  If you need to place the tree in any other area of your home, just make sure the room and the ornaments balance out The Five Elements. To accomplish this, use these Feng Shui suggestions with the intention of creating family harmony and prosperity for the New Year.

• The tree is a Wood element and the color is green
• Blue and wavy shaped ornaments represent Water
• Red, purple or triangle shaped decorations represent Fire
• White or silver and round or oval décor items represent Metal
• Brown, yellow or ceramic and square shapes represent Earth
• Place an angel at the top of the tree for protection and blessings
• If you light the fireplace, hang a mirror over it. This balances Fire/Water
• Diffuse balsam fir, orange, or blue spruce pure essential oils of the season
• Use tea light candles to keep the Fire energy low
• Place lights outside your home and brass candles on the windowsills to make your home look cozy and inviting
• Play soft holiday music so guests won’t need to yell over loud music
• Create space for guest coats in the foyer closet
• Hang up some mistletoe and give your partner a kiss to remember the love
• Hang a wreath with a red bow (for good luck and fortune) on your front door
• Balance heavy food and drink with lighter fare for family and guests
• Have a spot where younger children can play freely

Feng Shui and Holiday Angels

You all know how much I love angels and this is the perfect time of year for them. Well anytime is a perfect time for me! Did you know that displaying a picture of an angel or fairy with intention can clear negative energy and raise your spirit? After all, they do have ‘uplifting’ energy!  Angels, fairies and even cherubs bring peace, spirituality, love and protection into your home.  Many people have an altar where they place angel statues, crystals, flowers, candles, essential oils, feathers and other spiritual items. You can create an altar and sanctuary for yourself in the Helpful People area (the right front of your home as you enter).  You can also use an altar in any room in this same place!

Let all Heaven’s helpers assist you in any way you need.  Angels are Divine messengers delivering our needs to a Higher Power. They do this every day, not just on holidays!  I have angel statues and pictures all around my home to remind me of the unconditional love and peace they bring to us. Here are some other spiritual tips for the holidays.

• Say a prayer, blessing or use the Reiki ‘Power Symbol’ to send beautiful flowing energy to every room of your home
• Write an affirmation for joy and happiness and place it under an object or behind a picture. No one needs to see it and the intention will remain
• Add a Feng Shui angelic Peace Lily plant to nurture your home
• If you are traveling for the holidays, ask Archangel Michael to surround your home and car with his cobalt blue bubble of protection
• If tempers should flare, ask Archangel Raguel to quickly heal the situation
• Light a candle and walk through every room of your home asking that God’s light and love will bless your home and all occupants
• If you’re grieving a loved one, ask Archangel Azrael to bring love and comfort for all
• Ask Archangel Jophiel, the Feng Shui Angel, to help beautify your home and transform any negative energy into light
• Remove any trash in the home daily. This is a lower vibration and you want to keep your home fresh and lively
• If any items on display are dull and dusty, clean them. Angels love sparkle!
• Remember to thank your Guardian Angels for their protection

I hope these ideas will help to transform your home into a warm and welcoming place for the holidays and every day. I’m available for Feng Shui consultations on-site, virtually and through my new ‘DIY Feng Shui™’ program. I also offer intuitive angel card readings and coaching – all with discounts for Bellesprit readers. I’ll be announcing new classes next year as a faculty member of an online university! I wish you all bright blessings of love, peace and joy for the holiday season and beyond!

Donna Cantone
Feng Shui Practitioner, Advanced Angel Therapy Practitioner and
Tarot Oracle Card Reader®, Intuitive Angel Communication Master™
Certified Reiki Practitioner
www.Phoenixholisticservices.com
donnabellesprit@comcast.net
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