Since I began writing the Spiritual Feng Shui column over a year ago, the readership of Bellesprit Magazine has grown tremendously. In this column, I want to provide some basic information for the new readers about the ancient art and science of Feng Shui. It was established in Tibet and China about 4,000 years ago. Feng Shui is primarily the study of energy and how it can positively or negatively affect us. ‘Feng’ means wind and ‘Shui’ means water. This represents the seen and unseen energies that are within us and around us. The purpose of Feng Shui is to create balance and harmony to encourage prosperity, happiness and good luck. Think about living in chaos and stress or the energy of peace and harmony. The second scenario sure feels better doesn’t it? Thankfully, over the years, Feng Shui principles began to spread to other countries. It was introduced in the U.S. in the late 1980’s and definitely piqued my interest. Back then, it was thought of as new-age and woo-woo. Luckily, we’ve come a long way baby!

You don’t have to see energy to feel it. Have you ever entered a home or business and you feel on edge? Do you sit down and feel so tired you just can’t get moving? On the other hand, have you gone to a place that feels so happy that you just don’t want to leave? This comfortable feeling is due to a flow of positive feel-good energy that’s in harmony with you, the décor and nature.  Good Feng Shui makes us feel happy, content, stress-free, and in agreement with life!

The biggest factor I address during a consultation is clutter. It makes us feel tired and unfocused. It takes up space leaving no room for good energy to flow through your home. Don’t hide things away or stash them under the bed! Recycle, donate or gift items and then see what an improvement it makes in your own well-being! In each column, I address different aspects of Feng Shui and how to use positive energy to your advantage to improve health, abundance, relationships and more.  I work very closely with my angels for readings and coaching, so naturally they’re included as my angelic support team. I’m thrilled to have just completed Doreen Virtue’s Advanced Angel Tarot and Oracle Card course! Feel free to read the prior issues of Spiritual Feng Shui online.

This month in the U.S. we celebrate our Independence on July 4. We have old-fashioned fun with a parade and fireworks in our town and our daughter plays in the marching band. Speaking of independence, 2013 is the ‘Chinese Year of the Water Snake.’ This symbolizes wisdom, precision, creativity, and independence! It has been said that 2013 is a great year for serious types; especially in the fields of science, education and politics. Remember that you can use Feng Shui principles for everything you want to manifest in your life!

As reported in ‘The Straits Times’ on February 15, 2013, ‘Jetstar,’ an Asian airline, commissioned Feng Shui Master David Tong of Singapore to analyze the Feng Shui of their Airbus A320s for Chinese New Year. According to Mr. Tong, row six is the luckiest for all aircraft. The most auspicious times to travel are between 5am and 7am, or between 7pm and 9pm, regardless of the time zone.  Men traveling for good health should be seated in rows 9, 19 or 29. Women looking for wealth should choose rows 1, 11 or 21. If you’re looking to make new friends, pick rows 3, 4, 13, 14, 23 or 24.

Since July is a favorite vacation month, here are my Feng Shui travel tips:

• If you’re nervous while traveling, carry a small grounding stone with you such as Carnelian, Black Obsidian, Black tourmaline or Hematite.
• Wear or carry a piece of green Jade for protection and luck.
• Bring a small angel statue, laughing Buddha or another deity for protection.
• If you’re traveling by plane, get to the airport early to avoid stress. I also ask AA Michael to stand on one wing of the plane and AA Raphael to stand on the other! They are both great archangels to travel with for safety and protection.
• Don’t purchase junky souvenirs. Try to find hand-made mementos that you love and that have good energy. Stones and shells are good natural items.
• Find items for a purpose, i.e.; a decorative box that you can use as a ‘God Box’ to hold your wishes and dreams.  A religious statue that you can place in your Helpful People area. Two of any item to improve romance for the Relationship area (see Bagua map).
• If you are on an extended stay, bring pictures of loved ones.
• Make sure the hotel room is clean and keep it neat so it doesn’t lower your Chi energy.
• Put hotel brochures and ads into a drawer to reduce clutter.
• If you stay in a hotel, cleanse the energy from the previous occupants. You can use small smudge sticks or an essential oil spray with the intention that your stay will be happy and safe. Another easy way to do this is to open a few packs of salt, pour it into a cup and place it in the room with the intention to absorb old energy. Discard when you leave.
• Electrical appliances in your own bedroom as well as a hotel room should be faced away from you or unplugged. Throw a towel over a large TV set for better sleep.
• If you want to increase abundance while traveling for business, place a few coins or dollar bills in something small and hide in the far left corner of the room. This is the Wealth area and set the intention for good business success.

If you travel by car this summer, remove any clutter. Have all maintenance items checked. Carry snacks and water bottles. If you spend a lot of time on the road, you make an energetic connection with your car. Although a Bagua map is used for stable objects like homes and land, some practitioner believe you can also Feng Shui your car. Do the windshield wipers need to be replace or is there a crack in the window? You might need more clarity in your life!  If the engine overheats, are you emotionally stressed? Are there any leaks? Maybe your flow of income is low or you just can’t hold onto money. I think you can make the correlation. If you’d like to drive with good Feng Shui energy use the Bagua map inside the car!

• The driver is in the Wealth area. Wear purple or green & be joyful.
• The rear-view mirror is the Fame/Reputation area. Hang a red ribbon for safety, a butterfly or crystal for good luck.
• The front passenger is the Relationship area. Wear pink and be nurturing.
• The middle of the car is the Children/Creativity area. This is where the kids usually sit and play games during a car ride.
• The trunk area is Knowledge, Career and Helpful People. This is usually where the luggage, books and extra water bottles are kept. You can even add a small statue of Buddha, Quan Yin, an angel or other deity.

July’s angel is Verchiel, known as the Angel of Affection. He is one of the rulers of the Order of the Powers in Heaven. He encourages us to stop and smell the roses, have fun and play. Take the time to notice all the miracles of life around you and be grateful. If you’re traveling, really enjoy that breath-taking view! He guides us to know what it is that makes us truly happy and it’s not always material things. Be open, be thankful!

As a Bellesprit Magazine reader, I offer discounts for you! Please view the Services page of my website listed below for intuitive life coaching and angel communication, oils, Feng Shui consultations and my new ‘DIY Feng Shui™’ service. As always, feel free to contact me with Feng Shui or angel questions for an upcoming column. I wish you safe and happy travels!  

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