Where Energy Flows

For the next month or so, I am spending time in Ohio, where I grew up.  This area of Northwest Ohio is called the “Oak Openings Region” and it is one of the Midwest’s rarest ecosystems, with oak woodlands and savannas, dunes, prairies and floodplain forest.

One of the few remaining Oak Savannas in the world is found here in the Oak Openings Preserve.  The savanna is comprised of Black and White Oaks that live side by side with a mixture of grasses, sedges, wildflowers, ferns and shrubs. Some very specialized animals are also part of the area, including the rare Lark Sparrow and several species of butterflies such as the Frosted Elfin, Persius Dusky Wing and the federally endangered Karner Blue butterfly.

I cherish the Oak Openings Preserve.  It is a place that truly feeds my soul and brings all my senses back into balance. 

I spend as much time as I can out walking the trails and taking photos.  For the last two weeks I have been out nearly every day photographing the wild Blue Lupine, which is incredibly abundant this year.  These tall, graceful stalks loaded with deep purple-blue blossoms are simply beautiful.  As I stand surrounded by these flowers, I feel my whole body respond.  I breathe deeply and slowly.  All tension melts away and the most wonderful sense of lightness and joy fills my whole being (there are photos of the wild lupine on my website photo gallery).  It’s just a perfect way to  start the morning!

The preserve has been expanding in recent years.  And, as people become more aware of the importance of the unique Oak Openings ecosystem, many property owners near the park are dedicating some or even all of their land to restoring rare and native plant species.  Conservancy groups are partnering with local residents to reestablish the region’s natural vegetation.  Even some local businesses are setting aside small areas for native gardens. 

This practice of landscaping with native plants is sometimes referred to as naturescaping or xeriscaping.  Interior Alignment advocates healthy, “green” practices such as this.  We believe in caring for the well-being of our Earth and our work includes harmonizing the land and connecting with nature in ways that nurture body and soul.  Wherever you live, I would highly recommend that you consider planting native to at least some degree.  Some of the benefits of naturescaping are:

• Low Maintenance - Native plants evolved to grow in local conditions. They do not require watering, chemical pesticides and fertilizers or frequent cutting.
• Water conservation - native plants need less water, so you can conserve water resources.
• Health - Traditional landscaping can use large amounts of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, some of which are suspected carcinogens. During rains, these chemicals often run off into public water supplies, lakes and rivers. 
• Land Health - Many typical landscaping plants are not part of the original ecosystem and therefore contribute little to it and in some cases actually cause damage and displace native plants.  Naturescaping contributes to the overall health of the land.
• Savings - The cost of maintaining a naturescape can be less than that of a traditional landscape because a naturescape essentially takes care of itself.
• Song Birds - song bird populations have dropped steadily for the last several decades and much of the decline is due to habitat loss.  Naturescaping is beneficial to native and migrating birds.  Other native animals benefit as well
• Enhancing Life - An ecologically healthy landscape offers so much beauty, color, sound and wonder to all of us. It is cleaner, healthier and it can bring enormous joy and a sense of being in harmony with the natural world.  And, this is what Interior Alignment is all about!

Copyright Deb Swingholm, 2008.  All rights reserved.

Space Clearing often happens spontaneously, I have discovered. 

I did a load of laundry today, careful to check my pants pockets for kleenex (tree pollen season, you know).  However, I quickly discovered that I’d missed something.

When I pulled the wet clothes out to toss them in the dryer, I noticed my clothes were covered with little flecks of what looked like dead, brown leaves.  Wow, I thought, how did I manage to get dead leaves in there?  I figured I must have gotten some leaves rolled up in the cuff of my pants or maybe in a sock.

Then my fingers touched something thick and soft…

I instantly recognized the small deerskin bag that had held my tobacco and blue corn, which I use when I am out in nature hiking and taking photographs.  I often give tobacco or corn or small, pretty stones as an offering to thank the nature spirits for particularly beautiful or spirit-filled moments. 

As I plucked all the bits of tobacco off my clothes and out of the bottom of the washer, I had a good laugh, thinking how the washing machine and my laundry had been thoroughly blessed!  (and I have to say, it feels great to be wearing the clothes that were space cleared in the process!)

Copyright 2008, Deb Swingholm.  All rights reserved.

In my last post, I wrote about “Sensual Feng Shui” and how we can enhance our surroundings in ways that activate and delight all of our five senses.  When the senses are fully engaged, our experience of the world around us expands as does our sense of joy and pleasure.

Over the last few days, I have been thinking more about this and one thing that struck me was how our Astrology also plays into what we find sensual, pleasurable and beautiful. 

Our Astrological make-up influences our desire and appreciation for art, furnishings, textures and color.  And, each Astrological sign finds different things stimulating when it comes to their personal surroundings.

In my own Astrological chart, the sign that most heavily influences my tastes for beauty and sensory pleasure is Taurus.  Taurus loves texture, fabrics and artistic, beautiful objects.  The Taurus in me is especially attracted to quality handmade objects like thick oriental carpets, pottery with voluptuous shapes and interesting glazes, richly colored hand-woven textiles with natural dyes and other earthy furnishings.

What about some of the other signs?  Well, someone with Cancer as their sign might find sensory pleasure in the kitchen or in the soft curves of a comfortable armchair.  Virgo may find their senses are most delighted in their herb garden.  Capricorn loves things that have a practical nature and furnishings that have a good structure. Someone governed by Libra may appreciate sensory pleasures in the master bedroom with luxurious high thread-count sheets or satin pillows.  And, Aquarius may find their senses are stimulated with objects that are high tech and modern. 

These are just a few examples. 

Interior Alignment™ practitioners use astrology to help tailor feng shui changes to our client’s individual needs.  Interior Alignment™ focuses on one’s Moon sign, but I have found it useful to consider the attributes of both the Sun and Moon sign.

So consider the attrubutes of your sign and think about what sorts of things might please your senses.  Enjoy discovering what satisfies your sign!

Copyright 2008, Deb Swingholm.  All rights reserved.

Do you notice all the ways you use your senses as you move through your day?  Do you notice the subtle ways that your physical body interacts with the world?

The depth of connection to the world we experience comes largely through our five senses - touch, smell, sight, hearing and taste.  Everything we do can be a sensual experience:  Smelling the freshness of the grass that you just cut.  Feeling the soft, fluffy texture envelope your fingers as you knead warm bread dough.  Enjoying the rich, chocolaty aroma of your coffee as it is brewing.  Or just noticing the touch of the wind on your skin as you walk outdoors.

 When I was in New Mexico recently, one thing that amazed me was the luminous quality of the sunlight and the brilliant color of the sky. The shade and depth of blue was startlingly beautiful - I loved how it enhanced the delicate yellows and reds of the rock, and the way the smallest, puffy cloud was highlighted against it.  After a few days, I understood why artists like Georgia O’Keefe were inspired to create there.  I was aware that my senses were all on fire and my own creative spirit was “juiced”. 

Sensuality is also key in Feng Shui and Sacred Space design.  It is at the heart of how we make adjustments to environments.  And, as Interior Alignment™ practitioners, we often suggest changes that are meant to activate and please the senses.

You can do this as well.  Simply start by observing your sensory experiences for a few days.  You might even want to jounal your observations.

What are the things you notice as you first enter a space?  Are you more drawn to textures, colors, fragrances, fabrics, light or sound?  Discover which of your senses are most keen, which ones you rely on most.  And, then reward those senses by making changes to your surroundings that excite those senses.  Experiment with new foods or spices.  Add new colors or intensify hues.  Use more texture and layer in new fabrics.  Decorate with expressive paintings, photos or sculptures that speak to your heart and delight your eyes.  Use essential oils and experiment with a variety of scents.  And, taking this a step further, find ways to continually develop and expand your senses.  Consider, for example, taking up a craft that requires a high degree of tactile work, like weaving or pottery. 

Delight all of your senses and create more joy, creativity and passion in your life!

Copyright 2008, Deb Swingholm.  All rights reserved.

At this moment, I am in Santa Fe New Mexico and traveling with me is my friend and fellow Interior Alignment™ Teacher, Neshi Lokotz.  It has been a sacred and fascinating journey…  and it has reinforced the way we both view travel as a mystical adventure! 

As Interior Alignment™  feng shui teachers, we have been attuned to the spirits of the land and observing the way the energy changes dramatically from place to place.  We have also taken time to visit the sacred sites along the way. 
 
We spent one day at the Petroglyph National Park and another full day at Chaco Canyon. These two sites are sacred ground and as we entered, Neshi performed a traditional tobacco giving ceremony, asking permission from the ancestors and the spirts of the land to enter. 

It was wonderful to experience the energy of the land and connect with those ancient people who were here before us.  We could sense the ceremonies that had been performed there and felt the presence of the Ancient Ones on many occassions.  A few time we even heard the sound of drums or heard the Ancient Ones laughing or singing. 

From the designs of the petroglyphs and the alignments of the ancient ceremonial kivas, it was clear that the ancient people had a deep awareness of their environment and watched the movements of the heavens. 

Visiting the petroglyphs and the kivas brings the ancient knowledge that we all carry to a more conscious level - we know it is here and available to us, when we listen.
 
We are still on the road, but wanted to share with you just a tiny bit of our journey so far.. Visit my photo gallery here. 

© Deb Swingholm 2008. All rights reserved.  

Last week, on my way to one of my favorite breakfast spots, I passed an elaborate Ceremony in progress - the installation of a Spirit House and an Ancestor House for a new business.   And, I was honored to be invited to stay. 

In Thailand, each building has small shrines that are dedicated to the nature spirits and to the “Grandparent” spirits of the people who first lived on the property.  Some of the houses are made to look like miniature temples.  Others look like traditional Thai teak homes.  Some are whimsical and all are eye-catching and beautiful.  Offerings are made at these shrines every morning and evening. 

Great care is taken to place these shrines in the most auspicious location and Astrology is consulted to make sure that they are installed at an auspicious day and time.  And they are put in place with a great deal of ritual. 

For this installation ceremony, two large tables took over the front lawn of the building.  The tables were heavy with an assortment of offerings - flowers, water, red soda pop, whisky, plates of sweets, large wooden trays with fruit piled carefully into towers, incense, candles and two pig’s heads (an especially expensive and lucky offering).

A serious looking, older man dressed in white presided over the ceremony.  His role, a combination of priest, geomancer and astrologer.   It is his job to select the proper location for the Spirit House and to make sure that the timing of the ceremony is accurate.  He performed specific blessings and set the statues and other ornaments into position.   

At one point in the midst of this lovely ceremony, there was a bit of a hitch.  The geomancer attempted to place a Buddha image into the Spirit House, but the base of the statue was too wide to fit through the narrow door.  The business owner disappeared and quickly returned, carrying a hammer.  With a “wai” (a small bow with hands over the heart) and a prayer offered to the Buddha, she gave the base a few whacks of the hammer.  It still didn’t fit.  So, more prayers, more “wais” and a few more whacks with the hammer followed.  Finally, the statue fit and the ceremony joyfully continued on.  The Spirit House was adorned with flowers and brightly colored garlands, the candles were lit and the business owner prayerfully placed the first sticks of incense onto the altar.  

I see many Spirit Houses and Ancestor Houses every day, as I walk around town.  So, it was really wonderful to witness an installation ceremony.  Yet again, I am moved by the way that ritual and ceremony are such an integral part of life here in Thailand.  I love the way laughter and playfulness balance the seriousness.  And, I continue to be intrigued by the way the practical and the spiritual are woven together so closely (remembering Buddha and the hammer!). 

Living here, I am constantly reminded to bring spiritual elements into my own daily life and to do this in a meaningful, yet routine and ongoing way.  

Copyright Deb Swingholm, 2008  All rights reserved.

Happy Chinese New Year!

For the next three days, the sprawling Warorot Market in Chiang Mai (Thailand) will be the center for much of the Chinese New Year celebrations.  Warorot is the old Chinese Market here, with many Thai-Chinese shop owners.

This morning my usual walk through the market was especially fun (and filled with lots of chances for great photos!).   Normally Warorot is a busy market, but today there was extra traffic as people were out buying supplies for their altars and family get-togethers.

Many shops were decorated with bright red paper lanterns.  Long strings of fireworks did their job of frightening off any evil spirits, and left plenty of red paper confetti littering the streets.  And the two Chinese temples located in the market were alive with people making offerings. 

I especially enjoyed peeking into each shop to admire the beautiful New Year altars.  Some altars took up almost the full interior of the shop.  Others were placed on the floor by the front door.  And, a few shop owners created a special table on the sidewalk. Each altar was richly loaded with trays of roasted ducks and chickens, tea, rice, fruit, red candles and plenty of incense. A few even offered a bottle of whiskey!

Most of all, there was a feeling of excitement and anticipation for good fortune in the year ahead.  I wish all of you a very happy and prosperous Year of the Rat!

Deb Swingholm,  Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.