Where Energy Flows

When filling your vehicle with petroleum, gasoline, means paying substantially more than this time last year, we have to wonder how can we approach these times of recession in a more positive way. As Interior Alignment™ practitioners and teachers we have the ability and tools to assist our clients with supportive feng shui and space clearing techniques to achieve this goal.

How can feng shui and space clearing help me pay for my full tank of gasoline?  Well it starts well before filling the gas tank. Now more than ever we need to be clear about our thoughts and intentions. Having a clear intention about what kind of life do we want to live and what is important to us in this life is the foundation for creating that life we wish for.  It is times such as these that help really identify what is important to us, such as being financially secure or having a fulfilling peaceful life. Once we are clear about our intentions, then it is our emotions behind thoughts that support or rather fuel the intentions to bring them into the physical world.  This is also the basis of the Law of Attraction. When we have this clear intention, emotions and thoughts then we turn to feng shui to help turn our homes and work spaces into areas that can support these intentions.

First we ensure life force energy is invited and welcomed into our home-mouth of chi which is our front door. Second, that life force energy can flow through each of the rooms of our home and energize critical areas that hold our intentions and spend more time and energy there (abundance altars). Third, we ensure that the natural elements (fire, air, wood, earth, metal) energy is balanced to be in harmony with nature. Fourth, that yin and yang energies are balanced so that those opposing energies in nature are balanced in our home. When we have these items in balance, then our home is ready and able to help us to create what we desire.

Space Clearing is the otherside of the Interior Alignment™ coin. Once the feng shui is in place, then a space clearing to remove unwanted energies that are no longer useful to us can be released. The template is set through the clear intention, the feng shui supports the intention, space clearing clears blocks to energy flowing to that intention. Space clearing brings all the aspects of the Universe to help support your intention through prayer and ceremony. Your home becomes a sacred space that supports the life you intend to live as you and your home are in balance with all of nature and Universe.

What is your intentions for your life and are what are you emotions around your intentions? Its time to seriously know what you want from life.

© Yvette Neshi Lokotz, August 2008. All Rights Reserved.

I’m currently reading “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire and in a round-about kind of way, it reminded me of the post I wrote a while ago on the Five Element and the Wizard of Oz and this seems like a good time to offer it again. 

Five Elements and the Wizard of Oz

In Feng Shui the Five Elements are used to bring a balance in our lives. Usually this means having a balance of all five elements of Fire, Water, Metal, Wood and Earth in our living spaces. But first, let’s understand the Five Elements. L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard Oz illustrates this delightfully! In this tale you can see balanced and imbalanced examples of the five elements.

Cast  

Fire: The Wizard
Water:  The Cowardly Lion
Metal:  The Tin Man
Wood: The Scarecrow
Earth: Dorothy

Fire is about taking action. The Wizard is not in balance when we first encounter him. He portrays himself as a firey ball. but he is all talk and no action. When he is revealed as a fake, he steps up to the plate as a real leader and initiator and in so doing, he finds a new sense of direction and purpose for his life.

Water is about emotions and the Cowardly Lion is a very fearful and sensitive creature who cries at the drop of a hat. The Wizard gives the Lion a medal for bravery and the Lion finds his courage. While keeping his sensitivite nature he is much more composed emotionally after he get’s his medal for bravery.

Metal is about rational thought, organization and intellectual powers. In an imbalanced state, someone who has too much metal energy (as the Tin man believes) lacks compassion and depth of emotion: he is rigid and has no heart. At the end of the story, The Wizard gives him a heart, and a testimonial which increases his capacity to both give and receive love.

Wood is about growth, flexibility and productivity. In the beginning the Scarecrow is so flexible he can hardly stand up. He also believes he has no brains, and judging by what happens when he loses his straw stuffing, we see that he does indeed lack substance. The Wizard gives him a diploma and as soon as he believes in himself, he grows substantially and becomes ’smart.’ 

Earth is nurturing and supportive.  Dorothy’s story is about feeling un-nurtured and taken for granted. In her inner journey and interactions with the other characters/elements she learns how to nurture others and through this, recognizes something of her own value, hence the famous line “there’s no place like home.” She comes to rely much more on her inner recources to give her stability and value.

Copyright Deborah Redfern 2007. All rights reserved.

Himalayan Salt Lamps have been used for years to improve the quality of the air in the home. I purchased my first one over a decade ago and it continues to work beautifully clearing the air. Since they operate on a nightlight bulb, their operation is inexpensive and they are easy to maintain. Over the years, I have added many more to there being one in nearly every room in my house, quietly doing their amazing work.

Although some people remain skeptic, further scientific research is revealing that the lamps can really change your physical well-being, especially related to breathing problems like allergies, asthma and second-hand smoke. New studies now reveal that they can also improve your mental health as well. We all want to lead calmer, happier lives so read on.

The conveniences we surround ourselves with in our every day world: cars, radios, televisions, computers, tobacco, microwaves, the list grows, output positive ions at a much higher rate than the environment can balance them. Scientists are beginning to realize that this is a red flag for your mental health. Himalayan salt lamps give off an overabundance of negative ions, which can help to counteract the positive ions given off in your home that lower healthy air quality.

Since negative ions are found in large numbers at the beach or mountains, away from the cities we generally live in, our brains associate negative ions with happiness and energy. Doctors are now beginning to study the connection between negative ions and the release from depression, as negative ions also have a positive affect on the serotonin levels in the brain.

Many of my clients report significant calming effects from their salt lamps. Most likely this is due to the negative ion output into the air. They report feeling of greater peace, tranquility and happiness. They find their stress levels reducing and enjoying greater levels of calm. Stress is a major catalyst to more serious health problems, an indication that salt lamps might help you discover a healthier, happier life. Several of my clients have salt lamps in the bathroom. They report noticeably lower levels of stress from the feeling of spending time at the beach - while day-dreaming in the tub. Logically the salt lamp is imitating the wonderful negative ion filled air that is created by the ocean water condensing and the salt drifting on the breeze.

Other clients find that having a small salt lamp in their office at work helps their day go faster and their stress level greatly reduced.

Salt lamps can be purchased from many sources. Metaphysical stores often carry them. Several health food stores in my area have them. They can be ordered online. Make sure you purchase them from a reliable source and that they are genuine Himalayan Salt Lamps.

Peace and Harmony - enjoying negative ions….

© Roberta Binder, 2008. All rights reserved.

Although many people are happy to have Himalayan slat lamps for health, spiritual and mental benefits, there is an even deeper set of benefits. Before you purchase a salt lamp, it is a good idea to learn a bit more about how they really work. It begins with ions. Learning the intricacies of how negative ions are created from salt lamps sounds involved and scientific, but once you understand a few basics, it is not too difficult to grasp. The basic concept with Himalayan salt lamps is that the air around us is electrically charged. The particles in the air are called “ions.” Ions can be either negatively or positively charged. In a natural environment, all living and non-living things change the quality of the electricity in the air.

However with the plethora of electronics, automobiles, computers, cooling systems and other luxuries of our modern world, these conveniences are putting out more positive ions than they use. Add to that smog from factories, cell phones, heating systems (just a few of the things that output a large percentage ions), that put out negative ions. Soon the mix becomes an imbalance within nature. Science has found that rock salt crystals are actually one of the best natural emitters of negative ions in the world. That means that a rock salt lamp can help to equalize the positive ions in you house, especially in home offices, television rooms and kitchens.

You probably won’t consciously notice this difference, but your senses will on a subtle level. Just like the feeling in nature at the beach, after a lightening storm, or in the mountains near a waterfall. The air is refreshing, easy to breathe and healthy. Most people associate these negatively-charged air situations with calmness, peace and relaxation. In these natural health places, there are about 4000 negative ions in a cubic centimeter of air. However, in a city during rush hour, that number drops to more like 100 negative ions per cubic centimeter. So you can really see how this big difference affects the stress level in your body. This is what a Himalayan salt lamp does in your home.

Salt lamps have been found to help with allergies, asthma and other breathing problems. The negative ions help clear the air of pollen, dust, smoke, pet dander, odors, mold, dust mites and other forms of pollution.

And, of course, when you purchase a Himalayan Salt Lamp, make sure that you are getting one from the true source. Other lamps may look beautiful, but they will not be as effective. Know your source and always purchase a genuine Himalayan Salt Lamp.

Himalayan Salt Lamps not only affect your physical health, they are also beneficial for your mental health, and we’ll look at that next.

…to be continued.

© Roberta Binder, 2008. All rights reserved.

As a youngster, I collected rocks. That love has never diminished. Today, although I can often come home from a wander in the woods with more that one rock in my pocket, I continue to expand my collection with glorious crystals of all sources, shapes, colors and properties. Many of my clients ask about crystals and love to incorporate them into their home to enhance balance and harmony. Crystals are frequently the gift I give to clients.

In looking at the Feng Shui bagua, suggestions for locations for crystals include:

Gua                                                                               Stones

Helpful people/Travel                                                  Moonstone
Career                                                                          Black tourmaline
Knowledge                                                                   Lapis lazuli
Relationships                                                                Rose quartz
Fame/Reputation                                                          Garnet
Creativity/Children                                                        Clear quartz
Family/Past                                                                   Green jade
Abundance/Prosperity                                                  Amethyst
Health                                                                          Citrine

To attract abundance into your home, you could put a piece of citrine near your computer – especially if this is how you make your income. For communications, add a clear-quartz cluster in the family’s main gathering room and watch harmony replace disagreements. Watch your creativity spark when you carry a carnelian touchstone and invite relationship with rose quartz (this would be a great stone to tuck in your pocket as you attend the next networking gathering).

I place a moonstone on the ledge above all the outside doors in a house. This is said to keep out negative influences. Green calcite is another favorite protector from negative energy.

Do you ever find heart rocks designed by nature? These often show up on the banks of your favorite stream. They hold powerful energies of Peace and Love and can be placed anywhere. 

My preference is generally rough cut stones. However, others state that tumbled (smooth) crystals hold the same core energy properties.

A favorite book on Crystals and their properties is: “Love is in the Earth” by Melody. Her book has long been a classic on the topic.
 
Enjoy exploring and learning more about Earth Mothers percious gifts!

© Roberta Binder, 2008. All rights reserved. 

I was recently contacted to do a Space Clearing for a home. It was explained that the family had lived in the home for many years - but “things never felt quite right.” The women of the house, is a Feng Shui Consultant, but was not trained to do Space Clearing. I felt greatly honored and forwarded my pre-consult information packet.

When I reviewed the information and site plot, I could feel that there was more than Space Clearing needed. So when I arrived at the site, I informed the client that prior to even considering the Space Clearing we needed to do some serious Earth Acupuncture work. She was open to “anything to make things better.” During the consultation, to truly determine where to procede and if my reading was accurate, her husband came home from his business trip. We brought him up to date on my findings and he was most positive and anxious to participate (oh, for all partners to be so willing!).

Wish you could have seen us. We very seldom have rain in Northern Colorado…POURING. We’re outside, slickers, huge umbrella, laugher, dowsing rods, a great pile of copper rods and a hammer!

Although I had pre-dowsed, I needed onsite confirmation that my locations were accurate. (Interesting, they were all right on.) We did a double ring of protection and clearing on the property. When we walked back into the house the energy change was immediate! Both clients could feel the change, a true breath of fresh air! Instant release. And that is what we ’see’ generally as we do our work.

Our decision, Space Clearing wasn’t needed. The Earth Acupuncture did the trick! I have continued to check the site and the mitigation remains complete.

© Roberta Binder, 2008. All rights reserved.

I love listening to Aretha Franklin when I clean my house. It is music you can move with and I use it to inspire me to do my weekly cleaning.  One of the things my mother taught me is when a person works with their hands their “thought” are put into the item they are working on - so have good thoughts.  All these years later, I remember this when I clean my house and I use this same analogy when I teach Space Clearing. 

I think of my weekly cleaning as mini space clearing and I keep my Intention in my mind and heart that I am moving out lower vibrational items and replacing them with love. I love my home and when I listen to music I love, I am embedding the Energy of love into my home.

As an Interior Alignment™ practitioner I share Feng Shui and space clearing information in workshops. Many times I ask my audience if they listen to music when they clean.  Most hands go up.  I also ask if they like to open windows when they clean, some may answer yes. I share what my mother taught me and also that they are also doing a mini space clearing.  In order for the space clearing to have “heart”, all they need to do is set an intention for their cleaning and what energy they want to embed into their home. As an aside, opening a window, you are inviting the Spirit of Air into your home. From a cultural perspective, opening windows when cleaning is a Germanic custom.  My mother in law told me that is how she was taught to do this when she cleans so that fresh air circulates through out the home as they clean.

I share with you dear reader a free handout that I share with workshop audiences - Ten Ways to Lift Energy In A Home. This is information Denise Linn shared with Interior Alignment™ practitioners and teachers.  I am sure that there are one or two items on this list that you already do in your home to raise the energy or Chi.

TEN WAYS TO LIFT THE ENERGY IN A HOME

• Give the home a surface cleaning- dust and vacuum.

• Toss sea salt in all the corners of every room - be sure to place salt on strips of wax paper or use a small dish in order to protect flooring from salt ring stains.

• Briefly open all the doors and window.

• Take down any negative photos or paintings.

• Get rid of any dead or dying plants - even if you think you can revive them as you are honoring the cycle of life.

• Put out fresh flowers.

• Light a candle.

• Burn incense or essential oils - use the best quality you can afford.

• Put on inspiring music.

• Say a prayer and ask that Divine Light fill the home.

All Rights Reserved.  Copyright, Yvette Neshi Lokotz, April 2008.