by llenore | Feb 12, 2014 | Uncategorized
Mercury Retrogrades are an interesting occurrence often creating challenges with travel and their related technologies/issues as well as appointments, schedules, technology and communication. To help you navigate this Mercury Retrograde – February 6 – 28, 2014 – I thought I’d give you a little of my personal experiences and insights.
Good-bye Snake Year!
These I’ve gleaned through the years of knowing about, and dealing with, a “Mercury Retro” – as it is sometimes referred. This one on the cusp of the old and new Chinese New Year has some particularly interesting issues attached to it due to the related energies of communication, contracts and travel by all three (Mercury, Year of the Snake and Year of the Horse.)
Those individuals versed in the knowledge of astrology, which is not my focus or expertise, state the energies of the Heavenly Planets affect us in specific ways, especially when the planet Mercury goes “retro”. The term “retro” refers to the apparent backwards movement of the planet in relationship to us on Earth.
First, let me state that this is not a write up on the merits of this as fact or fiction. This series of posts is what I have observed and how I live my life during these times, which happen about every 14 weeks and last about 3 ½ weeks. I’ll address each of the above mentioned areas in more detailed in my posts the next few days.
You may be wondering why someone who is a Feng Shui Master is talking about Mercury Retro. That’s because I work with “energy.” I need to know what is happening in the world around us. I’ve learned to work with Mercury Retro energy to make my life easier and to support my clients better.
The most important issue to acknowledge and work with right now is the challenge around communication and contracts. Both of these can be challenging during any Mercury Retro. We have a compounding affect at this time.
The horse on this red envelope for the Chinese New Year – Year of the Horse – symbolizes energies we are having during this current Mercury Retrograde from February 6 to February 28, 2014. It represents moving back in time, dredging up the old and communicating in a non-forthcoming manner.
Both the “Year of the Snake” and the “Year of the Horse” have issues and energies pertaining to communication and contracts. Henceforth, the last week of January through the second week of March are going to be doubly sensitive to both areas of our lives.
Everyone I have talked to recently about communication and contracts has said the same thing. It’s uncanny how many miscommunication details are occurring. I call this “little snake bites” that can be irritating or even deadly.
So far, I have personally had 3 contracts come back without pertinent details listed. I’ve also had contracts “disappear” in transit – both through snail-mail and email. (Technology is also challenged during Mercury Retros.)
There is also something happening with snail-mail and other deliveries, in general, this time around. Mercury represents travel and transportation. The USPS, Fed-Ex and UPS have all left packages in wrong locations in my neighborhood. Plus packages and letters have been lost for weeks even though they were sent from just 2 blocks away.
I don’t think any of these are intentional, it just seems to be what is happening.
The energy of the Horse is showing up through being easily startled by a miscommunication (possibly taking something too personally). We also have “horse power” to move forward quickly.
When a miscommunication occurs, we may move forward without thinking something through. Hold back! Rest! Take a breath!
The “horse power” is also affecting the speed at which both positive and negative energies are traveling. And since it is “retro” time, which again means a backward direction, one of these communications is backward thinking. There’s also a lot of things from the past being dredged up. Plus people are “holding back” and not being forthright in what they say and how they communicate.
In the next couple of posts, I’ll discuss more detailed information about Mercury Retro – both from the perspective of the potential negative as well as how to work with the energies to make your life better.
by llenore | Jan 31, 2014 | Uncategorized
As part of my education about the Chinese New Year through my studies of Feng Shui, I learned to “PAY ATTENTION” to what I do on the actual day the Chinese New Year starts; for it is said that “Whatever you do on the First Day of the Chinese New Year, you will do MORE of it throughout the year!” Also, I now plan what I want for the upcoming year to take advantage of this powerful new energy, especially this year, which is the Year of the Yang Wood Horse.
Deer at Rancho San Antonio during my hike today
Giving some thought to “What do I want more of in my life this next year?” is an interesting question. I’d love a clean house, but I don’t want to be cleaning all the time, so I planned ahead to have the New Year start off with a clean house by cleaning last weekend. I’d love to read more; I’d love to stay better connected to friends; I’d love to spend quality time with family; I want to take better care of myself – both from the rest and relaxation perspective as well as the physical activities.
So this is how I spent my day to include some of the many areas of my life on which I want to focus. This is in no particular order, just how I was able to fit everything in that’s important. And, the day isn’t over.
SOLD sign by house of my realtor client Shelly
- Enjoyed a movie I love
- danced, sang, laughed and cried
- grieved the loss of several friends’ loved ones who have passed today or recently (it is surprising to me just how many I found out about today (6 and hopefully not anymore!)
- signed a contract for a new venue to do my “Balance, Order & Beauty: Feng Shui for the Woman’s Soul” events
- paid bills before they were due
- had money automatically deposited into my business checking account from online sales
- deposited checks into the business checking account from yesterday’s “Balance, Order and Beauty: Feng Shui for the Woman’s Soul” event
- paid myself!
- read parts of a good book
- was uplifted by a friend’s comment about me
- put money in my savings account; ate organic food
- went out to eat at one of my favorite restaurants
- ate one of my favorite dishes
- nurtured both cats
- was nurtured by both cats
- connected with several friends
- arranged several consultations
- took pictures of realtor’s house that SOLD where I did Feng Shui clearing
- went to see progress of a house I did Feng Shui on when it was in “blueprint” stage and setting up time for a “Home Blessing” since they will be moving in shortly
- paid my State Board of Equalization taxes ON TIME, symbolic of paying all bills and filing all business forms on or before due
The house in final stages that I helped with Feng Shui during the “Blueprint stage” and we are now setting up a time for a “Home Blessing” to set intention for the “Good Life” for the family.
- writing, especially my blog
- returned today’s emails & phone calls
- washed my hair
- returned item to friend
- went for a long hike
- Spending quality time with Hilory
- AND MOST STRATEGIC of all, I paid off TWO – not just one – credit card, symbolic of becoming debt-free sooner!
And the day isn’t over yet!
Wow! What a day!
So – what did you do today? If the adage is correct that what you do today – the first day of the Chinese New Year – you will manifest more of the same this upcoming year, what’s this year going to look like for you?
Other than so many loved ones passing, I personally can’t wait for all these activities to continue happening throughout the year!
by llenore | Jan 21, 2014 | Uncategorized
Preparing our homes for the Chinese New Year – The Year of the Yang Wood Horse – is a powerful way to start the year with a focus on all the things you want in the New Year and to limit those things you don’t want during the year. Setting the “Stage for Success” starts with your home since we spend most of our time there sleeping, sharing relationships, preparing and eating food. It’s the central hub of our life.
To start off the New Year, put clean, fresh sheets, pillows and covers on your bed. Clean the room to have a “fresh start” to the Year of the Horse on January 31, 2014.
Here are a few things to do BEFORE the New Year. The reason we do these tasks before the new year is so we have a “fresh start” with the type of energy we want to continue during the year.
There are some things we DON’T want to do on the first day of the New Year. The reason behind this rational is that we don’t want to be doing these things ALL YEAR LONG. It’s said, “Whatever you do on New Year’s Day will continue throughout the rest of the year.”
- Clean your home thoroughly before the New Year arrives. This symbolizes cleaning and sweeping away bad luck to make room for the new.
- Clean inside your front door area and the outside porch. Get a new door mat if needed.
- Dust and wash all windowsills. Clean at least one window to have a clear vision materialize during the year.
- Pay attention to cleaning your kitchen and stove. Replace burner liners if they aren’t shiny. As mentioned in an earlier post, de-clutter the refrigerator of any leftovers. clean your pantry and replenish with nourishing food.
- Dust and vacuum your bedroom, air out the bed and put on clean sheets the day before New Year’s Day. If sheets are very worn, purchase new ones to start the year off right.
- Refrain from sweeping on New Year’s Day.
- When sweeping, DO NOT sweep from the inside out. Sweep from the inside edge of the door toward the inside of the house. On the outside, sweep from the edge of the porch or a few feet from the door towards the door sill. Place this dust and debris in a trash container INSIDE the house. The reason is so you don’t sweep the “Good Luck” away from the house, but are actually gathering it up and are grateful for all the good that has been bestowed on you this year.
