by llenore | Feb 14, 2014 | Uncategorized
As the Chinese New Year celebration culminates in the next couple of days with the Dragon Dance and fireworks, it occurred to me most people don’t know a simple and powerful tool to bring both financial and fortunate blessings their way based on a tradition that is not only Feng Shui, but a spiritual law. This tool is to place money in either a special red envelope (Chinese ritual) or designated location within one’s wallet with the intention of not spending it.
Chinese Red Envelope and currency as “money magnet” as well as “Good Fortune Attractor” when placed in your wallet.
In this ceremonious manner we are creating both a “money magnet” that attracts more money to you as well as a “Good Fortune Attractor” encouraging the many blessings in the world to head your way.
The traditional ceremony is to place money – usually $1 or more – in a small red envelope where it is given to children and family members before or during the Chinese New Year celebration. (The Chinese New Year celebration starts on a “new moon” and ends on a “full moon,” which means it lasts about 14-15 days.) They are to keep it on them all year without spending it.
I often give red envelopes to clients and business women as i meet them during this time of year. It helps to raise awareness about my business and knowledge of the Asian culture as well as an attractor for good to those blessed to receive one from me.
This ritual symbolizes that the person will never be broke since they will always have some money in their wallet or purse. The red envelope becomes an attractor since “red” is the “activating” color.
For those who do not have a red envelop or choose to not use it, we can place the money in a special place where we can see it, but don’t spend it. Some people use a $100 bill for this purpose since most people won’t break a hundred dollar bill, where they might spend $100 in lower denominations.
So my question to you is: What’s In Your Wallet?
Take five-minutes today to do this simple step to activate and increase the financial and fortunate blessings coming your way.
by llenore | Feb 13, 2014 | Uncategorized
Continuing from yesterday’s post on Mercury Retrograde, here are specific areas of life that are affected and how you might choose to deal with it. These are especially important to remember since the Year of the Horse is all about “Moving Forward.”
Chinese New Year Red Envelope – Looking forward in the Year of the Horse
Travel in any form – Cars, boats, planes and trains – as well as the purchase of either the item or the tickets to travel via them can be affected in a negative way.
Cars – During this timeframe I have seen more accidents and cars stalled or broken down on the side of the road. During one of those events in my life last year I actually had a driver who knew about Mercury Retro. He said the tow company for which he worked actually scheduled more driver to be available during these due to the increase of need.
There are more issues with cars needing repair work. I’ve learned that if my “Check Engine” light comes on, or some minor noise happens and I don’t feel it is affecting the integrity of my car, I can wait until Mercury goes direct since it usually will go away. But if it is a major issue, it needs to be addressed.
Planes and air travel – Flights are often delayed during this timeframe. I’ve learned to schedule the 4-hour layover between flights instead of 1-hour. That’s because if a flight is going to be delayed, it is usually the first one, which means I’ll miss the second. On more than one occasion, I’ve spent a night in an airport, or a close by hotel, waiting for the first flight out the next morning. This is due to sitting in the originating airport while mechanical issues were being addressed.
Also, I’ve had more flights canceled outright or rescheduled during retros. I can’t say whether there are more air-related crashes or not since I have not monitored this aspect of a Mercury Retro.
Consultations, appointments, meetings and being a speaker/presenter has it’s ups and downs during this time. I often have clients needing, or choosing, to reschedule appointments.
When this first started to happen, I let it affect me negatively. I got upset due to expecting income from these sources.
What happens in reality is interesting. Almost without fail a new client contacts me within minutes, or hours, needing my help IMMEDIATELY! It’s as if the Universe has helped me to hold the space for this individual’s need by having an appointment in place. My income is never affected negatively. If anything, my income increases.
Due to travel challenges where speakers can’t get to a venue since they are stuck in an airport or a major weather-related challenge, I have usually had the opportunity to do at least one previously unscheduled speaking gig each Mercury Retro. That’s 3-4 times a year!
Speaking of speaking – let’s talk about communication and contracts.
The planet Mercury’s energy is not only about “travel” (Mercury is the God with wings which is why he represents travel), he also represents communication. There is a greater possibility your words are misunderstood during this time. Also, contracts are challenging.
Many in the real estate industry know a contract written during a “retro” is most likely to either fall through or come back with a “re-negotiation.” Some agents use this to their advantage by offering a higher price on a property, get it in contract and then start picking away at the price to get a better deal for their client.
For you, if you have anything that you are considering signing that involves “time, talents (your expertise) or treasures (money)”, try to hold off until the energy is more favorable. A few days ago I was about to join a group that would mean a time commitment, my knowledge and money to join. I realized I cared too much about this group to commit to it during a challenging energy that might potentially influence my association with the group negatively. I informed the chairperson I needed to wait until March to give my final answer.
Another major area of concern during Mercury Retros are items technology-based like computers, televisions, smart phones, appliances and cars. Any of these purchases has the potential to be a “lemon” or be stolen. Since these retros occur several times a year,recently there have been several Holiday Seasons where shopping for these items has been very challenging to skirt around the “retro” dates. Again, I have watched this over several decades and seen the effects.
Once, before I was introduced to Mercury Retro knowledge I made a large purchase. I had problems with both it and the communication dealing with the repair, and ultimate replacement, of the item. It was about 2 months later when a friend who was knowledgeable regarding retrograde energy educated me on the mistake I’d made having purchased during a retro.
The year I knew I needed a “new-to-me” car, I made sure I found, signed and drove home the vehicle at least 2 weeks before Mercury Retro started. I’ve purchased only 3 vehicles in the last 30 years. None have been purchased during a Mercury Retro and all have been excellent vehicles – never costing me too much for maintenance nor having left me stranded in dangerous situations.
These are a few of the Mercury Retro issues we can have in our lives. When you have an awareness and plan, I have found I can manage to move through the time with more ease.
Not everything about a Mercury Retrograde is negative. In tomorrow’s post I will share some great tasks to do and advantages of Mercury Retrograde.
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.
by llenore | Jan 6, 2014 | Uncategorized
One of the many Chinese customs I’ve adopted since I learned about it through my studies of Feng Shui is the preparation of the kitchen to greet the New Year. Since the kitchen is the area where food is stored and prepared for ingestion into our bodies, it symbolizes a key factor in the health and well-being of the household. The kitchen is also associated with the abundance of life, so treating it with respect is also a major focus.
The simple tasks at hand are to clean the refrigerator and make sure all staples are new in order to have a “fresh start” for the year.
Getting rid of the old staples in your kitchen and replacing them with fresh ones is a great way to focus your energy on a healthy start for the New Year.
Clean the refrigerator.
This means to clear out all leftover foods so there is nothing left from the previous year. We don’t want to ingest “last year’s” energy. Get rid of the ham, turkey and main course foods. Check the bottles and jars of items you have used like mustard, pickles and olives. Try to use them up during the days preceding New Year’s Day. Give them away if you can’t use them up. Since “food banks” usually don’t take items that have been opened, check to see if there is an elderly person in the neighborhood who would love to use them. Your “last year’s” energy item is someone else’s “new” item.
While going through all these items, place them on a counter and clean each shelf and drawer. Go through the freezer to remove all items with freezer burn and other out-dated products. Having a clean refrigerator and freezer sets the stage for having the central storage or appliance in “optimum” order, symbolic of a healthy “heart” of the kitchen.
To establish the foundation for health, we are going to do a similar task with the four staples – flour, salt, sugar and rice. Again, we are going to get rid of all open bags and containers of these four products. And, again, a neighbor or needy family would be a great recipient. I will admit I sometimes make a very large batch of hummingbird food with my sugar in order to use it up. The other items I find homes who would benefit from this gift.
Since you most probably are going to be needing these staples, take a trip to your store to purchase them within a few days before the New Year. Just don’t start using them until after the year starts.
If you have a dear friend or know of a family that might not be able to financially afford all of these, you might consider buying multiples. “Gifting” them a New Year’s Gift Basket of staples with a written note to explain this tradition can be a wonderful, yet rather inexpensive, way to start the New Year with a focus on love and health.
A toast – “Here’s to the four foundational staples and corners of health (flour, salt, sugar and rice,) and to the a clean and healthy heart (refrigerator) of your kitchen!”
