Happy New Year!
This is the year of the Earth Ox, which is a time to stop and take a deep breath.
What a relief! The past several years have been quite a wild ride, and thankfully the Earth Ox will give us a slower, steadier pace. There may still be international conflicts and domestic concerns, but there will also be renewed patience and stability
Let’s take a closer look at what this means for the world as a whole. After that we will move onto how this year will affect each of us individually, in our own homes. (If you would like to jump to Feng Shui for the Home, click here.)
FENG SHUI IN OUR WORLD
A New President:
In the Chinese Calendar, 2009 is called a Yin Earth year, and is believed to be harmonious and peaceful. People born on a Yin Earth day also reflect these characteristics. Interestingly, President Barack Obama was born on a Yin Earth day, as was Abraham Lincoln.
Financial Health:
Economically, this year could see increased inflation and more economic strain, as well as a continued weak housing market. But an economic depression is unlikely.
Our Environment:
In Feng Shui, each year has a unique energy based on the Five Elements: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. This year is symbolized as “Fire on Earth” and the image is expressed as fire on the mountain. This means there is the potential for forest fires, volcanoes, and even earthquakes, which reflect fiery agitation below the surface of the earth. However, in the five element cycle of feng shui, Fire and Earth work together and represent the rise of younger people on the world stage (see: Obama). There could also be an increase in global peace or environmental initiatives started by young people. So overall there will be instability, but also opportunity.
FENG SHUI IN OUR HOME
Now let’s look at our homes and offices. There are 9 Tips, corresponding to the eight compass directions, plus the center of the home. Where possible, try to use the suggested element for each area. But if that is impossible or impractical, use the color which corresponds to that element.
(Note: for those of you who have received an individual Feng Shui consultation from me in the past, please contact me for a personalized 2009 annual update. This will allow you to maximize the power of the new annual energy.)
EAST:
This area is a little weak for business, and there is a slight chance for arguments or theft.
ADD: WATER element to enhance career success. Water could be a fountain, aquarium, or the colors blue or black. These remedies will help, but this still isn’t the best area for an office in 2009.
SOUTHEAST:
Very powerful for writing, creativity, wealth, and property.
ADD: FIRE element to enhance the already favorable energy. Consider a red candle, a lamp with a red shade, or the colors red or fuchsia. Avoid using a bedroom in this area if you are pregnant (however, adding fire element will make the area better for pregnant women).
SOUTH:
A truly great area for romance. It’s also good for writers, artists, students and people in entertainment fields. Very strong for success in general.
ADD: WOOD element. Ideally a living plant or fresh flowers. Or the color green.
SOUTHWEST:
Extremely good for money and power. A great office or front door location.
ADD: No remedy needed, but could enhance with METAL accents in brass, chrome, iron or steel. Good colors are gold, silver, white, tan, yellow, orange.
WEST:
Mixed energy here in 2009. Good for wealth, but weak for health. Also, there is the potential for legal issues.
ADD: METAL furnishings and accessories to help strengthen health. Good colors are gold, silver, gray or white.
NORTHWEST:
Good for romance, fame and power. Some possibility of arguments.
ADD: WATER element. A fountain, aquarium, or other water feature in a metal container is good here. Best colors are black, white, blue, silver, gray and gold.
NORTH:
This is the weakest part of the house in 2009, an area related to illness, obstacles and accidents. If your front door, bedroom, or primary living space falls in the north, be sure to implement this remedy:
ADD: MOVING METAL to help neutralize the area and protect health. Moving metal can be a wind chime, hanging metal mobile, or clock with swinging metal pendulum. Good colors are gold, silver, white and gray.
NORTHEAST:
Weak for money, and likelihood of theft.
ADD: FIRE element to help neutralize this area (such as red candle, a lamp with a red shade, or the color red or fuchsia). As with the Southeast, avoid as a bedroom if you are pregnant. Here too, adding fire element will make the area better for pregnant women.
CENTER OF THE HOME:
A very festive and social area this year. Good for fame and increasing your reputation.
ADD: EARTH or FIRE elements. Or the colors red, orange, yellow, tan or brown.
The recommendations listed above are quite general, and while they can certainly be useful, their effectiveness will be enormously enhanced once they are set in the context of the home’s individual Feng Shui reading. I offer customized consultations both in person, and online. The results that my clients have seen have been nothing short of miraculous!
May the Year of the Ox bless you with patience, peace, and abundance.
All the best,
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