Feng Shui and the Chinese Arts

Literally translated, Feng Shui means “Wind and Water.” Most people think Feng Shui is all about the interior décor of your home. But it is a method or science of harnessing the environmental energies to enhance human lives. Feng Shui is a relatively new term that describes what the ancient Chinese philosophers called “Ham Yu,” understanding how nature/mother nature flows and how to harmonize with it so it can help humans.

There are many factors and sources of energy that affect human lives based on placement and the passage of time. Feng Shui practitioners gather ALL the environmental and human energy, analyze it to detect imbalances or idiosyncrasies, and use five natural elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) and positioning to harmonize the interior environment of a building. There are also exterior environmental aspects that affect a building and the people who live or work there. These are addressed and adjusted in several ways, from building maintenance to altering the landscape. Since Feng Shui is intended to enhance human lives, their real-life challenges (health, relationships, career, etc.) are addressed, as well as their aspirations.

There are multiple layers involved in Imperial Chinese Feng Shui, based on the historical systems that accrued over time, beginning with the most intuitive (land formation/topographical), to the very complex (Xuan Kong). BaZi, a complex divination system based on planetary and galactic movement, is also used by most advanced Feng Shui practitioners and masters. Their origins are the I Ching, the same source as Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Understanding the flow of energy is the underlying principle for all Chinese arts. There are basically two systems of Feng Shui: San He (3 harmony), which is based in external environment and alignment and is used for long term projections, such as land development; San Yuan (3 cycle), which is cyclical and used for short term needs; Zhong hup (a combination of San He & San Yuan), which is used with individual clients who want to address both long and short term goals/needs.

While cultural and religious practices have found their way into modern Feng Shui, all methods are based on the same basic earth-science systems that evolved over thousands of years. I take the more science-based approach, but I understand the psychology of using cultural imagery such as pendants and statues to impart confidence. Not unlike wearing your lucky socks to take exams or hanging an image of an angel on your car’s rear view mirror, these items focus your intentions on a positive outcome. It is your response to the energy of the world around you that determines the ultimate outcome and human beings have long used imagery to focus them on specific energy. What you think, do, and verbalize are powerful energies that are mirrored back to you in some way.

Feng Shui is used in a predictive and prescriptive way by spotting potential energy patterns and responding to them…whether by enhancing supportive or mitigating unfavorable patterns. As ancient cultures observed specific patterns in nature over time, they recorded them and eventually an entire system evolved that used a kind of “shorthand” to explain these energy patterns. Xuan Kong is applied to determine the energy of a specific time or era on a global scale. The interactions of the “Flying Stars” accurately tell a complex story, along with Ba Zhai, and BaZi. All of this knowledge can assist us to plan proactively and responsively for our greater good.

If you want to know more about how to enhance your personal space to support you and your family or employees, contact me through this website or email me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.com

Li Chun/Spring Stand

Li Chun or Spring Stand is the first festival of the Chinese New Year. This is the beginning of the Solar New Year and marks the beginning of Spring. It is the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox and is normally celebrated on February 4, but it occasionally falls on February 3. This year, it’s February 4.

This date is critical for all calculations in Feng Shui, BaZi, and Qi Men. For instance if a DOB or year a building was completed is between January 1 and February 4, 1980, the calculations for Bazi, Qi Men, or Feng Shui charts will be based on the year 1979. The timing is so sensitive that if someone is born on February 3 or 4, the practitioner has to consult a 10,000-year calendar to do an accurate reading.

In Feng Shui, this is the date that all adjustments for the year should be in place to re-balance the energy that is affected by the naturally occurring annual changes. Because, in traditional Imperial Feng Shui, as in the natural world, time affects everything. So, while the Lunar New Year is celebrated all over the world, the Spring Stand plays a significant role in Feng Shui and other Chinese Metaphysical Arts.

In some parts of the world, such as Singapore, it is believed that Li Chun is an auspicious date for depositing money to the bank. There are even auspicious and inauspicious times of the day assigned to each zodiac animal. It is not uncommon to see people lined up outside the banks to make their Li Chun deposits. In the spirit of this tradition, Li Chun would be a good time to make an investment in yourself and your future. So, if you’ve slipped away from your New Year’s intentions, today’s energy is perfect to begin anew!

Happy Li Chun! Wishing you a year of prosperity, good health, and happiness!

Please feel free to leave your comments below. If you are interested in obtaining more information on how Feng Shui can support you, you may contact me HERE or send an email to: HelenKstyles@gmail.com

9 Purple Growth Star

The 9 Purple (fire) star enters the West (metal) this year. The 9 is also known as the Growth Star because of it’s expansive nature. It is a very large character in the pantheon of Stars, and it encourages growth and happiness.

The 9 Purple Star has an expansive character. It supports achievement, growth, overall happiness, and success. It’s one of the four favorable/auspicious Stars and like the Fire element it represents, it can set things ablaze! The areas that would benefit from this Star are the main entry, the office or workroom, or any place where you want additional support and growth.

This Fire Star enters the Tui metal sector this year which is oppositional, according to the I Ching. But from the disorder of opposition can come order. This is observed in natural creation: male & female, sky and earth, etc. The path between yin and yang is where we try to reconcile both poles. Small steps and compromise will yield better results than advancing like a tank.

Take precautions if the Purple Star is in the kitchen, since the Fire Element in kitchens (cook-stove) can be a source of unintentional fires. Also, if a person suffers from emotional/mental disorders or has a tendency for violence, this Fire star is too much Yang energy in a bedroom. The 9 Purple Star also energizes the other stars in the natal chart, making the good ones better but the unfavorable ones even worse. It’s important to be judicious with the 9 Purple, so employing the service of a Feng Shui professional would be advisable.

Please feel free to leave your comments below. if you want more information about a personalized Feng Shui assessment, you may contact me through the Contact form or email me at; HelenKstyles@gmail.com

8 White Wealth Star

8 White Wealth Star in the Northwest

The Wealth Star (earth) enters the Northwest (metal) this year. In this location the Wealth Star is somewhat diminished, but this benevolent star has the support of the Prevailing 8 White Star of the current Era, so there’s lots of positive support and potential. This star has a very high frequency and can support you in every aspect of your life aspirations.

The 8 White Star is the third of three White auspicious stars, but this Star is the most auspicious and benevolent of them all. While the Wealth Star supports finances and investments, it’s also known as the Prosperity Star which has the potential for all-around prosperity in every aspect of your life. Of course, if you don’t DO the things you need to do, it’s not a magic box that will suddenly make wealth appear. Your aspirations and actions have to be equal for that to happen. There are no free rides. But this sector is a good place for you to conduct sales meetings, close a deal, and make plans for how you’ll increase your wealth this year.

If you want to activate this Star, the common activator would be a Fire element, but only if the natal chart of this sector is amenable to the addition of Fire. You would need the advice of a trained professional to determine that, so I don’t advise using this activator because it’s possible to upset the balance of energy here. Since the Wealth Star is so benevolent, there’s really no need to activate it. As a wise Feng Shui Master once said, “If the energy is already auspicious, don’t be greedy.”

The Northwest would be considered your “Wealth Corner” for the Year of the Metal Rat. You may want to display items here that are associated with prosperity. It’s also a great location for your vision board, since the energy here supports prosperity in all aspects of your life. If the main entry (aka the Mouth of Chi) to your home or business is in this sector, it will enrich the chi entering the building with wealth energy. If your office, studio, or workshop is in this sector, it will support your ability to generate wealth through your products or services.

Please feel free to leave comments below. If you want more information about a personalized Feng Shui assessment of your home, office, or business, you may contact me through the Contact form, or email me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.com

7 Red Violence Star

The Center Palace is an indicator of the overall potential for a building and the year. In 2020 the 7 Red (metal) enters this earth sector, which amplifies the energy of the Red Star, also known as the Violence Star because of its aggressive energy pattern.

You definitely don’t want this inauspicious energy to be activated this year, and the ultimate goal would be to mitigate this energy since the Center Palace directly and indirectly influences the overall character of the house or building. The 7 Red star vibrates at a lower frequency that has the potential to support robbery, disputes, fire, injury, isolation, and even imprisonment. The center sector is associated with an earth element, which will amplify the 7 Red Star, in accordance with the principles of the Five Phases/Five Elements.

The normal approach to mitigating this star would be to add water. However, the use of water in the center is not advisable. The other option would be a more aggressive approach of adding fire. Since this Palace represents an unfavorable Earth and there are two other “sick” earth Stars that could reside here (natal chart) the addition of Fire could potentially produce even more unfavorable energy than the single Red Star. So, either way, this is risky without the guidance of a Feng Shui professional.

The safest approach is to avoid spending time here. The 7 Red energy will go unchecked but if this is an area of low activity, it will not be as impactful. Instead, be mindful of your interactions with others. Don’t get into litigious situations and take the appropriate precautions for your safety, security, and the management of your finances and investments. In Feng Shui we work with three energy patterns, one of which is People Energy. Personal accountability is always going to be the ultimate approach to solving problems and mitigating potential problems. Your environment is part of your support system, but ultimately our actions will write our story.

If this is an area of high activity such as a staircase or kitchen, be very mindful and careful (especially if your oven or cook-top is here) to avoid accidents. Keep this area as peaceful and quiet as possible. Similar to sound waves, when agitated, this Star can send out a ripple of unfavorable energy across your home and life. So this year be cautious, mindful, calm, and keep your vibration high to counterbalance the energy of the Violence Star.

Please feel free to leave comments below. If you would like to schedule a personalized analysis of your home, office, or business, you may use the Contact form or email me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.com

6 White Career Star

The 6 white Career Star (metal) enters the Southeast (wood) in 2020. One of the three questions I’m asked as a Feng Shui specialist is, “What can I do to support my career?” The energy of this Star can help.

Whether you are trying to climb the corporate ladder or you run your own business, the vibration of this energy pattern can support you. Do you want to impress those for whom you work? To be an important person or become indispensable in your role? Do you want to start your own business or take your business to the next level? Or maybe you want to create a rock solid brand that people can rely upon.

Activating the Career Star can enhance your career-related aspirations and prospects in 2020. But what does it take for you to be successful in your career? You have to think like and be a leader. You have to be able to strategize, direct, and lead. Those who acquire the leadership skills to lead a team, to get things done, to be more efficient, will provide value in a positive way. Use the energy of this Star to support your growth in these areas to make you an asset to others and yourself.

You have to make other people feel confident in your skills and to feel confident in your ability to help them. It is truly great leaders who achieve real success. Those who use others and cheat their way through the system to gain riches while they hurt others will only have money. They will never have true success. They will never be admired for their leadership because true leaders in industry are servant leaders. Unless you use the gifts you have as a leader to lift others up along the way, your value will only be counted in dollars and cents, which is not the real metric of success. We look up to those who give back to community and the world at large. But those who leave carnage in their wake while they grow rich will not achieve the kind of success that’s admired.

Activating the Career Star can support you, but you can’t just sit around in this area and wait for things to happen. You have to be willing to do your part; to take on more responsibility. The energy of the 6 White will help you step up to the level you need to be so you can achieve your career goals. It will facilitate, but without your actions, it cannot bring you success. It’s not a genie. You may have trepidation about success and a leadership role but the Career Star can support you so you feel more confident.

If you are comfortable with the idea of taking on more responsibility in your career, you may activate the South with an earth element, such as a large crystal or collection of crystals, a large piece of pottery, or large clay statuary. Depending on the natal chart of your building you may need a metal activator. The safest way to activate this star is to seek the consultation of a Feng Shui specialist. But if you don’t activate this sector you can at least spend more time here with this energy as you carry out your career-related activities.

Please feel free to leave comments below. If you want a personalized Feng Shui assessment of your home, office, or business, you may contact me through the Contact form or email me at HelenKstyles@gmail.com

5 Yellow Disaster Star

The Wu Wang, or 5 Yellow Disaster/Calamity Star is hosted by the East sector this year. This is one of the 4 Annual Afflictions for 2020. The east sector is associated with the wood element, which will control the earth element of the 5, mitigating the fullest potential of the 5. However, this controlling relationship also creates turbulence and unrest.

The best approach to take with this energy is to avoid activation of this sector. Keep it tidy, calm, and quiet to avoid activating the 5 Yellow energy. This includes no construction or earthwork in or around this sector in 2020. If there is construction nearby, either completely avoid spending time in the East sector or hang a large metal wind chime on your house between the construction site and your house to help mitigate the triggering energy that activates the Disaster/Calamity Star. Adding an interior mitigator depends on the specifics of your space, but generally speaking, moving metal is a preferred method for deactivating the Disaster Star.

If your front door is in the East sector, it’s best that you enter your house through another door this year. Perhaps you have a garage entry or a back door that you can use. If you don’t have another door you can use, avoid slamming the door and high activity. Move in and out of this area quietly and gently. If your bedroom or work space is in this sector, move to another room this year if possible, since this is the most detrimental of all the Annual Afflictions with calamitous potential. If you can’t do this, be mindful of how you spend time here and keep it orderly and calm. In this case, it would also be best to consult a professional Feng Shui specialist to help you find the best way to manage this energy in your specific home or business.

This Star is particularly inauspicious for those with Monkey in their BaZi chart. There is potential for relationship issues, emotional issues, frustration, setbacks, and depression, depending upon where Monkey appears in your chart. If you have the Horse in your chart this can also be bothersome. The Horse is in opposition to the Grand Duke in 2020, so there is some additional negative potential. If you add an activated Wu Wang, it could be pretty unpleasant.

Everything is vibrational. Our thoughts, our bodies, and everything in the environment around us has a specific vibrational pattern or frequency. This is simple physics. And as vibrational patterns intersect with or encounter other vibrational patterns, they change. This may be a positive or negative change but there is always going to be change. The goal in Feng Shui is to mitigate negative patterns and enhance or activate positive patterns.

As with all unfavorable energy patterns, being mindful of the potential provides us with the information we need to prepare and plan for mindful practices. Even though there is potential for either favorable or unfavorable outcomes, we are ultimately responsible for how we use this energy. Where there is inauspicious energy, mindfulness plays a large role. Take care in your activities in those areas and don’t do reckless things. We have the will to overcome anything we set our minds to. Take steps to improve your health, especially if you have chronic or recurring issues. We are not indestructible and these inauspicious areas remind us that we need to be more mindful as we go through our daily lives.

Please feel free to leave a comment below. If you are interested in having your personalized Feng Shui analysis done, you can contact me via the Contact Us form, or email me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.com. I do remote Feng Shui consultations worldwide.

4 Green Academic/Creativity Star

In 2020 the 4 Green (wood) Star is hosted by the Southwest Palace, which is an earth element. In this setting, the wood star will flourish and this becomes the “Knowledge” and “Creativity” sector in 2020.

The 4 Wood supports academic achievement and the pursuit of knowledge. It also supports academia on a whole. So, if you are a teacher, if you activate this Star it will support you. If you’re a student this will support academic achievement. If you simply want to learn about a specific topic or are searching for people who support your learning, this area will support you.

The 4 Green is also known as the Creativity Star. It supports creative endeavors such as writing and can also support those who are trying to conceive a child.

Even if you can’t be in this specific sector for your academics, research, or other creative activities, activating it will send a ripple of energy that will influence your life and other areas of your house. To activate this Star, simply add water in its physical form, such as an aquarium, fish bowl, or some water feature.

The 4 Green Star will be particularly supportive if you have these zodiac animals in your BaZi chart:

• Pig: The Academic Star is in your chart this year, and activating this area will amplify and support you in your academics even more!

• Ox & Goat: The Nobleman Star is in your chart and activation of the Southwest area and 4 Green Star will support your search for the right teacher or doctor this year.

As stated in previous articles, the Annual Stars bring a fresh layer of energy for the year, but there are three other permanent stars in the building’s natal chart, based on time and place. Occupants also have specific energy that interacts with the energy of the building. To learn more about you and your personal space, contact me via this website or email me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.com

Please feel free to leave comments below or submit questions via the Contact Us form.

3 Green Argument Star

The 3 Green Star resides in the North sector in 2020. The North is associated with water and the 3 is a wood element. According to the five phases, this is a productive relationship that enhances the 3 Green Star, which has aggressive energy. It is also the location of the Tai Sui or Grand Duke, which is the “seat” of the Rat Year.

The 3 Green star can be used differently depending on the scenario:

• If you are a shy, meek, mild person who desires the ability to stand up for yourself or the courage to pursue your dreams, activating this star with water can provide support for a more aggressive, decisive energy.

• If you have been indecisive but desire to forge ahead in a new endeavor, activating the 3 will support you with the aggressive energy you need to pursue your business or life plans.

• If you’ve struggled with a decision and need a breakthrough, activating this area with water will help

• If you’re an attorney or anyone else who debates or engages in lively discourse in either an academic setting or for a living, activating this star with water can provide support .

• To reduce conflict, apply fire to this area

• If you’re easily agitated, argumentative, or have a fiery temper, adding fire to this sector will help take the edge off that potential.

• Overall, if there’s a need to reduce the aggressive impact of the Argument star or reduce conflicts in your personal life, adding fire here will help.

There are two zodiac animals that could benefit from the assistance from the aggressive 3 Green Star this year. If you have either of these in your chart, activate the 3 Green with water to give you the courage you need:

• Dragon, which has the Three Stages Star for promotion, would benefit from activating 3 Green

• Rat, which is the Grand Duke, has the “Duke’s Arrival” star in their chart. They will have all eyes on them this year, which can be intimidating. So, Rat can use some extra courage to deal with the spotlight by activating this area.

There is one zodiac animal that does not want to activate this area so if this animal is anywhere in your chart you’ll want to take action to deactivate this Star:

• Monkey has the “Sky Warrior” star in his chart this year, with the potential for temperamental behavior. Reduce this potential for aggressiveness and disputes by reducing the 3 Green Star with fire.

As mentioned before, the Tai Sui, aka Grand Duke, will also reside in the North this year. The Tai Sui can be either very supportive or very disruptive. If you sit with your back to the North this year, you’ll receive the benevolent support of the Grand Duke. But if you face the north the Grand Duke will become offended. Also you will want to keep this area very tidy, quiet, peaceful, and avoid construction or ground breaking both inside and outside. If your house or business building sits in the North, it’s best to postpone ANY construction until after 2020.

Please feel free to leave comments below. If you want more information about scheduling your personalized Feng Shui consultation for 2020, you may use the Contact form on this website or email me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.

2 Black Illness Star

In 2020 the 2 Black (Earth) Illness Star will reside in the South. The South also opposes the “seat” of the Rat year. The 2 Star is one of two inauspicious earth stars…the other being the 5 Yellow Disaster Star, which will be addressed in a different article.

The South sector is associated with the fire element, and this productive cycle of fire over earth intensifies the unfavorable 2 Illness Star. In addition to this, two Annual Afflictions, the Sui Po/Year Breaker and the San Sha/Three Killings also reside here in 2020. This isn’t a place where one would want to spend a lot of time, and you should avoid any construction or ground breaking in or outside this sector in 2020.

If this sector includes your front door, use an alternate entry to your home or building if possible. If this is a bedroom, it would be advisable to move to another room for the year. If it’s in a bathroom or laundry room, you’re in luck since the energy will be drained. A storage or closet are other areas that are “safe” since they are not areas in your home or business that are occupied.

If you can’t avoid using this sector, the addition of metal will help mitigate some of the energy of the unfavorable earth. You can also add plants, but avoid using red decor or triangular shapes in this area. Keep the area tidy, quiet, and peaceful.

As mentioned before, the Sui Po resides here as well in 2020. Facing the Tai Sui provides the benevolent support from the Grand duke, but it is not advised to have your back to the South, facing North. Additionally, the Three Killings/San Sha is seated in the south, but also affects 15 degrees of the Southeast and Southwest. Avoid construction and ground breaking there as well.

Knowing this energy is present is like getting a heads-up on an accident on the freeway ahead of you. Awareness means you can be mindful of how you’re going to proceed. Knowing makes you take precautions and use alternatives to avoid the potential unfavorable energy. It doesn’t mean that you curl up in the fetal position and wait it out…it means that you are mindful and take the appropriate actions to counterbalance the energy that’s there. Avoid spending more time than is necessary there and if you have no other choices, then keep your immune system strong and take precautions against exposure to illness.

NOTE: Those who have the Pig, Monkey, Tiger or Horse in their chart are most susceptible to health issues this year, so use precautions and take the necessary actions to maintain or improve your good health.

As stated in previous articles, this annual Star chart is but one source of energy. There are other permanent Stars in each sector of the natal chart of a building and the combination of all of them, along with the personal energy of the occupants, tells a complete story.

Please feel free to leave your comments below and if you want more information or wish to schedule a consultation (remote or in San Diego), you may contact me through the Contact form or email me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.com

Preparing for the Year of the Rat

The Chinese Lunar New Year begins at sundown on January 24th. But the “Spring Stand” (Solar New Year) begins at 5:15p on February 4th. In Feng Shui, the Li Chun (Spring Stand) is more important than the traditional Chinese New Year because it is the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox., which is literally the end of the yin and the beginning of yang energy.

The energetic significance of this is that on the Spring Stand the energy of the previous year is completely exhausted and the emerging energy of the new year is vibrant and strong. Typically in Hong Kong and Asia businesses will not begin new business until after the New Year because of this waning energy. They wait until after the New Year since there’s no point in starting new business when the global energy is exhausted, opting instead for when the energy of the New Year is fresh and vibrant.

When preparing for the New Year, keep in mind that you don’t want to bring old, broken, exhausted energy into the new year with you. Basically, that means that you’ll want to:

• Discard anything that’s broken and unfixable…and fix anything that needs repairing. Hanging onto broken, unusable items traps a part of your energy in them, which holds you back. By repairing or discarding these items, you no longer have those energetic hooks and it releases energy back to you.

• This is the perfect time for a good old fashioned Spring Cleaning. You may have already started this after the holidays, but keep going and get anything out of your house, car, and office that’s still holding stagnant energy. You know that outfit you bought a couple of years ago with the tags on it? Donate or sell it to someone who will use and appreciate it. It’s just holding you back if you think that you will somehow, after all this time, find the right time and place to wear it. Allow the energy to flow freely between you and others in a positive flow. This is also a good time to turn all your hangars backwards to track which clothes you actually wear so that at the end of next year you can easily identify the ones that are not worn.

• Organize everything, including your thoughts! Start working on a journal or planner and schedule time around the lunar cycle for revisiting your plans and goals. We often set goals at the beginning the year that are never revisited. Use a planner or calendar to schedule days to come back to these and adjust accordingly. The lunar cycle (full and new moon) is a great scheduling tool. Use the New Moon for starting over or setting new goals and the Full Moon for discarding and releasing anything that has not been useful in attaining your goals, or is otherwise holding you back from being the best version of yourself.

• Remove everything, including waste, from your home, office, and car, that is stagnant. Refresh your space with frequency-changing sound such as chimes, bells, or pleasant music to raise the vibration. If possible, let some fresh air in, if only for a few minutes. Smudge with sage or other burnt herbs/incense. Then seal with a spritz of essential oil such as rose water and add a blessing prayer or mantra. Don’t do this mindlessly. Be intentional.

• On February 3 set out your 2020 adjustments/enhancements and make any changes in the arrangement of furnishings and decor to take advantage of the auspicious energy or mitigate any sha energy that will arrive on February 4.

• Set out a bowl or bowls of oranges, tangerines or kumquats, which are a traditional symbol of wealth (by virtue of their gold color). Very often, people will roll this fruit in the door on New Year’s Day to symbolize wealth entering the building. Light candles and meditate

Another Chinese New Year tradition is the distribution of red envelopes with either Chinese coins or other money in them. I like to give each of my clients a red envelope with a dollar in it for New Years, and I like to pay for services in a red envelope. It blesses both the giver and receiver with auspicious luck.

Wishing you a prosperous and joy-filled New Year!

Please feel free to leave comments below. If you want to schedule a consultation for your home, office, or place of business, you may contact me through the “contact” form on this website or email me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.com.

1 White Fame Star

In Xuan Kong (Flying Star) Feng Shui, we use a shorthand for tracking the cyclical energy that’s continually changing. We use the term “flying star” or “star” as a shorthand for a specific and complex energy pattern. This year the 1 White (Water) Fame Star will reside in the NE sector. So this year the NE is the Helpful People or Noble People sector. It is the area where you want to spend time to improve your public relations.

We all need others to help us along the way, no matter how independent we may view ourselves. There is no such thing as a “self made” person. Without support, guidance, or clients we would not be able to create a business or have a job to go to.

This year if you need to attract clients, improve your job situation, create or grow your business, find someone to fulfill a specific task, or a mentor who can guide you, the northeast sector will support your efforts. But first, you need to take time to deliberate and define EXACTLY who you want to attract, then write it down in your journal or planner. Knowing who or what you want is an important step toward your ultimate goal.

Be very specific. Using a blanket statement such as , “I want to attract more clients,” isn’t quite enough. Decide how many per week or month for instance. You also want clients who fully appreciate your particular service or product. Also, you don’t want clients who can’t afford to pay or will try to leverage a reduced fee. No…you want clients who acknowledge your expertise and are happy to pay for it. Or you may need someone to create graphics for you but if they aren’t in alignment with you, they won’t be the right fit. The same goes for mentors or other helpful people that you need in your network. Again, give it serious deliberation and write down the specifics of those you want to attract. Next, you have to take the appropriate actions because just wishing for something and activating the NE won’t make things happen without action. You have to be intentional and active in your efforts…create a well thought-out plan, then work it! Whether you commit to attending seminars, trade shows, advertising, incentives, creating a web presence, or asking your clients to refer you to others, you need to devise appropriate courses of action.

Maybe you are looking for people to help you in your health, wellness and fitness goals this year. If so, this area will support you to research and find the right people who align with your specific needs, philosophies, and personal goals. No matter what kind of helpful person you need, this is the sector that will support you.

Spend time in the NE sector while you’re planning and fulfilling your action plan. If your NE sector is at your front door, the use of that door will activate the sector and in turn will support your efforts. If it’s in your bedroom, keep a journal by your bed and write your intentions and ideas in it every day. You never know what will come to you during quiet contemplation. If the NE is in your work space or living room, spend time there while you’re researching, planning, or taking other actions.

This sector is a great place to keep images of people you admire in business or other images that depict your goals. You can do this with a Helpful People Vision Board, for instance. Since the NE is associated with earth energy it diminishes the effect of the 1 White Water Star and can create tension, so it’s a good idea to increase the metal here. Avoid plants in this area, however, since the wood and earth elements will deplete the 1 White Star even more and you want the benefit of the fully actualized Star.

The 2020 Annual Flying Star chart brings fresh energy into the built environment, which will be strongest at the beginning of the year and wane toward the end of the year. So activate this energy while it’s at its peak. Be aware that every building has a natal chart which may have conflicting energies, so getting a full audit of your space is highly recommended.

Please feel free to leave your comments below or contact me via this website. If you want to schedule an audit of your space, you may contact me via the website or email me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.com.

2020 Year of the Yang Metal Rat

In Feng Shui we use the Solar Chinese calendar rather than the Lunar calendar. At the beginning of each Solar Year we adjust the environment to harmonize with the emerging energy of the year. Unlike some westernized versions of Feng Shui, classical Chinese Feng Shui uses the three energies (celestial/time, earth/place, and human) to determine how to adjust the environment so it’s supportive of the people who occupy the built environment. In this article I’ll explain a little about the energy of the Year of the Rat in terms of BaZi and Feng Shui.

The Solar calendar generally begins on February 4 of each year, exactly mid-way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. We use that date to determine when the emergence of fresh energy is at its peak, and we make adjustments accordingly. As the year progresses, the energy fluctuates until by the end of the year it has given way to the emerging energy of the new year. This aligns with the passage of time and is seen in the cycle of changing seasons and the movement of the solar system.

The Rat is the first of the Chinese Zodiac animals and “new beginnings” since it marks the beginning of a new cycle ( Pig was #12 of 12…endings). So, not only is it a new year and a new decade, but a new 12-year cycle. You can look back at previous Rat years for an idea of the energy and its affects, though the full calendar cycle is 60 years, so 2008 will be a little different than 2020 due to the elements of the Heavenly Stems and Terrestrial Branches. A little Chinese calendar trivia: the first year of the Chinese cycle was 2696 BCE and we are currently in the 79th cycle which began in 1984 (80th cycle begins in 2044).

The BaZi element of Rat is water and it will be receiving a productive boost of energy from metal this year. Rat is clever, a quick thinker, successful, and prefers a quiet peaceful life. This Metal Rat (Geng-Zi) year is in a productive relationship with metal that will “fully arm” the Rat and propel it full steam ahead. The nuance of Metal Rat is characterized by “dangerous” water so there could be challenges along the way. The water element can be associated with wealth accumulation, and metal can be associated with the financial and military sectors.

The Feng Shui aspects of the year reveal that the 7 Metal (Fighting Star) is hosted by an Earth element, which will add energy to the 7 Red Star. The 7 is related to losses and injury, and globally, this means potential for increased fighting/conflict and market/financial challenges. The combination of the BaZi and Feng Shui energy can have both positive and negative impacts on you as an individual, but more importantly, once you know how to use this energy to your advantage, you can avoid some of the pitfalls while taking advantage of the useful aspects this year.

The central hidden energy of a house/building can shade the potential of the overall building. Since the annual energy here this year is inauspicious, it would be best not to disturb it with high activity. There are other ways to mitigate this energy, but the natal chart of the building will determine what action can be taken. If there’s a bathroom or laundry room here, or the center of the house/building is open (such as a courtyard), you’re in luck, since the inauspicious energy will be drained.

I will be posting 9 more articles following this one, each focusing on one of the 8 directions and how you can utilize them to enhance and support your life in 2020! Feel free to leave your comments below.

Wishing you a happy, purposeful, and prosperous new year!

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