As you may have already assumed, there are an unlimited number of benefits to having your kitchen remodeled by a professional. Perhaps, the greatest benefit of a professional kitchen remodeling job is the end result. In almost all cases, you will find that a professional remodeling job is better than one that is performed by someone without experience. Although it may sound easy to replace the lighting in your kitchen or your kitchen countertops, you will find that it isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Instead of taking the time to learn, a large number of homeowner automatically turn to a professional contractor.

Speaking of time, you will also find that time is another advantage to using a professional contractor to remodel your kitchen. Since professional contractors are experienced at what they do, they will not only produce quality work, but they will also produce it in a relativity short period of time. Since the average homeowner is unfamiliar with the ins and outs of remodeling, in general, it often takes them longer to complete any home improvement projects. While this may not necessarily be a problem, it can be if you are pressed for time or if you are on a deadline. If you are, you may be able to benefit immensely from using the services of a professional contractor.

Safety is another advantage to using a professional contractor to get your kitchen remodeled. Whether you are interested in remodeling your whole kitchen or just focusing on a particular part of it, such as your kitchen cabinets, you will find that it is quite dangerous to remodel your own kitchen, especially if you do not know what you are doing. Depending on the particular remodeling project in question, you may need to use sharp tools, such as box cutters and saws. One little slip and instead of working on your kitchen, you could be spending the rest of your day in the emergency room. While professional contractors do make mistakes that can result in injury, those injuries rarely occur.

Although it may seem as if you can only benefit from using a professional contractor to remodel your kitchen, there are also disadvantages to hiring the services of one. One of those disadvantages is the cost. Since professional contractors are good at what they do, they often charge for it. The amount of money that you are charged will all depend on what type of remodeling you want done and the individual or company that you are looking to work with. The good news is that you may be able to develop a payment plan or arrange for financing, as long as you have a positive credit score.

Another disadvantage to having a professional remodel your kitchen for you was also mentioned above as an advantage. That is the end result. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether or not an individual or company that claims to be professional really is. Before agreeing to work with a particular contractor, either an individual or a company, you are advised to ask for pictures of their previous work and you may also want to speak with past customers. This will help to ensure that your professional kitchen remodeling project turns out the way that it is supposed to be, professional.

As you can see, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages to using a professional contractor to remodel your kitchen. Perhaps, the best way to decide what you should do is keep the above mentioned points in mind and then think about your needs. If a professional contractor can offer you what you are looking for then it may be a good idea to use one.

Gentle winds and smooth water are linked to a good harvest and good health. Harsh winds and stagnant water are associated with famine and disease. Feng Shui practice involves the arranging of our environment to properly foster the smooth flow of energy, or Chi. This includes the strategic placement of furniture, mirrors, and lights. Chi is the energy that governs spirit, health, fate and environment. If Chi is flowing properly, then there is good Feng Shui. Indeed, a goal of Feng Shui is to make the self more compatible with nature and everyday life in order to have a positive impact on finances, health and emotions.

Utilizing a water feature is believed to have a positive impact on career success. The water element has a direct association with the flow of money. Feng Shui principles suggest that Chi flows more smoothly when a room, house or apartment is a square shape. However, if this is not the case for you, a water feature can be placed in an area to act as a corner. The water feature then acts to keep lively Chi circulating. Additionally, gardens are the ‘arms’ around your home. They bring life energy to your environment, especially when completed with some water fountains. Garden is the Yin and the home is the Yang, so your garden should reflect the balance of Yin and Yang.

According to Feng Shui, the most optimal positions to place a water fountain are North, East and Southeast. Interior and exterior water fountains move and stimulate Chi while also providing a relaxing focal point. There are many different sizes and styles of water fountains from which to choose. Consider purchasing a water fountain to encourage positive Chi flow inside and outside your home.

]]> http://www.scarebooth.com/what-does-a-water-fountain-have-to-do-with-feng-shui/feed/ 0 http://www.scarebooth.com/what-is-yin-house-feng-shui/ http://www.scarebooth.com/what-is-yin-house-feng-shui/#comments Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:00:44 +0000 admin http://www.scarebooth.com/?p=3112 In popular culture, many people are vaguely familiar with the Yin-Yang Symbol and some of its attributes, such as the yin darker side of the symbol relating to the feminine principle and the yang lighter side of the symbol relating to the masculine principle.

In virtually all schools of Feng Shui, there is exploration into the many manifestations of yin and yang aspects to our lives and surroundings. All of Chinese metaphysics and Chinese medicine relate to Yin-Yang Theory uniquely, with a lot of overlapping observations and conclusions.

Within the field of Feng Shui, we can label spaces that are dark, damp, quiet, cold and still as yin. We can also make a comparison of yang attributes to spaces that are bright, dry, noisy and hot. And one of the goals in balancing an environment is to make sure the spaces are not excessively yin or yang.

It might be a logical deduction that a “yin house” is a house that has excessive yin traits. And yet, the name “Yin House” refers specifically to a branch of Feng Shui that deals exclusively with the most yin environment of all: grave sites. This is just as ancient a practice in the area of Feng Shui as “Yang House” which deals with spaces for the living.

Yin House has its own set of rules and guidelines for diagnosing a grave site, and a practitioner cannot even begin to understand the implications of a grave site (on up to three generations of descendants) unless they have a working knowledge of classical Feng Shui. This includes Xuan Kong and Form School at the very least.

Based on the orientation of the grave and when the body is placed there, a Yin House is created that can affect the health, well-being, and fortunes of children, grand children and great-grandchildren of the deceased. The energy transmission will go from parent to child and not from sibling to sibling or spouse to spouse. Of course, your spouse’s yin house will affect children that you mutually share so there can be an indirect influence.

Yin House Theory maintains that the ground below can act as a conduit for energy to be passed, through the bones of the deceased, from the grave site to their living relatives. But many of the principles for what constitutes a good yin house are not necessarily obvious or known without training. For example, a grave site is about as yin as you can get, death resides there. One might think that it is a lovely choice to have a plot under a shady tree in the cemetery. And yet, that would only make the grave site even more yin.

The goal is to bring a little more yang energy to the area, so a plot right out in the open space, receiving plenty of light is actually the better choice. Those kinds of principles are easy to grasp and plan for. What is not so easy is planning for the time when a person will actually “move in” to their yin house. Just like Yang House, using the Xuan Kong methodology where houses are created within 20 Year eras, you can plan to occupy a plot in a certain direction and in a certain time frame, but unless one knows what year they will die, there could be some problems in long range planning.

In many cultures, whole families will be laid to rest in one big family plot. In this case, the choices are greatly diminished as the orientation is mostly fixed. For example, grand pa could have been laid to rest in 1974 (Period 6), while dad was laid to rest along side in 2004 (Period and space left for the next generation, without knowing what Period it will end up being. These time frames alone can make the difference between a good yin house and a bad yin house and how it may effect future generations. Obviously, the study and observation of this branch of Feng Shui spans over many decades, compared to the Yang House feedback which can be immediate.

Yin House has many aspects to consider including the larger environment of the cemetery, the road courses within the cemetery, the land quality and land levels, nearby natural features such as mountains or water, the orientation of the plot, and even whether the head stone is placed flat on the ground or positioned upward, perpendicular to the ground. The birth year of the person to be laid to rest is also factored into the calculation for the best possible grave site and no doubt this type of service is requested with very little advance notice some of the time. As well, questions inevitably come up regarding cremation and whether or not there is any influence from ashes, be they buried, stored or dispersed.

The chime can be placed at the entrance of a building. This is a way of preventing bad chi from getting into the building. One of the beliefs is that the chime will alert you when unauthorized people try to break into the building. The windchime is hung depending on the direction the entrance is facing. For example, if it is in the northern direction, the chime is hung for vitality purposes. Entrances that face the north are normally deemed unattractive.

When building a house and wish to have many children, ensure that the entrance faces the western side. This is because when the windchime is hung on this direction, it will increase the flow of a good atmosphere, hence establishing unity in the family.

You need chime if your building is blocked by another, right in front of it. This is a sign of bad luck as you will stagnate in your life. The chime will help to prevent you from stagnating. The chimes can also be put in the garden to enhance productivity. They are also used to protect the food stuff from harsh weather conditions and animals. Windchimes should never be hung inside an office. This is considered as bad luck. This is not only tradition but common sense. The chime is likely to distract your clients and co-workers.

Windchimes are also made of different materials. The most common ones are wood, metal, ceramics and bamboo. The metal chime is the best when you want to practice feng shui. Studies have shown that metals on the earth are getting reduced day after day. It is believed in feng shui that this creates a negative energy. This means that hanging the metal chime in your premises will definitely counter the negative energy and bring positive chi. This sounds like a way of being rewarded for conserving metals, which are part of nature.

]]> http://www.scarebooth.com/where-to-and-not-to-use-windchimes-in-feng-shui-in-your-home/feed/ 0 http://www.scarebooth.com/with-appropriate-feng-shui-colors-effective-feng-shui-requires-decoration-policies/ http://www.scarebooth.com/with-appropriate-feng-shui-colors-effective-feng-shui-requires-decoration-policies/#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:00:44 +0000 admin http://www.scarebooth.com/?p=3120 Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of maximizing the flow of information is positive qi through a space, only becoming popular. Many people in East and West choose decorating or even build their houses and jobs according to its principles to achieve a balance of good energies. When you begin to practice the modern version of this old art, this article will help you to understand the use of Feng Shui colors enhance the energy of your selected space:

Yin colors

Yin and Yang are important in Feng Shui; as in all things, it should be balanced. All Yin colors, who centered a range of emotions and energy on calm, peace and focus are black, purple, blue, green, pink and white. Black represents, as protection and is a water color with blue (those who can promote depending on its depth growth or silence). Purple is used in small quantities for meditation and healing, while the purity of white is acceptable almost anywhere. The healing power of green and calm, romantic tones of pink round out the spectrum of passive Yin colours.

Yang colors

The strong, active Yang colors are more specific shades of purple (such as Maroon and lavender), Brown, gold, tan and beige, red, orange and yellow. Red is the color of passion and excitement, and one of the most powerful Feng Shui colors. It is a Yang fire color with yellow and orange (summer and socializing) (energy and sunlight). Brown is nutritious and balanced along with beige, tan and other earth tones.

Combining the colors

Colors should rarely take a whole wall or room. In fact, they reach their greatest potential is often combined with other colors. There are many different ways to do this, but they are often intuitive. For example a combination of white and blue the sky are new, and these two colors in harmony work well. Also not consider colors such as Brown and grey, how gray metal and Brown wood makes combine. As a metal axe, a wooden structure would destroy the benefits becomes gray color of Brown ruin. This is only an introduction to this old and complex philosophy, and there are many more colors and details about each color as a list here. Research extensively employed colors before Feng Shui in your home or at work, so that you can understand how truly the flow of qi to maximize.

]]> http://www.scarebooth.com/with-appropriate-feng-shui-colors-effective-feng-shui-requires-decoration-policies/feed/ 0 http://www.scarebooth.com/what-you-should-ask-your-feng-shui-consultant/ http://www.scarebooth.com/what-you-should-ask-your-feng-shui-consultant/#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:00:44 +0000 admin http://www.scarebooth.com/?p=3116 This week, I want to focus on a very practical issue when it comes to engaging the services of a Feng Shui consultant, which is: What should you ask them?Asking questions is a very important part of the process when it comes to selecting a consultant. Due to the reputation the profession has, which traditionally has been a very informal sort of business, people can be a little hesitant to ask questions – not sure if their questions may be perceived as insulting.

Feng Shui has grown more modern as a profession, and is becoming more like any other service industry, and so you should approach the business of getting a consultation (or a BaZi Destiny Analysis) in the same way you would approach any other professional services like finding a doctor, a dentist, an accountant, or someone to fix your pipes. So here are some of the questions you should ask your prospective Feng Shui consultant, before you make a decision to engage him!

Question #1: How much do you charge?

Gone are the days when you slipped your Feng Shui master a red packet with cash. Most Feng Shui consultants by the way, take cheques or even credit cards these days and I don’t think there is any significance in the amount they charge – a Feng Shui Master who charges 888.88 isn’t necessarily any better than the one who goes for round numbers. During your initial inquiry, do not be shy about asking how much a consultation costs. A professional Feng Shui consultant will be upfront about their fees.

You should also not be hesitant to ask why the fee is high (or low for that matter!). In general, you should expect fees to vary based on the size of the property in question (for example, a factory audit will cost more than a small office audit, a semi-detached house audit may be less expensive than an audit for a bungalow), and the complexity of the audit may also be a factor.

Question #2: What does your service include?

A good consultant will usually check the client’s BaZi before embarking on recommendations for the property. But that does not mean that a thorough BaZi consultation is part of the service. So you should ask if a BaZi consultation is included in the price, or if it is separately charged. Also, you should ask if the price of a property audit includes date selection specially tailored to your BaZi and your property, not just a selection of generic date from the Almanac. This is quite important, especially if renovations will be required to improve or correct the Feng Shui of the property. Selecting a good date to undertake renovations is essential to ensure that the Qi is properly activated. If the property in question is being built, you may want to ask if the consultant includes a selection of date for moving-in.

Question #3: Will there be follow-up sessions or a report?

You should also ask if the service and price includes follow-up sessions to discuss the audit and recommendations with the consultant or a member of their staff, and if you will be given a written report with recommendations. Now, if a consultant does not provide follow-up sessions or a written report, that does not mean you should not engage them or that they are any less professional. If you are comfortable with a less formal approach, that’s fine. But what you don’t want is to find out that you have to pay again just to get the report or to have a follow-up session to know how you should proceed after the property is audited.

Question #4: What kind of Feng Shui do you practice?

You should know what kind of methodology the consultant uses and be comfortable with this approach. Are they Classical Feng Shui consultants or more New Age in their approach? If they are Classical Feng Shui consultants, then they will probably be using a combination of the following techniques: San Yuan, San He, Xuan Kong or Ba Zhai.

Question #5: Will I be required to buy products?

You should be on the look out for conflicts of interest when the answer to this question is ‘yes’ and the practitioner is a Classical Feng Shui practitioner. When you are required to buy products or encouraged to buy products to place in various sectors of your home or office, in order to improve the Qi and these items are not included in the service (see Question #1), a conflict of interest is quite possible.

‘G’ for Geomancy or ‘F’ for Feng Shui?

There is a reason why you can’t just flip the Yellow Pages and find a consultant. It’s to do with the ‘R’ word. Relationship. When you engage the services of a Feng Shui consultant, even if it is for just the property you are living in at the moment, you are beginning a relationship. Your Feng Shui consultant is someone who you potentially will turn to in the future again and again, if the experience has been good, to check your future property, to select dates for your children to get married, to select dates for business openings if you are a business person, to do Destiny Analysis for you, and even vet your staff. That’s a lot of personal and professional ground.

So beyond the questions I have posed above, you should also be comfortable with the Consultant you chose, in every sense of the word. Be comfortable with their level of professionalism, their technical background, the way they practise Feng Shui and their personal style when they interact with you, their client. Some consultants provide a lot of hand-holding, and function partly like a personal therapist-cum-life coach. Others are more business-like and straight to the point, and less inclined towards hand-holding. Both can have your best interests at heart, but simply express it in different ways. Some people like a Feng Shui consultant who will answer their every question, no matter how minor, trite or pointless. Some people prefer a consultant who just gets on with it and to the point.

Just as some people pay for bedside manner in a doctor and others, just want someone who solves their problem, it’s the same with your Feng Shui consultant. Find one who you think you can work with, who you are comfortable with and who understands you as a client. You don’t have to like your Feng Shui consultant as long as you are comfortable with what they do for you and how they go about doing it. Pick a Feng Shui consultant with a personal style, approach and who have staff whom you feel comfortable talking about your concerns and issues with.

Take Your Pick

If you are comfortable with New Age Chinese Metaphysics, and that is what you want, then go with a person with repute in that field, and who you are comfortable with or who achieves results that you will be satisfied with. If you prefer Classical Feng Shui, then seek out a Feng Shui consultant who practices Classical Feng Shui who you can work with to achieve the results you want. If you believe that lineage is important when it comes to your consultant, then go with Lineage. If you feel age reflects experience, then by all means go with an older master.

But before you engage the Chinese Metaphysics consultant, irrespective of what the basis for selecting that consultant is – be it the type of styles they practice, their age or their lineage – do yourself a favour and make sure you get what you think you’re paying for. Read up on the consultant you intend to select – check out their books and understand their approach and methodology, if you intend to go with a classical practitioner. If you’re going with a modern style practitioner, you should probably read their books too, and understand their approach. If you feel seniority counts for something in Feng Shui, do not just assume that the older the master is better. Make sure that they really have been practicing successfully that long, and really do have the necessary knowledge. Finally, if lineage carries a lot of weight for you, then you should do the extensive legwork and make sure that your consultant’s lineage is what they say it is, and not just a claim. Usually the lineage holders are the ones who have documented evidence of their complete history.

You may also want to find out who the Consultant in question has done work for or which clients they have done work for in the past. Don’t depend on hearsay or what other people tell you – do your own background check. You are about to pay for the services of a professional – you should make sure that the person lives up to that reputation.

According to the Chinese astrology 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. And true to the animal’s nature, the Year of the Dragon is expected to be marked with excitement, exhilaration, intensity and unpredictability. The drama and spirit of the dragon is expected to inject vitality, energy and unbridled enthusiasm which could easily lead individuals to throwing caution to the wind. It is especially important to take care this year, and avoid unnecessary risks that could lead to tragedy.

The dragon year is a special year for excellence and Chinese astrology dictates that dragon people are expected to excel during this year. The Year of the Dragon is special in many ways. For one, you will find that the dragon is the only unreal animal featured in the Chinese zodiac year. What’s more, the dragon is revered and has a special place in Chinese astrology. In fact, the dragon is generally of special significance to Chinese people.

History

The Year of the Dragon can trace its origins to over 4,000 years ago. During this time, China was formed by two very large tribes and many smaller tribes. An animal represented each one of these tribes. When the two larger tribes decided to unite, they decided that their emblem would be the dragon as a symbol of power. Today, Han Chinese still call themselves descendants of the dragon.

The Dragon

Because its body comprises of parts from different types of animals including fish, tiger, eagle and snake, the dragon is regarded as a powerful and mighty king in Chinese astrology. Unlike the perception in the west of a threatening evil being, the Chinese dragon is regarded more as a symbol of power, protection, authority and superiority. As a result, in many places in China, you will find numerous sculptures and carvings of dragons.

The Dragon Personality and Dragon People

Chinese astrology deems a dragon person as special. As such, individuals who are born in the Chinese Year of the Dragon typically stand out and enjoy a status befitting a dragon. Such persons are generally regarded as being wise and powerful. They are not shy, but instead command respect and attention with their passion, courage and self-confidence. In short, dragon people have a certain aura about them and seem to enjoy very good fortune.

Dragon people are generally regarded as doers as they are able to achieve power by taking action and getting things done. These individuals at best will have pioneering spirits, but at worst, their foolhardiness will easily get them into trouble. Dragon individuals are smart, enterprising and generally have a wicked sense of humor. If you want to remain updated on the latest trends, consult dragon people as they have a flair for fashion. Just as the fire-breathing dragon, dragon people are generally thought to be hotheads. It is therefore wise to steer clear of them in the event that they get angry!

In contrast however, because dragons have soft underbellies, dragon people are thought to have soft spots as well. As such, you may find a dragon person easily angered, yet capable of great compassion for those who are in need of their help. This contrast is further illustrated by dragon people who can be confronting, but if you touch their soft hearts, they quickly become worthwhile allies. In addition, they are generous – although this is a positive thing, it can easily turn problematic when they become foolhardy with money.

Dragons have long tongues which they often bare and make visible. In turn, dragon people are generally said to have sharp tongues that make them say things that can be very sarcastic and biting to whomever they are directed to.

2012: The Year of the Dragon

The Year of the Dragon 2012 will begin on January 23rd this year, which marks the beginning of 15 days of celebration. January 23rd is actually the Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year which typically occurs in the early months of January or February.

In accordance with the Chinese horoscope 2012 will be ushering in the Water Dragon. The water works in calming the innate fire of the dragon. As such, water dragon people are more open to others opinions and are better able to channel their charisma into leadership qualities. Celebrities born in the Year of the Dragon include Al Pacino, John Lennon, Matt Dillon, Marlene Dietrich and Ringo Starr.

If you were born in a Chinese Year of the Dragon, then according to feng shui 2012 is your year. But what does this mean? Well, first, you should double your efforts in whatever you do – be it your work, studies or any other projects you may be working on. And once you do this, you will find that your natural abilities and talents will easily stand out and enable you to achieve great results. It is also important to watch your temper in 2012 to avoid ruining all your hard work this year.

The Dragon and Love

Because dragons are passionate, they tend to fall in and out of love just as quickly. With their charm and charisma, they are able to easily draw the attention and admiration of individuals of the opposite sex which is what dragon people crave. While they tend to treat love like a game, when they meet the right partner who is strong enough to match their strength, they can settle down.

Wealth in the Year of the Dragon

If you are looking to start a business or begin a new project, the Year of the Dragon is the time to do it. This is because money is more easily accessible for everyone this year – whether you earn, borrow or receive it as a gift. However, avoid unreasonable expenditures as you will have to account for these once the Year of the Dragon comes to an end.

]]> http://www.scarebooth.com/year-of-the-dragon-2012/feed/ 0 http://www.scarebooth.com/water-related-feng-shui-for-dragon-and-snake-years-2012-14/ http://www.scarebooth.com/water-related-feng-shui-for-dragon-and-snake-years-2012-14/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:00:44 +0000 admin http://www.scarebooth.com/?p=3126 Yang Water Dragon Year 2012-13 is followed by Yin Water Snake 2013-14. Thus, this advice, when referring to Water, their Year Element, applies to each of the two years in question. Feng Shui means ‘Wind and Water’ and the Element has played a vital role in Human existence, evolution and civilisation.

Locations of Key Sectors

Water is associated with the North and the Northern sectors of rooms and dwellings. This is the key sectors of the Year Element.

Dragon affinities are with the East and South-East (via Wood Element links). These are the key sectors of the Year Animal (2012-13). The Snake has Earth associations via the North-East and South West of rooms and dwellings. These are the key sectors of the Year animal (2013-14).

Except Earth, Elements have Animal associations from Exterior Feng Shui. Earth in this represents the Centre, the Feng Shui practitioner’s vacant living-space and therefore has none. 5 Animals Wuxing, however, links the limbless Snake to Earth, due to their immediate juxtaposition (lacking legs Snakes couldn’t get closer to Earth if they tried).

Water Links

Colours: Black (Water at night); Blue (Water in daylight).

Materials: Glass (plain and coloured), mirrors, plastics, natural crystals, silk.

Objects, Images and Motifs: Fish, Taiji Symbols, Snakes, water-features, Aquaria, Dragons (Eastern not Western) Seascapes (especially Water-Colours), Rivers and Lakes, waves and wavy patterns, especially in pastel colours, serpentine, coiling, undulating meandering designs, sea-shells, Willow-pattern and of course the ‘Chan Chu’ or 3-Legged Toad or Money-Frog, crystal-boats, ships.

Roads and Streets are Water in Feng Shui terms, due to their traffic-flow and use for communication and travel. Statues and representations of the Bodhisattva Kuan Shi Yin, Daoist Immortal and Shaolin Temple Patron Deity, particularly in her Aquarian water-bearing mode might appeal to Martial Artists (in particular) and others at this time.

Remember, a picture, drawing, photo or replica can be as useful as an original for Feng Shui purposes.

Water Associations

Water has strong Wealth connexions (e.g. current accounts, currency, flotations, cash-flow and income-streams). Communications (see above) both physical and verbal are linked similarly (e.g. word-flow, gushing compliments, stream-of-consciousness accounts)

Crystals and Minerals:

Gem and Crystal Feng Shui has growing popularity. Care is needed to determine the Element these represent, to ensure effective placement. In Feng Shui, Black and ‘Snowflake’ Obsidian (water-cooled fragments of volcanic lava outflows) correspond to Water (even having the appropriate Elemental colour-black) not Fire or Earth as you might suppose. Displays off-set with Quartz (which intensifies the influence of minerals/crystals displayed alongside it) and reflected by Mirrors, both Yin Metal for Feng Shui purposes, may be particularly effective during the period.

Objects with water associations like crystal/mineral boats, fish, bowls and crystal water-features are also appropriate. Beach-stones and pebbles from the river bed can also be used for this purpose.

Backgrounds:

Metal supports/produces/encourages Water in Feng Shui (tanks, taps, pipes and pans confirm this, it even melts and flows when heated). Backgrounds utilising this Element’s features (colours, materials etc) can encourage healthy Qi-flows within dwellings during this period.

Overall

This information may help you to prepare for, participate in and enjoy Chinese New Year Celebrations of Dragon Year 2012-13 in your area–23rd January 2012 is New Years Day. Hopefully, it will also help you ‘harmonise’ with Dragon Year Energies, in advance, and improve your health, fortune and prosperity throughout the Year. It may also sensitize you to the similarly watery nature of following Snake Year 2013-14 (4) and facilitate your longer-term Feng Shui planning thereby.

Notes

(1) ‘Daoist Immortal and Buddhist Bodhisattva – Kuan Yin!’, at Ezine Articles, by the same Author, has more about this remarkable female figure.

Feng Shui Consultant Peter Allsop M.Ed. also publishes ‘Red Dragon Martial Arts Ezine’. Longevity Training, Iron Shirt, 5 Elements Qigong, Daoism, Chinese metaphysics and Astrology feature among his interests alongside gem and crystal Feng Shui.

Well carry the energy of the water, one of the many ancient Feng Shui emblems. Feng Shui fountain can in your home or out. There are many variations, including tabletop, free-standing, wall and outdoor fountain. If you select your fountain, choose a high-quality well, which a nice sleek design, easy has to clean and maintain. Many people choose ceramic or glass for the materials their wells, but really, every material is fine, as long as the water sounds and the feel of the water is integrated.

Water is a Yin element. Water can Yang in times and is one of the most negative forces in nature under certain situations, but its basic nature is more Yin or passive. Water moves naturally around obstacles it follows water and moves and effortlessly overcomes hurdles. Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement. The practice requires the careful arrangement of things in the room represent elements and create a balance and flow of energy. Fountains are a great way to deal with the practice, at the same time Visual use for any type of room.

Fountains are often seen indoors and outdoors. People who generally have a garden like a water fountain as a center point. Indoor are also popular fountain, especially because they supposedly help offset the positive and negative ions. Various materials are used, to well, how to make ceramics, metal and bamboo. A Feng Shui come in a variety of sizes and shapes well. Selecting the right water fountain for your home will mainly depend upon your personal preference. Round to select a better choice as per principles, but you should, that will go well in your home. Feng Shui should the element productive and destructive cycles but the ideal water fountain metal are made. Metal water helps trigger “Qi” because it is the element that produces water.

Well should have always a continuous stream of moving water. The cascading water solves sound and movement, which makes it one of the most valuable Feng Shui cures. Moving water attract wealth and happiness should and will get most commonly used by those who are seeking for more wealth. Feng Shui effects not be achieved by you will quickly reach the well anywhere in the House or in the Office, but by choosing the best location, which can have the effect using a Bagua map,.

Fountain to harmonise water and your functional and aesthetic purposes should satisfy. Their taste or space are subject to garden fountain a favorite style choice for gardens of all sizes.

When considering where the first chime emerged, they were used under the superstition of evil spirits, with wind chimes being able to ward away the spirits. Archaeological evidence has shown early chimes in South East Asia, and carbon dating techniques have been used to estimate their age to somewhere as far back as 3000 BC, which speaks as a testament to just how important these items are to our human heritage. It has also been theorized that farmers would use chimes in lieu of scarecrows to keep birds away from their crops.

The idea of chimes working as a ward against evil spirits and in unison attract positive spirits has been prevalent throughout east-Asian history. In the year 1100 BC, the Chinese were documented making a wind bell named the feng-ling, hung and used throughout spiritually significant sites, this is still in practice in many temples across China today, there has even been superstitions as to certain chimes being cursed and attracting evil spirits. This superstition fueled the proliferation of wind chimes throughout the far east, and of course the market expanded massively.

Wind Chimes have only been seen in the western world from the 1800s onwards as a cultural export from China. It slowly became a trend to keep such items in homes opposed to places of worship. Feng-Shui, which is the Chinese system of aesthetics, increased the popularity of these items as they were thought to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere in the surrounding area.

The rich history of the chime spans from western to eastern cultures and is one of the oldest decorative objects known to be used by mankind. Maybe it’s supposed spiritual properties were what held it in such high regard with human beings over all these years, or maybe it is the relaxing feel and overall aura it gives to the surrounding environment. The chime has been around for a long time, and I suspect that it will be around for much longer.

]]> http://www.scarebooth.com/wind-chimes-through-the-ages/feed/ 0