Original Oil by Tashina Suzuki
How Feng Shui Happened to Me
Throughout my spiritual life, reflections of the creator have always been given to me in the way of signs, symbols, and messages. They have been the bread crumbs that I followed to get to the buried treasures awaiting me. The first time that stands out in my mind was being in the old East West bookstore in NYC. I had a book in my hand to purchase but was still looking, when almost simultaneously, the book dropped out of my hand and another fell out of the bookshelf right where I was standing. Now, I am not a rocket scientist, but I was certain there were no coincidences about this coincident. I promptly picked up both books and put back the one I dropped and bought the one that fell. Truly, that book changed my life. It was the beginning of the understanding and acceptance of my spiritual self. It was a game changer for me, and so it continued with every new yet familiar piece of information that came my way.
The Dying Tree
One day I came home and saw that my favorite potted tree that was housed on my eight foot altar looked to be in the last throws of its life. I was dismayed, I hadn’t seen it coming. My thumb isn’t exactly green, but I had been doing pretty well monitoring its sun and water intake so it did not make any sense. This time I set out on a quest, deliberately to find the reason for my dying tree and how I could help it. I went to my local spiritual book store and being a pro, I waited to see which book got my attention. The message I was getting was about direction which originally I was thinking about a verb instead of a noun, and then I saw a book on Feng Shui. The Chinese art of the placement of items to maximize the flow of chi in your environment; my tree was in the Eastern corner and it was the month of December. The Chinese New Year period began according to the Chinese Lunar calendar, in the middle of the 12th month and ended around the middle of the first month with the waxing of the full moon which falls on different days every year. This year the New Year came in February and it meant that the #5 flying star of disaster would be taking its place for the year in the direction of the East. Oh my! I promptly gave my beautiful dying tree to my neighbor whose western corner in her apartment got beautiful light, and west had good stars that year. Within in a couple of weeks the tree had taken back her health and I had embarked on the study of Feng Shui.
Getting Into the Flow
I have always had a deep reverence for ritual and have always had some sort of sacred place of worship in my home and I suppose that my environment, intuitively, has somehow instructed me on any changes that would support my well being. However, the study of Feng Shui from the original traditions even down to the many books of western interpretation has been an amazing journey of the realization of our daily relationship with our direct environment and the world around us and how important and fragile it is. Tapping into the subtle nuances of a change in direction and shift of energy can absolutely support and inhibit growth. Recognizing the energy of the natural elements and their relationship to one another can not only teach you about yourself but can offer understanding of how you relate to others.
Year of the Majestic Wood Horse 2014
December 31st, 2013 is the Chinese New Year commencing the Year of the Wood Horse. Great strides will be made through self acceptance and the acceptance of others this year. While the horse is always wildly independent and great strides of progress can be made in the solo journey, this year’s Horse will support great strides in transforming group efforts and democracy; the expansion of your own ideals and beliefs and the recognizing that some ways of thinking are just no longer helpful and to continue them is futile. This Horse year offers you courage and knowledge different than what you have. Evidently, “Great Strides” is the theme of the year, as I have unconsciously written it three times. So plan on making great strides in all ways in your life this year and if that makes you nervous, the energy of the Wood Horse will help you move through it.
Wanna Feng Shui?
I practice using two main tools of Feng Shui; one is setting up the space according to the Pa Kua which outlines the nature of the home itself and then adjusts it for those who dwell in it. Yearly, I implement Flying Star Feng Shui which recognizes the yearly movement of the 24 Mountains, which allows you to become aware of the influence of the world around you on your environment and then shows you how to flow with it for maximum; health, vitality, harmony, and prosperity. If you would like to set up an appointment for Feng Shui now is the time. Personally, I always reset before the Lunar New Year but really, anytime is good to call in fresh chi. Go to www.itztime.com and fill out the contact form with all of your details. Many great strides to you this year.
