Geek Critique: Feng Shui Geek Q&A

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Hi Gabrielle, Thank you for your tips they are really very helpful.  It reveals the effort you are exerting to give us these concentrated tips. This drives me to ask you a question I hope you'll have the time to reply to it.  I once read that the stuffed toys are not very good especially for teens bedrooms; do you know why so?  I mean every boy and girl has his/her own teddy bear or bunny or whatever stuffed animal—you may name it.   Why is this considered bad FS?   Thanks and have a good day—Zoey

Hi Zoey--I have absolutely NEVER heard this.  Of course, I have one or two theories why one might want to consider the stuffed animal...1) Is it truly clutter?  Does it RAISE the energy (using the heart and gut and NOT the mind--no sentimentality, care-taking, or mental processes--determined in five seconds or less.  My concern is the stuffed animal is misdiagnosed often as raising the energy of the person--when in fact it just has strong sentimental ties).  Clutter-clearing is about getting present to the NOW of life.  Stuffed animals have that "past" energy in their field. 2) The other possible thing--if it is a single object (like the lone stuffed teddy bear, or the angel, and so on)--and there are not at least MORE than a single one of the same kind of stuffed toy--this reflects subconsciously as well as consciously that "only one can exist".  I like to promote the use of the "more than one" images and statuary and such in the bedroom to show the mind that more than one can exist.   Just my theories.  I hope they help--Gabrielle Alizay

Hi Gabrielle: I am an avid Feng Shui practitioner who can attest it has changed my life.  I have one small problem.  I have had a stalker in my past (received order of protection in my favor due to enhancing helpful people  and Travel section and also my Fame/Reputation Section with a cactus and venus fly trap).  However, I do not know where or how to keep my court documents.  They are full of threats, negative energy and court documents.  The closest thing I can find is wrap them in silver and store them in Helpful People and travel.  Could you please give me a pointer is storing (in case he bothers me again) negative court/stalker documents?  Thanks—Camara

Hi Camara: I would suggest a "gun box"--it "contains" potential negative documents and symbology implications (like having a gun in your dwelling...) (found on pg.176 of my book, Feng Shui For The Rest of Us)...   Put documents inside a wooden box, which is large enough to contain all the paperwork easily.  Have six mirrors (they can be small and round) and attach them to 1) one each on the four inside walls of the box, one on inside lid of box and one to inside bottom of box--all mirrors with reflections facing into the box.   2.  Visualize/Imagine: All the documents' vibrations being deflected back onto itself by the barriers of the mirrors.   3.  Say:  "All negative influences, clutter, and that which is not in my Highest Good reflect back on itself.  No unpleasant or negative energy escapes the box.  The entire room where is box is kept is Peaceful and calm.  This or something better for the Highest Good now occurs." Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle: Just wondering how you feel about storm doors -we added one to our front door and now we are struggling with some money issues for the first time in a long time. Do you think this has something to do with it? Is the chi unable to get in and flow...what do you advise o wise one? LOVE YOUR WEBSITE read it all the time! Many blessings and thanks—Caroline

Hi Caroline: A storm door will not block chi from entering into your dwelling IF you have programmed it to always be invited there.  Perhaps the installation of the storm door necessitates another invitation: Here is a Three Secrets Intention Ritual example....   1.  Decide on house address numbers or some plaque or object in your style--attach to the building--to the left, to the right, or on the front door. It can also already be there.   2.  Visualize/imagine Chi (a glitter-like substance) coming down both sides of your neighborhood street and up your sidewalk and to the outside of your front door.  Do not be conservative here--this is Chi (life-force, healing, blessing, attention, joy et al—The life blood of abundance in all forms.)   3.  Then say out loud, "Now, Chi easily and effortlessly finds our home and our lives. This or something better for the Highest Good now occurs."   Hope this helps--good luck—Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle: I was wondering if you could shed some light on this question for me.  I live in a four level split house and I am not sure how to apply the Baqua to a floor plan such as this.  Some things I have read say to apply it to each floor separately while other information I have received say to make the first and second level like one floor (visually remove the stairs and make the floor levels even) and make the 3rd and 4th level one floor and apply the Baqua to the floor plan in that manner.  What do you suggest??? Thanks—Barry

Hi Barry: The Bagua on multi-level structures can be one of the most confusing things about Bagua placement.  First--I always recommend that each floor gets a separate diagnosis from the Bagua--the stair landing being the official front door on the new level. Thus, a four level home has four separate Bagua readings.  For more info and instructions on the use of the Bagua, get a free download with instructions at www.homepeace.com/bagua.htm   Also my book, Feng Shui For The Rest Of Us (available for sure at Amazon.com) has an entire section on the Bagua and includes how to place the Bagua on other levels of a structure.  Hope this helps and good luck—Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle, I bought your book this weekend. I have been reading a lot of Black Hat Feng Shui and applying lots of different things, Clearing clutter, etc for months now. Here's my latest dilemma. My husband has lost his job now and I feel it probably has something to do with all the clearing I have done and rearranging of furniture and stuff. We both worked at home in a home office and now he's looking for a job. He's been out of a job for one month so far with no luck in finding anything. We have anchored the house corners, we really cleaned the financial corner of the house, even painted the room with fresh paint. I have really cleaned out the helpful people part of the house too. I am reading your book, but just wondered if you have any advice for me to help him locate a job. Thanks!!! Patricia

Hi Patricia: Read the Career/Life Path Section of the book, the office section of the book as well as the Helpful People section specifically about The Helpful People Box. And good luck--remember--EVERYTHING you intentionally Feng Shui shift in your home and office positively affects your world in general--even if it does not seem like it at the time.    Wear patience like a new outfit--you will see—sincerely--Gabrielle

Dear Gabrielle, I have done the closed bathroom door procedure as you suggested even though I am close to being claustrophobic with closed doors - the other problem is that even though there is a vent in there and I have rugs on the floor, it is now freezing in there when I go to use the facilities- what to do? Sincerely—Sally

Dear Sally, Try a "Hippie Cure" to close the opening of a bathroom.  This is a piece of fabric in your style that you extend from the very top to the very bottom of the bathroom door opening.  You keep it there by putting an inexpensive tension rod in the opening to hold it in place. This "soft" door is less claustrophobic and keeps the bathroom warmer.  The "hard" door of the bathroom can then be kept open unless you need privacy. It is talked about in detail in my book, Feng Shui For The Rest Of Us, on page 59.  Good luck and hope that helps--Gabrielle Alizay

Dear Gabrielle, I am looking for some suggestions as to how I can enhance/decorate the wealth area of my house which falls in an attached, covered back patio. I posted such a question on the message board but got a very unsatisfactory response from someone telling me that because it is a patio, it is outside my Bagua, which I know from previous Feng Shui knowledge and from reading your book that is not true. I desperately want to make this a beautiful area of our home but feel very limited because it is open to the outside and therefore a lot of traditional options won't be appropriate. Please offer some advice, Susy

Hi Susy, I am sorry that the response on the forum was less than satisfactory--part of the glory of the forum is for everyone to take risks and try to answer questions as they see fit.  However, misinformation can happen so you were wise to seek more education.  It sounds as if you are clear about Bagua diagnosis but just to be certain, the patio counts as the Wealth ONLY if it is covered by a roof which is attached to the rest of the house. And from your note, this sounds like it is.   That being said:  assuming the patio is the outside wealth area--I recommend a water fountain. Water in the right amounts, in the right areas, stands for abundance so a fountain translates to "abundance always coming in--on all levels".  Also, I would design the patio in a way that reads "prosperity" for you--things that absolutely "raise" your energy and promote a feeling of peace that naturally comes about when one has abundance in all ways coming into their life.   Also, choose an inside room--one close to the patio--a Family/Health or Fame/Reputation room, for instance and hold in the Wealth/Power chi in that room along with the Life Value already present in that room.  This assures that you are holding Wealth in your home and in your life.  Read again the Wealth/Power Life Value section in my book--starting on page 177.  Ideas to make the patio and in general, the Wealth area is a very good idea.  This is the power spot of your home.  But only you are the true designer of what this is going to look like.  Follow your gut, your intuition, and continue to educate yourself.  Abundance will be yours!   Hope this helps—Gabrielle Alizay

Dear Gabrielle, Thank you for your tips they are really very helpful.  It reveals the effort you are exerting to give us these concentrated tips.   This drives me to ask you a question I hope you'll have the time to reply to it.  I once read that the stuffed toys are not very good especially for teens bedrooms; do you know why so?  I mean every boy and girl has his/her own teddy bear or bunny or whatever stuffed animal you may name it.   Why is this considered bad Feng Shui?   Thanks and have a good day.

Hi Kilary, I have absolutely NEVER heard this.  Of course, I have one or two theories why one might want to consider the stuffed animal...1) Is it truly clutter?  Does it RAISE the energy (using the heart and gut and NOT the mind--no sentimentality, care-taking, or mental processes--determined in five seconds or less.  My concern is the stuffed animal is misdiagnosed often as raising the energy of the person--when in fact it just has strong sentimental ties).  Clutter-clearing is about getting present to the NOW of life.  Stuffed animals have that "past" energy in their field.   2) The other possible thing--if it is a single object (like the lone stuffed teddy bear, or the angel. ect--and there are not at least MORE than a single one of the same kind of stuffed toy--this reflects subconsciously as well as consciously that "only one can exist".  I like to promote the use of the "more than one" images and statuary and such in the bedroom to show the mind that more than one is possible.   Just my theories.  I hope they help--Gabrielle Alizay

Dear Gabrielle, What tip do you have for a small apartment in which as soon as you open the front door there is a straight line to the bathroom door and if the door is not closed a mirror that reflects the front door and the energy back out the front door? Is there any tip besides to keep the bathroom door closed at all times. The toilet cannot be seen, just the bathroom sink and mirror as you come in the front door. Eventually I hope to get my own place, but after a divorce I have this apartment for awhile. Thanks—Marla

Hi Marla, The thing is--it is considered very bad form for chi, you, or a guest to see the bathroom from the front door--all possible good luck goes down the drain.  Period.  See chi like an honored guest--the queen of England coming to visit you...would you have royalty "see" the bathroom first view?  The honor of chi also includes the honor of you--you should not see the bathroom, consciously or unconsciously, when you walk in the door either.   Consider a hippy cure to solve your dilemma.  Fabric in your style that extends from bathroom door opening at the top all the way to the bottom.  It is held in by a tension rod--make the fabric like a curtain.   Then add the intention that the Chi (good luck, healing, blessing, and more) does not go down the drain when you open the front door--it can't get past the barrier of the fabric.   I promise that life will get better then.   Hope this helps--Gabrielle Alizay

Dear Gabrielle, I’m going to build a house and almost everything is planned but I have one question: where is the good position to install a fireplace? thanks so much—Ron

Hi Ron,   You need to be familiar with the Bagua for this and how to align it over your floor plan.  If you are, this is great--if not www.homepeace.com/bagua.htm gives you one free with instructions on how to place it superimposed over your floor plan....   The best place for a Fire place is the Fame/Reputation Life Value of house or the Center of the Universe Life Value.  Both places are great for supporting the symbolic elements of those areas.   Avoid Family/Health and Child/Creativity Life Values of home.  A fire place would be Destructive to the natural symbolic Elements that exist in those areas.   I hope that answers your question but if you are still confused, may I recommend my book--Feng Shui For The Rest Of Us...Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Dear Gabrielle, Congratulations on your new book! I have been doing Feng Shui religiously and life is taking on a whole new meaning and opportunities are manifesting. I have a question. Is the front door always determined by the door the person uses the most, even if the front door is the garage door on the side of the house for instance?Thanks, Mary

Hi Mary--the front door, the Mouth of Chi, is determined by the front door that the architect intended.  It does not matter whether or not you ever use this official front door or not--the Bagua is still positioned and arranged on this door--not the one that is used more frequently if it is a different door. Hope that is clear…Gabrielle

Dear Gabrielle, I've heard about Feng Shui but don't know much about it, so I went online and saw your website for the first time a few minutes ago.  I am remodeling my small (800 sq ft) house and have been planning to replace the bedroom closet doors with large sliding mirrored doors, since " Mirrored closet doors will brighten and enlarge your bedroom".  However, a friend told me that Feng Shui says not to put mirrors in bedrooms, something about it taking spirits away.  Is that the case?  Should I really not use mirrored doors in my bedroom.  Welcome any thoughts you might have.  Thanks, Paul

Hi Paul—-mirrors are fine in the bedroom if and only if you understand these characteristics...You should never catch a reflection of yourself in them at night (for instance, you see a shadowed movement and get afraid) when you are relaxed and just awakened from sleep.  Not good Feng Shui to freak out in bedroom (or anytime, for that matter).  Also, know that mirrors have a very active "chi"--mirrors never sleep--very much like a kitten playing in your room all night. If you are not bothered by this--your "spirit" will be fine.  If you are--you can still have mirrors--but "put them to sleep" at night.  Insomniacs have been greatly helped by this cure. For mirrored doors, that means having a curtain-like fabric that you very easily swish closed in front of the mirrors at night.  Then imagine/visualize that the active chi cannot get past the barrier of the fabric.  Then say out loud, "Now, no active chi can get past the barrier of the fabric and my sleep is deep, healing, and good.  I wake refreshed and positive every morning.  This or something better for the Highest Good now occurs." Hope this helps—Gabrielle

Dear Gabrielle, My family has had horrible luck both in mental and physical health, as well as financial. Two brothers are in mental institutions, my mother is agoraphobic, my father has health problems, and I at 57 am living in parents’ home and have not had a relationship in 27 years. I cannot seem to acquire any money to move my family out of the house. I am an accomplished artist but I never have the time to make any art because I am too busy taking care of my elderly parents and being the legal guardian of my 2 brothers. What can I do? I also know that the previous owners of the house had bad luck. Two sons were taken away by the state and grandparents sang religious songs all day long. Can you help? Margaret

Hi Margaret—-your situation seems very complicated and multi-dimensional—something that I unfortunately cannot advise solutions for you in a short paragraph.  But these things I know:  Feng Shui is an incredible-problem solving tool.  Also, when you make intentional, positive shifts in your environment, it optimistically affects your world in general.  With that said, I would strongly advise education of Feng Shui principles.  There are years of back log newsletters to read on my www.homepeace.com site, articles, as well as links that have even more education.  Join the Feng Shui Geek Society (www.fengshuigeek.com) as well. On that site, there are even more articles and more information. Finally, I recommend you buy my book, Feng Shui For the Rest Of Us  There are also many other Feng Shui books to learn from--there is a bibliography on both of the sites-- www.homepeace.com and www.fengshuigeek.com.  Read, educate, and empower yourself.  You will not help but improve and change your life then.  Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Dear Gabrielle, I have a full-length mirror next to my Children & Creativity sector (which happens to be the bathroom).I love the mirror there- it’s a perfect spot. How can I balance out what might be an excess of water energy in the sector? Thanks, Becky

Hi Becky—the Child/Creativity area is the symbolic Element of Metal.  Metal creates Water--so it is not a "bad" element relationship to have in this area.  It also is important that you love the mirror.  It raises your energy--which means that creativity and child relationship go better in your life in general because you are pleased by the mirror there.  If you are still unsure whether a mirror (which by the way, can only stand for Water when you give it such intention--it does not just magically happen), is adding too much Water to your bathroom--try this cure.   1.  Get a gem about the size of one closed fist--a river rock, a rose quartz, amethyst--anything will do--as long as the rock raises your energy.  This rock becomes the symbolic representation of Earth.  Place it somewhere in the bathroom, near the mirror. 2.  Visualize/Imagine that the Earth is damming the Water--see in your mind's eye that the Water of the mirror, and such is being plugged and stopped by Earth--like a dam in a river. 3.  Say out loud, "Now, the Earth dams the Water so my Child/Creativity in my home and in my life is stable.  This or something better for the Highest Good, now occurs."   Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Dear Gabrielle, Love your website, my Feng Shui Geek t-shirt and Feng Shui. You’ve really helped me understand it. But I am confused about the things that can happen if you don’t get your directions right. I have been told that since I had water in the wrong places I might have caused my husbands business to suffer. It has been robbed 3 times, one armed robbery and is plagued with disagreements, money loss and possible lawsuit. What can I do to stop all this from continuing? I will appreciate greatly any advice Any suggestions? I do know that we are both 6 Guas- Wishing you joy and happiness, Helen

Hey Helen--guess what?--you are confusing the schools of Feng Shui! Your questions are based in the Compass Feng Shui School of thought.  It deals primarily with directions and can be rather dogmatic.  The school of thought that I promote and follow is the Black Hat Sect Tibetan Feng Shui beliefs.  It is the front door of the dwelling, not the direction it is facing that determines where Life Values exist.  I find this particular way to study Feng Shui much more user-friendly, intuitive, and empowering.  I also strongly do not believe in Fear Shui.  No, you did not have any thing to do with your husband's job issues.  Relax and breathe!  However, Feng Shui is a phenomenal problem-solving tool.  Use it instead to improve your husband's work woes and also, anything that could benefit you.  I would suggest you stick with one school of Feng Shui and learn all you can about it.  If my teachings are good for you, purchase my book, Feng Shui For The Rest OF Us (www.fengshuifortherestofus.com).  And continue to educate yourself--that is the secret with Feng Shui success! Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Dear Gabrielle, I am getting ready to hang a mirror behind my stove and have an ancillary question about burners.  I keep my coffee pot and utensil jar sitting on the stove.  Actually, on the two back burners.  Both are clear glass.  The coffee pot is a Chemex and the utensil jar is really a wine cooler.  Should I remove those? Thanks, Barbara

Hi Barbara,   The burners, in Feng Shui, represent potential of possible prosperity.  There is a cure called, Double your Pleasure Cure, where you mirror the burners as well as empower the back of the stove with a mirror. The idea is to actually and symbolically increase the number of burners on your stove, and with intention, create the magic of thereby increasing the potentiality of your prosperity.  Sometimes the only way to mirror burners, however, is to have a shiny teapot on one of the back burners.  You can see the burners reflecting in its shiny side and with intention it is just as effective.  Because your items on the back burners are see-through, I would recommend the removal of them--not because it is "wrong" but because they take up space on a very important symbol--the stove--there is so much more you can do with all the burners free to reflect potentiality then.  Hope this helps....Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle, I am new at Feng Shui and I don't have a floor plan of my home. Is it really necessary to use the Bagua? Can't you just, say for instance, use the colors pink, red, and white in my bedroom for the love area? Pam

Hi Pam, The first step in any real Feng Shui diagnosis is to figure out what rooms stand for what Life Values of the Bagua.  You can draw it very informally, trying, of course, to be accurate about sizes of rooms in comparison to other rooms of your house.  If drawing a floor plan of your home overwhelms you, find a friend or family member who is spatially gifted and have them draw it. It is perfectly fine to decorate your bedroom in the colors of love.  However, you will never know the true Life Value quality of the bedroom, or any other room in your house for that matter, until you superimpose the Bagua over a floor plan of your home.  For anyone who wants to implement the amazing powers of the problem-solving tool of Feng Shui, it becomes the necessary first step.  Hope this helps—Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle, I am emailing regarding a question I have on Feng Shui. Is there any way to encourage other residents of ones home to get rid of clutter? I am a tidy person and love giving things I no longer use or want to charity. My mother and sister are much the same. My father, on the other hand, is absolutely addicted to collecting things. Particularly books. And kitchen utensils. And beer mugs. Well, just about anything really. Including some particularly tasteless items of furniture which he seems to like to 'layer' in front of our nicer items. He is also rather stubborn, and does not take kindly to suggestions that he tidy up, or throw some of his stuff out. It would be okay if he kept it confined to his bedroom but instead it sprawls throughout the house, and fills it. 95% of his stuff constitutes things he never even uses. I don't know what he is holding on to. Is there some Feng Shui remedy to gently encourage him to let some of this stuff go? It’s everywhere! Many many thanks, Susie

Hi Susie, It is a rather unfortunate "law" that you should never touch (or clean up) another's clutter.  The best hope is to be a clear role-model in living clutter-free.  Then, sometimes, ideally more than sometimes, the offending person witnesses the positive benefits of living a clutter-free lifestyle and changes his/her ways.  Usually, when somebody is very focused on keeping all kinds of things around--there is also a "poverty-consciousness" prevalent for that person--that insidious consciousness not just being about money--but feeling lack in the areas of health, love, career, and so on.   I have also recommended to households with different styles of living that the person who likes to collect stuff gets designated a room or two of the house and all the "stuff" and future collections of items, gets put only in those rooms.  There can be a pride for the person who collects things then and definitely a sigh of relief for the members of the household who can now breathe easier.   Finally, I recommend the book by Karen Kingston, Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui.  She has great ideas.  And, of course, I recommend my book—I have decent ideas as well.  Go to www.homepeace.com and follow links for Feng Shui For The Rest OF Us for ordering information.   Hope this helps--Gabrielle Alizay

Hello Gabrielle, Could you please explain and expand on the definition of intention as used in Feng Shui.  I am very interested in learning and improving.  Since I have started to make big efforts and steps toward de-cluttering, we have had a good month of January, when we had many people come to see our house for sale and now the house is sold.  Other good things are happening daily. Thanks Maya

Hey Maya-- You have inquired about the behavior that is the most important part of Feng Shui--intention.  It is the glue which makes the results with every shift or change you make much more effective.  If you were to take a recommendation from a Feng Shui book, a Feng Shui consultant, or a Feng Shui savvy friend and apply it in your home or office--the results are 10% effective.  Little or no results are guaranteed.  However, if you apply your magic, your power, your will to this application of Feng Shui ideas--the results increase to an impressive 120% effectiveness.  These numbers are graciously rendered by the master of this Black Hat Tibetan School of Feng Shui--Master Lin Yun.   Here is a western version of the Three Secrets Reinforcement Ritual of Intention.  It is easy and very successful.   1. Placement of object or recommended action taken  (example: suspend from the ceiling  a chi-catcher about a foot inside a door--to symbolically hold life-force, interest, luck and such of that particular Life Value room.)   2.  Visualize/Imagine that what you are programming has already occurred (example: See or imagine a glitter-like substance throughout the whole room, extending from the floor all the way to the ceiling.)   3. Say out loud statement of intent--always adding barometer phrase (Highest Good...) and always stating in present tense (Example: "Now, Chi stays in this room and in my life.  This or something better for the Highest Good, now occurs.").   Hope this helps—Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle, I have two mirrors in my bedroom, a small antique mirror facing the bed and a long mirror facing the door. I have read that both these positions cause bad luck which I am most definitely feeling. The antique mirror has been in the family for quite some time and I could never part with it and the long mirror is in essentially the only other place in the room I could place them—they are facing each other from opposite walls. Is this unlucky or not? Thank you kindly, Kendrola

Hey Kendrola--Mirrors are complex objects in the bedroom but they can be okay there if proper curing is done.  Here are two things to be aware of about mirrors and why they get a bad wrap in bedrooms...1) a mirror should avoid being in a place where, at night, you could wake up from a deep sleep, sit up, open your eyes, and see a shadowy presence in your room.  It scares the heck out of you--not good Feng Shui--plus the "intruder" is but a reflection of you. 2) a mirror has very "active chi"--all night it puts this chaotic energy out to the bedroom airways--it is kinda like having a kitten playing in your room all night long (kittens rough housing are very cute--but sometimes it might be hard to get a good night's rest with the furry ball running around the room). The cure is the "Putting the mirror to bed at night" Cure.  It is quite simple and has solved the plight of many an insomniac.     Find a piece of fabric which is in your style.  Cover up the entire reflection part of the mirror.  Visualize/Imagine that the active energy from the mirror (see it as, for instance, little lightning bolts) cannot get past the barrier of the cloth.  Then say (for instance), "Now, the active chi of the mirror cannot get past the barrier of the cloth and my nights are full of deep, healing, peaceful sleep.  This or something better for the Highest Good, now occurs."   Finally--I wonder about the DNA history of your family's antique mirror.  Perhaps it has a past that is less than "positive" and such a symbol is acting on your feelings of good things, good luck, and good emotions happening for you.  I am not suggesting that you part with it--but I do suggest a "trial" period where the mirror is not in your bedroom affecting its energy.  Experiment to see if life in general goes smoother without its influence in one of the most powerful places in your home--the master bedroom.   Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Hello Gabrielle, Thanks for your Feng Shui Tid Bits.  Have you heard of the Western School of Feng Shui?  Also, do you believe in using collages?  I have two--one of money (words and pictures) in my family area and one of Barbados (where I would like to holiday) in my wealth area.  Can these work with respect to energy etc? Sincerely—Deela

Hi Deela--Yes, I have heard of the Western School of Feng Shui--I am a Geek--whenever I hear the word, Feng Shui, I listen.  I do not know too much about it, however, I am obsessed with my own.   As far as collages go, absolutely are they powerful! The mind thinks in images, not words.  Also, the subconscious mind is the real power center of the being and is the place to focus on when any kind of manifestation desire in your life is concerned. The conscious mind (will power) is a mere 1/10 of the true power of the being.  Subconscious mind power is 9/10 of the manifestation of every result in your life. Collages act on the sub-conscious mind to help create the reality which you have put in pictures.  I am a strong proponent of any positive, self-improvement images placed in relevant Life Value walls to depict goals already manifest.  Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle, Seems like the more I learn about Feng Shui, especially the different schools of Feng Shui, the more confused I get. Sometimes they clash, so I don't know what to do and want to just throw up my hands and give up on them all. What to do about this situation? Paul

Hi Paul,   I just sent Tid-Bit #11 of my Feng Shui ezine out about this situation (Do you receive this Feng Shui Tid-Bit? subscribe@homepeace.com) --what I would recommend, is that you choose a school of thought that feels right for you and then study only that particular way.  With a little investigation, you will learn the tell-tale signs about each school--and thus--only investigate the school of thought that serves the particular practice that you have decided to study.  Every kind of Feng Shui has a similar result for the seeker--a nice feeling home which, ultimately, will also positively transform your world.  I, of course, recommend strongly the school of Feng Shui thought that I follow--Black Hat Tibetan Feng Shui--It is intention-based, right brained, empowering and user-friendly.  However, for every person, it is important to choose a school that meets your needs on every level of your soul.  Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle, Where are the best places for indoor water fountains this year? Best, Madeline

Hey Madeline, In any year, fountains are always good in the Wealth/Power Section of the Home and Office.  Water in the right amounts, in the right places, stands for abundance.  A water fountain (or even a picture of a waterfall) located in the Wealth/Power area is symbolically saying, "Abundance, in all areas, in always coming in." Also, fountains can be placed in any Life Value that is positively enhanced by water.  Career/Life Path, Family/ Health and Child/Creativity are all places where you may want that idea of abundance always coming in--to bless your life in those areas in general--add a fountain, with intention, to your microcosm--home and office--watch the changes in your world in general.    I am not suggesting multiple fountains in all areas of your home to assure "abundance". There are many symbols and tools to use throughout your place to bring in the luck of the "Chi".  In fact, avoid water features in these areas (they either have a symbolic Element which is detracted by water or the symbolic implications that water suggests are not good)--Fame/Reputation (Fire) or Love Union/Marriage (means too much emotion).   Hope this helps, Gabrielle

Gabrielle, why are you a geek? Is this an insult to yourself or........... what? I can't understand it. Clarify, please--Maurice

Hey Maurice--A "Geek" to me with ANYTHING means having a passionate, all-consuming love affair with that subject. Being a Feng Shui Geek is hardly an insult--it is a "light" way to explain that I am completely, thoroughly, and totally enthralled with the science--in every area of my life....I hope that this helps to explain it--Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle, Your emails are really great !! I was hoping that you could answer a Feng Shui question for me. I get terrible migraines... debilitating ones that have put me in hospital emergency on occasion. Do you know of any Feng Shui things I can do to possibly alleviate this? Someone told me that the direction you face when sleeping will make a difference, as it lines up your head with the earth's magnetic field. Is this talked about in Feng Shui at all? Is there any truth to this? If so what does facing south actually mean.... the top of your head should face south, or your face should face south? Any insight you can offer will be appreciated. Thanks very much! Monique

Hey Monique--the only Feng Shui about directions that I promote is that you should always sleep in the empowerment position. That means that when you are lying in bed with your head on the pillow, you can see the door. I have heard many times of people who claim that there is a "better" direction to sleep in--but because I am a feng shui geek--I say that any "power" direction to sleep in only works if you are also sleeping in the empowerment position. Migraines are a serious condition. My first question would be: What are you doing in your Family/Health area of your home and office? Then I am interested in the Opposite-Attracts Law: what are you doing in your Child/Creativity? Still more--the head is associated with the Bagua Life Value of Helpful People/Travel--this area of your life involves friends, real estate, legal things, bosses, clients, and employees, as well as invisible Helpful People--like angels and gurus. It also addresses the balance of travel in your life--not too much or not too little travel. Finally--I wonder about the history of your home or office--could something in the DNA of the structures be contributing to your debilitating Migraines? It is possible that you might want to do a phone consultation with me--I have clients all over the country. Of course, I can make no guarantees, but making sure all your ducks are are in a row is strongly suggested--remember--making changes in your microcosm (home or office) positively affects your macrocosm (your life in general). If not with me--be sure you get a good Feng Shui book and do yourself a favor--check out and diagnose your symbols! See suggested readings on the site. Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Gabrielle, My wealth area is in need of some creative help! My home is a rectangle and the owners before me added a sunroom to the structure and a wooden deck. Since the sunroom is added to the structure and the deck is added to the sunroom, my wealth area (if I am understanding how the bagua works) is in the driveway. I came up with a red "x" that I spray-painted on the concrete that would at least symbolically make a "corner" and bring it all together. Do you have any other ideas? You can imagine my family's faces when they saw this red "x" in our drive way! HAHAHA!! Thanks for all you do! Sarah

Hey Sarah--If I gave Feng Shui Geek of the Week awards, you would definitely get to take home the trophy. I am humbled and humored simultaneously by the side-effects of a malady I term--"Fear Shui"--the super, overachievement, timidity-of-not-doing-it-right behavior pattern that many times gets ignited in a person who strongly believes in this science--but it not entirely educated. There are many subjects in which I claim, "I know enough about(this)to be dangerous." With such topics--I get outside help. Good for you for educating yourself with a professional! Here is a fantastic quote by Buckminster Fuller to remember: "When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong." The solution you seek is more complicated than a question/answer session. I recommend that you sign up for the "How to use the Bagua..." tele-conference call and/or buy the recording when it is available. Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Good morning, I have a request for you. In your news letters, Would you give some general ideas on how to protect our selves/homes when there is no way to move or remove the offending situation.... (i.e. I can't turn my house around). I am a newbie and appreciate your light hearted news letters. Thanks--Dan

Hey Dan--first of all--my way of Feng Shui is from a Black Hat Tibetan perspective--we use the front door for the alignment of the Bagua, rooms, life values--NOT the direction of the house. Relax--it is all okay--stay patient--on this site, you have access to many many educational resources for the geeks--also--please go to my bibliography page (suggested reading) on www.homepeace.com and also the suggested reading at www.fengshuigeek.com. Plus, I recommend the book, Move your stuff, Change Your Life--a newbie will appreciate this book and it will gently align you to the science. All your questions will be answered in time--and please know--your house is aligned JUST RIGHT--- Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle--my fear buttons are being pushed! Kimy, my dog, needs an operation for his knee and the lowest quote I received was $2,5oo.I feel overwhelmed as I already have a lot out in credit.My room is a wreck and my back is out and I feel sad and very concerned. Can you help? signed--Brandy

Hey Brandy--Breathe deeply and then go to your Helpful People Box (don't have one? Check them out at vmudra.com): Write on a piece of paper: Now the Highest Good Invisible and Visible Helpful People are present to assist me in -----------------. Visualize/Imagine what this is (you picture getting assistance from visible and invisible angels and guides to manifest the best possible scenario regarding your challenges). Then say what you wrote on the piece of paper out loud and stick it in the box. Be patient for the magic and while you wait, did I already say breathe? Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle: I have been practicing being a feng shui geek for some time now,,,,,, our lives have shot straight up but, now , everything from our septic system blowing up , to dishwashers breaking, car problems , health, mind dumps, etc are happening. What is up? Thanks--Isabelle

Hey Isabelle-- I call your phenomeon the "Feng Shui Healing Crisis"--I will do a tele-class on it--when you change the patterns of your microcosm Universe (your home/office) oftentimes chaos comes a-calling until new comfort zones are re-established--hang in there--continue the layering process of Feng Shui and watch how eventually, the crisis will be replaced by peace. Hope this helps--Gabrielle

What do we do in the case that the stove is across from the sink? They said that is bad and can cause quarrels and such. Thanks for the advice--Linda

Hey Linda--actually, a stove across the sink can be a hindrance in creating prosperity in general and in whatever Life Value that the stove falls into (so sure any "poverty-consciouness reality" can cause disputes between co-housing fellows)--the stove is the symbol for abundance--having a sink across from it (water) douses the fire of the prosperity symbolically. It is very easy to cure. Do you want to know that as well? of course you do. Hang a crystal from the ceiling between the stove and the sink. Visualize/imagine that the crystal provides a force field between the sink and the stove--water can no longer douse the flame of prosperity. then say out loud, (something like): "Now, the water can no longer douse the flame of our success. Our lives are abundant and peaceful, this or something better for the Highest Good, now occurs." Hope this helps and good luck--Gabrielle

Somewhere I either read or heard that if you carry a red wallet there will always be money in it and it will bring prosperity according to Feng Shui. Have you any knowledge on this? I’d like to give a couple of red wallets to some relatives who are having financial difficulties and maybe it will bring them a little prosperity, but I like to get a copy of the article or notation that states this. Can you help me out? Thanks for your help--Martha

Hey Martha-- I have not heard directly about such a claim--but if you gave the wallets to your relatives and explained how the power of intention could bring them such abundance (notably the use of the Three Secrets Reinforcement ritual of Intention could be used--lamented wallet sized versions of this ritual are available at www.vmudra.com) I think it would be a very caring and effective gift. Hope this helps--Gabrielle

HI! I am fascinated with your site, it is “GREAT”. I have a question to ask you: I just got a puppy, named poppy, and I would like to know where to set her litter box place. I live in a small apartment and there are not many places to set it. What would you suggest? Thanks so much--Debby

Hi Debby--thanks for the feedback--As far as poppy goes--see if there is room either in the Child/Creativity section of your apartment (Child/Creativity has to do with pets as well as our human kids) and if not, the Helpful People/Travel section (you want Poppy to be helpful to you). Avoid placing the litter box in your Wealth/Power section of your place--besides it not being the greatest symbolic reflection of your abundance--children, animals, and room-mates should not inhabit the Wealth/Power position (without the presence, symbolic or actual of alpha human--you)--it reflects this truth: giving your power away. You can then not be surprised if there are authority issues (with kids), boundary issues (with room-mates), as well as having sweet little beings running your life--perhaps in cute ways--(I am talking about the Wealth/Power pet) but nevertheless running it. Hope this helps--Gabrielle Alizay.

If one is feeling horrible, should they wait to do Feng Shui stuff, so the positive intentions are not tainted with negative energy? --Zoe

No Zoe dear--do the Feng Shui now--speak the intentions even if they are just words right now. The promise is: Healing, healing, healing. BTW, there is NO EVIL, only negative self-talk (which we all have--sometimes quiet chatter, sometimes blaring horns). On a piece of paper write; Now the Highest Good Invisible and Visible Helpful People are here to assist me in feeling fantastic on all levels, in easy and effortless ways. Then visualize/imagine this. Then say it out loud and add it to your box. (no personal Helpful People box? Make one--get one, go to www.vmudra.com site) Hope this helps--Gabrielle

Dear Gabrielle, My bedroom is so small that I don't have much choice but to have to place my study desk facing either "South" or "South-East" which is bad to me as mentioned in some feng shui website. Would you please advise what to do to avoid the negative effects. I'm new in feng shui & my kua number is 2. Thank you so much--Karl

Hey Karl--Your issues and questions are coming from a Compass orientation of Feng Shui. I am Black Hat Tibetan based. Thus we do not deal with directionals in a room or house (except for the Western Windows--which require curing) The proper alignment of your desk from my perspective is to have the desk so that when you sit behind it--you can see the door to the bedroom. This is the Empowerment Position. If this is impossible, a well-placed mirror that reflects the door to the room is advised. Of course, all of this needs to be done with Intention. To educate yourself--join my Feng Shui Tid-Bit Ezine if you are not already subscribed and also go to my website at www.homepeace.com to read my print-friendly newsletter back issues. Hope this helps--Gabrielle Alizay