Did you know that there are actually foods you can eat on Chinese New Year that can bring you luck?  Millions of Asians will be celebrating the holiday with family and friends.  It is a time-honored tradition.  It can help bring in good fortune to have a hearty meal with friends or family on Feb. 10, 2013.   Try some of these  ”lucky”  foods and see what kind of year you have?  It can’t hurt to try it, plus its fun and delicious!     Here goes…

Noodles                            represent long life if you do not cut them.

Dumplings                     represent money bags

Spring Rolls                    similar to gold bars (money)

Lettuce                              Cantonese word sounds like rising fortune

Oranges                             fruitful life of abundance

Rice Cakes                       sweetness in life

Long Leafy Greens and Long Beans            served whole to wish a long life for parents.

Fish and chicken  represent happiness and prosperity esp. when served whole.               

Clams                                    resemblance to buillon so means money

Duck                                       Fidelity

Eggs                                         Fertility

Bean curd or tofu, however, is avoided because its white color suggests death and misfortune.

Have a fortune cookie for fun!

Enjoy,

Belinda Mendoza

Certified Feng Shui Consultant, Austin, Texasa

Design For Energy

512/740-1251

 

 Feng Shui Tips to Prepare for Chinese New Year of the Snake on Feb. 10, 2013

and Bring In Good Luck :

 

 

1) Get rid of clutter esp. in office, bedroom, kitchen.  Discard, donate, anything unneeded,or unwanted. Clutter holds back money flow.   This includes e-mails.  Clean out your refrigerator for good health in the New Year.   Do this before the 10^{th of Feb.} 

2) Write new intentions for what you REALLY want in 2013 and place in a red envelope.

 3) Don’t sweep or wash your hair on Chinese New Year, Feb. 10^th as it is considered unlucky.

 4) Clean Your Home, wash windows, repair anything broken, oil hinges on front door.  Do this before the 10th and not on that day.

 5) Create a wish tree.   Spray paint it gold.   Hang wishes on tree with red satin ribbons or cords. Place on dining table or living room.

 6) Place Chinese Fireworks on your front door to ward of negative energy.

 7) Wear lots of gold this year.  Red and Blue are also good.  

8) Wear all things reptile -skin looking.  Snake printed pants, snake key chains,  pendants, lapel pins, rings. 

 9) Use red envelopes to pay bills or send important documents.  Its considered good luck.

 10) Anything you do on Chinese New Year will set the tone for your year.  So no arguing or angry thoughts on this day. 

11) Keep knives and scissors out of sight on the 10th.   It is believed they cut up your money. 

12) Add Chrysanthemums to your home or office for good luck and Orchids for love.

13) Celebrate with family and friends over a delicious and hearty meal.  Eat “ Good Luck foods” like mandarin oranges. They represent abundance.

14) Feng Shui your home or arrange it in a way that feels new and fresh.  In other words, move some things around from their usual position to create the positive change you desire.  Schedule a feng shui consultation.

 

Have Fun!  Gong Xi Fa Chi. 

Belinda Mendoza, Your  Certified Feng Shui Consultant Austin  and Advisor at designforenergy.com

512/740-1251

Powerful Salt Water Cure Needed for 2013

Hope you are having an amazing and magical year.  Don’t forget what we discussed for Chinese New Year.  Keep your homes clean, organized, free of clutter.  Space Clear by smudging if needed.  Add your 2013 cures if you have not already or ask us to help you.   These things will enhance your year and boost your prosperity!

In our blog article on 2013 Cures, we mentioned some very severe areas of the home that we needed to remedy.  Sickness and Disaster, located in the Southwest and Center of the home.  Besides the 2013 cures you placed like a 6 rod windchime, you need this very powerful Salt Water Cure.  It was known only to be used by very experienced masters.  It is now a popular feng shui cure used to neutralize the potentially negative effects of challenging feng shui annual stars in a home or office.  In recent years, the remedy has been posted on the internet.  With concern for the proper use, consultants have been trained to use it and now offer it to their clients.  I pass it on to my clients and feng shui students each year.

This feng shui cure is usually used for feng shui star # 2 and star # 5 (some feng shui practitioners also use it for star # 3). As each of these negative feng shui stars are of an element that is weaker than metal – # 2 and # 5 are earth, while # 3 is wood – a strong metal cure is used to weaken their energies, thus their negative effects.

Be sure to have some understanding of  the annual stars  feng shui info, as well as the basics of the flying star school of feng shui, as this will give you a better feel for the use of the salt water cure.  Check out the Idiot’s Guide to Feng Shui for more info.on compass or flying star feng shui.  Despite the title , it is a great book on explaining the system.

Basically, if  in any given year these “unlucky”  stars – # 2, #3, or #5 – are located in your bedroom, your kitchen, your living room or your front door (as well as any other areas you spend a lot of time in, such as the home office, for example), then you can use the salt water feng shui cure to negate the bad energy.

However, if these stars are located in an area with a closet,  a bathroom, a storage area, or just an empty, unused space in your home or office, then you might not need to apply the feng shui salt water cure.

• Check the Current Location of Challenging Feng Shui Annual Stars.  Check out our last blog article:   http://diyfengshuitoday.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/2013-forecast-and-flying-star-cures-packet/
  
• The harmful directions that need a Salt Water cure this year are the Center and the Southwest.

In order to avoid confusion, it is important to understand that this cure is used by the Flying Star school of feng shui which calculates the yearly movements of the beneficial and not so beneficial feng shui energies (stars). This cure is rarely used by other feng shui schools.

However, as with any other popular cure, understanding its essence is a big part of achieving success with feng shui.  So, why is the salt water cure considered powerful?

Salt is an ancient mineral with precious properties, including strong cleansing properties, and it has been used in various cleansing rituals since very old times. Salt is also used in various body purification treatments and massages, as it has the ability to absorb the negative, dull, low energies, thus leaving the energy fresh and pure.  Old salt mines have been  used to store unused nuclear materials for their neutralizing effects.

In simple terms, the salt water feng shui cure combines the strong purifying effects of salt and water combined with the chemical reaction between metal and salt (as you will see, the metal element is present in this cure with the use of Chinese coins.)

Salt that is used for purification is not to be consumed; and in feng shui this cure is discarded after a specific amount of time, usually after one lunar year. A new salt water cure is usually placed in a home or office before the Chinese New Year.

The look of this feng shui cure will change in time, especially if there is a lot of negative energy in the space. The container will have a build-up of salt crystals overflowing its edges, in some cases quite a thick build-up, so many people change this cure more than once a year.

If you are interested in the salt water feng shui cure, and feel that your home might benefit from it, here are the basic instructions for creating and using one.

ITEMS YOU NEED FOR THE SALT WATER CURE:

- Salt (ideally high quality rock salt or sea salt)
- A Container (16 oz. or larger glass, porcelain or metal.  Jelly and mason jars work great)
- 6 Chinese Coins (made from brass)
- Water (to fill 3/4 of your chosen container)
- A protective mat, or a stand.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Fill your chosen container with salt up to 3/4 of its capacity.
2. Place the 6 Chinese coins on top of the salt; the coins should be placed with the Yang side up (the side with the four Chinese characters).  I have used nickels, pennies, quarters, dimes, before.  If so, use five pennies and a dime or five pennies and a nickel.
3. Add filtered or bottled water to fill the container to the top.
4. Place the container on a protective mat, or stand in the home area where you need the cure.
5. The salt water cure container should be left open, do not cover it or place it in a covered space, such as a kitchen cupboard, for example.

PLACEMENT SUGGESTIONS:

• Place your salt water cure in an area where you know the container will be safe, i.e. not tipped over, moved or otherwise tampered with. Usually a room corner works well.

• If you do not like the look of the salt water cure (it will change even more in time); be sure to place it behind a decor object so that your feng shui cure is not visible. For example, you can have your salt water cure behind the sofa, a screen or a big lush plant.

• You should be able to have access to your salt water cure in order to add water as needed.

HOW TO DISPOSE YOUR SALT WATER CURE:

• Because the feng shui salt water cure will absorb and accumulate a lot of negative energy, care should be taken with its disposal. Do not cleanse the bowl and the coins, but rather properly discard the whole cure.

The feng shui salt water cure is usually used in tandem with other metal cures, because the ill effects of the flying stars # 2, # 3 and # 5 are destroyed by metal. So, feng shui cures such as a 6 hollow metal rod wind chime, a metal Wu Lou (Chinese gourd) or metal bowls are often used in addition to the salt water cure in order to achieve best results.

The use of number 6 – as in the number of Chinese coins for the salt water cure, as well as the number of metal rods in the wind chime – is based on the fact that in feng shui, 6 is considered to be a number with strong metal essence. (See the I Ching trigrams of the Bagua with 6 in the Chi’en trigram, a metal element trigram).

This is about all you need to know to create a feng shui salt water cure!

If you have a question about the salt water cure, or any other feng shui applications, ask your question on our blog or contact us via e-mail at www.designforenergy.com.

We are also on Facebook.  Please LIKE us on Facebook.  We are happy to come to your home or office to help install 2013 cures and set up salt water cures at the same time.

Call us for an appt. anytime.

Have a Successful and Powerful 2013!

Belinda Mendoza

Certified Feng Shui Consultant, Author, and Teacher, Austin, Texas

Design For Energy

http://www.designforenergy.com

512/740-1251

See our reviews on Yelp and LinkedIn

Consultations for homes, businesses, and real estate needs

Space Clearings, Blessing Ceremonies

Sales/Marketing Coaching

Life Guidance Readings

Hello and Hope You Are Having a Great Year so Far!

If not, remember these things:

The Solar Calendar of the West begins in Jan. of each year.  It is a time we normally think about setting new goals.  The  Lunar calendar began on February 10th  shifting from Yang Water Dragon to smaller Yin Water Snake.   The snake  is powerful, enticing, sensual, destructive, and transformative.  Its that time to be setting new Intentions and energizing your home and office for success.  Some people like assistance setting up their space to attract the good energies for the year.   E-mail us or call us to set up your session today.

Snake Forecast:  There will be more economic difficulties in the US and more strife especially in the  Middle East and East.  Continued terrorist and sneak attacks.  Pearl Harbor was attacked in a Snake Year.  Diseases  such as viruses and stomach problems on the rise.   We are already seeing that with the flu going around.  So take your vitamins and wash your hands more this year!    More sexually transmitted diseases and an increase in AIDS and HIV.  If you are a Monkey, Tiger, Pig or a Snake, health is important for you this year.  Get extra rest and boost that immune system.  Beware of gossip mongers.   Good news is that  travel will increase.   There is money in sales.  Good year for entrepeneurs.  Real Estate will improve.  Increase in film and movie industry.  Read individual sectors for areas they influence this year.

Gold is the big color for the year so wear it, decorate with it,  use it wherever you can.  Jewelry, gold wallet, purse, shoes, gold -leafed  items.  Add gold buddhas to your decor.  Blues and Reds are also great for that Water and Fire energy of the Snake.

Water Snake year will be a year of shifts both good and bad.  It is a time to remove the old skin like a snake does and get rid of anything not supporting you.  Let go of attachments.  De-clutter to attract more opportunities, lose weight if you choose for more energy and confidence, get rid of old romances or dalliances or friends not supporting you,  and make way for new beginnings.

It is said that all the stars are potent this year as they are “all flying home”.   This makes for a very potent year.   All the stars are at their full capacity.   We want to take advantage of all the prosperous energies coming in this year and mitigate the harmful ones.  There are several challenging sectors in the home this year as well as some attracting wealth. The more you spend your time in a certain room the more potent the stars are.   Our offices, bedrooms, or front door may  need to be remedied as they will be activated.   I make an effort each year to simplify this information for you that comes from several of my favorite  masters.  Here are some things to be aware of this year…

Areas of Concern:

5 Center is the  Yellow which is Disaster and Danger.  Use metal or play music here.  You can use windchimes, bells, place a metal sculpture.  Add 6 metal coins for prosperity.  Kitchen or bedroom needs a six rod windchime.  5 element pagoda if SW is in bedroom.  Place a bagua mirror on front door if your house faces SW.

3  East is the Illness Star and Arguments.  Oldest son; Family issues;  Add Fire.  Use the color red, candles,  red tassles, red quan yin or laughing buddha, or lighting here.  Red shirts for the boys.  Golden laughing buddhas;  2 foo dogs and a dragon or any other strong animal figurine; Do not sit with back to the East.  Face it.   Legal issues.   Take vacations.  Travel diffuses the bad energy.

4 Southeast is the Grand Duke again.  Misfortune.   NO digging up the earth or remodeling in this area.  Keep quiet and try not to disturb. Hang a 6 rod metal windchime.

But, if not for Grand Duke position, normally SE is a lucky sector… so, for anyone who teaches, writes, communicates, and for love,  it is a good sector.    Investments good.  Do not face the Grand Duke (SE).  The area is smaller this year at 142.5-157.5 degrees.  Be sure to use a compass.  Rose quartz for love and romance; 2 love birds or mandarin ducks;   9 level pagoda for protection; quan yin statue to carry in your purse or other spiritual amulet for protection;  Quan Yin statues.  No water here.

! Actually,  no digging in the Center, Southwest or Southeast this year.  Place bagua mirrors on your front door if your home or business is facing any of these directions.

2 Southwest is Sickness.  It is especially bad for women this year.  Abdomen.  Tension in relationships. Place a bronze statue to fortify health. Wear or carry a spiritual amulet in metal.  Fans help.  Hang a 6 rod windchime.  6 chinese coins. Pendulum clock.  5 element pagoda.  Ring metal singing bowls periodically to disperse negative energy.  Lots of lush green plants around.  Fresh flowers all year will do wonders.  Remember to take care of your landscaping.  Keep it quiet.  Needs metal and anything that is happiness.  Gold happiness buddhas; brass dragons or wealth gods.

7 West is Violence.    Place a glass jar with water and bamboo here for money luck.  Blue rhinos or buddhas or a water pond also good here.  Don’t leave your pets alone with children.  Animal bites.  Bullying.  Have your kids wear blue.  Love birds for romance luck.  No metal here.

Good Sectors!

1  North is bringing in good fortune this year.  If your front door is facing North, expect good financial luck.   Moving metal.  Golden bells in your office to bring in money.  Place a strong metal windchime in this area.  Television in North part of home or office will activate this lucky star.  Place 6 lucky chinese coins or a coin tree for added abundance.  Water or water symbols also help.  Prosperity frogs.

8 Northeast is great for wealth this year.  Great for making things with your hands.   Writing, Crafts, conducting.  Good year for making money decisions.  Add beautiful vases or earth objects.  Crystal balls or globes also activate wealth here.  Not too many plants.  Add lights as it stimulates your mind for ideas.  Whatever living space you use, activate the NW corner of that room. Red laughing buddha.  8 coins on red string with tassle.  3 legged prosperity frogs.  Treasure ship.  Wealth tree.

9 South- Place a thriving plant to bring in success and recognition.   Good for pregnancy.  Add nine items in red:  9 red fish;   Wood Quan Yin;  Amethyst crystals;  Good  luck selling your house if you want to.

6 Northwest-   Heavenly White 6 Star is Lucky with Travel, Helpful People, Patriarchs, Foreign Travel.  Bestows opportunity, promotion, advancement.  Man of the house will benefit.  Brings windfall potential to the family in coming year.  If you have a home facing NW, you will enjoy greater abundance this year and an opportunity to come to the attention of someone who can help you get ahead, most likely an older influential person who lives far from you.  Father will become more involved in business pursuits and this could cause some overwork.  Sudden and expected good news and tidy sums for those with NW living rooms or houses facing NW.  Activate with globes, gems, wealth bowls and metal objects for more windfall energy!  6 lucky chinese coins.  Round metal objects, windchimes, bells, and metal singing bowls.  Place a wealth bowl in the NW corner of the living room to help bring in more wealth and opportunities to the household and breadwinner.

Unlucky Houses this Year (direction your house faces):   East, West

Either way:  Northeast and Southeast

Lucky Houses:  North/South axis house

Northwest/ Southeast (just don’t face Grand Duke: SE)

When placing cures for 2013 remember these important tips:

a) Make sure you use a floorplan and/or a good compass so you  locate the exact rooms for the stars.  Use an Iphone or hiker’s compass.

b) Make sure you remedy both the bad and the good sectors.

c) Cures suggested are for ideas.  You do not need all of the things listed.  Pay attention to the element needed.  You might have a metal guitar you play and that would work for the Center.

d) Be sure to use the rooms where the good stars are located.  The more use, the stronger the good energy and effects in your life.

e)If using cures from last year to re-position, be sure to cleanse them before you use  them again.  Use water with soap, native american sage to smudge, or aromatherapy purification oils.

f) State an Intention with each cure and say it to yourself or out loud when placing them in the home or office.  ”This windchime is for protection or for my health” is an example.   This helps you connect with that cure or enhancement.  See the results of what you desire as already happening for you.  This process just empowers the cure or remedy.  Be sure you have a clean home when placing the cures as they represent new beginnings and energies.

g) Make sure the cures are all working, not broken, or damaged in anyway.   If throughout the year, some wear out, simply replace.  If you get good quality items they should last all year.

h) No water anywhere in the Northeast during Period 8 ( now until 2023).  You can place outside in areas close to it.

Create a  wish tree.  Branches painted gold.  Add ribbons with wishes.  Place in living room or office.

Gold is hot color for the year!   Women wear chunky gold jewelry.

Other good colors:  Green;  Men: white, grey, gold, metal colors.  Kids wear blue.

We carry some of the feng shui cures in Austin, Texas  should you need any.  Also, go to our website, http://www.designforenergy.com  and click on Feng Shui Cures to be forwarded to a shop we recommend with good prices.

*Salt Water Cures will be needed as well.   Read our blog article:    http://diyfengshuitoday.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/powerful-salt-water-cure-for-2013

Have a Fabulous  Year of the Snake!

Belinda Mendoza

Certified Feng Shui Consultant, Author, and Teacher,  Austin, Texas

Designforenergy.com

512/740-1251

Did you know you could feng shui your car?  Feng Shui is the art of harmonious object placement but is also about living a life in harmony.  You car like your home or office, is where you spend a lot of time.  It will affect your chi (energy).  How?  If its cluttered, dirty, not working well, you don’t feel as productive.  It is not a pleasure to drive that automobile, meaning not a pleasure to go through life.

Cars represent our vehicle through life so Love it!

Just like our bodies and our homes, we must maintain our vehicles.  Do we ride through life in comfort and high performance or in depressing, low energy ways?

I had  to revisit this myself this past week.  I know this feng shui rule about cars so I do my best to maintain my small SUV.  I get regular check-ups for oil, filter, fluids, plugs, battery, tires, etc.  If they find anything else, I repair it.  I have been on a maintenance plan all of 2012 with a shop in Austin, Texas.  The owners of the shop are nice guys who know their stuff so I felt confident my car was in good condition.

A couple of days ago I drove to see a client and when driving home after my consultation about 7pm, I noticed my car starting to make a lot of noise, then it slowed down as I was driving on the freeway.  As I started to accelerate, it slowed down even more making a louder noise.   I started to make my way to an exit to get some gas I also needed and to check out the problem.  As I began to move to the right lane, smoke started coming out of the hood.  I knew that was a very bad sign.  I made my way to the right side of the freeway off the lane, put my hazard lights on and called Roadside Assistance.  I knew I was not going to open a smoking hood.  They said it would be about 45 min.  So here I am, a  female, stranded on  the freeway, in the dark, waiting for a stranger to come hook my car up to a truck.  I called friends who advised me to get out of the car and wait away from it as I might be hit by freeway traffic.  They watch more television than I do, so I took their advice.

Once the tow truck arrived, it was minutes to get me hooked up and then a short distance to a repair shop near my home.  I had to leave it overnight since it was after hours.  I was lucky to find a friend who could pick me up.  She drove me home.

Next morning I had to call the auto place to tell them about my car and make arrangements for a rental car since I still had to travel to work.

After a few hours, the auto place called me back to say they could not fix my SUV as the problem was within the engine.  They recommended a good engine shop.  My insurance paid for the tow to the next shop.  I had my friend take me to get a rental while the tow truck was taking my SUV to the second shop.  This all happened effortlessly.  I was grateful.

Once it arrived at engine shop they could not have an answer for me for a couple of hours so I was anxious waiting.  I called back and they said as far as they could tell without really getting into the car fully, my engine was going to need “major surgery”, running over $1500.00!  A couple of days after that I get a call that I also need a new radiator.  So, as of this writing, I am still not sure of what my final costs will be plus the many days of renting a car.

My first thoughts as all this was happening was, “all those mechanics servicing my car all year, couldn’t have detected a leak  or problem which would have prevented this.  This is why I had it maintained all year”?  Apparently, my car was low on coolant and it destroyed some engine parts and radiator.  Now my coolant levels had been checked a few days before and were fine.  I had no sensors in my car to warn me of this problem. 

After some frustration at the problem and disappointment in the repair people who had previously worked on my car, I came to some realizations…

While this is more expense than I need or want right now, I see this as further maintaining my life.  Why is it that some people who lead a healthy lifestyle, excercise, eat right, are spiritual and happy,  end up with cancer?  Life happens.  My car is not new just as some bodies are not.  They need constant care and maintenance.   Gratitude is also important when thing don’t go your way.  Whatever repairs I have will still be less than purchasing a new car.  By maintaining your vehicle on a regular basis and unexpectedly, says you are investing in your life.  You are optimizing it, making it work better, more efficiently. Yes, it might cost some money, but worth it in the long run. 

Some things to consider about your car and enhancing your Feng Shui:

1)Keep your car uncluttered.  Clutter is stagnation and will slow down your results in life.  Keep same colored bins for good flow in your trunk for items you need to transport.  Monitor your glove box too.  Store only the most important papers like your car insurance, important phone numbers like roadside assistance, good mechanic, and maintenance records.   Keep copies at home.

2)Keep your car Clean.  Wash it often.  Keep windows and glass clear.  If dusty or dirty, you can’t see well.  Windows are the eyes of the people.  What are you not seeing clearly in your life?

3)Keep your car maintained.  Get regular tune-ups, check tire pressure.  You need to be safe.  It shows you care about yourself.

3)Hang a 20mm round faceted crystal on red string on your rear view mirror for protection.  Place an intention with it for safe driving for you and your passengers.  Crystal is to ground energy and red is for protection.  (A Black Hat Sect Feng Shui Cure).  One of my teachers did this years ago and was in a bad car accident.  Her car was totaled after someone hit her.  She was unharmed with not even a scratch on her.  Ever since then I have had a crystal hanging in my rear view mirror.  At least once a week I charge it with a new Intention.  I place my hand on it and say,  ” Protect me and my vehicle”.    Use whatever works for you.

5)Place some coins or money in your glove compartment or side door to remind you that you always have money.  If you spend it, replenish.  You can always take it out if getting your car repaired or washed.  If its a few dollars, you might give it to the attendant washing your car as a tip.  Its good feng shui!

6)Keep a spare key of your car in your purse or wallet and at home.  If you get locked out, you might not have to call a locksmith.  It is like being locked out of your home.  Somewhere there is a block.  Maybe you just need to slow down and take some time to regroup or organize your life a bit.

7) Choose a good car color based on your birth year.  Chinese animal has an element.  Fire Monkey for example would be the color red.  You can also choose the color that enhances the element.  Green is wood element.  Wood feeds fire.  So if you are a Fire Element, you could drive a red or a green car.  You can also use your Kua number and its element.  Google Kua number and you can find out your element and color. This way you are in harmony with your car just like when you wear clothes that suit you, you feel great.

Feng Shui is based on the flow of energy (chi). Everything is made of energy, including our thoughts.   See yourself driving safely on your trips, having your car run smoothly.  Play calming music in the car (not so calming as to put you to sleep), energize it with aroma therapy  spray like Eucalyptus or if stressed, Lavender.

See all car issues as things you need to maintain in your life.  Get them fixed and you will life will continue to run smoothly.

Safe Driving out There!

Belinda Mendoza

Certifed Feng Shui Consultant

Design For Energy

www.designforenergy.com

512/740-1251

Did you know the ancient chinese art of feng shui which is all about improving energy flow and creating harmony, can be used for work cubicles?  I have been fortunate not to have ever worked in a cubicle space.  I say that since I am a bit claustrophobic.  I have been fortunate to have had offices of my own or worked from home and had my own space.

But…, I have worked with many clients by phone and in person to create  more creative, harmonious, and energizing cubicle spaces.  It is a passion of mine since I do feel for you .  Good news is that there are ways to make your cubicle Rock!

11 Key Feng Shui Tips for Inviting Prosperity and Harmony into Your Cubicle at Work:

1) Make your space personal.  Add colors, items, that make you feel good in the space.  Some family photos, hobbies, interests. Not too much, just a hint of home.

2) Add green plants to neutralize electromagnetic energy.  Computers and electricals close to you for hours at a time can really drain your energy leading to health problems. 

3) Soften any sharp edges.  File cabinets can have sharp edges.  Place a scarf or fabric piece on edges to cover them.  Sharp edges create arguments and irritations on the job.

4) Face the door when working.  It is the most commanding position in a room. If you cannot and your back is to the entrance, consider a mirror on your computer monitor.  Several companies now make feng shui mirrors.  You can find these on the Internet.   http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Gear-Rearview-Mirrors-2/dp/B000QHVJWA

5) Write Intentions and affirmations for what you want in your career.  Place these in a red envelope where you can see it to remind you of what you have asked to flow in your life.  Place on South wall of cubicle to enhance fame and reputation at work or to get a promotion.

6) Place a jade plant (money plant) on your desk for money growth in your career.  Keep it alive.

7) Have a balance of yin and yang.  Light and dark colors, different textures.

8) Have some  representation of the five elements.  Fire, metal, wood, earth, water.    Not too much of any one element like too much  metal or wood or the color white.

9) Enjoy your cubicle.  Have fun with it.  Tailor it to your industry.  The more creative the industry, the more creative the cubicle.  Decide whatever chi you want the cubicle to attract.   More creativity, fun, knowledge, serenity, harmony, stress-free, etc.  Surround yourself with  items that reflect this energy.

10) A key feng shui principle is that the object closest to you has the most impact.  In a small space like a cubicle, you will feel more things than if in a larger office.  So, choose wisely when decorating.  Don’t overdo or add too much. 

11) Keep Clutter down.  Clutter is stagnation and blocks flow.  Clean off your desk regularly. 

Guess what?  These tips can also work well if you have an office.

Call us for help with your cubicle anytime.  We can help by phone or e-mail. We offer a Free 30 min. phone assessment of your space.  Call us anytime.

*The cubicle in the picture needs a computer monitor mirror but otherwise is a creative and fun design with some natural elements like live plants.   Bamboo tree is a bit large taking over much of the space.  An organic feel with the bamboo wall paper and mat adds to a natural feel.

Belinda Mendoza

Urban Feng Shui Master

Trained in Black Hat/Western and Classical Feng Shui

Design For Energy

www.designforenergy.com

512/740-1251

While bunkbeds have always been popular for space saving in a room as well as fun for kids, they are not the best for your child’s health or their sleep.

Bunk beds suppress chi (vital energy) which creates a heaviness for the one sleeping on the bottom bunk.  The one at the top has little space between the child and the ceiling so the same issue exists.   You need to be creative with remedies for these types of beds. 

No beds with drawers underneath as the chi or energy needs to flow all around the child for optimum health.  Stuff underneath causes stagnation.

Need a solid head board and foot board for balance.   You can use a chest or seating bench at the base of the bed to serve as foot board.

No beds with slats at the head area.  Solid head boards are best.  Fabric or wood are recommended.  This allows for solid support when sleeping.

Use organic materials like wood rather than plastic or acrylic for the bed.

*Best beds are twin or full depending on the size of the child with a sleigh bed type of design made of wood.

Read our article on Tips for your Child’s well being and setting up a good feng shui kids room on our website.

http://www.designforenergy.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=33

Call us for a Free 30 min.  assessment of your child’s room today.

512/740-1251

Wishing your children many fortunate blessings,

Belinda Mendoza

Feng Shui Master

Design For Energy

www.designforenergy.com

The Sickness Star flies into the North this year.  You must remedy this area with some metal.  In feng shui, metal windchimes work well. 

6 metal hollow rods are most effective and can be found on the Internet and at most garden stores or depts.  This helps to deflect that negative energy coming in this year.  It is also a good idea to wear something metal that feels protective at all times.  Some people don’t like to wear anything around their necks so a bracelet works.  I wear a silver Quan Yin pendant.  She is the symbol for the female buddha.  I love her energy of compassion and healing so I wear her on a black silk cord around my neck.  It feels softer on my skin than a metal chain.  You can also wear a metal chain with a pendant in another material.  You can also carry a protective amulet in your purse or a metal dragon key chain.  I do it all!

Our Jan. 2012 blog explained this year’s afflictions and how to remedy them.  I am focusing on health for this blog since I just came down with the flu by all accounts.  Headache, body aches, chills, fever, low appetitie, weakness, coughing, and sore throat for about seven days!  While I did remedy my home, I was traveling for a couple of weeks prior to homes that were not cured.  I also was not always wearing my pendant.  Yes, even feng shui masters, need to heed their own advice!

I came across someone who was ill and coughing.  I picked up the bug.  I also had asked for better health this year when I wrote my 2012 Intentions.  I had been getting energy work so it was a matter of time that I was going to have a healing crisis.  I might have avoided the severity of it had I worn my pendant, but it was to come.  Flus, colds, etc. in mind, body, medicine, are nature’s way of clearing out the gunk, the past, the old, the stagnant.  Once we get past the illness, we usually feel fantastic.  We are not often aware of how long we have needed to clear the toxins in our bodies.  It takes something like the flu or shingles to wake us up.

The Year of the Water Dragon is a powerful one in many ways.  With it also comes challenges.  Protect your immune system this year as it is being affected by dragon energy.  We will see auto immune diseases on the rise like chronic fatigue, epstein barr, flus, sinsus infections, and inflammatory diseases.  Cancers will also be on the rise and will affect our pets as well.

Best treatment is prevention.  Eating antioxidant rich foods, performing regular excercise, being positive, thinking positive, all play a part in staying healthy this year.  Without our health, our abundance suffers.  We cannot work, create, make money, etc.

The most important thing I wanted to point out is that feng shui is not going to prevent bad things from happening to you.  It certainly minimizes the bad.  There are three things that make a happy life according to ancient feng shui masters:

Good Deeds-  What you do in the world;  the energy you put forth.

Good Feng Shui-  Surrounding yourself with positive energies.

Destiny-  You cannot control this.  It is your karma or your soul’s purpose.

By working on the first two you affect the third.  So put those cures in place, take care of your health, and be happy.

Wishing you great health in 2012!

Belinda Mendoza

Feng Shui Master

Design For Energy

www.designforenergy.com

I spent over 18 yrs. in medical sales and attended hundreds of medical conventions over that time.  I remember one of my most interesting.  It was the Society of Reproductive and Fertility Surgeons annual meeting in Dallas, Tx.  There were over 4,000 physicians from all over the world attending this convention to learn or improve on infertility. Who would have thought it would be such a huge business?  Hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent each year on infertility drugs and procedures.  It seemed like such a paradox to me since there are so many unwanted children in the world.  Unwanted children but people paying to get pregnant?  I found this intriguing.

In my feng shui practice I have had clients with this issue. Tell all your friends who have been trying to get pregnant that feng shui can do wonders.  If you recall in previous blog posts, we have mentioned that feng shui is not a magic bullet, it is not a spell, or anything “woo woo”.  It is all about moving energy. The core concept in feng shui is Chi (energy).  The ancients found that everything in the universe is made up of energy, even a tiny fetus or a soul.

Feng Shui helps us to be in alignment with our desires and the energy of the universe. Sometimes we don’t even know we are blocking things in our lives. We may say we want children but our subconscious fears may be preventing it from happening.

So while you are doing all the right things, seeing your physician or doula, eating properly, getting plenty of rest, staying healthy and positive, maybe getting some acupuncture, and doing yoga to stay limber and reduce stress, there are some feng shui things you can do to help the process. Why not try it all? What do you have to lose?

8 Key Feng Shui Tips For Fertility and Conception:

1) Make sure you have a good bed that is sturdy and comfortable.  One made of natural wood is best. The more organic the materials the better.  It should have a flat headboard with no slats and a footboard.  This gives a feeling of support and balance. No sleeping on the floor.  I worked with a couple trying to have children and they were sleeping on the floor.  A bed was low on their priority list.

2) Make sure you do not have anything under the bed.  Chi must flow all around you.  Things under the bed represent stagnation which leads to illness and poor results.  I had a client who had been trying for years and when she cleared underneath her bed, she got pregnant within weeks.

3) Your bedroom should feel nurturing like the womb with earth colors.  Use tans, peaches, pinks, warm terracottas, light browns, earthy reds.

4) Place a picture opposite you while in bed of children playing or a family with children.  Do not use a photo of another family you know with children but choose an artwork with this depiction.  You will be reminded each night and each morning when you wake up of what you are creating.

5) Place something metal in the West of your bedroom like a sculpture of children playing.  Add something for your new child like a pacifier, or a toy. West represents children in feng shui.  It is “creating or manifesting” energy.

6) Place some stuffed toys on the bed or in the room to bring in softness and child-like energy.

7) Set up your new child’s room with his/her baby bed and items needed.  Some people are afraid to do this in the event they do not get a child, the disappointment would be too great. What one is doing with this thought, is setting things up to happen that way.  Why not see yourself prepared to have a beautiful and healthy baby. Fears create blocks.  Stay positive throughout the pregnancy no matter what anyone tells you. Surrender the outcome to the universe.  Many spiritual masters say the soul has its own purpose and if its meant for you to have children, you will. Be in co-creation with the universe. Do all you can to invite children in allowing all to be fulfilled in divine order and timing.  We have all known of people who tried for years to get pregnant and when they gave up and/or decided to adopt, the baby came.  No forcing results rather be in alignment with motherhood.  See yourself as a good mom having the time and resources to care for your new child.

8) Place a strong talisman or cure or energy symbol(s) in the bedroom for procreation.  The Happy Buddha with all the children on his lap is a good one. Had a client who wanted children and placed this in the West of her bedroom and got pregnant quickly.  We carry beautiful altars/shrines/wish boxes for Fertility made by a local artist in Austin.  One is depicted in the picture above.  It has Madonna and child, metal colors, earth colors, pairs of love birds for partnership, eggs for fertility, and more…  They carry powerful energy that will permeate the room enhancing your results.  Ask us about them.

Fortunate Blessings,

Belinda Mendoza

Certified Feng Shui Consultant, Austin, Texas

www.designforenergy.com

We offer Free 30 minute phone assessments of your space or issue. Call anytime at 512/740-1251.  Visit us on Facebook and LIKE our page.

The song by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, “Love The One You’re With”, is one of my  favorites.  It makes so much sense.  If you don’t have a lover, romantic partner, mate,  you always have you.  Actually you are the starting point.  Loving ourselves draws healthy love to us.  Listen to the song if you like.  Turn up the volume. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5IVuN1N6-Y

Here are some key Feng Shui tips for attracting a love partner or enhancing the relationship you have.

1)Set the stage.  Make your bedroom as nurturing and romantic looking and feeling as possible.

Read our tips for a feng shui bedroom at : http://www.designforenergy.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=33

2) Act as If.  Act as if you already have all the love you want.  How do you do this?  Be loving, do loving things.  If Valentine’s Day and you don’t have a mate, buy yourself your favorite flowers and write on the card, ” to someone special who I truly love”.   Treat yourself the way you would want to be treated.  Pamper yourself.  Now, some of you might read this and think that is pitiful.  The other alternative is to mope, not go out, and feel bad. Do whatever makes you feel beautiful, sexy, handsome, etc.  Have fun, laugh by going to a romantic comedy movie.  If you feel that all the couples will be out and sitting next to you while you are alone, go during the day.  Treat yourself!  Its about being happy.  This is what attracts abundance and love.

3)Wear pink.  Pink is the color for love.  Wearing a pink beaded bracelet will remind you of love.  Pink lipstick will make you feel feminine.  Use pink sheets on your bed to enhance love in your relationship. Hang a pink crystal in your bedroom to attract love.  It is the earth element and represents relationships in feng shui.

4)Add Red for Passion.  Red is a high energy fire color.  It ignites passion and romance.  Add some red to your bedroom.  Wear a red shirt to attract a passionate partner.  Light red candles in the bedroom.  Wear red underwear to feel sexy and energetic.  Place two red roses on your dresser in your bedroom to signify a passionate partnership.

5)Create a love altar or area in your bedroom or entry into bedroom to attract love.  See some samples of our love boxes.  You can create a loving space with key feng shui elements like candles, plants, pairs of mandarin ducks and love birds.  see our FB page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/media/set/?set=a.259135357430986.75063.119473198063870&type=1.  We can design one especially for you to attract love into your life.

May you have much more love and passion in your life starting today.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Belinda Mendoza

Design For Energy

www.designforenergy.com

Contact us for a consultation to feng shui your bedroom for romance!