Feng Shui Holiday Update

A Season of Good Fortune
Greetings!

December can be a tricky time as we try to simultaneously wrap up the year-end while we gear up for holiday festivities, gift giving and the new year ahead. With regards to the tradition of gift giving, my philosophy (and heart-felt intention) has always been to give gifts that are meaningful and purposeful. Of course, in some cases this is easier said than done which is why in recent years I've chosen to do my holiday shopping throughout the year (less pressure). In the spirit of the season I would like to offer you some uniquely different gift ideas for all the important people in your life . . .

Gift Option One:

Onward Ho (Ho Ho) ~ What could be better than an organizing & uncluttering session to get the new year off on the right foot? This makes a great (group) gift for your child's favorite hardworking teacher and their classroom. Likewise, it can provide a gentle nudge and incentive for your spouse (or colleague's) office, home office or garage space. A lot of people are beginning to find the value in downsizing and keeping things simple, but they're not sure where to start . . . With 15 years of experience, we keep our uncluttering and organizing strategies easy, plus it usually takes a fraction of the time it would take your loved ones to tackle their projects themselves. $85 per hour/$160 for two hours

Gift Option Two:

The Gift of a Healthy Home ~ Occasionally a house can feel stale or "off" with or without any physical clutter. Known as, "sick building syndrome" this condition is the result of subtle energies like electromagnetic fields, geopathic stress, and residual energy (an unfavorable past history), which creates a heavy feeling and can affect a person's health and well-being (i. e., illness and depression). The gift of an Environmental/Space Clearing is that it lifts and refreshes the energy within an environment . . . think of it as an energetic and spiritual renovation for the home. (This can be especially beneficial for those who are moving into or out of a living/working space, nurseries, and for those who need to shift their current relationship with their surroundings.) $180

Gift Option Three:

The Classic Red Envelope ~ A personalized Gift Certificate that entitles your loved one to select a design consultation of their choosing . . . whether it focuses on Feng Shui, color analysis, interior design or green design, our mission is to create a soulful environment that blends beauty and flow while stimulating mind, body and spirit . . . (A consultation can involve a home or a specific room. We also provide creative and healthy solutions for kids rooms and college dorms.) Minimum one hour/$160., special rates for packages.

Other Opportunities ~ Gift Certificates (starting at $25) can also be applied towards upcoming classes, workshops, products and advice. Gift Certificates for all of the services (Options One ~ Three) are attractively and auspiciously presented for added good luck.

As our Gift of Good Fortune to you, you will receive a 2008 Almanac of your favorable days with your purchase of a Feng Shui Resource Gift Certificate. For more information, please contact FSR at: 858.492.8506 or info@fengshuiresource.com.

Warm wishes for a joyous holiday season,

Kathryn

Feng Shui Resource

Things to do in San Diego During the Holidays

One again the holiday season is upon us, and as in the past, I am amazed at how much there is to do.

Seems like every town has a tree lighting ceremony, a parade and other events for the residents and visitors, and you can’t possibly do all this stuff, plus get your shopping done.

Here is a sampling of the things that seemed most interesting, but it is far from a complete list. Plus some other important dates to note

ENCINITAS
The annual parade and tree lighting on December 1. Here is a more detailed write-up on this popular event on the coast.

Quail Botanical Gardens - Garden of Lights, on Quail Gardens Road just north of Encinitas Boulevard. December 7-9, 13-23, 26-30 (5 – 9 PM). Quail Botanical Gardens

VALLEY CENTER
Arts and Crafts Fair – November 23 – 25, 9 – 4:30, at Bates Nut Farm

CARLSBAD
Legoland Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 26

November 23 – Tree Lighting at Forum Shopping Center, Calle Barcelona and El Camino Real in South Carlsbad

Holiday Block Party at Legoland, December 22 – December 31, Legoland

SAN DIEGO
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, at Balboa Park at the Old Globe Theatre, from Nov. 25 – Dec. 30

Big Bay Balloon Parade at North Harbor Drive 10 AM, December 27

Holiday Bowl, 5PM at Qualcomm Stadium, December 27.

OCEANSIDE
Parade of Lights, Oceanside Yacht Club on December 8, 6 – 9 PM. Oceanside

VISTA
Vista Christmas Parade, December 1 (South Santa Fe Avenue and Main Street) 1:00 PM

SAN MARCOS
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer at the Community Center, November 29 – December 2. San Marcos

DEL MAR
Seasons of the Heart Craft Fair, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Holiday of Lights, Del Mar Fairgrounds, November 23 – January 1.

NOTE: The San Diego Convention Bureau has a terrific list of things to do during the holidays.

December 4 - Hanukah Begins at sundown
December 26 – Kwanza begins

Feng Shui Fall Update: Autumn The Season of Decline

Greetings!

I have received numerous calls and emails from clients and real estate agents regarding the recent San Diego fires. I wanted to devote this Update to providing you with some insight on the symbolism and significance of Fire as seen from the perspective of Feng Shui.

Most people associate the element of Fire with destruction. However, Fire actually pertains to purification, which is why it is frequently used in blessing ceremonies and consecrations. There is a widely held belief that when Mother Nature becomes sick or out-of-balance (due to either natural or man-made conditions), she will find a way to heal herself---in this case, purifying the Earth through Fire, with the assistance of Wood. Sadly, it is an unfortunate and, often, unavoidable consequence that humans have become a part of the equation as we have encroached upon nature through development.
As some of you may know, I live in the Del Dios area of Rancho Santa Fe, so we were in the direct path of the Fire. Like many residents, we were evacuated for the week, waiting to hear if our house would still be standing upon our return. One question in particular kept entering my mind during that time period, "Does creating and maintaining a healthy (high vibration) energy environment within your home/land, assist in preventing Mother Nature's purification process?"

For years I have been conducting environmental clearings on my home and land, you might recognize these techniques as "Space Clearings" and "Geopathic Stress detection." I have cleared several lines of GS from my home . . . The lines were running Northwest to Southeast (or, from one side of the house to the other), rather than from the front of the house to the back, or the back of the house to the front. Upon returning home, we noticed that our house, and the houses to both sides of us, had all survived the fire, several houses/structures in front of us and behind us had not been so lucky. Is this coincidence? Are fires really that random, or is there more to energy clearings/environmental healings than meets the eye?

Following the Cedar Fires in 2003 I contacted several of my clients who live in the Scripps Ranch area. A recurring pattern I noticed while working in that area of San Diego was the presence of multiple lines of Geopathic Stress in many of the homes . . . Not one or two lines, but upwards to six or eight lines per household. I'm happy to report that my clients/students (who had done the energy work themselves or who hired me to do it for them), also had homes that survived the fires. While I realize that this is limited in terms of field research, I continue to be intrigued, and I would be interested to know your related experiences, if any.

Most of the Feng Shui Masters I know would say, "There are no coincidences . . ." but I'll leave that up to you. During the week that followed the fires, firefighters continued to patrol our neighborhood. I had the opportunity to speak to several of them regarding the events that had taken place. The response I received was simple, "We were due." Like the ancient Shamans, Geomancers and FS Masters from thousands of years ago who studied nature and the patterns of the Universe, I was informed that fires are also cyclical . . . Depending upon the region, climate and terrain, it is predicted that most areas will encounter a fire every twenty to fifty years. These fires are seen as nature's way of "clearing out" areas, and this decline makes the needed renewal and rebirth possible. I wasn't surprised that this theory echos the larger Universal cycle of energy: Winter = renewal, Spring = rebirth/growth, Summer = peak, early Autumn = fluctuation, late Fall = decline, back to renewal. Understanding this pattern (even if it's in a non-Feng Shui manner) is what enables safety officials to monitor which areas are most vulnerable in the unforeseen future (or, "who's due"). Unfortunately, Santa Ana winds can be less predictable.

Here are some things you can do to honor your home, property and listings:

1. Look for symptoms of Geopathic Stress. (I can send you an article if you're unfamiliar with GS.)

2. Eliminate clutter and debris inside and outside of your home. (Just because you can't see stagnant energy doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Stagnant energy suffocates health, flowing Ch'i and ripples out and infects other areas.)

3. Be respectful of nature when you dispose of items such as pool chemicals, paints, solvents, cleaning and car washing solutions.

4. Consider the benefits of an organic garden as opposed to adding more pesticides and fertilizers to the earth.

5. Invite nature into your home by incorporating bird baths, bird feeders, humming bird feeders, or plants and flowers that attract butterflies, dragon flies, lady bugs, etc. (Note: if there is an absence of wildlife in your area, this could be telling you something. Animals are innately attracted to healthy energy, and will often avoid areas with unhealthy energy.)

6. No matter what condition your home is currently in, love and appreciate it for what it is. Thank your home verbally and energetically---through space clearings. Take heated or intense conversations outside (i.e., a long walk on the beach), as a way of keeping the energy within your home at a higher vibration.

Crisis As Opportunity: The Chinese symbol (calligraphy) for the word "crisis" is the same as the symbol for "opportunity." It is seen as an invitation to create something favorable out of an unfavorable occurrence. A fire (whether you are directly or indirectly affected) can be seen as an opportunity for a spiritual and structural renovation of your home.

If you or any of your clients were directly affected by the fires and are in need of organizing, blessing/environmental clearings, color, design or Feng Shui services, please contact me. I know that rebuilding, regrouping, and reemerging can be an overwhelming process and I would be happy to extend you a special rate.

Wishing you many blessings,

Kathryn
Feng Shui Resource

Next Class: Feng Shui & Symbolism
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 (6:00 - 9:00 p.m.)
San Dieguito Adult School: 760.753.7073

Some Fun at Disneyland

I just recently went to Disneyland for the 2nd time (in about 20 years!). Also got to have dinner at Club 33, their private dining room. Very cool.

Enjoy the pics.

More Good Stuff from the San Diego Rep Theatre

I enjoy going to the theatre and, in particular, like the productions by the San Diego Rep.

I recently had the opportunity to see two more of their shows as part of our season tickets.

Ain't Misbehavin' was a wonderful musical production featuring music by the famed Fats Waller. Lots of singing talent in the 4 stars of this show that has been around for years.

More recently I enjoyed the comedy The Bible: The Complete Word of God. The show was lots of fun, with some great comedy, terrific lines (not all, but most), humorous songs, and lots of poking fun at the Bible. We saw the show on the second night and the actors were still getting their feet wet. There were a few goofs, but all in all it was well worth the time and filled with lots of laughs. Worth going to see...and you still have time to get tickets before their next production Sweet Sixteen.

If you haven't been to the Rep, you are missing some great talent and well done theatre. And ticket prices are very reasonable.

Carlsbad's Cannon Art Gallery Fall 2007 Exhibit

Here are some photos of the latest show at Carlsbad's well-known Cannon Art Gallery. I was iimpressed with the talent and creativity although I am not sure what I think at this point. Decide for yourself (beware - there are 35 slides).

Firestorm 2007 Recovery Resources

Here is a terrific resource of information for those who are recovering from Firestorm 2007, or who know people who need assistance of any kind.

There is lots of information about:

• how to clean up damage
• where to get financial assistance
• details about getting food stamps
• how to remove debris
• lost animals
• reduced vet fees
• food safety
• boil water alerts
• temporary tax relief
• information about insurance and claims
• how to replace lost documents
• and just about anything else that you or people you know may need to help get them started on the road to recovery.

Make sure everyone you know has this website:

San Diego County Recovery Website

If you or someone you know needs help finding a rental, please let me know. I can provide a list of rentals from our local REALTOR boards as well as the MLS.

Also check Craigslist for rentals in your area.