Ask Clare: submit your Feng Shui enquiry for a
personalised, rapid response
For the past few months, I've been swamped by requests for information and I'm finding it impossible to respond to them all personally.
I do, however, read every mail sent in order to answer the most frequently asked questions in the Q&A (questions and answers) section of the Easy Feng Shui newsletter.
However, if any of you have a question that needs urgently answering please click on the buy now button below to ask your question. You will be taken through to our Secure Server. Once payment details have been entered you can submit your question in the ‘type your enquiry here’ box so have your question ready beforehand!
Take a look at the recent questions asked below and you’ll see that the length and quality of my personalised responses are well worth the modest sum of $19.97.
I’ll also get back to you within 48 hours of receiving your enquiry!
Click on the button below to receive your own personalised response to your Feng Shui question.
Look forward to hearing from you! Clare.
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Recent ‘Ask Clare’ questions include:
+++++ Question +++++
I hope you can help me with a really desperate problem. My husband and I moved into our home two years ago. Since then absolutely everything has gone down the toilet including my triple A credit rating. I was on a feng shui web site and found out that my house numbers were really bad. Is there a way to deal with this other than selling the house. I'd really appreciate any help you can give me in this area.
The house address is 2512 Della St., the house was built in 1993/1994. I was told the house numbers created disputes, quarrels, lawsuits and struggle.
This describes exactly what has gone on for two years in our house. I'm absolutely at my wits end. I thank you for your help with this problem.
+++++ Answer +++++
Dear Lesley,
It is true that numerology plays a significant part in defining the energy of your home. Numbers are symbols that carry their own vibration or spiritual capacity. Interest in the mystical importance of numbers can be traced back to the Mayans and the teachings of the Jewish Cabbala which maintains that numbers contain the secret of life itself.
Check out the independent film ‘Pi’ by Darren Aronofsky if you wish to find out more about the Jewish quest for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature!
Having said all that, your house number is not the only factor that determines the energy of your home. If it were solely down to house numbers there would be no need for the in-depth study of energy flows inside your home, your astrological chart, exterior land forms, color, light and a whole host of other factors.
The fact that you’ve been told your house number will result in disputes, quarrels and lawsuits is scaremongering to say the least! Feng Shui is not simply a case of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ luck. It’s about enhancing the pattern of energy that already exists in your home and life. Numerology is there to serve you and not something to be frightened of. There is a positive and negative vibration (Yin/Yang) in all things and this includes numbers.
+++ How to calculate your house Number +++
I wouldn’t advise you move home just yet! When I look at Feng Shui numerology I like to draw on the Native American Tradition. To calculate your house number all you need to do is add up the numbers until you arrive at a number of nine or less.
For example, in your case Lesley you add 2+5+1+2 = 10. Then you add the remaining two numbers 1+0 = 1. So, the numerology for your house Lesley would be a one vibration.
+++ So, what does this mean? +++
On the positive side, number one homes symbolize independence, individuality, creativity, inspiration, assertiveness, striving forth and leadership. One homes are ideal for career minded individuals who want to follow their own instincts and express their originality.
On the negative side, number one homes can be isolating even if you are surrounded by others. There can be a degree of selfishness surrounding members of a one house. Sometimes selfish action may be seen as the only way forward for an individual trying to bring forth his/her ideas. This may be contributing to the disputes, quarrels and lawsuits you’ve been experiencing Lesley.
+++ How can you improve or work with the energy of a one house? +++
As I mentioned earlier, numerology is there to serve you or provide a numerical hint as to what’s going on in your life.
As a first step, you’ll want to pay particular attention to what’s happening in the number one area of the ba gua in your home. This is the area of the ba gua that relates to your career and the element water. Water needs to flow smoothly. If it encounters too many obstacles en-route you can experience struggle in life.
Attending to the one area of the ba gua will ease career issues and make way for new beginnings and opportunities. It will also help you focus, find direction and create a sense of flow.
Here’s a quick list of things that generally come up for people looking to improve the one area of the ba gua in their homes. Deal with the one area of the ba gua first.
1. Clear all clutter! Clutter impedes the smooth flow of energy in your home creating confusion and obstacles for its occupants.
2. Ensure you don’t have any cracks in ceilings or walls which emanate negative rays.
3. All doors must open easily and not be obstructed to create a clear pathway for chi.
4. Clear the path to your front door (trim back greenery) and ensure it’s brightly lit so that Chi can enter easily and opportunities come knocking at your door.
5. Remove any bins from this area (always try to relocate bins and garbage to the family and ancestors area of the ba gua).
6. If the path to your front door is straight the chi may be moving too quickly and overwhelming your home so hang a five cylinder wind chime just inside the porch to slow down Chi.
7. Place two evergreen trees either side your front door as symbols of protection.
8. Make sure you are using the front door of your home (and not a side door as the main entry point) as this will only confuse chi trying to enter and nourish your home.
9. If the entry to your home is small or slightly dark, place a mirror on a wall to expand the energy here. Make sure you can see yourself fully in the mirror when you enter. This will create an impression of space and unblock chi flow.
10. Make sure your front door bell or knocker is in good working order. Can you hear opportunities knocking?
11. Fix broken front door locks or hinges that may impede your entry
12. If you work from home make sure your desktop is always tidy
13. Avoid working in your bedroom (which is too yin or passive a space for yang or active work action)
14. Place a water feature or fountain to stimulate chi flow in career
15. Place a picture of what you want to be doing in life here or a landscape scene that you love and that depicts calm
16. Paint this area a stimulating yellow color to uplift chi
Now, once you’ve looked at the one area Lesley you’ll also want to look at the number four area of the ba gua which relates to wealth. This area will also need attention as you’ve mentioned that your credit rating has plummeted. However, let’s take one step at a time and I’d advise you to make the above changes first.
+++++ Question +++++
Dear Clare,
I have just bought a gold fish bowl and have kept 2 goldfish and one black one. Could you tell me if the south east corner is the right position?
Thanks, Raju.
+++++ Clare's Response +++++
Hi Raju,
Anything that moves including goldfish will activate chi and enhance the energy levels in your home.
Keeping an aquarium in the South East corner is a traditional Chinese cure to activate wealth. Some traditional practitioners advise that nine orange fish be kept together with one black fish. The black fish is symbolically said to absorb any negative chi that may otherwise be directed at you.
However, I've also known practitioners to recommend eight orange fish to one black one. If you can can't fit eight orange fish into your bowl try three orange to one black (as multiples of three generally manifest or result in action).
Some practitioners also recommend adding nine coins to the aquarium or fish bowl again as a wealth enhancer. But, you'll have to ensure that the metal or the coins don't harm your fish.
I'd say don't worry too much about how many fish in your bowl. The important thing to remember is that the activity of the fish will help activate the life force of your home.
I would also recommend that you keep the water bubbling by investing in a small pump as this will activate chi further and keep the water from becoming stagnant. If this is not possible, make sure you change the water on a regular basis and keep it squeaky clean to avoid the build up of 'yukky' green algae.
You'll notice that Chinese restaurants generally place fish tanks and aquariums at the entrance, usually in the career (north) area of the ba gua. This is thought to encourage a steady flow of customers into the restaurant and boost cash flow.
They further enhance chi in this area by shining lights into the water which throw out watery shadows over the walls of the room creating mood and atmosphere - very effective indeed!
Let me know how you go with your fish!
Clare.
+++++ Question +++++
Dear Clare,
My bedroom is located in the southeast sector of my home. What kind of cure do you recommend to enhance wealth?
I really need your advice.
Thanks for your help, Maria.
+++++ Clare's response +++++
Dear Maria,
Normally for wealth I'd recommend jade plants or money
trees, 6 cylinder wind chimes and aquariums. However, these all activate chi or stir it up so something to be avoided in the bedroom where the overriding energy needs to be yin or passive.
So, you could focus on wood energy (as the wealth sector is associated with the energy of wood). The wood you pick should be of the mature variety (elm or oak).
This could include an oak or elm bedstead, side table or chair. You could choose hints of red, purple or lilac. Wood colors nourish or support fire colors so you'll be working with complementary energies. However, please note that I only say 'hints of red, purple or lilac'. Too much red in a bedroom for example can result in overactive sexual energy or passion.
You can introduce these colors in the furnishings, walls, bedspreads, curtains, carpets and upholstery etc.
You could also place money (coins or notes or any kind of imagery pertaining to wealth and prosperity) in your bedroom. The Chinese tend to make use of three coins wrapped in red ribbon for this purpose.
Also remember that this area of the ba gua is not just about material wealth. It's about what's important to you as an individual. Check to see what's already in your bedroom and be sure to place a few of your favorite items here.
You may also want to include pictures or images of things you are grateful for. For example, a family member, a happy memory or experience (things that reinforce your personal "fortunate blessings" as the Chinese call this part of the ba gua.
Hope this helps! Clare.
+++++ Question +++++
Dear Clare,
Thank you for your interesting feng-shui newsletter. I understand my girlfriend better now. My question is about the helpful friends part of the ba gua. Just how can I activate this area?
Any thoughts, please email.
Thank you, Denise.
+++++ Clare's response +++++
Dear Denise,
The helpful friends, travel and guides area of the ba gua relates to your support system in life. Do you have helpful friends to turn to in a crisis? Is there someone there to guide you in times of strife? It also relates to how much you give of yourself.
According to the laws of karma (Hindu karma that is), if you are willing to give of yourself emotionally and spiritually you'll also find support when you need it most.
This area also relates to your spiritual guides and whether you derive help through intuition or a higher source. Another facet of this area of the ba gua is its connection to travel and overseas opportunities.
So, how can we activate this area which can be often overlooked in favor of more pressing issues, i.e. wealth, health and relationships?
1 Hang pictures of where you want to travel
As this area of the ba gua is related to travel you may want to place pictures of an exotic location you've always wanted to visit or live in. I put pictures of France in this area (when I was living in UK) and ended up moving to France to live.
I'm now back living in UK so I'll have to put some pics back up of France to speed my return there!
2 Hang pictures of angels or spiritual beings
If you feel alone in life and would like more of a support network, place pictures of angels, guardians & spiritual beings in this area of the ba gua to attract the right kind of help you need.
3 Hang photos of you enjoying yourself with friends
This area of the ba gua is associated with helpful friends so it's great to reflect this by introducing photos of you enjoying with friends. Equally, if you are looking for a more active social life (maybe you are trying to bring romance into your life), try putting your telephone and address book here.
It's all a matter of symbology, don't forget!
Hope this helps! Clare.
+++++ Question +++++
Hi there,
I'm Michael Ng.
I want to understand more about these feng shui concepts. Can you please help?
1. What is Wu Ji?
2. What is Tai Ji?
3. What is the dynamic equilibrium of ying and yang?
+++++ Clare's response +++++
Hi Michael,
What you are referring to is Toaist philosophy. The study of Feng Shui begins with an understanding of the Tao which basically advocates living in harmony with the natural world as opposed to against it - sound familiar?
The Tao focuses on the process by which all things are created and how they eventually return to the source. Wu Ji or Wu Chi is usually represented by a whole circle and symbolizes the Tao, the source of all things. It represents a state of stillness and harmony.
T'ai ji or t'ai chi on the other hand is the symbol for change. You are probably familiar with the modern t'ai chi symbol. If not, take a look at the following webpage:
http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/4687/symbol.html
Yin is the dark, cold, female, flexible, yielding, cautious, inactive, cool side of life (shown as the black area).
Yang is the light, hot, male, stubborn, unyielding, bold, active, passionate side of life (shown as the white area).
The t'ai chi symbol indicates that everything in the Universe contains both light and dark, positive and negative which are complementary rather than conflicting. The two small dots within each area tell you that Yin contains a tiny particle of Yang and that Yang contains a tiny particle of Yin.
I think this is what you mean when you refer to the 'dynamic equilibrium of Ying and Yang'. Nothing is totally Yin and nothing is totally Yang.
It is only when you find the dark in the light and the light in the dark that you achieve harmonization or balance.
Hope this helps, Clare.
+++++ Question +++++
Dear Clare,
Which door should I use to align the ba gua? I always use the side door as it's closest to the driveway. However, visitors still use the front door. I've read your ebook and it says try to use the front door but I'll have a hard time persuading my husband and children to alter their ways.
Thanks for your help,
Monique, Texas, USA.
+++++ Clare's response +++++
Hi Monique,
If you enter your home via a side entrance or a garage door it's always best to start re-using the front door of the home. If you don't use it, you won't be maximising on the positive energy that's waiting to come in!
The only time I'd reconsider the above rule is when a main road points directly at your front door. In this instance, too much yang energy from the cars and straight lines of the road will be pointing at your front door (symbollically attacking it). Unless you erect a visual barrier (trees, shrubs or wall) you may prefer to use your side door.
Other factors such as the lie of the land and location and height of external buildings and structures (tv masts, church spires) may also alter the chi of the front door. However, without seeing your property it's difficult to say.
So, try to align the ba gua to your front door first and see what experiences you have. I'm sure the family will get used to it once they experience the benefits.
Look forward to hearing from you.....Clare
