Today is July 24, 2013 which is a Xin Mao (Yin Metal Rabbit) day in the Chinese Almanac. Coincidentally(?) a crew of men with chain saws, loppers and pruners showed up in my neighbor’s yard (which borders mine) to take down a good amount of height from the English Laurel hedge which is in the… Read More
Cooking, Kitchens, Relationships and Feng Shui
There are some interesting historical correlations between kitchen design, feminism, women in the work force and the divorce rate in the United States The decline of the so called “nuclear family” and “home cooking” follow the same timeline as the rising popularity of the open concept kitchen which came into fashion in the 1970s. As… Read More
2013 Year of the Water Snake Forecast Roundup
I’ve rounded up some of the more detailed forecasts for the year of the water snake 2013 and listed them by author. They are listed in no particular order. Some are forecasts based on your year animal or year pillar, others are forecasts of world events. These forecasts will also give you an idea of… Read More
Planting the Dragon Side of Your Garden
The picture below illustrates the proper feng shui according to the Land Form School. Many people consider Land Form the most powerful feng shui method. Note that the house mimics the position of a person sitting in an armchair with an ottoman in front of it. This configuration is sometimes known as the “comfortable armchair”… Read More
Feng Shui for Gardeners 2013 : Year of the Water Snake
We’re coming up on the end of the year of the Yang Water Dragon or Ren Chen. How was it for you? I think it lived up to the predictions of sudden changes and reversals. One step forward, two steps back. A year of hard work just to stay in place, rather than moving ahead.… Read More
Hurricane Sandy
Sometimes I feel like a bit of a ghoul in the pursuit of knowledge when it comes to feng shui and ba zi. Whenever I hear about someone’s misfortune, which people tend to discuss more than their good luck, I immediately start thinking of questions: When did that happen? How did the person die? In… Read More
Dry Earth
You don’t have to be a gardener, farmer or feng shui consultant to know that the earth in Seattle is dry right now. It’s drier than than I have ever seen it before. This is the first year I have considered the usefulness of an irrigation system. Rather than relying on regular watering my garden… Read More
Yin Yang Garden Design
Most garden design concepts can be explained in terms of yin yang and achieving a balance between the two. Applying the theory of yin yang correctly in your garden will result in a flourishing landscape that surrounds your home with good energy and enhances its value. Gardeners already understand this balance in the use of… Read More
Feng Shui for Gardeners 2012
For purposes of Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology calculations are based on the solar calendar. On February 4th, 2012 we entered the Year of Ren Chen or Water Dragon. Buckle up your seat belts, it may be a bumpy ride filled with unexpected events and reversals, good and bad. In Chinese folklore it is said… Read More
Using Science to Understand Five Elements Theory
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITpDrdtGAmo[/youtube] I saw this video of Richard Feynman explaining the physics and chemistry behind fire on Diane Kern’s blog and just had to share it. I don’t think most people understand that a scientific style of observation is the foundation of practicing Feng Shui. Feng Shui, Chinese Astrology and other components of Chinese Metaphysics are… Read More