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May 13, 2006 Fast Feng Shui Newsletter In
this issue:
NOTE: Due to travel and moving into a new home two months earlier than we had expected, we were away from the computer for most of April. If you've been wondering why you haven't received a newsletter for a while, it's because we didn't send any out last month. We're home now and unpacked from both the move and our trip, and I'm finally settled into my new home office and back at work…
How to Use Mirrors as Feng Shui Remedies Mirrors are called "the aspirin of feng shui" because they are useful for so many different purposes, but how and when to use them can be a source of uncertainty and confusion. In this issue we start a two-part series designed to clarify what mirrors can do for you and how to use them as feng shui remedies. Part 1: Expansion Mirrors are among the most useful of feng shui remedies, because they can be used in many different ways to address many different needs. But not all mirrors are effective in the same way, and using the wrong - or wrong-size - mirror can sometimes do more damage than good. Many of the mirrors sold by retailers as "feng shui" or "ba gua" mirrors are incorrectly labeled and promoted, and often the best mirror for the job is not feng shui-specific, and can be found at your local houseware or hardware store. This three-part article explores the different types and shapes of mirrors available, and how to best use them for feng shui purposes. In feng shui applications, mirrors serve three basic purposes:
Purpose #1: EXPANSION When we look into a mirror we see through and beyond the physical plane of the mirror's surface into the virtual space of the reflection. This causes a change in the focal point of our vision, which eases tension in the eye muscles and helps promote relaxation and stress release. The mirror opens up a virtual window in an otherwise flat surface. In feng shui terms this symbolically opens up new vistas, not just for our eyes, but also for our mental "vision" of ourselves and our lives. Small spaces, from a feng shui perspective, equate to limitation: by limiting our freedom of movement in one or more directions, cramped spaces hinder our ability to expand into a fuller and more successful life. For this reason mirrors are often recommended as a remedy to visually - and metaphysically - expand a small space. This is especially important in the entry to a home, where a small foyer or hallway can imply difficulty making one's way in the world. A wall that blocks your movement as you enter a space (forcing you to turn to the right or left to proceed) symbolically blocks your progress in life and/or career. A mirror on the blocking wall opens up a virtual window that enables you to focus on a more distant point. By enabling you to see "through" the wall, the mirror lessens the blocking effect:
(If you are concerned that the mirror will "bounce chi back out the door," place a large floral arrangement on a console table in front of the mirror to help contain chi.) A narrow entry or hallway constricts the energy of that space. This can have a constricting effect on your own energy, either in terms of success and/or health. The lungs especially might be affected, as the constricted passageway in your home is analogous to constricted airways in your body. Widen a narrow entry or hall with mirrors on one or both sides, for greater ease:
A split view - where the entry is blocked on one side but you can see deeply into the space on the other side - is thought to cause tension and mental confusion. This situation is considered more serious than a fully blocked entry because your eyes send contradictory messages to the brain. A mirror on the blocked side helps to equalize the space:
Mirrors are also helpful for correcting "missing areas" in the layout of a home or room:
Even very small mirrors (2-3" diameter) can be used in this way in certain situations. For example, if a utility pole or tree is positioned directly in front of the door to your home, you can place a small round mirror on the pole or tree trunk at eye level to symbolically create an opening through the obstruction. Mirrors are so strongly associated with expansion that you can use even a small mirror to symbolically strengthen and enlarge the energy of a particular area of the ba gua. For example, you can place a small, decorative mirror in the Wealth area of your home to symbolize your intention to enlarge and increase your wealth. A square mirror in a round frame is especially auspicious for this purpose because it represents the shape of a Chinese coin. You can make one for yourself by cutting a square out of the center of a circle of cardboard. Cover the cardboard coin shape with metallic paper and tape a small mirror to the back, so the mirror shows through the square opening. In this case, the symbolic presence of the mirror is what is important; the mirror itself can be quite small. In Part 2 of this article (coming up in our next issue) we'll explore how to use the reflective and deflective qualities of mirrors for feng shui applications.
Recommended Resource
Feng
Shui Q+A Q+A Policy: If you are a new subscriber, I recommend reviewing past Q+A sections in the newsletter archives before emailing me, to get a sense of what kinds of questions are appropriate. You may even find that your question has already been answered. Last but not least, please be aware that many others are also hoping for some of my time, and that asking multiple questions limits my ability to respond to everyone equitably. Due to the high volume of email I receive, I am often unable to respond promptly; please be patient while awaiting a reply. --------------------------------------- (Questions have been edited for clarity and length, and identifying details have been changed..) Q: : "My apartment has a small foyer. From
the foyer, you turn left to get to the rest of the apartment. I read
this is not good because when I come in I am facing a wall, and I should
put a mirror there. I have a round mirror with a sunburst frame that
I would like to use. Is this okay?" At the very least, whatever mirror you use should be large enough and hung at the right height so that you can see your entire face and head in the reflection. A decorative, accessory-type mirror such as you describe may be too small. Keep in mind also that you want to "dissolve" the foyer wall as much as possible, to visually expand the space. The larger the mirror, the stronger this effect will be. If the mirror is too small - especially if it is round - the effect is more like punching a hole through the wall, and the rest of the wall will still have a blocking effect. However, even a small mirror (if hung at the right height) is better than nothing, and could be used temporarily until you can replace it with more appropriately sized mirror for that space.
Clutter
Clearing Tip SETTING TIME GOALS FOR DE-CLUTTERING When you feel really inspired to "get it all done today," the motivation and enthusiasm is a good thing (and clearing a full day on your calendar is admirable, as well) but there's a hidden catch. Most of us severely underestimate the amount of time it's going to take us to get a particular task done. It's very possible (if not likely) that you could have the most productive and successful day imaginable yet still not accomplish everything that you thought you were going to get done. And then, regardless of how much you did accomplish, you'll feel like you've failed to reach your goal. I recommend setting goals based on the amount of TIME you will put in, not on the amount of SPACE or number of TASKS that you are going to tackle in that time. For example, if you have a full day to tackle the office clutter, that's fantastic. Your goal now is to put in a solid clutter-clearing day on the office mess, and to end the day having made substantial, visible progress, and with a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction -- even if the job is not entirely completed by the end of the day. Tackle whatever aspect of that clutter is bugging you the most, first, so you are sure to make progress with that, and move on to other aspects of the job if time allows. "I finally have a place to put the vacuum
cleaner. Isn't it amazing how something so small can mean so much? For
2+ years, I've moved the vacuum from one place to another. And for the
most part, it just sat out in the middle of a room. Now it has it's
own little spot in an unused space between the drain pipe and shower
stall. It's even behind a lovely white curtain."
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A hui ho! (until next time),
Feng
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through Fast Trak Direct Pty. Ltd. ••• Newsletter Archives This newsletter is published approximately twice a month. If you missed our previous issues, you can read them here. ••• We also invite you to visit our sister sites: All About Prosperity - Articles and resources for developing Prosperity Consciousness and Wealth Building skills: creative visualization, goal setting, emotional intelligence, as well as affiliate marketing, money management, and more. Feng-Shui-Ebooks.com - Our popular Fast Feng Shui book series is now available in ebook version for your immediate download. BIOPRO EMF Protection - Learn the facts about electromagnetic fields (EMF) and how they affect your health. Find out how you can create an electropollution-free zone in your home and office with the Home Harmonizer. Amazon Rainforest Herbs - Wild Foods Nutrition from virgin soil of the highest concentration of life energy on the planet - the Amazon Rainforest. Save your health while helping save the Rainforest.
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2006 Stephanie Roberts. All rights reserved.
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