Feng Shui to the Rescue Newsletter

Helping you attract wealth, harmony, love,
and much more.

April 2020

The Confinement Commentaries
How are you liking your home these days? You're certainly spending more time inside right now (or you should be!). How does it feel to be in your surroundings? I'm hoping you've already made enough Feng Shui adjustments for it to feel as supportive as it can. If not, this might be the time to make a few of the changes that were on your "to-do-when-I-have-time" list. But, be gentle on yourself. This "confinement" period (I prefer that term so I don't give power to the word "quarantine") is a marathon, not a sprint. Do a little each day. I have many free resources at FengShuiForRealLife.com, as well as tips in my books to help you make small changes with big results.

I started taking my Pilates classes via Zoom, and the first time I got down on the rug and saw my living room from a different angle, it reminded me of my own to do list. The first thing that hit me was my mom's silver candelabra that's in the china cabinet. How had that gotten so black? I rarely use it, but it has such pleasant memories of my mom that I love displaying it. When I lived in a dry climate it hardly ever needed polishing; but now that I'm back in the humid east, it needs much more TLC. The Feng Shui issue is now that I've identified the problem, until I polish it, the candelabra becomes sha chi - negative chi - because it's all I see. But, as they say, this should be the least of my problems these days.

People have been asking me how Feng Shui can help get us through this troubling time. I've been trying to think of something new I can offer. Last week I signed up for a lecture via Zoom where the host was speaking from her bedroom. I was so upset by the unmade bed and the book shelf that was precariously leaning toward it, that I couldn't pay attention to what she was saying. That's when I knew what I had to do - help people stage their rooms. That's how "Zoom with a View" was born. If you're like the rest of us, you're connecting with people via Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype a whole lot more than ever before. That means you get to take a good look at everyone else's rooms - just like they're taking a look at yours. If you're Zooming with friends and family, that's no big deal. But if you're Zooming for work, you still need to make a good impression. You can hide that you're secretly wearing your PJ bottoms, undershorts, or yoga pants (so is everyone else), but you can't hide your room, and, Zoom virtual backgrounds don't work for everyone. Check out the info in the Room Rescue section below.

Many of you told me you were looking forward to the book launch reception for my new book, Feng Shui to the Rescue. We've optimistically re-scheduled that for mid-May, but in the meantime, I've had so many requests for the book that I've made it available on Amazon. Plus, I've updated my 365 Feng Shui Secrets ebook and that's also available on Amazon. You can read all about this in the "Feng Shui Books" section of this issue.

Right now, we're all feeling some combination of scared, angry, and powerless. I wish I could give you a Feng Shui solution to all of the world's problems. What I can do instead is share Feng Shui tips for making your home feel harmonious so it can become your oasis of calm in this crazy time.

Happy April! Stay safe and well - and stay inside!

Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA
Feng Shui Master Practitioner
www.FengShuiForRealLife.com
Tip of the Month
Feng Shui For Troubled Times

I started writing regularly about the topic "Feng Shui for Troubled Times" in 2011, and then thankfully, the need for this feature gradually faded. I brought the topic back more recently to help readers deal with mass shootings and the other violence we were facing. I did feel it necessary to include a chapter on "Trouble, Chaos, and Clutter" in my new book because I received so many questions on those topics. With our world now in crises from the spread of COVID-19, for my lead article this month I'm updating a past troubled-times post. These Feng Shui tips will help make your home into an oasis of calm in a frightening world. I know you can't do all these things right now because you might not have the supplies around and you don't want to go out. Pick one or two and just do something. I know it will make you feel better.

Surround yourself with people. The constant bombardment of bad news can make you feel alone in a disconnected world. You can't connect in person right now, so counter this feeling by displaying images of your family, friends, and pets. If you're working from home for the first time, decorate your work area with images of your favorite places, especially photos of your visits there with special people. Play soothing music or nature sounds in the background while you work.

Create order. A cluttered environment is a chaotic one, which keeps you from being able to renew, restore, and slow down at home, especially in this stressful time. You can't relax when you're too busy fighting with all that "stuff" around you. An uncluttered environment helps the chi flow smoothly, so you'll feel less anxious, less pressured, and generally in a better mood. Here's my Feng Shui "permission slip" - it's OK to get rid of everything you don't like, don't need, and don't use anymore, no matter how much you paid for it. Keep and display only what you love.

Refresh the colors. Try to move around a few things to change the colors you see. When you're already full of fire from a troubled world, looking at hot, Fire Element colors like red may keep you from relaxing. Try removing a few red or hot orange accessories, and instead surround yourself with the color blue for relaxation or green for renewal. Check to assure that your colors and patterns aren't conflicting with each other. If a pattern is jarring to your eye, it's going to make you feel stressed and cranky without realizing what's causing the problem.

Lighten up. Make sure the lighting in your home isn't harsh. Modern lighting has come a long way since those CFL corkscrews first replaced incandescent bulbs (you don't still have any of those, do you?), but now you have so many choices. Shop online for new lighting options in warmer tones. Light is considered to be upbeat, yang energy, so in troubled times you want to bring in all the natural light you can to balance the dark, yin energy from the chaos. You can do this by cleaning your windows and opening the window coverings during the day.

Connect to nature. If you can't go out or treat yourself to fresh flowers, print out photos of flowers and display them around your room. The scent of lavender is calming, so order a lavender spray online to use for it's calming effect, especially in your bedroom to help you sleep. Precious stones can be used to deflect bad energy, and amethysts are generally regarded as related to peace, spirituality, and tranquility. Displaying amethyst stones can promote calmness and reduce anger and irritability.

Change the view. If there's anything in your home that "drives you nuts," it’s raising your anxiety level. This includes projects that never get finished, stained furniture that needs some TLC, and other things you've been postponing. Here's where I suggest you follow my Rule of 3Rs: Remove, Repair, or Replace these items. If you can't do all of them now, take care of whichever you can.

Clear the energy. Try the Feng Shui "Orange Peel Blessing Ceremony" to remove negative chi and to return balance and harmony into an individual room or your entire home. This remedy is especially important after an illness or argument. Click on the link below for details.
Clutter Clinic
Things to Remove From Your Kitchen

So many people tell me they are using their time at home to clear out their closets. Now, I'm going to add your kitchen counters, cabinets, and drawers to my "just say throw" list. Is your utensil drawer so full you can barely close it? Are the plastic containers breeding in your kitchen cabinet overnight? Are you ever going to use that Bundt pan again? Here's a list of things you can donate, trash, or (eventually) share with your friends so you end up with a clutter-free and more peaceful kitchen.
  • Kitchen utensils - Do you really need all those duplicate spatulas, scrapers, and servers? Donate or trash the duplicates.
  • Coffee mugs - Do you drink enough coffee or tea to justify all the mugs you are keeping? Same advice here: choose those you love and donate the rest.
  • Plastic containers - Do you have more tops than bottoms, or vice versa? Match up the tops and bottoms, and then toss the singletons.
  • Florist vases - Are those inexpensive florist vases really worth keeping? Keep a few of the prettiest ones and get rid of the rest.
  • Power cords - Do you have a jungle of power cords and electronic paraphernalia in your kitchen drawer that may or may not work with your current equipment? Match up the cord with the gadget and let the rest go.
  • Vitamins and supplements - Are expired vitamins, supplements, or OTC drugs stuffed into your cabinets and drawers? It's time to get rid of them. Bury them in a plastic bag with used coffee grinds rather than flushing them down the toilet.
  • Dish towels - Face it, those spaghetti-sauce-stained kitchen towels are never going to be clean again. Time to order a fresh set. You can re-purpose the old ones as garage towels, or better yet, donate them to places like animal shelters.
  • Kids' artwork - Are you keeping every masterpiece that was posted on the fridge? If a creation is not worth framing and hanging, take a photo of it and toss the original.
Q&A
Questions
Q: I have been making some Feng Shui improvements and I wanted to know if I put a water fountain near the career area, does it have to run 24/7 to be effective? I was just going to get a small battery-powered one.
A: Water represents the flow of wealth into your home, so yes, ideally the fountain should run all the time. I’ve often written that making the decision to get a fountain is similar to getting a pet because you have to be concerned with it’s "care and feeding.” Use distilled water in your fountain to avoid mold, and make sure it never runs dry because that would symbolize your wealth similarly drying up. If there is a direction to the flow of water in the fountain you select, place it so that water is flowing into - not out of - the room or your home. Avoid a fountain that hangs on the wall where the water runs straight down. The more slow and gentle the flow of the fountain, the better.

Q: I'm thinking about buying a house with a beautiful entry foyer. There are two staircases going up, one on each side (wrought iron). The bottom of the staircases turn slightly to the front door. Is this bad Feng Shui?
A: I can’t give you advice specific to those staircases without seeing photos or a video, but I certainly can give you general information about staircases and front doors. It’s considered inauspicious in Feng Shui to have a staircase directly in front of the front door. That door is called the Mouth of Chi because it’s where all positive energy and wealth enters the home. If there is a staircase directly across from the front door, the chi will run up the staircase and not reach the ground floor of the home. For the house you are considering, the main question would be how “slightly” do the staircases face toward the front door. If it doesn't directly face the front door, there shouldn't be much risk of losing energy.
Success Story
SuccessStory
A Different Kind of Romance
I thought a little lightness would help brighten our dark times, so I'm re-posting this Success Story that's sure to make you smile.

Here’s what Maggie wrote:
I want to share a quick funny anecdote. Speaking as someone forever single, I picked up a book on Feng Shui and totally revamped my bedroom to see if I could bring some romance into my life. Within a month, a new neighbor moved into the townhouse next door. She had a pit bull-black lab mix with a smile that reminded me of Ernest Borgnine. Well, that dog fell madly in love with my leggy ginger-colored German Shepherd greyhound mix. So it worked - just not quite as I intended!
Feng Shui Books
Please note: During this time of worldwide crisis, to reduce strain on my local post office, I am not shipping books from my office. All three books described below are now available from Amazon.

NEW! NOW AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON.COM

Feng Shui to the Rescue: Rearrange Your Space, Shift Your Energy, Transform Your Life!

My new book is here! Feng Shui to the Rescue includes more than 400 answers to the questions that you - my clients, students, and readers - have been asking for the past 20 years. These are new questions, in addition to those I answered in my first book. I've also included 30 Success Stories (also new!) and 24 sets of topic-specific tips I call Fast 5 to help you avoid problems in the first place. 

The book covers the most-asked topics, like these and more:
* Love (finding it, losing it, finding it again)
* Wealth (making it, keeping it)
* Harmony (maintaining it, especially during the holidays)
* Clutter (tidying up)
* Careers & Business (finding jobs and clients)
* Mirrors (placing or removing them)
* Bedrooms & Beds (encouraging sleep)
* Real Estate (buying or selling a home)

Your book is such a treasure trove for me. I love how it's structured --well that makes sense!-- and I feel like I'm imbibing yummy vitamins when I learn new principles on every page, and am further rewarded by the quotations at the end of the sections. I just cannot imagine all the work that went into it as you teach readers, from scratch, these ancient and newly respected concepts and philosophies. What an accomplishment!
--Jessica Greenbaum, PoemsInCommunity.org
 
Publisher's Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $12.95

Quick Guide Cover


SPECIAL SALE!
Feng Shui Quick Guide For Home and Office: Secrets For Attracting Wealth, Harmony, and Love

Still going strong after 10-years! This is my award-winning book that includes easy-to-follow basics, plus secrets to make the practical magic of Feng Shui work for you. This practical and easy-to-understand volume includes success stories from real people who followed these tips with big results. I've also included a tip-a-day calendar with 366 tips (there's one for leap year) to help you attract wealth, achieve harmony, improve relationships, advance your career, and clear clutter every day of the year. As a bonus, there's a month-by-month guide to clutter clearing.

This book is the perfect gift for everyone on your list: clients, colleagues, family, friends, and you. Plus, it's a great way for real estate agents to say "thank you" to sellers and to welcome buyers to their new home.

I used to be a Feng Shui consultant; I'm now retired. I read about this new book and thought it would be a good one to brush up my Feng Shui with. (I already have about 50 books on Feng Shui.) I was very pleased to find that this was not just a re-hash of all the other books. It is a really good synopsis of the important points in Feng Shui, in a style that is easy to understand and apply. The author as done us all a real service in writing this one.
--T.M.

Publisher's Price: $15.95
Sale Price: $11.95


UPDATED EBOOK
365 Feng Shui Secrets: Daily Tips to Attract Wealth, Harmony, and Love

Ebook revised for 2020! Want to earn more money? Yearning to rev-up your love life? Looking to create family harmony? Need to control clutter before it controls you? Or do you just need a good night's sleep? The simple Feng Shui advice in 365 Feng Shui Secrets can bring all this and more. F or example, you will learn how to do the “Feng Shui Fling” at the beginning of the year (January 1), discover why you shouldn’t keep shoes near your front door (March 16), find out how to get a good night’s sleep (August 20), and read what gifts to give and avoid giving for the holidays (December 6). The tips cover all of the seasons, holidays, and celebrations of your life. The calendar of tips in this e-book cover people and pets; love, marriage, parenting, divorce, remarriage, and blended families; your home, your office, and your car; your bedrooms, bathrooms, and every room in your house; your clothes and your closets. This ebook includes tips to help strengthen your relationships with your spouse and your children, your friends and your family, and even some advice if your loved ones are deployed overseas.

So excited when reading this book, that I started moving items around in my home immediately. Tried to learn Feng Shui several times before, but too complex. This book made it easy and is for American lifestyle and decor style.
--JT

Amazon Kindle Price: $5.99
Zoom with a View
Special Room Rescue Consultation
Are you doing more Zoom meetings these days? That means you're looking at everyone else's room and wondering if yours is sending the right professional message. If you're talking with friends and family, it doesn't matter. But if you are working from home and meeting with your clients or colleagues, image still counts. Even if you are secretly wearing your PJ bottoms, undershorts, or yoga pants (like everyone else), you can't hide your room. Zoom does have virtual backdrops available, but they don't work all the time or with all computers, and they don't project the real you. My low-cost Zoom with a View Room Rescue Consultation is for you.

We'll connect via Zoom, and then you will "walk" me around your room so I can use Feng Shui principles to recommend the best background for your online meetings. That way, your Zoom backdrop can reflect who truly are as a professional. These recommendations also work for FaceTime and Skype calls. During this 30-minute consultation, I will give you suggestions for rearranging some of the objects in the room. I can also answer your other Feng Shui questions to help you create a harmonious space that's conducive to working at home, especially if you usually work outside the home.

Regular Room Rescue Consultation: $199
Special "Zoom With a View" Room Rescue: $99
Workshops
Modern Coping Skills for Women Workshop
Using art, mindfulness, and Feng Shui
to find inner calm

August 2020 Session - In Person or Zoom TBD
   
Looking for calm in a chaotic world?
This small-group workshop is for you!
Join Feng Shui Master Practitioner Carol Olmstead, and Clinical Mental Health Counselor Nancy Olson as we help you distance yourself from negativity, clear mental clutter, and achieve inner peace. The workshop takes place in a beautiful, healing setting and includes a gourmet lunch option.
 
You'll learn how to: 
* Identify your own "energy vampires"  
* Distance yourself from negativity 
* Reinvigorate your coping skills 
* Use the support of friends and community 
* Experience art as healing 
* Create a Feng Shui home sanctuary
* Enjoy the power of place as relaxation 
* Thrive despite troubled times 
* Develop a positive worldview 
* Find guilt-free self-care strategies
 
Participants are talking about the Modern Coping Skills Workshop:

Love the space to talk about my current situation. Carol and Nancy were fun and direct and were clear in their presentations. I felt inspired to clean & create and review my personal space.

Enjoyable - educational and well presented in a safe environment.

I enjoyed hearing ideas for how to keep calm. I loved hearing the others’ stories.
Video Class
Grow Your Business with Feng Shui

My 90-minute, self-paced video course includes tips for activating the Career/Work bagua area, along with simple changes you can make in your home that will advance your career or business. You'll learn six amazing tips that will help you create a space that supports you and your business. Watch as I use Feng Shui principles to conduct a hands-on transformation of a client's workplace and create a dynamic home office that opens the door to success.

People Are Talking About Carol's Videos and Podcasts: 

Carol, you're a rock star! I loved listening to the podcast  of your interview with  "Law of Attraction Talk Radio with Jewels,"  so I took your class. You continue to be an inspiration to me and have forever changed the way I arrange each home I've lived in since I first heard you speak in 2012. Keep up the good work!  --GO

I took your class and watched several of your  videos . Excellent! You have an absolute warm and welcoming approach. No wonder you are so successful.  --CW 
 
This  video class  is nothing short of a delicious treat for your career. I loved it! Great practical pieces of advice. Well-taught in a fun, inspiring way.  --RW
Did You Know?

Carol M. Olmstead, FSIA, is certified by the  Feng Shui Institute of America  and earned Red Ribbon Professional Status from the  International Feng Shui Guild .

Articles in the  Feng Shui To The Rescue Newsletter   are copyrighted, but can be shared with credit to Carol M. Olmstead  as author and link to www.FengShuiForRealLife.com .
Feng Shui for Real Life, LLC , and the Feng Shui To The Rescue Newsletter serve as a reference and guide for the principles of Feng Shui and as such bear no responsibility for results that a client or reader experiences. Individual results may vary based on the client's participation and intent.

©2020, Carol M. Olmstead