BTB Masters Online

Written by Michele Duffy, Graduate of the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program and teacher of our BTB Masters Online course, “Feng Shui for Real Estate” As featured in Lamorinda Weekly

Two bedside tables, each with lamps with 100-watt bulbs, balance a bedroom.

Creating happy relationships that support and nourish your mind, body and soul is a key ingredient in creating a life well lived - and not just for the month we celebrate St. Valentine! 

The relationship area of the Feng Shui Bagua (feng shui map) is located in the far right area of your home. Try standing at your front entrance looking into your home, and notice what room is in the furthest right corner of your home. That area may be your excellently placed master bedroom, but it just as easily might be your living room, kitchen, family room or a bathroom. 

Next go to your master bedroom and look into the room and see what is in the far right area of your bedroom. If there is a pile of laundry or a bathroom, it may help explain if you have been having trouble attracting a suitable partner or creating the intimacy you would like to reignite in an existing relationship. 

Our master bedrooms should ideally be an oasis of peace, serenity, sensuality, harmony and intimacy so that the subliminal messages in our environment reflect what we are trying to create in our lives.

Quick Reference: Relationship Area of the Feng Shui Bagua

Ruled by EARTH element. Crystal, ceramics and clay activate this element.

Create a soft and intimate master bedroom with luxurious bed linens, pillows, draperies and cozy rugs.

Colors that activate relationship area are red, pink and white. 

Place equal-sized pairs of love birds, like doves, who mate for life and are symbolic of peaceful healthy longevity. 

Place pairs of bedside tables and 100-watt bedside lamps for reading in bed.

Romantic artwork and framed or stretched canvas photos of you and your partner work very well.

Fresh flowers of love include peonies, camellias or orchids.

Add soy candles to create romantic lighting for sizzling passion.

Master bedrooms should strive to be intimate, sensual, calm, serene, romantic, and peaceful.

Avoid having objects others gave you that you do not completely love.

Avoid solitary items like one candlestick or photos of a single lonely person.

Avoid unfriendly objects like sharp cactuses.

Two loving dove flower pots help bring relationship harmony.

Recently, one single parent client in Moraga wanted to attract a relationship into her life, but her physical space in her master bedroom said she was not truly ready to invite love in.

Her property was very mature with lots of trees in her yard and barely any natural light in the Relationship area of the home master bedroom (far right from front door). The master bedroom itself contained too much furniture for the room, a single night stand, dim lighting, uninspiring artwork, and her bed placement was not in the commanding position (diagonal from the bedroom door). The prescription for transformation was straight forward for my well-trained eye.

First, we addressed the first pain point of lightening up the walls with a fresh coat of paint. How to pick a color? It doesn't have to be a daunting task but many people are intimidated by choosing colors.

First, begin with color palettes that you love. Next, acknowledge the function of the room you want to paint; for a master bedroom, the function is resting and romance, so avoid strong hues. Finally, consider what area of the bagua your master is located in. For example, if your master bedroom is in the Relationship area of the home (far right from front door), do consider using colors that activate the earth element, like shades of white, neutral tans and creams that strengthen the Feng Shui in your home. If your bedroom is in the Wealth area (far left from front door) consider pale greens (wood element) and light blues (water element creates wood) to activate the wood element that governs wealth.

Here's a list of some of my tried and true, favorite Benjamin Moore colors. There are many paint choices out there, but starting with quality always saves money in the long run!

Benjamin Moore Corinthian White OC-111

BM Montgomery White HC-33

BM Windham Cream HC-6

BM Monroe Bisque HC-26

BM Beach Glass 1564

BM Edgecomb Gray HC-173

Next, we addressed the client's dim 60-watt bedroom lighting, changed out her solitary nightstand for a pair of nightstands and placed the new 100-watt lamps there to radiate clean light in her room. Then we added soft drapes to create intimate privacy. She had never purged the mattress she shared with her ex so a new mattress was ordered along with luxurious coordinating, budget-friendly, bedding. 

Finally, we addressed the subliminal messages and amped up the romantic imagery including wall art, candles and fresh white orchids.

Bedroom in an Orinda home

Insight from S. Lee Wright, BTB Masters Online teacher, LEED certified interior architect and graduate of the BTB Master’s Training Program.

As the Monkey Year comes to a close, we are all giving a great big sigh of relief. I do not know very many people who will not be pleased to see the tail end of the rascal Monkey of last year.  The Monkey Year proved, as I predicted, to be a challenging year for us in many ways. I had anticipated global turmoil as unexpected political upheavals were to be expected and a breaking down of old patterns of thinking.  It was a year to push us outside of our comfort zones and I foresaw that the world would be a very different place at the end of 2016 than what we started with. This was certainly the case from the loss of many iconic figures to the massive political disruption occurring throughout the globe including the refugee crisis, Brexit, to the issues with ISIS and terrorist attacks, to self-driving cars. What a year it was!

Now as we say good-bye to the Yang Fire Monkey energy of 2016, we need to prepare for the new energy of this year. It is quite a BIG change, so it is best to be prepared for a time of transition too.The upcoming year – 2017 – will follow suit with the energy of the Chinese animal (Rooster), the Elemental aspect of the animal (Fire) and the Yin Yang of the year (YIN). This year we have the Yin Fire Rooster. The Metal element, which is the element normally associated with the Rooster, adds the dynamic of contrasts to the year, because Fire and Metal are in opposition. So this upcoming year has a lot of energy in it, with opportunities and a lot of possible clashes taking place. Though the tone of the year is very different than that of the Monkey year, it is one to hold onto your seats for and be prepared to pay close attention, stay focused and remain patient.

Good-bye Monkey Year!

The Rooster is a trustworthy, responsible and resourceful animal. It is a sign of the dawning of the day, a great time-keeper and one that believes in hard work. This year you can expect to have a year of awakening and success for hard work and a great need for patience. Lots and lots of patience. This will be especially challenging, I expect, due to the fast paced energy we are leaving behind from 2016.

The Fire Element adds the passionate side to the year and will continue with the element from last year. Though it is in the Yin form this year, so it is represented with inner warmth, deep insights and the emergence of forgotten thoughts. It is going to be like a gentle unfolding of memories, dreams, ideas that have the power to inspire us greatly. We just need to allow them to do so in a well-thought-out and conscious manner. Do not rush into anything this year. Though the Fire energy often has us feeling like we are super busy and rushing around, it is good to manage this and be conscious of what we are spending our time on and not just spin our wheels. Again, be wary of the tail end of the Yang Fire energy of last year, and shift your own energy to be in alignment with the energy of this year, and you will benefit greatly from this harmony.

The FIRE element is very powerful for the Rooster Year

Note the YIN METAL element will add some interesting times to this year

Given the intensity of some of the energy – both left over from last year, as well as new, it is a good idea to also spend your energy and time outdoors more and allow yourself to get grounded with the earth. You can do this with gardening, long walks or holidays spent by the seaside on a beach. Also, surrounding yourself in earth color is a great way to change your interiors to help balance your energy. Dig your toes into the earth this year, and stay connected to the earth, and you will be able to weather any storms that come through.

Also, this year has the Metal Energy from the Rooster, which adds a sharp edge to the year, which can be seen as a continuation of some of the worst conflicts we had in 2016 with war, terrorists and conflicts in general. However, there is a sense of optimism surfacing and a sense of calm that seems to be taking hold globally. The YIN FIRE keeps us in touch with our feelings instead of disassociating from them, which joins with the hard-working and trustworthy energy of the Rooster to provide a sense of positivity that we can solve our problems. Apparently, there is a great surge of artistic healing that will come forward to help us bond, heal and co-create solutions. This can be used to our advantage, and given the possibility of conflicting energies, I suggest using earth colors as a way to manage the excess of the metal energy and keep you grounded. This can be done with your clothing in earth tones or by adding terra cotta to your home in the form of planters or tiles, or even colors.

In this year I recommend getting really clear on your INTENTIONS. This aligns you with the energy of the Yin Fire Rooster. Write it down, make a plan and take steps in the right direction. Be patient, work hard and stick to it. Do not jump at any get-rich-quick schemes, as this is the year to absolutely avoid anything like that. Stick to practical, well-proven paths, and remember that first impressions do really count.

Make a plan!

This is the year to also really strut your stuff and allow yourself to be SEEN. Roosters are very showy animals and love to been seen as pretty. Show your best side always. Allow yourself to be out in the scene to be seen. The Rooster’s shadow side can be too showy and vain though, so be wary and do not let your ego completely rule your actions or words. Take advantage of the fun opportunities and dress up! There is never a second chance to make a good first impression, and this year this can be super important for your advancement with meeting the right people.

Being the early bird, being in the thick of things will allow opportunities and connections to manifest. You need to participate.

Strut your stuff this year

Because it is a YIN year, it is also important to recognize the qualities of the Yin versus Yang energy of last year. The Yin Yang concept is the process of harmonization, ensuring the constant and dynamic balance of all things in our world. This year, 2017 has a lot of YIN energy in it, which represents the feminine energy. It encourages us to take some down time, to have quiet time and allow some space for ourselves. This energy is a slight contradiction and requires a delicate balance for yourself to dance between the need to be out there and do your thing and to make sure you provide yourself some quiet, down time. It is a year to make sure you have BOTH and do not fall into extreme patterns. Extremes rarely serve us, and in 2017 this will be much more so the case. Follow the Rooster energy here, and have a set timetable and schedule for yourself and stick to it.

Globally these strong elemental factors will result in a lot of friction and possible war, more terrorist attacks and some form of disasters occurring in 2017. This type of year has historically aligned with some major events in the world.

Doing all of these things in consideration of the energy of the year allows for a smoother experience for each of us individually, as well as a collective. We can either fight the energy that surrounds us, or we can learn to go with the flow. What do you prefer? My own experience is that my life is happier, and I am healthier, when I stop resisting and learn to follow in the path of the flowing energy. Recognizing the context of our lives, our world and our surroundings and adjusting accordingly can ensure a deeper experience in 2017.

We all have a choice on how we will show up this year

We each have a choice.  How to manage the 2017 Yin Fire Rooster is up to you!

My predictions for 2017 are general and can give you some overall ideas and concepts on the way to navigate the next 12 months of your life. Following in the wake of the Yang Fire Monkey Year, I think it is an especially sensitive transition this year. As I predicted, the changes to our world last year were massive, and now we will be needing to manage these changes as we realign ourselves in this new reality and how to move forward. These choices deeply impact our overall happiness. If you want some specific guidance on how your own energy will dance with the year, a personalized Feng Shui review of your space and your own Nine Star Qi energy can provide you insights and enhancements to support you. There are even deeper assessments that others can provide you with I-Ching readings, astrology readings and numerology.  My own expertise centers on your space design, as I have discovered that we can change our lives through the changing of our spaces. Our intention, dreams, desires and beliefs are our inner world, which is always manifested into our physical, outer world in one form or another. Our spaces reflect our inner selves, so why not make sure that it is a true, clear representation of the best of yourself and your most wonderful dreams and intentions?

Happy Rooster New Year!!!

Written by Judith Wendell, Graduate of the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program and teacher of our BTB Masters Online course, “Designing Healing Spaces with Feng Shui”

Metal is analogous with the fall season. Metal is the most consolidated element which in turn produces Water, the least consolidated element (and the winter season) and where we started the series.

Metal element represents the chi of 'virtue'. To speak up for what is just, right and ethical is Metal in balance. Metal displays itself in excess as demonstrative, self-righteousness. While a very low amount of Metal chi appears in someone as shy, withdrawn or having a 'choked' quality. When Metal element is in balance energetically, one has the ability to complete things in a timely fashion allowing oneself to enjoy the fruits of their efforts. Balanced Metal also indicates that one has helpful people (benefactors) in their life and can manifest more when needed.

On a physical level, electronics of all kinds are related to the Metal element. As the purpose of this series is to inform us about health and the elements let's discuss Electromagnetic Frequencies or EMFs:

An appliance does not have to be turned on for an electrical field, but magnetic fields are created only when the currents flows.

Research is not definitive, but there is evidence between EMF exposure from power lines and childhood leukemia + brain tumors.

Stay away from meter boxes which have very high and wide EMF fields.

Actually it is small electrical devices with transformers that are notorious offenders. These include our chargers, clock radios, baby monitors, and air filters, to name a few.

Get a basic Gauss Meter. Appliances with transformers have a 2-3' range, so move them away from you...especially where you sleep!

Choose a bed with a wooden frame + natural fiber-filled mattress. Iron and steel in bed frames, spring mattresses and radiators close to the bed, can all become magnetic and conduct EMFs.

Although Air is not considered one of the 5 Elements, in the Hindu system, Metal is replaced by Air and air quality is a very important aspect of environmental health - so I thought I would discuss it here. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is related to poor indoor air quality. This is caused from heating, ventilation, air conditioning, out gassing, VOCs, and mold due to toxic products and hermetically sealed buildings - especially of the 60's - '90's.

SBS Can Cause the Following Symptoms:

Headache, eye, nose, or throat irritation

Dry cough, dry or itchy skin

Dizziness, nausea, difficulty concentrating

Fatigue

Sensitivity to odors

Asthma

Changes in emotional well-being

Common Indoor VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds):

Dry cleaning solvents, photocopiers, semiconductor cleaners, formaldehyde in office components, including wood + laminated furniture, shelving, wall coverings and carpet.

Most commercial paint companies like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams now produce low VOC paints and have more eco-friendly lines as well.

There is also a growing market of organic paints, sealants, stains, and preservatives for walls, floors, and furnishings that do not out gas, and allow the environment to breathe.

Household cleaning products and synthetic fabrics contribute to high levels of VOCs, and here too there is a growing market of natural alternatives.

Ions are essential to life:

An ion is a molecule that is positively or negatively charged. Sodium, potassium, calcium, and other ions play an important role in the cells of living organisms.  Inside homes and offices, negative ions are depleted by electronic equipment, static from synthetic fabrics and from dust in the air.

We recognize how good we feel at the sea.  One of the reasons is that sea air is charged with negative ions. When a thunderstorm approaches, many dogs will start digging a trench in the carpet.  They sense that the balance of ions is changing.  Before a thunderstorm, the negative ions lose charge, and an excess of positive ions is generated.

Here are a few things we can do for ourselves:

Open a window

Get an air ionizer that removes smoke, dust, and some allergens and generates negative ions.

Fill a spray bottle with spring water and a small amount of sea salt and spray it daily into the atmosphere. Include a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender for relaxation or peppermint for alertness.

Crack open a window! Even an opening of just a ¼ - ½ an inch will create a natural flow of air and help clean the environment.

Get outside as much as possible. Obviously opening a window is not an option in a skyscraper.

OK enough said!  Now go out there and do all your can to provide yourself and others with a healthy and balanced environment.  You will be making a difference for us all.

Written by Michele Duffy, Graduate of the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program and teacher of our BTB Masters Online course, “Feng Shui for Real Estate” As featured in Lamorinda Weekly

So many of you have written to me, wondering how feng shui can help you to lead lives with less stress, more personal happiness, greater balance and a deeper experience of abundance & prosperity. One of my favorite quotes is "Gratitude is the doorway to Abundance," since to truly be abundant we must acknowledge what we are already so lucky to have! 

Abundance can be thought of as, "having the right amount of everything you truly need to feel prosperous," so perhaps consider trying to discover the actual wealth-spring of your life. It could be a partner, spiritual journey, career, family, friends, but whatever it is, I would suggest that we all experience that universal energetic exchange and flow of give and take. Generosity is gratitude's companion, and giving back simply magnifies the energies in our hearts and understands that true happiness rests with serving others.

Deepak Chopra says, "The universe operates through dynamic exchange... giving and receiving are different aspects of the flow of energy in the universe, and in our willingness to give that which we seek, we keep the abundance of the universe circulating in our lives."

Our minds and hearts create the reality we experience, which is also reflected in the environments of our lives, home and office. There is a wonderful book called "Home: How Habitat Made us Human" by John S. Allen, and in it he says, "Home is one of the most important cognitive, technological and cultural products of our species' evolution." So "Home" is both a feeling and a perception, and the more you make your dwelling feel like "home," the more you will actually thrive.

So while our minds are perhaps, in some cases, more difficult to transform, evolve and change on a whole range of issues, it is easy to make changes to home that can have an immediate and lasting effect in a wide variety of ways. So looking around your own home as we prepare for a joyous and reflective holiday season, beyond the seasonal fixes, how can you energize your home to reflect the abundance you seek? 

Here are some results-oriented feng shui tips:

1) Make the most of your surroundings, and build upon your "sense of home.” Does your home reflect the feeling of luxury and abundance, and, if not, make it so! If you do not "love" something, what's it still doing in your house?

2) Fully energize your front entrance to include no clutter, dead bugs or cob webs. Ideally, potted red cyclamen, geraniums or the wonderful evergreen Nandina (lucky bamboo) flank the front door, as does an always fresh welcome mat and proper lighting to invite abundance into your home.

3) Decluttering is not just removing toxic, stagnant chi or energy. It's also about creating a sense of spaciousness at home which always looks and feels high-end. Consider if pieces actually work in the space, or if you are forcing it, and that less is more when it comes to home furnishings.

4) The Wealth area of the Feng Shui Bagua is far left from the front entrance. Be sure to make sure you inspect thoroughly what exists in the far left area of your home, master bedroom and yard, and immediately apply these handy feng shui tips to all three of these areas.

5) Engage all of the senses in your home with green home cleansers, fresh flowers, candles, fresh smelling laundry, fragrant hand soaps, baked cookies, essential oil diffusers, the five-elements of color and warm cozy textures.

6) Check your bedroom for getting the best sleep possible, including removing clutter, placing a solid bed frame with a headboard, luxurious bedding, proper window coverings, various lighting options - including candles for romance - fresh flowers, and a pair of at least 100-watt reading lights on bedside tables.

7) Create a spa sanctuary in your master bath with essential oil bath salts, candles, fresh flowers and music.

8) Cultivate your personal energy through positive feng shui adjustments and be sure to make regular (seasonal changes) to your home and workplace.

9) Develop richer and broader social networks - have more photos of friends and family around your home. (The middle-left area, if possible.)

10) Love your home and have fun!

When you make changes in your environment, please also try to express gratitude on a daily basis, focus on the positive to minimize the "lack" in your life, attract abundance towards you by creating an abundant home and keep a gratitude journal.

If you make some of the changes mentioned in the tips, try to be mindful and notice what shifts in your mind and also in your life. Do you begin to feel more fortunate in your life? Do you recognize that you already enjoy or have created more financial abundance? Do you spend money more wisely? Do people, opportunities and things show up more easily when you need them? Do you consider yourself to be experiencing more luck? 

Insight from S. Lee Wright, BTB Masters Online teacher, LEED certified interior architect and graduate of the BTB Master’s Training Program.

This is the last installment of our five part series on how feng shui plays into home renovations. Special thanks to S. Lee Wright for being so patient and providing all this wonderful information! 

It is more important to use feng shui in certain areas of the home than others?

I feel that feng shui is about simply a way of seeing your life and your space being interconnected. There is no specific area that is more important than another, as it will depend on the context of your life at the moment. What is important now and needs enhancing may not the be the same as it was a year ago or in the future. Things change.

With this being said, I always feel the entry into your space is essential.  It is a vulnerable space - it is the transition between the outside world and the inside world, so the space is key to shedding your exterior coat, both figuratively as well as literally, and then slipping into your sacred inner self.

The master bedroom is also one of the main areas I tend to focus on during my feng shui consultations, as I feel the space where the ‘masters’ of the house sleep, dream and nurture themselves is also a very sacred space and often is disregarded in terms of design and feng shui. Your bedroom ought to be a space where relaxation, sleep and self-care are all key factors. 

I am not a great believer in having a TV in the bedroom, though in our modern world, sometimes my clients really feel it is important. Then I will suggest feng shui adjustments to induce a state of relaxation to help kick start their ritual before bedtime to wind them down. This can be done with colors, lighting and often the choices of the materials and furniture used. The masters of the house need to have the nurturing rest in order to continue the next day in a state of well-being and control.

Insight from S. Lee Wright, BTB Masters Online teacher, LEED certified interior architect and graduate of the BTB Master’s Training Program.

What is space clearing, and why is it considered an important part of the renovation process?

I consider space clearing a fundamental element in feng shui as it is all about energy. Everything is energy. I consider our intention and focus is what gives the power to our lives and to feng shui. 

Everything in our world and spaces hold the energy so it is important to acknowledge this and to clear it up every once in a while. An energy cleaning is like a spring cleaning or a space maintenance plan. I think it is necessary every once in a while to do a space clearing and especially important after a disruption in your life, whether it is construction, illness, or even a new baby. 

I teach 4 methods to people to learn how to do this themselves as I think it is really important and under utilized. It will be available as a video for sale on my website soon.  And I give live workshops on this. I also do this in every project I design for, sometimes with the clients involvement and sometimes when they are not wishing to be a part of it, I do it myself during and after the construction. 

Written by Judith Wendell, Graduate of the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program and teacher of our BTB Masters Online course, “Designing Healing Spaces with Feng Shui”

Wood & Environmental Concerns Under-Foot

Chipboard, fiberboard, hardboard, particleboard, plywood and veneers used for furniture, shelving, floors, and walls use formaldehyde and other resin binders.

These are all cause for environmental concerns.

The vapors from these glues out gas and are considered toxic.

The most toxic material in kitchens now is a PVC floor vinyl.

Healthier Choices

Linoleum has the durability of PVC and none of the toxicity. Made of cork, linseed oil, wood resin, and chalk, it is pressed into a fabric backing, which must be glued. So it is important to check that the adhesives are non-toxic.

Some other good choices for ‘soft’ flooring are Cork and Latex. Cork is made from the outer bark of the cork oak, which offers good noise and thermal insulation. 

Cork is a sustainable material – it regenerates itself after stripping.

Check that’s not vinyl backed or treated.

Latex from the rubber tree was a popular waterproof flooring before plastics came along. It is a renewable resource but is still limited in supply.

Carpets

I can’t discuss flooring without mentioning carpets. Studies have shown that there are over 200 chemicals in the gases which are released by new carpets. 

New carpets contain toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, styrene, acetone and a host of other chemicals which cause hallucinations, nerve damage and respiratory illness in humans.

Old carpets carry a heavy burden of dust mites, dirt, pesticides and other toxins brought in on shoes, feet and pets. Carpets can hold 8X their weight in toxin-filled trapped dirt.

Other compounds that affect your health are adhesives, flame retardants and stain protectors.

Natural, wool, silk, hemp, jute and cotton carpets that have not been treated and have nontoxic or natural dyes are available. However certified natural dyes and fibers are few a far between and can have a high price tag.

Insight from S. Lee Wright, BTB Masters Online teacher, LEED certified interior architect and graduate of the BTB Master’s Training Program.

What is the most important feng shui consideration in renovating a bathroom or kitchen?

I consider the balancing of the elements to be the most useful in designing these spaces. Both the bathrooms and kitchens have a lot of items in them so they are also the most complicated and expensive rooms in the house so it is important to get them right the first time as changes can be expensive.

I always concentrate on the plumbing being the best in the bathrooms and the electricity on the kitchens. Using professionals is essential.

I do not subscribe to the design needing to have the appliances being in certain positions where some other schools of feng shui do; I consider the over arching principals of feng shui and apply them to the specific requirements of the job at that point. Again, individual prescription.

Take a look at some of these specific kitchen and bathroom projects that utilize the concepts of feng shui and the five elements.

Here, we changed the energy of the kitchen into a more livable space with hand-painted wall paper, colorful pillows and a living plant. All made a once ‘dead’ space into the happy center for family breakfasts together.

A custom designed house by the seaside needed to have the kitchen represent the fire element and the earth element for an overall balancing of the space. The countertop in a golden hue ensured the earth to balance the space and manage the fire; the red in the colorful backsplash tile was a detail that pops when you see it against the white (metal) of the cabinets. The goal was to combine all elements in the house for harmony throughout.

This kitchen needed a face lift after the original renovation eight years earlier. We added a new hood over the stove to allow for more cooking and more metal, as well as a new white, round dining table for more flexible dining, which also added the metal element into the space. This new addition balanced the kitchen for the family’s needs in the moment perfectly.

This bathroom needed to be opened up and more balanced for a family to use it as their central bathroom. Details in the tile selection, plus the materials, made for the balancing of the feng shui focus of this tiny bathroom.

A bachelor needed a new bathroom to help him shift the energy in his apartment and life. This small bathroom needed function first, and all elements were selected with the client’s energy in mind to help make this shift possible. Within a year of this renovation, this client had met the love of his life.

A renovated bathroom needed to be for the family in total: Mother, Father and two small girls. A theme was created inspired by their seaside vacation and utilized the energy of the seaside to help make this space work for everyone.

Written by Michele Duffy, Graduate of the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program and teacher of our BTB Masters Online course, “Feng Shui for Real Estate” As featured in Lamorinda Weekly

A water fountain near your front door is a strong water element.

Graduations have come and gone along with the 2016 school year, and once again summer is in full bloom. Many people will be heading to beaches and state parks for summer vacations, either close by or near to the majestic oceans that surround our magnificent, awe inspiring coast.

If you cannot get to the beach, or you want sustainable creation of any of the Five Elements in your residence to feed your stressed-out soul, the question becomes how do we include them so our residences help melt the stress out of our lives? 

The Five Elements in Feng Shui, Chinese/Tibetan Medicine and Chinese/Tibetan culture is a very vast subject, and so my aim here is to simply clarify the small but profound role applying them to your environment can play in de-stressing our lives. 

The Five Elements are water, wood, fire, earth and metal, and they remain front and center in creating consciously balanced environments. Without incorporating the natural elements our residences may not be not providing the real shelter home should represent for stressed-out Bay Area residents of the 21st Century: entrepreneurs, creatives or busy moms!

Part of the challenge of working with the Five Elements for westerners is little exposure to applying them growing up in our culture. So, it is helpful to gain an understanding of the yin and yang of each of the Five Elements themselves, remembering that a yin and yang version exists for each of the Five Elements.

For example, yin water is streams and yang water is oceans, while yin wood are flowers and yang wood is trees. Each element plays a role in making our residences come alive and the interplay can adapt to different tastes, styles and decors.

The interplay of the Five Elements is not a rigid play, but rather, fluid, vital and auspicious. Feng Shui adheres to principles of ying/yang, and so to achieve balance, all five Elements are ideally present in each room and environment. It is important to apply and place any of the Five Elements based on the Feng Shui BAGUA (below) and also remembering seasonal considerations as well.

The Bagua Map: Front Door

For example, place the water element (swimming pool or fountain) in the fire area (middle back) and if you are stuck with that exact scenario, Feng Shui has solutions that are easy and that fit every budget. One solution offered through a Feng Shui consultation that worked well for a Lafayette client named Kathleen was to adjust the water element in her back yard with an increase in the wood element. We added several large red ceramic potted Meyer Lemon trees and succulents and red (fire element) geraniums. Feng Shui has workable and straightforward solutions that are easily implemented. We also made sure the fire pit and grill were placed correctly in the Fame (fire) area.

Red colored water lily flowers bring the balance to the water element.

We also enter summer ruled by the fire element so water is the best controller of fire and if we are feeling stress in our lives, toning down the fire element now around the home is key. It's also important to integrate personal care and wellness strategies that also include water by immersing in the ocean, a bath or a pool. That is healing, rejuvenating and creates the ultimate Five Elements balance of our personal Qi.

You may already know that one of the major unsung benefits of wellness in Feng Shui is the integrated protection of power positions in the attention to proper placement, Bagua (map) and floor plan analysis. 

Five Element design includes applying the Five Elements through art, lighting, natural materials and color. Together, they play a significant role in creating calm, balanced and healthy residences room by room. 

Home should always feel like when you close the front door, the stress of the day melts away and you feel inspired, invigorated and nourished in your residence. 

I've mentioned water element several times because water is the most effective element to use to control the fire element of summer. 

In terms of home, the water element works best in the front of the house near the front door to activate life for the entire residence, but water is also needed in the areas also governed by the wood element. The middle left area of new beginnings and family and the far left area of wealth and prosperity both need a water element to be energized.

Make sure to go to this far left area of your home and see what is here now? A bathroom might be draining your wealth, so paint it a blue, a water color. Do you have a cluttered storage room or closet? This represents a lack. Clean this area and banish clutter. If you need professional help for de-cluttering this or any area of your home, remember there are professionals who know how to help.

Insight from S. Lee Wright, BTB Masters Online teacher, LEED certified interior architect and graduate of the BTB Master’s Training Program. 

What are the benefits of using feng shui in renovations?

First and foremost it brings a consciousness to the project which helps on every level. 

Second, the space clearing can really clear away the stressful energy often included in the renovation process. 

Lastly, to design a space with the principals of feng shui allows for a design to support the people living and working in the space. Like an individual prescription just for them to live healthier, happier lives.

This project incorporated Feng Shui in it, especially balancing of the elements in it to promote a better central hub for a growing family and to promote a balanced life for the working parents. 

Using Feng Shui was also the basis for this entire beach out.  We used materials, colors and items to balance the energy throughout. Here is the kitchen with a red (fire) and gold (earth) backsplash along with a brown(earth) countertop and white (metal) cabinets.

This project was actually completed using my distance design services and included a space clearing using the altar here.

Written by Judith Wendell, Graduate of the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program and teacher of our BTB Masters Online course, “Designing Healing Spaces with Feng Shui”

Creating healthy environments is the aim of Feng Shui. The words themselves (meaning Wind & Water) define what's needed for the very existence of life on our planet. Nothing can survive without clean air and water.  

In a recent seminar, I discussed the properties of each of the 5 Elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal) and how to use them effectively for Feng Shui adjustments, with any design scheme. Then on a less sexy note, we turned our attention to the toxins present our environment and the healthy, sustainable choices we can make.  This is the first of 5 newsletters I will dedicate to our personal & planetary health. 

We start with WATER 

Simple Water Conservation We Can All Practice:

Turning off the water while brushing our teeth saves 25 gallons of water a month per person.

If building or renovating, install low flush toilets.

Recycle gray water - dish, shower, sink & laundry water comprise 50-80% of residential 'waste' water.

While grey water may look "dirty," it is a safe, beneficial source of irrigation in a yard.  However, remember that it is essential to use "plant friendly" products, those without salts, boron, or chlorine bleach.

7 Toxins in Most of Our Drinking Water: 

An adult human body is 55-60% water - the brain is 70% & the lungs are 90% water.

Fluoride - Research has shown that fluoride actually damages tooth enamel, suppresses immune and thyroid function & increases cancer.

Chlorine - Chlorine has been identified as a leading cause of bladder cancer and has been associated with rectal and breast cancers, asthma, birth defects and premature aging of skin

Radioactive Contaminants - Since Fukushima, radioactive fallout from Japan has been detected in drinking water supplies throughout the US.

Pharmaceutical Drugs - Anything from antibiotics and birth control pills to painkillers, antidepressants and other psychiatric medications are in our drinking water.

Hexavalent Chromium - Made famous by the movie, “Erin Brockovich”, this chemical poisoned thousands of people yet there are still no regulations for it in drinking water.

Lead, Aluminum & Heavy Metals - Corrosion of pipes in our plumbing systems leads to lead consumption which is linked to severe developmental delays and learning disorders in children. Aluminum and other heavy metals have been linked to nerve, brain and kidney damage.

Arsenic is a poisonous element known to be extremely carcinogenic. 56 million Americans drink water containing unsafe levels of arsenic.

What Can We Do?  For the best filtering, there must be a filter at the point of entry but even one attached to your sink will make a difference.  Do your own research!

Carbon/Activated Carbon: Activated carbon chemically bonds with and removes some contaminants in water filtered through it. Carbon filters vary greatly in effectiveness: some just remove chlorine and improve taste and odor, while others remove a wide range of contaminants including asbestos, lead, mercury and Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs.

Reverse Osmosis: This process relies on a semi-permeable membrane that retains particles larger than water molecules. Reverse osmosis can remove many contaminants not removed by carbon, including arsenic, fluoride, hexavalent chromium.

I hope this Spring inspires each of us to live in more sustainable and healthy ways (that is sexy!). Next month I'll write about Wood & specifically the surfaces we walk on. 

Insight from S. Lee Wright, BTB Masters Online teacher, LEED certified interior architect and graduate of the BTB Master’s Training Program. 

What are some of the most common ways to include feng shui principles in renovations?

From my own perspective, I have been incorporating Feng Shui in renovations for a long time, because I saw the need to Clear the Spaces during renovations because of the disruptive energy causing problems. Also, I have clients talk with me about the arrangement of their space, and I can use Feng Shui to help enhance their space, and I use the Five Elements with the decor. 

As an example, when working on the Bloomfield College Dorm, I focused heavily on the concepts of Feng Shui and the Five Elements. This multi-purpose room is a great reflection of that. 

This room represents the element WOOD and is about upward growth and new beginnings. I demonstrated this with the color green and the enhancement of the columns to make an otherwise short room have a focus of upward energy. Additionally, creating coved ceilings with speciality lighting added an extra design feature creating a sense of upward movement. 

For this residential project, I brought in the WATER element with this water feature in the central hallway.  I, however, wanted to ensure a proper balance of all the elements, and therefore the fact that it is the color of brown/golds (EARTH) element and made of copper and stone (METAL) element, enhanced with live flowers (WOOD) element and kept lit (FIRE) element, made this a perfect centerpiece for the balance of this house in the Tia Chi of their home.

Written by Michele Duffy, Graduate of the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program and teacher of our BTB Masters Online course, “Feng Shui for Real Estate” As featured in Lamorinda Weekly

Spring is in full swing, and the new beginnings, and upward growth and development associated most with the Wood Element can apply to the sale of our homes. If you have been contemplating putting your home on the market, spring is an auspicious time since many buyers are naturally drawn outside to look for homes in warmer weather. Ignoring the energetics of home while selling or buying, however, can complicate a transaction that is already stressful. Feng shui can be of enormous help to gain insight when preparing your home to go on the market. Choose symbolic versus sterile staging, or use feng shui principals to understand what to avoid or what to seek out when buying a new home.

Be aware of poor feng shui that can cause stagnant energies or Qi, and utilize fixes that can help smooth the selling process. One home for sale in Moraga was on an energetic dead end, in the round part of a cul-de-sac. As a fix, I suggested the owners place a medium-sized tiered water fountain between the front door and the street to circulate the stagnant street Qi. The realtor commented it was one of the most-attended open houses she had in months. In another real estate readiness project, there was a lot of draining Qi. The people selling were in short sale, the husband had a long-term illness and they were downsizing not by choice. We did a thorough space clearing to attract buyers that would connect with fresh new energy devoid of the heavy illness and financial loss Qi. In under a week, the owners had the offer that ultimately sold the home.

Remember, doing all of the mundane tasks like picking a professional realtor who listens, creating fabulous marketing materials, and deciding on a reality-based price will all help whatever feng shui you create to draw in a buyer who emotionally connects with your home. 

Staging is as important as decluttering and depersonalizing, however, make the environment warm and inviting - not sterile. Welcome an abundance of buyers by placing fresh flowers in the foyer, for example, and a large bowl of oranges in the kitchen.

Additional feng shui real estate tips include: 

1. Pay attention to outdoor landscaping, lighting and color to enhance curb appeal. It takes a nanosecond to make a good first impression. Use red, drought-tolerant flowers. 2. Conduct a space clearing and home blessing to remove energy obstacles. Is everyone on the same page regarding selling the home? 3. Finish all indoor and outdoor repairs. Broken objects in certain areas of the Bagua can create stagnant Qi. 4. Arrange furniture for easy conversations. 5. Tidy, clean and flank the entrance with plants, water elements and a wind chime. Make sure the foyer includes a "wow" factor, the master bedroom is cozy and romantic, and the kitchen is spotless and tidy. 6. Finally, activate the different feng shui areas of the Bagua map in your home. Foster relationships and all the harmonious people involved in the sale; garner helpful people we need for success; activate fame, so people know you are selling; money, to receive the asking price and cash offers; and completion, for escrow.

Feng shui can create the energetic possibilities you need to discover the home of your dreams. When you move to a new home, don't forget about the importance of space clearing the previous owner's Qi since you want the home to be truly yours. 

by Rosalie Prinzivalli, Certified Feng Shui Practitioner,  BTB Graduate and Teacher at BTB Masters Feng Shui Training Program

Question: Is it bad to have points? Should I have everything as rounded corners?

Rosalie: As always, it depends. It depends on where the points are and how much time we spend in those places. Articles and blogs [like ours] simplify Feng Shui to make a point. Unfortunately readers then think of Feng Shui as a list of rules that they need to be applied in order to live well, keep them safe, be happy.   

Nothing could be further from the truth. Feng Shui is about the energy of the space and the person in that space; and both have to be taken into consideration. 

I look for sharp corners near a bed, desk, stove, or anywhere we spend a lot of time. I would notice if they might relate to the issues my client is currently dealing with. If I think they are an issue, I would ask further questions to determine if these corners are really affecting my clients. If they are, I’ll offer solutions. If not, I wouldn’t even mention them.

Sharp and rounded corners are aspects of Yin and Yang. In general, I prefer to see slightly more yang than yin in a home. So if my client was too yang, I might seek to minimize sharp corners and suggest some soft curves or other yin elements. If they were too yin, I might want more yang, or sharp corners, or other yang elements in a space.

Michele Duffy is graduate of the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program and teacher of our BTB Masters Online course, “Feng Shui for Real Estate”

The 2016 Male Monkey year is a very busy time and many will be compelled to literally jump into gear, shake things up, take ingenious action and forge a new inventive path in their lives. Monkey’s contagious enthusiasm, agility and lucky streak supports the most creative, daring, lofty ideas, especially highlighted are unconventional solutions to old problems. Life develops well in all directions and courage, flexibility, gutsy swag, action, rebelliousness, and throwing off old outdated conventions are fully supported in Monkey year. Check all smoke detectors & fire extinguishers!

Remaining alert for Monkeys’ inherent deceptions and trickery with daily due diligence, and outsmarting trickster Monkey will require shrewd, flexible and fact based strategies. A healthy dose of good humor, wit, and charm will also balance the possibility of mistakes that come with a lightening pace, and most especially with situations we take for granted, or that appear better than they may be in reality. Due diligence is a daily practice.

Monkey is also very changeable so business, finances & relationships can change very quickly. Think twice before you leap for any change in finances, career, business relationships and people relationships. Stuffy, dull, outmoded conventions, bosses, relationships, and careers may finally yield and be positively transmuted under Monkey’s humorous and witty influence. Personal navigation is key.

Written by Judith Wendell, Graduate of the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program and teacher of our BTB Masters Online course, “Designing Healing Spaces with Feng Shui”

In the practice of feng shui and five element theory, green and red represent the elements wood and fire respectively. In the darkest days of winter, nature is not abundant in color. Seeing these holiday colors [in the recent months] reminds us of life and warmth. Specifically the wood element relates to growth, new beginnings and family. The fire element represents light, recognition of one another and spiritual enlightenment. 

Yet year round, the color red represents auspiciousness and protection in feng shui. The traditional use of red envelopes for compensation or gifts is a classic example. Red string is something that is used in countless feng shui adjustments. Whether to 'cure' fighting doors (doors that hit one another), enhance health, insure safe travels, or to help sell your home, the use of a red string in combination with other things will magnify your intentions. 

Similarly, wearing a thin red string as a talisman is a Jewish folk custom to ward off misfortune brought about by the "evil eye." It is popularly thought to be associated with Kabbalah, a mystical tradition. 

In Hinduism, priests wear red string on their wrists while performing sacred ritual. They also tie these strings on all who attend the ceremony - right wrist for men and unmarried women, left wrist for married women. It is to remind them that they are partaking in a sacred act. 

Chinese New Year is February 8th, 2016. It is not too early to update your feng shui  adjustments and find out what the Year of the Fire Monkey has in store for you. Write me and we can discuss it. 

Michele Duffy is graduate of the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program and teacher of our BTB Masters Online course, “Feng Shui for Real Estate”

As featured in Lamorinda Weekly

A white kitchen shows off food the best

How do you create holiday glow in your home? For many, it starts with a personal commitment to glow from within. Even in winter, our hearts and minds should be like bamboo: flexible and pliant, not rigid and frozen. Bring fiery, passionate warmth inside with loving gestures that affirm your commitment to self so you can manifest joy for others fully and completely.

What are the rituals you preserve each year and what new traditions will you try this year? The holiday season offers so many opportunities to introduce grace into our lives, for our personal enrichment as well as for the benefit of others, and we should keep in mind that if a holiday tradition stresses us out, then perhaps it is better to instead create space for what makes us happy, content and healthy. 

Winter is ruled by the water element - think freezing cold ice and snow - so we do well to activate lots of the fire element in our now much cozier homes and even turn some of that attention to the workplace. Fire elements balance out the water element. Use spherical sculptures, candles, red Santa mugs to hold piping-hot peppermint cocoa, red berry arrangements, red bowed wreaths gracing the front entrance, plush red throws and pillows, and, of course, fire in safely-lit gas fireplaces to take winter's chill down a few notches.

Sound feng shui incorporates the five elements and when a space is truly balanced, using space as medicine, we can feel the benefits immediately. The fire element area of the Feng Shui Bagua is fame and reputation, but interestingly, this area also rules respect - with self-respect a large component of that. 

This area is located at the far middle from the front entrance. It is a good placement for the kitchen with the fire energy of the stove. The stove and kitchen are highlighted around the holidays since holiday meals are prepared in this area of the home. Make sure stoves are functioning properly, new batteries are in the smoke detectors, there are abundant fire extinguishers, and carefully supervise candles. Or, if you prefer, use battery-operated candles.

Some tips for sound kitchen feng shui include cleaning your kitchen thoroughly, tossing out end-of-year fridge stuff, cleaning out date sensitive items from pantries to prepare for festive seasonal extras in the house, bringing a festive touch to countertops with holiday wine stoppers, filling the air with holiday scents like soy cinnamon vanilla candles, and adorning kitchens with fir tree groupings or wreaths, gingerbread houses or an advent calendar to delight the kid in us all. We all spend so much time in the kitchen, even if we are not the ones cooking, so bringing some joy and glitter to this area adds the warmth we need for sustenance during the winter months. Where your kitchen is placed in your home also will determine if the favorite color white for kitchen walls is truly auspicious in your particular home. It is believed that white shows off the colorful food best and enhances healthy eating.

As Feb. 8, 2016 and the New Year of the Yang Fire Monkey approaches again, the fire element continues to play a central energetic role so any fire safety preparation taken now will benefit the mindful.