Lesley,
My instinctive first guess is: “Infinity!” They probably think of this pool label every time they look at it, and the visual affirmation of infinite possibility in a wealthy enhancement (as expensive pools are seen to be) is the major working affirmation. In other words, the power of one’s thoughts can outweigh any other influence.
My second thought is…for these particular people, they are maybe feasting on fast moving Ch’i right now, bustling about in their lives and using up lots of personal Ch’i to stay afloat. Eventually they WILL need to restore themselves, and when that time comes, they will benefit from your Feng Shui advice on creating areas where the Ch’i POOLS rather than RUSHES.
Money may be rushing IN but also rushing OUT at the same speed. They may not be telling you this, as it may not be a problem for them as yet. Many clients do not realize that they could work less frantically to keep their heads “above water” if they balanced this rapid flow of money in and out with some simple Feng Shui remedies.
Karen Carrasco, WSFS Teacher and Mentor

Thank you, Karen, that totally fits, as they do see their pool as a “Dallas Pool”– in other words, one that you would find in a really expensive home and more of a status symbol than just a pool. That is a great perspective.
Love Lesley

I am submitting my questions and project. I’ve included a photo of the building plan. The original house is the carport, garage three bedrooms on left side and half of the living area. We are adding more living space, bigger kitchen, pool, separate guest suite, more storage, master suite and utility as well as “tower room” entry from carport. More storage is needed due to husband’s massive record collection and that he is a packrat. My question is – What are the best Feng Shui cures to incorporate as we build?

What we love is the location, lot, privacy, nature, deer in yard, wet weather creek, neighbors, wooded landscape, can’t see house from road, no yard to mow but tons of space around us. I am happy with the design and we absolutely love the location and area… Really can’t beat the location for the price.

We don’t love that it’s flooded twice with drainage from houses up the hill and a wet weather creek runs along the side of the property (it has never flooded) cuts off the Relationship area.

Identified Feng Shui Issues
1. Wealth and Abundance Gua is outside
2. Bathroom in the Fame Gua
3. Love & Relationship Gua will be built out over the creek.

Also just found out that the guy we used for the architect services and the septic designer do not carry insurance.

Thanks for your help!
Sheree

A:
WSFS Feng Shui House Plans 1 of 2

WSFS Feng Shui House Plans 2 of 2

A: You have your Bagua Map correct, with your front door in Knowledge and Self-Cultivation. Now it is time to beautify the area around your door with enhancements that let people know right away how to find your front door and give a wonderful first impression. These could be anything you like and can easily care for, such as a decorative flag/banner, windchime, pots of plants and/or red flowers, statuary, seating, etc. Ask your landlord if you can paint your front door a color you especially like. Often people choose a shade of red, but it can be any color you love. Enjoy choosing the perfect things and please send me an "After" photogrph! – Terah

A. Diane, this is a great question and it leads to many more… Why is the creek dry? Why did the previous owners sell? If someone wanted to approach your backdoor from the 2-lane road, could they? Is the bridge in good repair? You say that it’s a “potential waterway,” what else in this house, or in your life, is not living up to its potential?

Although we could very easily turn your simple question into an entire consultation (which is highly recommended!), right now, let’s tap into Essential Feng Shui for issues of safety and comfort, language skills, and living with what you love.

Safety first! Do you feel safe with that street so close? Do have pets that might get out at wander down to the road? Little children whose ball might roll away? Most likely not, as you haven’t addressed any of them in your initial question; However, pay attention to safety issues like speed limits, fencing, tree health, pets, etc. as you move-in and get comfortable.

Is the creek full seasonally, or dry permanently? The I Ching states that all things like to be called by their True Names, and used according to their True Nature. When we align with the Truth, harmony is restored. So, you’ll need to create the illusion of water year-round and to do this, you may choose to line the bed with dark or shiny rocks (these are both Water Element features), or in some other way create flow. Now it will be a “real” creek instead of a potential creek!

And Diane, it’s such a blessing that you love this place so much! You are setting yourself up for happiness, health and prosperity when you surround yourself with those things that you love. Congratulations!
Liv Kellgren, Programs Director, WSFS
 

A. Hi Caroline! I’m sorry to hear that you’re struggling with your landscape. I would offer to you that any outside space is just the same as your inside spaces, and you’ll pay attention to it with the same tools: the Bagua Map, Five Element Balance, Yin and Yang, and clutter are the primary ones.

Sit down with a big sketchpad and visualize what your landscape could be. If you need more visual aids, several landscaping books and nature magazines at the library or bookstore will have great examples of both Feng Shui happy places and places that – no matter how "designed" they are – could use a Feng Shui magic wand. Take a look at your lifestyle, add those objects and aspects that make you happy, and make sure that it’s all sprinkled with a good dose of safety and comfort.

If you’d like to collaborate with someone who has more experience with Landscape Feng Shui, please visit our Practitioner Directory. There will be someone in your area or someone who can work with your blueprints, photos, and your vision.

www.westernschooloffengshui.com/practitioners.php 

With Bright Blooming Colors,
Liv Kellgren, Programs Director, WSFS
 

Arie, New Zealand

A. Windmills – or any other extreme environmental feature – are great as long as they are in working order and in tip-top shape. Is this one is a tourist destination or just in the landscape as a point of interest? Is it pulling in water for your family to use? That sounds like good Feng Shui to me!

Make sure that it looks great from far and near. Fresh paint? Anything broken? Country charm or local eyesore?

If you or anyone else will be going to it on a regular basis, is it safe and secure? Is the pathway well-marked and clearly identified? Pay attention to the functional details, checking for safety and comfort and the Feng Shui of it should be just fine!

Liv Kellgren, WSFS Programs Director

P.S. Please be careful in labeling things as either "good" or "bad" Feng Shui. Instead, consider that there are ideal Feng Shui environments for us as individuals AND that what’s ideal for one person might not be ideal for another… That’s what keeps Feng Shui so interesting for us Practitioners – as soon as we think we’ve figured everything out and are able to easily and effectively apply the "rules", we meet someone whose needs remind us of the core guidelines:

1. Live With What You Love

2. Put Safety and Comfort First

3. Simplify and Organize

4. Express Yourself

The homeowner loved trees and was reluctant to cut down one or two to open up her vista. But when she came to understand that the trees were actually blocking chi (life-giving energy)–and opportunities– from flowing into her life, she compromised by agreeing to cut out a swathe to open up her view.

What about your view? If you’re working in an office without a view, display a photo or picture with a view far into the distance to broaden your world. You may notice that you’re becoming clear about questions you’ve been pondering or that new opportunities are presenting themselves. Perhaps they’ve been there all along and you just didn’t see them.
 

Alumni Consultant Melissa Cook, NY

Thank you, Liliana R.

A. Hello Liliana,
Great to hear from you.

This is a great question and let’s take a little step outward so that we can look at the entire situation first. Often, when people first learn about Feng Shui they immediately jump to Chinese traditional, or culturally-based, cures that don’t take into consideration all of the facts. Let’s take a look at your facts, then the intention of the Bagua Mirror and we’ll see if they are in harmony with each other.

The Bagua Mirror. Among other uses, this is traditionally used as a barrier between energies, a gentle – yet powerful – suggestion to the surrounding seen and unseen energies to remain in their respective places. I’ve had great results from Mirrors and Bagua Mirrors with loud neighbors, barking dogs and busy parking lots. They were placed with love and respect, reflecting back to them their own energies, "This is my space, that is your space, and I humbly request that your energy remain in your space, just as my energy is respectfully kept in mine. Thank you." It can be placed either inside so that they don’t see it (and if they know what it is and what you’re doing, they may be offended, and there’s no need for Mirror Wars) or blended into the environment tastefully.

Your Sunroom. My personal experience says that sunrooms typically have large windows. If your neighbors can see in, what are they looking at? What are you doing in there that would be so interesting? So essentially, you are watching them watching you… It sounds like some physical type of barrier might be considered: translucent curtains, appropriate plantings or bamboo outside (certain types of bamboo will reach full maturity of 12-15′ tall within 3-4 months. Please be careful that you get the kind you really want), tinted windows… the list goes on and it sounds like you and your neighbors can either collaborate on this solution for each of you, or you’ll need to go it alone.

In conclusion, you may need a little bit of both a physical solution and an energetic solution.

Let us know how it goes! – Liv Kellgren, Programs Director

Thank you very much for the response.  I’m so glad that I have one of  your Feng Shui consultants coming to our home tomorrow.  I have obviously misinterpreted some of the things that I’ve read.  No, we do not want to get into a mirror war nor do we dislike the backdoor neighbor.  Thank you very much for the advice.  I have enjoyed reading  your books.
Liliana
 

It’s so easy to misinterpret the information or make a decision based on just a piece of the whole situation. I’m SO happy for you that you’ve invited a Professional Consultant into your home – You are on to great things! I know that together you’ll be able to find the best solutions and enhancements for all your needs. Liv