When the stock market, your 401K, the value of your home all sink into an abyss, perhaps you should say, "Feng Shui it!" File this one under "it couldn't hurt" and know you're attempting what some of the rich and famous have already embraced to some degree. Madonna and Boy George for a start, but you expected that. How about Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City to name a few?
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy to create harmony in your surroundings.
The words literally mean wind and water and these two control "chi" which is the breath of life. Balancing chi is a good thing, not only good for your health, but also your wealth. Got your attention?
Before we cha-cha for chi-chi, I picked up the phone and called Jennifer Ellen Frank, a Feng Shui consultant in New York City. www.jenniferfrank.com The interior designer had a previous career as a textile designer and logged a lot of miles flying back and forth to China, during which she grew curious about eastern differences in both home and office. Jennifer gave me a do-at-home list to Feng Shui my way to fat cat city.
#1-Place a mirror at the entrance of your home to pull in chi for opportunity for those who live there. If you have stairs flowing straight to the front door, your money leaves very quickly. Slow this down with pictures along the wall and plants at the bottom of the steps.
#2-Keep your kitchen clean and uncluttered. If you can set up the stove so the cook can see the door. If the stove is already in place, put a mirror behind the stove. That way four burners become eight for multiplication of wealth.
#3-Repair all leaks in the kitchen and bathrooms to prevent money from going down the drain. By the same logic, and males family members take note, keep the toilet lid down to prevent money from being flushed away.
#4-Use the colors purple, red and green to support prosperity energy. Enhance this energy with the placement of a still life of a mountain and water.
#5-Pull that old lava lamp out of storage or purchase a new one. The undulating motions, or for that matter anything electronic or moving, help keep money circulating in your life.
#6-Get a fountain and/or goldfish. These represent the flowing of money to you.
#7-Display symbols of wealth around your home. Money and gold objects, even coins will do. If you can locate one, put out a gold Chinese Money Frog. This is a three-legged statue of a frog or toad with a coin in its mouth.
#8-Frame and hang up a picture of a million dollar bill. You can get a fake one online and that's okay. The symbol, even "Monopoly" game money provides visual reference for circulating prosperity.
#9-Also, cut out pictures of luxury items from magazines. Try a Porsche, an amazing country house, and a yacht. These represent the aspiration of "having it all" and are magnets for positive energy.
#10-Put a jade plant on the table. The jade plant is the Chinese version of a money tree.
You can pick up Feng Shui items online at sites jsuch as www.fengshuiemporium.com.
Some things you may not be able to change. If you can, put your home office, in theory where you make money, in the southeast corner of your house. If that's not possible, put money or a symbol of money on the southeast corner of your desk. If possible, position your desk to see the door and a view of the outside. A desk with rounded corners is best. Make sure the chair backs up against a solid wall. You don't need Feng Shui to get that one. When it comes to money these days, watch your back.
If you want to see more of my stories go to www.nbcnewyork.com
How? Just tell me how.
So, yes it can hurt if you pay for a consultation.