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goals of the academyAdventures of a Feng Shui Detective: how outer clues reveal your inner life -- Excerpt
Our Money, Ourselves: The Case of The Secret Closet
We all want prosperity, and let's face it, when we say the word, most of us are thinking of money. The area of Number Four in the Bagua, sometimes referred to as "wealth" or "prosperity" is the area of wind. Wind represents the movement of energy, the source.
I like the term Fortunate Blessings for this area as it brings to mind good fortune in all areas of our lives, and when it comes down to it, we desire money to bring us good feelings, happiness.
When we're in harmonious relationship with ourselves and others, chances are we'll be in vibrant good health, enjoy our creativity and in turn, receive recognition for our unique contributions. If we focus solely on money without overall harmony, however, chances are we'll short-change ourselves.
I recall a woman who phoned early in my practice.
"My husband and I would like you to come and look at our Wealth area," she began. "We don't need you to do the whole house."
Before she could tell me the details I explained the way I practice."I could do that, but I'm afraid you'd be wasting your money. To figure out what's happening with your wealth, I need to look at everything else inside and outside your house. Sure, I could make suggestions to enhance one area, and you'd probably see improvement right away, but it would be a quick fix. Somewhere down the line you'd be back to square one. I don't consider that Feng Shui. If we make adjustments to every area that needs it you can build the foundation that produces wealth." They decided to go ahead.
As it turned out, though the energy in Fortunate Blessings was low, it was the result of a complex pattern. I knew that this couple had the ability to generate all the money they wanted. Structurally the prosperity area was strong and outside there was a beautiful red bougainvillea climbing a red brick wall. The property was protected by mountain ranges which in the classical Form School represented dragon, tortoise and tiger, with a phoenix in front; a perfect configurations.
The problem lay in the basement. In a small storage room I sensed an unusual pattern of energy. In one corner was a stack of old paintings, the gold frames dusty. Carefully I examined each. Sure enough, there was the clue. It was a reproduction of a work by the Spanish painter, Goya, of a military execution. I discovered a collection of what appeared to be antique guns. Aha!
But that wasn't all. Something about the armoire wasn't quite right. It was dim in the room, lit by a single 40-watt light bulb. I checked the area around the armoire. There was a horizontal piece of wood showing on the wall above the top of the armoire. Cautiously I pushed the armoire, not wanting to trigger an antique gun -- definitely bad Feng Shui for the practitioner to shoot herself!
I decided not only was the armoire heavy but that if I were to explore behind it I needed the owners' permission.
I explained about the armoire and suggested we move it.
"No problem," said the man. "We haven't been down there for years."
Sure enough, behind the heavy piece of furniture was a cobwebby door. When he turned the handle it opened a little way, then stopped. He forced his way in, then returned to forage for a flashlight. Finally the three of us stood in the doorway.
I half expected to find a corpse, it was the perfect set-up. But instead, the small room was piled high with old newspapers and empty wine bottles. The newspapers were yellow with age, with the characteristic moldy smell.
Have you looked at a newspaper in the last twenty-four hours? News is practically synonymous with bad news. Just think how many murders, acts of brutality, terrorism and petty crime are recorded in a four-foot-high pile of papers! And what about the wine bottles? Wine is associated with the good things of life, celebation, feasting. But empty wine bottles? The good things of life are drained. Memories.
I resumed my snoop and creep while the couple went back to the living room. As I completed my search I came up with the other minor clues. I have never yet found a clue which was not part of a network of small evidences.
My conclusion? It was clear that my clients' beliefs about money were associated with fear of lack; the gun collection (guns are used to defend); the hidden door, the bad news contained in the old papers and empty bottles. Coming from such a belief of lack, it would not matter how much money we bring in, it would constantly flow away leaving us with a shortage of fortunate blessings.
After working with my clients on their beliefs about money, I left them with a customized recipe.
Then I waited for their report. Six weeks later they called.
"I don't know whether it's the Feng Shui or not," the woman began, "but you wouldn't believe what's happened. We never told you this but my husband was having trouble with a partner who was trying to get him out and take over the company. We were in the middle of a legal battle. That's why we called you. Well, it's all been solved and we've landed our biggest contract in three years."
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