My Articles

Recommended Reading: Fast Feng Shui Series by Stephanie Roberts, The Modern Book of Feng Shui by Steven Post, The Western Guide to Feng Shui by Terah Kathryn Collins (or any of her more recent books), The Learning Annex Presents Feng Shui by Meihwa Lin Articles below: Article from Fast Feng Shui by Stephanie Roberts in Hawaii Article Change and are you ready for it? by Evelyn Seed An Interview with Evelyn Seed by Rachel Van Schooneveld As seen in 2003 on Fast Feng Shui by Stephanie Roberts in Hawaii Aloha, feng shui friends: I have been emailing the past few days with a dear friend and fellow feng shuista, Evelyn Seed, about the fear, dismay, and uncertainty many people are feeling now that the U.S. is at war with Iraq. Although here on Maui direct threat seems remote (even Pearl Harbor is on another island not quite visible over the horizon), Evelyn is in New York City, where concern about possible terrorist retaliation is high. Here are some ideas we've shared about how you can apply feng shui principles to creating a sense of peace and calmness in your home: First impressions are tremendously important in feng shui, and paying attention to the symbolic effect of objects and imagery is one of feng shui's key principles. Make sure that the objects and imagery that you first see when entering your home are peaceful and reassuring. Make your front entry as serene and calm a space as possible. Another important area is the physical center of your home, because whatever is going on there will affect the entire space. Remove all clutter and any sharp objects or "busy" or "aggressive" artwork or imagery from these spaces. Round shapes and soft textures are welcoming and relaxing. For example, if the first things you see when you walk in the door are your gardening trowel and clippers, put them out of sight and place a beautiful ceramic bowl or hand-woven basket in that spot. Bowls and baskets carry the energy of the universal mother and of the earth, and in this subtle way they help us to feel cared for, grounded, and secure. Beautiful fresh flowers are another way to bring peaceful and harmonious energy into the home, and an indoor water fountain also helps to create a soothing atmosphere. Evelyn suggests: "a photo of a bird of peace/freedom, photos or quotes of Great Leaders such as Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Spiritual or political leaders who had empowering and enlightening messages for the peoples." If you are feeling particularly vulnerable, place an image of a guardian figure of some kind by your front door. Other good places for peaceful imagery are within your range of vision as you sit at your desk and where it will be the first thing seen when you wake up in the morning. Go around your home and look for imagery that feels soothing or spiritually grounding in whatever form that takes for you: a photograph of the ocean, a snapshot of your children or grandparents, or an image of Jesus, Buddha, Quan Yin, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. - anyone whose message and teachings resonate with you and help you to feel connected with a force greater than yourself. Place these pictures and objects where you will see them often as you move about your home. Evelyn and I also agree that keeping the TV tuned to all-news stations all day long will simply increase your stress and anxiety. Trust that if something truly significant develops you will hear about it, and can then tune in for all the details. It's fine to check in a few times during the day, but turn it off the rest of the time so you can focus your attention on taking care of the other aspects of your life. Feng shui is all about balance, so look for ways to fit a little "giggle therapy" into each ay. Balance each hour spent watching CNN or other news with 15-30 minutes of your favorite comedy. Or stop by the video store on the way home tonight and stock up on comedies and "feel-good" movies. Choose to surround yourself as much as possible with reminders of humankind's positive qualities. "Pray, even if you've never prayed before," says Evelyn, "and know that this war, the fear associated with it, and the anxiety will not last forever, all things change. Let go and trust in the universe." My own first reaction to this war has been dismay and sadness that my country's leadership was not able to find a peaceful, cooperative solution to a difficult and threatening situation. On a deeper level, I know and trust that everything is happening according to a divine plan, and that whatever happens will be for the best in the long run--even if I am not yet able to see or understand it. I want to share with you one more comment from Evelyn: "We live in an interconnected web of life, where everything is related to every other thing. Throw a pebble in a pond, and watch the whole pond be affected by the ripples. What kind of ripple will you make in the world today?" Holding on to feelings of anger, aggression, and fear perpetuates and strengthens those negative emotions. In the face of anxiety, you can choose to feel peace. By feeling peace, you are helping to bring peace to the world. Peace, love, and aloha to you all, Stephanie Roberts The topic is “Change and are you ready for it?” An article by Evelyn Seed New York New York USA Representative of the FengShuiNetwork.net (Austrailia) (Internal Feng Shui for the practitioner as well as the client.) I often speak to people who are stuck, many know that they’re stuck, others don’t know. That’s why they call me for a Feng Shui Consultation. They do know they need something different in their lives. I ask them if they’ve ever heard of the old story about the cup? The story goes: you can’t fill a cup that’s already full, you must empty some from the cup to be able to fill it again. This concept helps people who have too much clutter. It encourages them to let go, and be 'open' to new opportunities. Many find it difficult to ‘let go of’ some old familiar thing, way, product, system and /or article of clothing, which may represent something, that they’re not finished with yet. A hanging onto, as it were. Other clients haven't got a clue that they’re stuck-so they can’t change. Psychologists say you have to recognize something before you can attempt to change it. Therefore some clients will get your best advice and because of a resistance on their part to change- they may not implement any cures, remedies, or suggestions. They then may experience little or no change. Many reasons and/ or excuses can create obstacles to change, if you let them. The routine, the order (or chaos, as it were,) that has become all too familiar and comfortable, such as flopping into an old pair of slippers at the end of a day could represent comfort & quiet 'down-time'. Letting go of that comfort zone could be a scary thought to many. Not an easy transition. It is simply resistance to change. Which is expressed with such loving innocence in the simple and so true Definition of Insanity: "Doing the same thing the same way and expecting Different results!" Now I know we’re not all insane, but, think about it. Isn’t it more comfortable to don the old familiar clothes and just dream about being different? A guru once told me that “all of life mirrors the self”. The new book, The Dark Side of the Light Chasers by Debbie Ford, also expresses this ancient and simple concept. Just as your home mirrors your internal universe, I know I am a mirror for many of my clients. Their issues are familiar to me because I had shared them or I still am dealing with them. Stubbornness, procrastination, reluctance or resistance, hey, we're all human. So I know how difficult it is for others. I hope that in our quest for making the world a better place-through Feng Shui-,we don’t ignore the core of the universe, the self. Of course, I speak for my self and others. I offer as much compassion as I can for others because I know I need it myself. I offer as much patience as I can, for I need it too. I offer as much nurturing and understanding as I can because I know ‘all of life is a reflection of the self‘, and “so you sew, so shall you reap”. So if I can do these offerings 'honoring myself', my clients can have these qualities for themselves and share toward others too. Just found the perfect quote of this by Lao Tzu. He says: In choosing your dwelling, know how to keep to the ground. In cultivating your mind, know how to dive in the hidden depths. In dealing with others, know how to be gentle and kind. In speaking, know how to keep your word. In governing, know how to maintain order. In transacting business, know how to be efficient. In making a move, know how to choose the right moment. And as post script, may I add a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: Do what you can, with what you have, with where you are. Respectfully submitted, Evelyn Seed An Interview With Evelyn Seed Hi, My name is Rachel Van Schooneveld. I am an MBA student with the University of Phoenix and I am doing a market research paper on feng shui consultations. I am wondering if you would be willing to answer the questionnaire that I have provided to help me in my research. It has been very difficult to find any market research and feng shui so I have decided to go straight to the source, I have tried to get a hold of many consultants and schools by phone without much luck, so I am hoping that email will work better. If you prefer to talk with me in person or have any questions for me feel free to call me at XXXXX. I would appreciate any help that you are willing to provide. I appreciate your help with any answers you may have to these questions. I know these are not the most exciting questions...market research is not the most exciting, that is why I tried to pick an interesting topic! Thanks again. Thank you, Rachel Van Schooneveld Feng Shui Questionnaire Q: How popular would you say Feng Shui is in your area? ES: About 30% of New Yorkers have heard or read about Feng Shui, I guess. Q: What is the market like? ES: I think the market is PRIME for anything which will improve people's lives, health, wealth, relationships, careers, their own sense of ease & peace within themselves and in their homes. Q: How many calls do you get per week/month for consultations? ES: I get about 3-5 calls per month. Q: From what general area? ES: Well, general area?? I've given consultations of course in Manhattan, but I also go to Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, & Staten Island. I travel to give consultations in Long Island, Upstate new York, New Jersey, Washington DC, and Florida too. Q: What are the demographics of your typical customer…age, income, etc. ES: The average age is 30's ( but range between 18 year olds to 65 year olds), I accommodate various income groups (only 5% are incomes over 100K, most earn between 14K & 35K) A lot of my clients have read a book or two on the Feng Shui Subject and become very confused because there are many 'schools of Feng Shui'. You see Feng Shui is like the word 'Christianity'. As you know Christianity encompasses Catholics, Protestants, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, etc etc. OK? Now, you know that Christianity's goal is to 'save souls'-but there are a bazillion ways of doing it. Some people sit some stand, some kneel. OK? Well, Feng Shui's goal is to 'cause harmony with the Universe'- and there are many ways to do that too. So when Feng Shui began about 3000 years ago, the information traveled far and wide and several adaptations on the theme became accepted. So, Feng Shui developed into the Black Hat Sect, the Yellow Hat Sect, the Form School, the Red hat Sect and the Compass school. What's the compass school, you ask? OK A long long time ago the Feng Shui Principles/Theories found their way in an area which had no Mountains, No Rivers and nothing upon which to get a sense of safety (The sense of Safety to which I'm referring is called the Commanding Position. This was based on how the warring factions of the Kingdoms/Emperors used strategies with their troops & generals. They used the mountains as a natural barrier-insurmountable to say the least especially in Tibet from whence this comes! So the Commanding position is the seat of power & control against the enemy. Basically "so you could see the door" or the way the enemy might enter!! You know Mafia guys NEVER SIT with their back to the door!! They've been employing Feng Shui for years ha ha. Any way, In the barren plains of Northern China, they said what are we going to do without Mountains? They used the compass to tell them which direction was best AND THEY NEVER built a structure with any doors or windows opening to the North. Why? cuz the cold Mongolian winds would come down from the North & make everyone sick, unsuccessful and die. You see they didn't have central heating nor polar tec! So to this day ...according to the Compass school, no window or doors should face north!! I find it rather odd that no one adapted the ancient principles, and that's why I don't subscribe to the Compass school's theory, nor do I practice Compass school Feng Shui.I practice the Black Hat Sect which believes whichever way the door is, you shouldn't have your back to it!! Energetically it's not safe. So, if you can't move your desk, place a mirror in a position, like a car's rear view mirror, so you can see behind you=that's a Feng Shui cure!! Q: What are the market trends regarding feng shui? ES: I think Books and Articles are the most popular marketing Trend to educate the people. I've given lectures to women's groups, church groups and businesses. Q: What is involved in a consultation? Methods and tools used, time…etc. ES: Wow, big Question. Ok, let's see: First I gather the Birthdates of the homeowner and spouse/ kids, before I go to the appointment. This helps me assess their 5 Element make-up according to the Chinese astrology (Western Astrology doesn't do it). The 5 Elements or qualities of the Stars you were born under state your basic personality traits or basic make up Example: if your 4 Pillar Chart says you are all Earth signs, most likely you will be fixed, stubborn, dry, non movable and hard. I never met any one like, that but just as an example I might suggest they have Water elements around or even metal objects to lessen the overplay of Earth. I know it sounds weird but when you study this for 6 years OR MORE, you'll understand. So I can cater the consultation to the individuals who occupy the space. Then I go to the site. I assess the energy flow, conduct an interview to check out what it is that the person called me to do( their wishes hope & dreams), Explain the Bagua map ( a tick-tack-toe kind-of map which based on the door where areas are. (areas such as Family & ancestry, Wealth, Fame& recognition, Relationships, Creativity & children, Helpful People & Travel, Career, and Knowledge & Self Cultivation). See Bagua on my website http://www.fengshuiseed.com/ or http://www.Bio1New.com . I explain the five Elements and then walk around their space with an audio tape, recording what I see and asking questions about their things and their positions (like why they chose to place their bed that way?). I make suggestions & recommendations for 'cures' to remedy ill situations & negative energy. I give them the two hour tape. I teach them the three secrets (how to empower a cure), invite questions and offer to "be there" by phone for free, whenever they have a query. Q: How much do you charge for a consultation for home/business?Homes? ES: I charge minimum of $414.00 and businesses a minimum of $540.00. For way small spaces like studio apartments I only charge the hourly rate of $207.00. Do these numbers seem Odd? Well, they all add up to 9. A very special and auspicious number in MANY cultures. One of my teachers charges $900.00 per session. Q: What type of technology do you use? ES: Personally I don't need to use meters to assess the negative vibes because fortunately I am very energetically aware and have honed my skills to be "pretty right on". So I don't use technology...unless you count the computer by which we may correspond or the phone lines? Q: Who would you say your main competitors are? ES: Actually, I have no competition because I am so unique, who could compare? I support all my fellow students who cause harmony with the universe. Would you ask a priest who is his competition? Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses in comparison? ES: By comparison, I might say that My expertise is my compassion=unparalleled. and My weakness is my years in the field- I'm only 6 years old! Others have been practicing longer. With years of practice, usually comes wisdom, I learn every day! Q: Do you work in conjunction with any interior designers or realtors? ES: Not so far. Although based on my past performances I am highly recommended. Q: What are your keys to success? ES: Prayer, constantly using the Buddhist prayers before a consultation and basically I pray upon waking, before sleeping, eating, washing, while gardening, while waiting in line, in an elevator, when I drive a car, when I travel. Q: What are ways in which you advertise? ES: Word of Mouth is the best, Print ads, Internet, Articles,& the benevolence of the Gods! Q: Do you consult on a full or part time basis? ES: Full time, but I don't work 8 hours a day every day. When appointments are made I do my best. © 2002 Sacred Space Voice of the FENG SHUI network www.fengshuinetwork.net Evelyn Seed Feng Shui Consultations by Evelyn Seed 162 W. 56th St. New York, NY 10019 tel: (212) 246-1639 email: Evelyn@FengShuiSeed.com web: www.FengShuiSeed.com This is your invitation to enhance your magnificence, enlighten yourself, enliven your space. Expert, empowering consultant Evelyn Seed is a graduate of the three year BTB Feng Shui Professional Training Program, the David Daniel Kennedy & James Mosier School, the Western School of Feng Shui, and the Advanced Essential Feng Shui Training Program.