On a call I received recently on the North Shore of Long Island for a Feng Shui Consultation, my client could FEEL that the energy in his home had changed. Along with new financial issues and relationship problems, he knew about Feng Shui and KNEW the renovations had something to do with what he was feeling. He had recently moved to Oyster Bay from Manhattan.
He told me he had searched the Internet and come across my name-and that he'd found my blogs and read many of them. They made sense to him he said and told me he'd been reading about Feng Shui for quite a while but needed an "expert."
When a prospective Feng Shui Client tells me they can FEEL the Energy is off in their space, even if they don't know WHY, I believe them. I do believe you can feel subtle changes in your environment as well as the bigger ones.
In this case it was recent renovations he'd had done in his home. From a Feng Shui Perspective, we often like to see a home BEFORE renovations to review plans and to provide blessings prior to the beginning.
The Energy in a space moves rapidly during renovations and to help slow it down and ensure it goes well we like to use both Interior and Exterior Blessings. In addition, reviewing the floor plans is a wonderful idea so we don't create any issues from a Feng Shui point of view.
This remodel was done in the Kitchen-the "HEART" of the home. It also happened to be located in the Relationship area of the Bagua. Money had become an issue he told me, as well as relationships.
Knowing that, I left the kitchen until the end. By that time he had a thorough knowledge of Feng Shui Principles and using the Bagua. Aside from a wall they had added which cut the kitchen off from the rest of the home-making energy work harder to get IN there, he himself noticed what he was feeling-BECAUSE NOW HE COULD SEE IT.
The wall was one issue and I gave him some suggestions on how to make the space look and feel "open" again. This is what he saw in the kitchen---or I should say, in the RELATIONSHIP PART OF THE KITCHEN.
A bunch of sharp knives. Sharp objects give off a "cutting" energy and we tend to keep them out of sight.
A clock: Clocks and watches can give the feeling of passing time; Our precious time ticking away. I personally don't advise many clocks to be around.
A blender. Where else would you find a blender then in the kitchen? But think again of the ENERGY of a blender-it cuts and chops things up. They should be out of sight when not in use.
Placement of objects IS important in Feng Shui by the Energy they emit. Aside from the wall, they were relatively simple things that my client was feeling....he's going to make some changes through his house but I loved that HE could see exactly what he was feeling.
*As per my client's wishes, no photos were taken.
http://www.FengShuiLongIsland.com
*Feng Shui Long Island & New York was founded in 1997 by Carole Provenzale and Laura Cerrano and provide Certified Feng Shui Consultations on site for all of New York City-Manhattan and Long Island.
I learn something new from you every day...gotta put my block of knives away.
Like Sally...I learn so much from you. I wish you had photos, but I understand his not wanting to maintain his privacy. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself. ~GBU~
Carole ~ Another very interesting and informative post. I consulted with some clients on Friday who had a block of knives on their kitchen counter ... they agreed to put them out of sight. I can usually "feel" energy in a space and have no idea where that comes from ... perhaps we're born with it but somehow tune it out when we're young.
Btw I see that you are very close to 300K points ~ may I offer you a hearty congratulations on reaching such a momentous milestone? You have helped many people with each and every one of those points ~ thank you from another grateful reader!
Carol - Thank you for sharing this. I learn so much from you every time I read your blog ! I have been away from the rain for a couple of weeks and came back to catch up on your blogs. I found this most interesting because after getting back from a trip I walked into my home and was immediatly drawn to my kitchen ( was not sure why ) I felt an overwhelming desire to clean the kitchen. After driving for over 12 hours I started taring apart my kitchen. Cleaning, reorganizing, scrubbing the fridge, placing things on shelves up and off of my counters. When I got done I felt as "ease" even though the rest of my house wasn't exactly cleaned.
Thank you for all of your helpful insights. Subconciously I am getting it and the universe is letting me know !
Carole it is good you are able to help those folks out who feel "off" in their homes. I am glad I have never had those kind of issues.
Carole-
I came back to my apartment in New York City from visiting family on the West coast for two weeks and prior to leaving I cleaned and organized the apartment from top to bottom. When I came back everything was neat, organized, it felt very good coming home to this environment. It made the transition back to work very smooth because I didn't have to regroup and start working again in a hectic environment.
I knew there had to be a reason why I always preferred a house with an open kitchen/living space layout. Must have to do with the energy that comes from it.
You always teach me something - and for that I am so very grateful. Thanks again for another wonderful post.
You have encouraged me to take a serious look at my kitchen. Thank you!
Its funny (or not) how much infatuation the western world has with watches and clocks ( I do as well) even though it marks the passage of time - great post!!
Carole,
Your client is so fortunate to have you guiding him....
I've been thinking a lot lately about energy and what you said about knives. We have two large knife blocks on our kitchen counter (looking down on the kitchen, they are at the right top corner) and I'm thinking perhaps we need to find a place in our cupboards to store them?
What do you think of having a wooden drying rack left out on the kitchen counter? Is wood conducive to good energy flow?
((-:
Jo
Hi Carol,
Good post. It's so funny that we don't normally think about where we keep our kitchen tools, but that it can have such an impact on us. I put my blender up a long time ago!
I'm actually planning a space clearing for this Friday and it sure does involve a lot of work!
Thanks for sharing!
Tamara
Carole- It's always nice to see what advice you have for us....I cna't tell you how much I've learned. Thank you and hope this year is a great one for you and all your clients.
Goodness Carole I never would have thought of the blender. I knew about the knives.
Carole ~ You've really made me think about how I've been feeling lately and it might be that the energy is off in our home. Sometimes you need to listen to what you are feeling. Although they've been out on the counter for some time, I think I'm going to start by moving the knife blocks. If that doesn't work you may be getting a call!
Definitely something to think about, we are going to remodel our home next summer and will definitely seek input before we start. Thank you so much for sharing all of your wisdom! :)
Sally, They actually look nice in the wooden holders but we don't like to see them out in Feng Shui.
Elizabeth, I really can't blame them either, I am not sure if I'd want any pictures of my home on the Internet. But I do love it when a client can see for themselves what's wrong.
Maureen, You're an absolute sweetheart, I haven't reached it yet and never thought I'd ever reach a milestone like that. There is "Intuitive" Feng Shui and that's likely what you have. I've seen it and a few of my clients have had it as well. What a great benefit that gives you in helping your clients and it's a true gift!
Melissa, You were missed--I hope things are well. I call them "Feng Shui attacks" which involve a sudden urge to clean no matter WHAT time it is or how tired you are :) I get them myself---My kids used to laugh at me, now they're used to it!
Bill, I'm glad as well. My clients can often relate to something they're recently done with their home (or moving into a new one) and KNOW something is off, even if they're not sure what it is.
Morgan, That's interesting because I do the same thing if I am going away....I want to come back to a neat, organized home. It's hard enough to get caught up and I DO feel for those going through a move.
Carol, The energy of the kitchen is nourishing....and the new wall was blocking it. Then there was the energy of the items on the counter. I loved that he could actually SEE it himself and know they got removed probably before I got home :)
Mel, It is often considered the most important room in Feng Shui, our kitchens nourish us--or not. Adding a bowl of fruit or fresh flowers in there are good things to do.
James, I used to run by clocks. Here at this time, there at another. I am NEVER late for an appointment but I don't wear a watch...I have the time on my cell phone if I need it.
Jo, Put the knives away--they are cutting energy. The wood drying rack should be fine, just check for your other elements (and that should be done in every room). Make sure you have fire, water, earth and metal....later you can set them up in a good flow.
Tamara, I do space clearings with every consultation and I am absolutely convinced of how powerful they are for so many things! Good luck and enjoy it--the feeling afterward is wonderful and often felt by my clients.
Kathy, Thank you my friend. Even little things in Feng Shui can make a difference--and start the year off right.
Gayle, Think of the energy of the objects....it might sound strange still to some but it's always something we consider.
Kathy, Definitely move the knife blocks and go get checked for Vitamin D levels....we are not getting ANY sunshine and it's under-dignosed. If your doctor hasn't checked you for it, insist.
Kevin & Monica, It's a good idea if you're doing renovations to get someone you trust--so that they can review the plans first and keep the rapidly moving energy down so it doesn't create any chaos. Prior to my renovations this home was blessed!
Carole - your posts are always so informative - I'm sure this owner will contact you first before making changes in their home next time! There is so much to learn about Feng Shui - a consultation from you can prevent such mistakes!
Sounds like I have to get rid of the clocks on my microwave, coffemaker, cook top, etc. But, the blender and knives are put away. I have always preferred an open floor plan, strange that the home we have now does not have that open plan.
Carole- first let me congratulate you on 300,000 points!!! Wish I could throw a party for you!
Next, thanks for the info. I remember reading that about the knives a while ago and have put my knives and stand away in the cupboard. When we painted the kitchen a few years ago we removed the clock, mostly because it didn't "go" with the new scheme. With the clock on the stove and microwave, we can time our meals.
And you know what- the energy in my house is a whole lot better. Didn't think it was about those things though.
I've put red envelopes with 3 coins in them in the prosperity sections like you suggested. I'm sure this will be a much more prosperous year!.
Carole, I would NEVER have thought of this stuff, but it makes so much sense. Off to the kitchen to make sure that the items that chop are put in the cabinet!
I thought of you when I tossed out a lot of "stuff" a few months ago. I could literally feel the weight gone from that room (and the rest of the house)- having followed your posts, now I know why!
Carol: another great article by you. I too, was feeling a sense of energy that was not bad, but it wasn't good either. I started cooking in my little kitchen and low and behold.....relationships have bloomed through the ceiling and my business has picked up. Thank you as always for your well written blogs.
Great story Carole and the care and education you gave him I am sure made all the difference. Delivery is everything. And, you are the one to give the message. Bless you for honoring his wishes about the photos.
Carole,
I am going to put my block of knives in the drawer. I don't need the negative energy.
Thanks for the tip.