New Year---New Chi

Whether you're one of those agents who has told me 2008 was your best year yet, or one of the many others who almost got a job at Starbucks, I've got a little Feng Shui Fun for you.

Since way back when (and I'm talking ancient times) nearly all cultures practiced some kind of clearing ceremonies, based on their own cultural beliefs, and what they cleared for could be anything from evil spirits to just plain old bad luck. And, of course, part of the process is in attracting good energy and good luck. Now some of you may think of short-sale banks as evil spirits, while others may just want to attract more clients in 2009. Either way, whattya got to lose?

This is a blog I did awhile back about stagnant energy and foreclosures: http://activerain.com/blogsview/820974/Short-Sales-Foreclosures-and-Feng-Shui.

In Chinese Feng Shui, they're really big on doing a clearing at the New Year, and, since it's January, what better time to wash away whatever parts of 2008 you weren't especially crazy about and call in lots and lots of GOOD ENERGY for 2009?

You Don't Have to Be a Woo Woo

Sometime when I speak about my areas of research and expertise, like hypnosis, brain biology, subtle energy fields, law of attraction and Feng Shui, folks figure I must be a real headcase...you know, an old hippie with a hookah pipe. But the funny thing is that I'm about as far from a woo woo as one could be. You see, I base most all of what I write about in my books on scientifically valid research, respected authors and practitioners, and of course, my own experiences. That said, you don't need to really hire anyone to conduct a clearing. In fact, I tend to think your space clearing practice should be performed by you, personally, in order to be the most effective.

No Special Tools

Below I'm going to describe what I think is a full-out, effective space clearing ritual to help you bring in lots of good luck in 2009. However, and this is a BIG however, you can do this in whatever way that feels right to you. In fact, I have one client who simply walked around his house, opened windows and mentally invited in good energy for a good year. Not a thing wrong with that! Remember, in Feng Shui and the Law of Attraction (and virtually all self-help studies I've undertaken) INTENTION IS KEY. If you intend on having an amazing year, followed with your intention to invite lots of positive energy into your home or office, you are most of the way there. So now let's look at how you can add to your practice. Include any or all of the following...I'll just number them so you can pick and choose as you wish:

1. Candles. Light little votive candles. In space clearing your most important areas to set up your "clearing tools" would be your living room, bedroom, stove top and office. When I just did my annual space clearing, I had a candle in each of these spaces.
2. Incense. Besides making a house smell good, incense are thought to provoke and invite good energy in. When you're dealing with a foreclosure, consider doing this kind of clearing...you might be surprised at how much it helps dispel all the negative energy of someone losing their home. Burn an incense in all the same places you have a candle.
3. Flowers. Next to the candles, you can put a few brightly colored flower heads. This really looks cool when you see it all together...kinda makes me feel like a Buddahist monk! Remember to discard the flowers when they wilt...dead flowers bring negative chi.
4. Crack or open windows....fresh air coming in and old air out is pretty self-explanatory, right?
5. Sea salt is a cleaner. Pour some in a small dish and set next to your little alters. When you're done with your clearing, be sure and throw the salt out. Do NOT toss it on your chicken salad! Since the salt is thought to absorb any old and icky energy, you sure don't want to eat it for dinner.
6. Bells. after you've lit your candle/incense, say a little silent prayer, stating your intention to have a kick-butt 2009 and eliminate ANY and ALL negative energy hanging out in your house (or office). Now walk around and ring the bell in ALL the corners of every room in your house (or office). Start at the front door and work your way around clockwise. Best to do this when you're alone, but animals love it and will add to the yang energy! Little kids too, but teen children have been known to roll their eyes and swear they were born into the wrong family. You can clap your hands in place of the bell--the idea is to wake up old chi so the new stuff can come a callin'.
7. Wash your hands when you're all done. Let the candles and incense burn out naturally to make sure the job is complete.
8. Now pat yourself on the back and have a beer...wait, FIRST, sit down and realize that you've just done something that will help to ensure you're going to have an amazing year. Expectation is quite important too....but remember, Feng Shui and the law of attraction without any action, is just plain woo woo. Call a past clients, do some social networking, or walk your farm. Good stuff is coming!

Hope you enjoyed this. My goal is to bring FUN to self-improvement and professional development.

Take care,

Tamara