The Feng Shui Way - TPO

Transforming Your Life

( The Feng Shui Way) *

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by TPO

The Chinese system of geomancy known as Feng Shui is, in the view of TPO, quite appealing and subscribeable for at least two reasons:

• scientific reasoning – using the five elements of Feng Shui (i.e. Fire, Water, Earth, Wood, and Metal) in accordance with the laws of the universe.  “The five elements are believed to be manifestations of the Yin-Yang in the universe.”
  

•  deep-rooted rationale –  simple and practical ideas are given (offered as divination) for the day-to-day concerns and preoccupations in a person’s life.

Feng Shui believes that the universe is made up of Yin and Yang, often interpreted as heaven and earth, good and evil, or masculine and feminine. It is only through the synergy of these that balance is maintained in the universe. 
 

When harmony between the five elements is achieved, we have what is known as the Productive Cycle.

 


On the other hand, when there is incompatibility or discord between the elements, we will get disharmony … and the result is known as the Destructive Cycle.

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The Five Elements:

1 – element: Wood (木 mù)

Direction - East
Season - Spring
Color - Green
Influences - Liver and Gall Bladder
Commonly Used Forms - Living Plants, Flowers, Grass

--Wood signifies new growth and expansion. People associated with the wood element are extremely generous, and can be quite the spendthrifts. They are the explorers and adventure seekers who are constantly challenging their limits. They make loyal companions, and trusty friends. True connoisseurs of the arts, those born with the wood element bring in their creative side into any field that they are a part of. They stand out from the crowd and are born leaders.
-- In their never-ending endeavor to constantly push the envelope, they tend to take up a lot more than they can handle. They are often short-tempered, and can be rather insensitive.

!!Alert!! -- Stay away from strong winds.

2 – element: Fire (火 huǒ)

Direction - South
Season - Summer
Color - Red
Influences - Heart and Circulatory System
Commonly Used Forms - Fireplace, Lit Candles, Incense Sticks, Night Stand

--Fire is linked to strength and persistence. Those associated with this element are warm and loving. They make for good leaders, and are very competitive. They have a rather magnetic personality, and like to always be the center of attention. They can be pretty dramatic even about little things. People of the fire element are great orators.
-- They can get overaggressive whilst pursuing their goals. Impatience and selfishness are other negative qualities linked with them.
!!Alert!! – Stay away from excessive heat, and keep your emotions in check

3 - element: Earth (土 tǔ)
Direction - Center
Season - Change of Seasons
Color - Yellow
Influences - Digestive System
Commonly Used Forms - Sand and Rock Gardens, Rocks, Stone Jars, Ceramic Bowls

-- The element of Earth is one that is associated with hard work and stability. People born in this element are known to be ambitious and hardworking. They make for excellent additions to any group or organization, as they are reliable, and can be very patient. They follow their instincts, which more often than not lead them to success. True to their element, their feet are grounded, and they are always in touch with reality.
-- People belonging to this element can be painfully stubborn and self-centered. They can be prone to anxiety and fear of the unknown.

!! Alert !! -- Stay away from marshy places and wetlands.

     [Note - TPO has discovered that his element is Earth!]

4 – element: Metal (金 jīn)

Direction - West
Season - Autumn
Color - White
Influences - Respiratory System
Commonly Used Forms - Silver Trays, Metal Cookware, Brass Pots, Gold Jewelry

-- Metal is associated with persistence and unyieldingness. People of this element are extremely independent. They tend to downplay their achievements, although they are known to pursue their ambitions aggressively. They are adept at handling even the toughest of situations, and do not let setbacks affect them. They are very particular about cleanliness and hygiene, often lingering on the borders of OCD.
-- 'Metallic' people can be rather impulsive. Vanity tends to get the better of them, and they can be very unreasonable about it.
!!Alert!! – Stay away from hot regions.

5 – element: Water (水 shuǐ)

Direction - North
Season - Winter
Color - Black
Influences - Lungs, Excretory System, Bones
Commonly Used Forms - Bowls of Clean Water, Fountains, Water Coolers

-- The element of water stands for wisdom and flexibility. 'Water babies' tend to keep to themselves, and are creative geniuses. They can handle pressure easily, rarely losing their calm. They make for perfect diplomats, and are effective at communicating with people.
-- People belonging to this element can be extremely secretive and reserved. Fear always seems to lurk deep within them.
!!Alert!! -- Stay away from hilly regions.

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* Alex Mathew, http://www.buzzle.com/articles/amazing-power-of-the-5elements-of-feng-shui.html

The Naming of Cats - by T.S. Eliot

THE NAMING OF CATS by T. S. Eliot The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter, It isn’t just one of your holiday games; You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES. First of all, there’s the name that the family use daily, Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James, Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey – All of them sensible everyday names. There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter, Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames: Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter – But all of them sensible everyday names. But I tell you, a cat needs a name that’s particular, A name that’s peculiar, and more dignified, Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular, Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride? Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum, Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat, Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum – Names that never belong to more than one cat. But above and beyond there’s still one name left over, And that is the name that you never will guess; The name that no human research can discover – But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess. When you notice a cat in profound meditation, The reason, I tell you, is always the same: His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name: His ineffable effable Effanineffable Deep and inscrutable singular Name.