So many people have written me recently stressing out because they are going to family and class reunions this month. What's to stress out about? Use feng shui to your advantage before the reunion ever starts!

"My family pigeon-holes me into someone I'm not anymore." OR "My classmates still think of me as a dweeb." - Work the FAME AND REPUTATION GUA fire and light cures with the intention of allowing the universe to show you respect and know who you really are now! You can also dress powerfully by either hiding red on you or wearing red (preferably on top half of body) with the intention of always maintaining your fire energy and being seen in the best light (and possibly for a little protection!)

"My family just never seems to get along or actually have fun at these events. All they do is dredge up the past like it is a current event." - Place a specific cure in the FAMILY GUA with the intention of cutting negative thought ties to the past, so the family can live in the present moment. Use the last reunion photo in a wooden frame if you have it or simply place something green, a symbol, or a living plant there with the same intention! You can also employ the helpful people box in the HELPFUL PEOPLE GUA with the names of the family members that promote the negative behavior. And as long as we're using the family and helpful people gua, you might as well do a three harmonies cure and get the RELATIONSHIP GUA involved. When you have all three balancing each other here with the same intention, you have increased your chi power tremendously! A little love goes a long way to complete this cure!

"My classmates haven't seen me in a long time. I want them to remember me fondly until the next reunion so I want everything to go great during the event." - Let's try a yin cure for this one. Each day for nine days prior to the event, write down how the whole evening goes, making sure everyone who sees you in your "dream diary" comments on how great you look, and how much fun you are to hang out with at the event (or add whatever exactly you want them to think about you.) Write down the quotes of what they say, and the quotes of what you say in return as if you are remembering the event word for word. Write at least one page per day. You can also employ the above FAME AND REPUTATION GUA techniques as well.

And finally, you can place a calming or meditative symbol in your HEALTH GUA with the intention of simply removing your own sense of stress over the event and not buying into the illusion that there is something to stress out over.

Have fun!

QUESTION: Why are the numbers associated with your book different than the numbers associated with the guas of other books?

ANSWER: Because I am using the number itself as a cure. I am using the number's vibrational quality (most commonly found in numerology) and assigning it to the gua that is most closely associated with its particular vibration. You can use this number much the same as you would a symbol of that gua. For example, the relationship gua can be enhanced with matching pairs of objects, right? So the number two - as in a pair or a couple- aligns with that concept.

Other writers may be using the numbers in a specific sequence (and that sequence may change depending on many circumstances) or may be doing something else depending on the style of feng shui that they are describing. Like I always say, if you know how to mix and match styles, then go for it. Otherwise, I'd choose one style and work with it.

1. If you have an unfinished basement, cellar, or deep freeze, this is the best time of year to think about de-cluttering it as it is usually cooler in these spots! Enhance cellar and basement spaces with up-lighting to lift up the chi towards the ceiling if it feels low.

2. Repair any loose tile and squeaky wood flooring as well as stretch or replace any carpet that is lumpy or worn. Summer is a good time to do this as you can use open windows to ventilate a room and disperse the VOC's from the newly added materials (if you are choosing non-sustainable, high VOC products. Try sustainable and low or no VOC emission materials if you can't ventilate.)

The new stuff is starting to trickle in. Check out the new night lights and votives! The metal art we found makes a cool symbol that might be helpful for some of you out there! And, you asked for it - you got it! Mini bagua daisies for your purse, bike seat, car, drawers, pockets, lockers, backpacks (back to school) and all the other little places you wanted to use them. Product Specials

I am Peace.

I am Harmony.

Calmness and I are one.

If you would like me to speak at your company conference, industry convention, or set up a workshop at a corporate retreat, feel free to contact me at Karen@fengshuipalace.com and we'll see if the schedule permits!

Nationwide

September 15, At 5:00 PM Pacific, 8PM Eastern, Karen will be giving a feng shui tele-workshop! This workshop is brought to you by Rochelle at 365 Days of Coachingls. Please call 702-821-1729 to register if you wish to participate. (And if this works out, we'll bring more tele-workshops your way!)

Sometime This Fall, If there is enough interest, Karen will provide private and corporate consultations in the San Antonio and Houston Area. Please e-mail your contact information to Karen@fengshuipalace.com and we will set a date.

Los Angeles, California

August 23, From 1 to 4 PM, Karen will be giving a "Feng Shui and Health" Workshop at the Learning Annex. For additional information and to register, please call the Learning Annex at (310) 478-6677.

September 25-27, Karen will be giving free one-hour workshops, signing books and selling feng shui cures at her booth at the Yoga Expo 2003 that's being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

September 28, Karen will be giving her 4-hour Feng Shui Level One Workshop. There is a registration fee for this workshop. For additional information and to make reservations, visit Yoga Expo

Orange County, California

August 2, From 1:00 - 5:00PM, Karen will be giving a "Level 2 Feng Shui" workshop at the Crystal Cave, 891 Baker Street in Costa Mesa, CA. Registration is $80.00. To register, please call the Crystal Cave at (714) 754-1151. Topics include mudras and mantras, landscape cures, dowsing, personal and exterior chi adjustments, advanced five-element use, health investigation techniques and cures, and much more!

San Francisco, California

September 8, and October 16, From 6:45 - 9:30 PM, Karen will be giving a "Real Estate Feng Shui" Workshop at the Learning Annex. This workshop will be geared towards specific feng shui information regarding buying, selling, remodeling, and building homes. It is suitable for Realtors, contractors, architects, and homeowners. For additional information and to register, please call the Learning Annex at (415) 788-5500.

September 8, October 16 and October 26 Karen will be available for private consultations in the Bay area. The cost of the consultation is $200.00 per hour and the average consultation takes about 2 hours. To schedule your appointment, please call the toll free number (877) 952-2482.

Cincinnati, Ohio / Northern Kentucky

August 29 - 30, Karen will be available for consultations in the Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area. The cost of the consultation is $200.00 per hour and the average consultation takes about 2 hours. To schedule your appointment, please call the toll free number (877) 952-2482.

Sparks, Nevada

November 11 - 12, Karen will be a featured keynote speaker at the National Association of Interpreters Conference. If anyone is interested in a private consultation on the 13th, feel free to call me at (877) 952-2482 to set up a time.

Reno, Nevada

November 13, From 6:30 to 9:30 PM, Karen will provide a feng shui workshop in Reno if there is enough interest. The cost will be $54.00. E-mail us at management@fengshuipalace.com if you are interested in attending.

With great intentions of helping,

Karen