Through the marvelous feng shui speaker and practitioner William Spear, I was made aware of the definition of feng shui as it was in the Encyclopedia of China in 1917. I thought it was so good I had to share it with you.

Feng shui is the art of adapting residences of the living and dead to cooperate and harmonize with the local currents of the cosmic breath.

Local currents of the cosmic breath! Now that's good stuff! It really gives the reader the sense that the whole universe is a living, animated entity, ebbing and flowing beyond space and time - which it is! And that these "local" currents can be perceived within our illusory world of time and space. And in our efforts to "adapt our residences," we can, through our free will, thoughts and movement of matter, actually harmonize these local currents!

This means.....YOU ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT WITH REGARDS TO HOW THE UNIVERSE "BREATHES!" Drop the illusion that your body is "separate" for a second here. If ANYONE adapts their residence, it will in turn affect the universal "breath," which in turn will influence every "individual." Get it! We're all helping each other.

I get a lot of praise from people telling me how much my book inspired them to practice feng shui on their home. It's now my turn to say "thank you" back! As you can see, the more you do, the more everyone else benefits!

Aahhh, life is good.

My goal here is to collect as many successful unique cures, placements, or arrangements from you all so I can share the knowledge with the newsletter list. So, please remember to send your unique personal feng shui cures! Here's one comment that just came in this month:

"Your book is wonderful. I read thru it like a trashy novel! I already knew about feng shui, but your book makes a few points much clearer. Thank you for the book and your website.

P.S. Placing a change counter in your prosperity corner is TRULY an excellent move. We did it and 1 week later received an unexpected refund of $1,024.00! : )"

It's best for me if these cures come in a standard format. So, send me your cures in the following format:

Problem situation:

Feng Shui Cure:

Result:

Time to achieve result:

Thanks!

Question: School's back in session and I'm starting to feel choked already. Do you have any ideas on how to get a grip on all the paper that my kids bring home from school? Some of it is important, some not. I'm overwhelmed and afraid it will take over my house!

Answer: I just happen to know exactly what you mean as my son just started kindergarten! If you have children in school, you are aware of the plethora of papers that start to show up in the house. It is important to get a handle on this ASAP. Remember, there has to be conscious space for every intended function within the house, and dealing with school information and your child's incoming papers are one of them. First, find a spot in the house that can handle it. Often, it starts encroaching on the kitchen counter (which is pretty incongruent with what a kitchen counter is designed for.) If you have the kitchen space and no other - go for it. Clean out a junk drawer that is currently only holding old twist ties and give it a more functional use. If not, then carve out space somewhere else (and don't even think about your bedroom here!) I believe each child should have their own space somewhere - hopefully it can be in the same neighborhood as where they do their homework and have easy access to it. I also hope this space can be "permanent" (and not simply a temporary zone at the kitchen counter where it has to be removed every day.) Even if your children do their homework on the living room floor or at the kitchen counter, they need a "permanent space" elsewhere to keep books, backpacks, etc. and hopefully this "paper drop zone" can take up residence there too. A wire mesh bin (the metal will promote cleanliness as opposed to a wooden or woven one) near the bill paying desk or area may be the choice to make. It may be necessary to have one bin for each child to keep things organized so those stackable office trays might be the answer. Don't let them be so big as they actually hold a year's worth of stuff either! Set up a ritual (once a week or month) to clean it out, or it just may swallow up all your living space! :)

The refrigerator can be used for your proud displays, but don't let them overtake the place! Try to keep 50% of the refrigerator facade empty so it can visually "hold" what you hang up.

And now, a note for the parent who can't seem to throw ANY of your child's papers or work out:

Appreciate them and then let them go. (Consider a paper recycling bin near the mesh bin above!)

I'm talking about the parent who can't let go even if that particular paper doesn't mean that much (or anything) to the child. I don't think you are doing anyone any favors by saving EVERYTHING your child brings home. It is slowly eating up living space within your home's living body and it keeps some people hopefully living in the past. And do I even need to discuss what it may be doing to your health? Consult a professional organizer if you can't make decisions here, or enlist a friend or relative to help of you can go there. But please don't stifle your energy thinking that these papers and class projects are more valuable than your family's health. The Chinese say not to have books in the bedroom because "they're dead." The energetic quality of most stuff that comes home I would lump in the same category.

Since I am slowing down my travel schedule I wanted to let you know that I will be offering the telephone consultation program at the special rate of $180.00 for this month. I have found this program helpful to people who do not have a consultant nearby or simply want me to go over their plans and photos to make sure they are in the best positions possible. Feel free to go to the web page, print it, and send it all in and I'll be glad to help out at this new rate! Here's the link: Telephone Consultation

1. Clean the heater filter or replace it.

2. Check for "dead" books lying around (especially in the bedroom) and recycle them! Libraries will take them in - and you can go visit them whenever you like!

3. Remove spider webs inside and out. Check around the front door and porches, and inside along the ceiling line and inside closets, and behind pieces of furniture that have not moved in a while.

We had a lot of fun at the Yoga Expo last week. We're trying to get some of the items we saw there lined up for future sales in our store so look out! We also got great bulk prices on items we took to the Yoga Expo, so we're passing the savings on to you! (think holiday shopping!)

And as for the new items in our store, you've got to check out the Gel Gems (think non-edible Jello jigglers) These things are so cool! Stick them to any window to create a stained glass look. Or stick them to your drinking glasses instead of using wine charms to differentiate who's glass is who's. There are so many ideas for these colorful squishy gems... Here's the link: Product Specials

I am always comfortably in the path of new opportunity.

I am one, whole, and perfect.

I am free to let go..., and safe throughout the process.

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!

Vancouver, B.C.

If there is enough interest, Karen will provide private and corporate consultations in the Vancouver, British Columbia Area. The cost of the consultation is $200.00US per hour and the average consultation takes about 2 hours. Please e-mail your contact information to Karen@fengshuipalace.com and we will set a date.

San Francisco, CA

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.

October 16 and March 14, 2004 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.

Sparks, NV

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.

Sparks, NV

November 13, From 6:30 to 9:30 PM, Karen will provide an evening of feng shui fun! (We've been holding this newsletter back until we know for sure, but we couldn't wait any longer. So we decided to simply say for now that it is tentatively booked at the John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel and Casino (1100 Nugget Avenue, Sparks, NV.) The cost will be $54.00. Please call Feng Shui Palace toll free at (877)952-2482 to register for this event. We will personally let the registrants know when we finalize the location.

Orange, CA

Tentative Dates in 2004, I will be speaking about feng shui and health as well as other topics at the Cordelia Knott Center for Wellness, in Orange, CA - I'll keep you posted as dates are confirmed!

With great intentions of helping,

Karen

You are receiving this newsletter because you have expressed an interest in Karen Rauch Carter and her work. If you do not wish to receive this, or you are receiving multiple copies, please contact us at management@fengshuipalace.com and state your request. If you are having trouble reading this newsletter, please go to the newsletter that is printed online at Feng Shui Palace News