Lexington's Secret Hamburg Treasure

Nestled in the woods just below Walmart and Lowes at Hamburg is a beautiful little creek made for hunting tadpoles.  One day soon there will be a park here, but for now those of us who want to visit this special place have to "sneak in" and enjoy it without the crowds and picinic tables.

I went there today to hunt tadpoles for my own backyard pond, and found it to be a beautiful little oasis in the city.  A crow circled above and fussed at me for disturbing his world while I chased the tadpoles and crawdads.  Crows are considered magical to many, and even those who don't think of them as magical birds will acknowledge their wisdom.  They're among the smartest of birds, and they're probably smart enough to know it.  So, when I see a crow I wonder what he's trying to tell me.  Maybe he's just guarding his own little piece of paradise.

Water is very powerful.  It brings good energy, or bad energy, to our doors.  Here at Hamburg the little creek slowly winds its way through shopping areas, homes and under roadways.   The effect it has on each home or business is determined by the use and placement of each building.  What's good for a home may not be good for a business.

But, for the community it's a wonderful feature.  Lexington is full of these little places, and I'm so glad the developers of Hamburg have chosen to preserve this one.

Monica Hess,  Feng Shui Consultant, Author, Instructor and Lecturer, Lexington, KY

www.monicahess.com

member

 Feng Shui Research Center  and  The Feng Shui Network

Nobody wants to go in!

When you have a house on the market for a while, normally you'll get people walking through and telling you what they do or do not like about it. 

Well, this past week I did a feng shui consult on a house that's been on the market for over a year, and not one client has entered this house.  There have been some who came close enough to see the house, but none wanted to step inside and see what was there.  It's a shame, too.  Even though the outside looks pretty "Brady Bunch" and the price is near 800k, the inside is very spacious and very nice. 

Not only that.  This house has what is known as a Three Parent's Chart.  In feng shui this is considered one of the best charts available for a house.  Some say it's the best chart.  It's the same chart I have on my home, and I picked it for its balance and its support.

The house has some problems.  Location is a concern, since it's near Hwy 440 in Nashville, and traffic noise is bothersome if you're in the front yard.  But, there is a concrete buffer and the house chart is supported by this buffer.  It's also nicely covered by vines and trees.  It's a lovely view.  The lawn out front is beautifully landscaped, and the back is very suitable for parties and barbeques. 

This is an instance where the house will help the people become more wealthy, healthy and happy.  I suggested they market it to the Asian community.  These are the folks who will appreciate the strength of the feng shui chart, and they are also not so likely to be bothered by any traffic noise. 

I've suggested they put water in the back, bird feeders to bring in the birds and squirrels.  This is in the money area of the house with the 8 water star.  So, this will help bring prosperity to the house.  This house is ready for a family.

I've also done space clearing on it, and rid it of any stagnant energies.  We'll see how fast it sells, but things should start changing within a week or two. 

Monica

Empty Homes

How many of you are trying to sell an empty home?  A house that has been sitting a while becomes stagnant and no matter how beautiful it is, the energy just doesn't feel right.  

In Tibet the monks use a gong or a singing bowl to cleanse the energy.  I would suggest a grandfather clock.  They can be rented, and are not easily hauled off by thieves.  Set it so that its pendulum is moving and the chimes sound every fifteen minutes.  Some have a night shut off, so if it seems to be too loud and echoing in the empty house during the day, set it to go only at night.  It will still clear the energy without anyone being concerned with the echo.  Place it as near to the center of the house as possible.

With the movement of the pendulum and the metal sound of the chimes the house will no longer feel stagnant, and it will sell quicker.

Monica Hess

Feng Shui Consultant, FSRC

Feng Shui This

Optimism

What is that fine line between optimism and insanity?  How is it some of us are so sure all is as it should be, and others are sure the world will fall down around our ears any minute?

I have to say sometimes I'm in both camps.  My friend recently found homes for almost 30 horses...within a week's time.  I didn't think it was going to happen until the last minute.  But, then I was proven to be wrong.  (how many times has that happened, I hate to say)  But, I'm glad it did. 

Life's like that.  One nice surprise after another.  Who knows...the market may spring back all at once, and we'll all be wondering what the whining was about.  Lets think positive.

Spring in Our New Kentucky Home

Finally, Spring is here!   And, this is the most beautiful spring we've had in a long time. 

We bought our home last fall, so this is our first spring in our new home.  The flowers are all new to us.  Every morning we go out to see what's going to bloom next.  I know the flower beds are full of weeds, but I'm still not sure what's weeds and what's flowers, so the weeds have a reprieve for a while.

It's as if we're meeting new little friends every day.

I'm sure tomorrow will bring even more surprises.

Monica Hess

Feng Shui This

www.monicahess.com

An Abundance of Horses

I have a friend who is either the most optimistic person on earth, or the dumbest.  She's got a week to find pasture for 25 horses in Central Kentucky.  She thinks it can be done, and wants me to think positive, but this sure seems like a lost cause.

Kentucky has proven to be a rough place for horses the past year.  Our hay crop was pitiful, in amounts and in quality.  Horses seem to be multiplying exponentially, and people are having a hard time feeding them.  This year's hay crop appears to be a good one though, so maybe it won't be long before things improve. 

In the meantime, now's a great time to buy a horse, if you're sure you can support it.  Prices have bottomed out.  I know where you can get a very good deal.

Monica Hess

www.monicahess.com

Feng Shui This---McDonalds

Well, here you have it.  California has snagged the first (as far as I know) Feng Shuied McDonalds. 

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/calif-mcdonalds-tries-feng-shui-theme/n20080224141709990018

I did some research a few years ago and found the following companies who used Feng Shui:  IBM,  Chase Manhattan Bank,  Coca Cola US Division,  Donald Trump:  Trump Towers,  CNN, ABC,  ATT,  IMAX Ridefilm Corporation,  Business Week World Editor, William Holstein, Wall Street Journal,  LAPD,  Citi Bank,  Microsoft,  Hyatt Hotels,  Sloane-Kettering Cancer Center,  PBS,  Ponderosa Homes,  American Express,  First Republic Bank ,  Royal Canadian Mounted Police,  Proctor and Gamble,  Kellogg's,  Boeing, REMAX,  MGM Grand Hotel,  Solomon Smith Barney,  Shanghai Banking Corporation,  In-Style Magazine

and my favorite...because I was involved... Lockheed Martin.  Even the rocket scientists know this stuff works.

How long do you think it will take before more businesses are finding out about Feng Shui?  Or, maybe a better question would be, "How long do you think it will be before businesses are not embarassed to admit they use Feng Shui?"

Monica Hess,  Feng Shui Consultant, Instructor and Lecturer, Lexington, KY

www.monicahess.com

member of the Feng Shui Research Center  and  The Feng Shui Network 

Interior Designers and Feng Shui

Here I go...but I just had to share my experience from last weekend. 

Saturday I met a client and his Interior Designer at the office he had asked me to feng shui.  After I had gone through the building the designer arrived.  She was loaded for bear.  I explained to her that I do not decorate.  I have no talent for it and I have no training in it.  I leave decorating for the experts.  I even declined to take classes in interior design because I believe you need talent to start with.  So, I'm absolutely no threat to an Interior Designer.

I only had a few comments to make as far as decorating went.  One was very important...to use one certain color in the entryway.  This color could be in a painting size amount...didn't have to be spectacular...just use the color on that wall.  And, some golden metallic items in the waiting room would have been good...but not absolutely necessary.  I also told her where I did not want any red or dark greens....and where not to put bamboo if she decided to use it.

That's not so hard, is it?  Mostly my advice to the client was concerning how to use the building...and what not to do so as to avoid problems.

Every step of the way she complained and seemed to be competing.  I had hoped she would "get it" and realize that we were in no way in competition.  But, I don't know.  I did find out that she has had numerous horrible experiences with "feng shui people" and would rather have teeth pulled than have to deal with them again. (or so it seemed to me) 

One of those experiences was when a "feng shui" consultant announced that a woman could not have hardwood floors in one area of her home.  Now I've been studying this stuff (with a master) for over 10 years.  I've never heard of such drivel.  Absolutely appalling.  No wonder this profession has such a bad reputation.  This same person also apparently told a client to move because they had water pipes behind their headboard.  Good grief.  If the pipes bother you, and you can't move the bed, put in a thicker headboard.  Don't give people more to worry about!  Feng Shui should make our lives easier, not harder!

This is the kind of thing that that makes  the job of a real Feng Shui Professional so much more difficult.  We're constantly cleaning up someone's mess.  I hope this designer will keep up with this client.  Because he will make more money, and he will be happier in his office once he follows my advice.  And, it won't take much...just using it in a different way, and adding a very few finishing touches.

Monica Hess,  Feng Shui Consultant, Instructor and Lecturer, Lexington, KY

www.monicahess.com

member of the Feng Shui Research Center  and  The Feng Shui Network

Feng Shui This---Monticello--Part Two and Done

Jefferson had a beautiful clock placed in the entry of Monticello.  Its chime is a Chinese gong on the roof, loud enough for field hands to hear while tending the crops.   Although the sound of metal is an excellent feng shui cure, the gong on the roof of the 5 mountain star area was an irritant to this star.  The sound cures,  while the hammer hitting the metal irritates.  There's a delicate balance needed here. 

We see that even though this chart is a fortunate chart, without the proper forms, and the optimum time period,  it can be deadly. In this situation the annual stars play a major role in the health and well being of the inhabitants.  The pattern for Monticello's annual stars seems to be that during years where the 8 annual was in the center, there was more sickness than usual.  During these years the yearly stars would mimic the water stars, so that the 2 water star at the front door would be joined by a yearly 2.  The yearly 5 would join the water star 5 in the back, etc.  It was just too much and knocked the fragile household out of balance.

Mountain stars are in charge of health and the only mountain stars with support for Monticello are the 6 and the 8.  The problem comes when we consider the walkways extending out each side of the house, making a turn and heading toward the rear. These long, straight walkways are  considered wood-water forms. Wood-water attacks the 8 mountain and drains the 6 mountain.  So even the good mountains were under attack.

This effect shows when we look at Jefferson's health.  He suffered greatly from arthritis ( attack on the 8) and headaches (attack on the 6).   He was also constantly troubled by diarrhea. (7 in the library mixing with 2 at the front door) 

With the 2 water star coming in the front door, this house always seemed to have someone sick. 

Although Thomas Jefferson's health and the health of his family was damaged by the poor support for mountain stars, his mind and his hunger for knowledge remained strong and well supported by his beloved Monticello.

His bedroom, office and library were ideally suited for his studies and writing.  Monticello helped him become one of our most revered Presidents, and a world known scholar.

Monica Hess,  Feng Shui Consultant, Instructor and Lecturer, Lexington, KY

www.monicahess.com

member Feng Shui Research Center  and  The Feng Shui Network

Feng Shui This---Monticello--Part One--On a Little Mountaintop called Monticello

Introduction

There is no more lovely place than the mountaintop at Monticello.  Even today, a walk on this mountain brings about a peace and serenity not often found in our busy  world.   I have no doubt Jefferson would love to see how large the trees have grown, and how beautifully the house is kept.  It was his treasure, and his spirit must be deeply thankful to those who have restored it so lovingly and maintain it so beautifully.

 This little house was actually the first Monticello.  It was here that Jefferson brought his new bride, and here they began their lives together.

The chart of Monticello is called a 3 Parent chart; lucky in all periods if well supported by the land and forms.  It is a very special chart, and one that requires a delicate balance to be auspicious.  To understand the dynamics of the chart and its effect on the people living with it, we must first look at the house.

Monticello was a work in progress for more than 40 years.  During Martha Jefferson's lifetime the mansion was a constant construction project.  There is evidence that the walls had not yet been plastered 10 years after her death.

Above we have the first section of the main house.  The Notice in this chart how the 147 combination dominates Jefferson's bedroom and cabinet.  This combination encourages writing and wisdom.  With the land sloping away, it also encourages long periods away from home.

In 1796 work began on the second half.  The constant disruptions would have caused major discomfort and numerous illnesses.  There were no stable mountain stars, the delicate ruling stars were constantly being disturbed, and the health of the occupants would suffer.  Add to this the 2 water star at the front door, and the house would be constantly occupied by the sick and infirmed.

Using the back door would ease some of the sickness troubles, but all that would depend on the number of guests, and the work being done at the time. 

Monica Hess,  Feng Shui Consultant, Instructor and Lecturer, Lexington, KY

www.monicahess.com

member of the Feng Shui Research Center  and  The Feng Shui Network