Many people have asked for more information about what we call "The Tradition of the Red Envelopes" as it relates to Feng Shui. Here's my disclaimer, right at the beginning: I can only tell you the way I personally practice the tradition, which is exactly as I was taught in 1996. I know it is done differently now but I have never changed the way I was originally taught because it is what feels RIGHT to ME.
We know that the Chinese and some other cultures consider RED an Auspicious Color. Giving money in these envelopes is considered to bring good fortune to both the giver and the receiver. They are often times give at birthdays, anniversaries, during the Chinese New Year and at weddings (when they often carry the symbol for "Double Happiness).
They are used in Feng Shui as an Energy Exchange between a Mentor and a Client. As a matter of fact, during our school whenever we were provided with a Blessing, we were required to give our Mentors Red Envelopes. Some asked for NINE (an Auspicious number in Feng Shui-although some schools use the number Eight) and they were each to contain money; the amount of money wasn't an issue.
When I am asked to do a Feng Shui Consultation for a client's home, business, or corporation I will be using the Blessings to clear their space and, if possible, the land. Our job, after receiving the Envelopes was to sleep with them under our pillow or mattress for the following nine nights to keep the connection with out clients.
We were taught in school that the money in the envelopes is not important but it will cause you misfortune if you keep it. It MUST be donated to any place that you see will benefit from the money. Years ago I used to wait until I had an amount large enough to make out a check and I sent it to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, a place that has always been close to my heart. In later years I've sent the money to The Jones Manor in Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York; an elderly residence I had written about once. They are completely non profit and any amount helps these residents to have a much better life. During the years I have donated a significant amount to both and feel wonderful about being able to do it.
It wasn't until I was named as Chapter Director for the Long Island Chapter of the International Feng Shui Guild that I was finally able to meet some other local Feng Shui Consultants. When I had graduated years ago we had a graduating class of 33 with only two others in my class being from New York. One never went on to practice Feng Shui and the other I eventually lost contact with. During our meeting the discussion of the Red Envelopes came up and I spoke of my donations. The other two consultants looked at me dumbfounded!
"That money is not DONATED, it is considered a Measure of what you are WORTH; don't you think you're worth anything"? I was advised that all these years I had been doing it WRONG. It seems both of them had been taught to advise their clients that the money in the envelopes was in addition to their fee, it was their tip and a measure of their worth as a Feng Shui Consultant. They advised me if I had been taught anything different, I was taught "wrong." One consultant did recall in the "early" days they had taught students to give the money away but realized they'd make a "mistake." I do know now that they are, in fact, taught to keep the money and it IS considered a measure of worth.
I went back to double check and review my old notes. And had to think about it for a while. I had actually added to the tradition as I had a thought one night: if we're working with Energy and staying connected with our client's during the following nights after a Feng Shui Consultation, what if they actually INFUSED the envelopes with their INTENTIONS. Would it strengthen their Intentions? I kept my old ways but for the last seven or eight years have asked my clients to write out their intentions and put them in each envelope along with the money, which is still donated.
I noticed that some times I would "see" a different change then we had discussed or something would come into my mind that didn't make sense at ALL to me and I'd share it. It DID make sense to my client's; in EVERY case they knew exactly what I was speaking of. I do not read them and I'm certainly NOT psychic in any way, but the Energy Exchange IS powerful!
I don't see my method as wrong, I see it as different; it is the way I was taught and it makes ME feel wonderful. I have all the respect for the way other's practice this ancient Energy Exchange-and yes, I DO know my worth, especially when I bring a check to The Jones Manor in person and see their eyes light up!
*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island providing on site visits for Long Island and New York City for Homes, Businesses, Corporations, Apartments, Offices, Pre-Purchase, Renovations and New Construction and distance consultations are available by personalized, one on one phone Consultations.
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