Love Shack, Baby, Love Shack - February 2009 Newsletter

Greetings! Valentines Day is right around the corner – would you like to spice up your love life and improve your marriage/relationship? As your Feng Shui consultant, it’s my job to remind you to take a special look at the Relationship corner - the far right hand corner - of your home. In case you are wondering what the Relationship corner is, in Feng Shui we see that different areas of a space represent specific areas of life, which is detailed through a map called The Bagua. Feng Shui suggests that by aligning your intentions, belongings, and five elements with this map, you can make positive changes in your life.

The Relationship corner honors the relationship with yourself and your marriage/partnerships. This area is considered “Receptive Earth.” According to Terah Kathryn Collins author of the The Western Guide to Feng Shui,  “As the most yin, or yielding, of all the trigrams (of the Bagua – this area) is associated with adaptability, devotion, and unconditional support-qualities that we find in true love and happy marriages. Love relationships thrive on the dance of responsive yielding- each partner supporting and allowing the other to fully develop and express themselves. The I Ching teaches that when BOTH partners support, trust, and yield to the other partner’s path, there is a loving comfort that blesses the relationship and assures happiness… The same nurturing, supportive stance is taken when you fully love yourself. You take the time to listen to what you need and then gladly give it to yourself. ”

In the Relationship corner, we place items that represent duality, partnership, romance, pink, and also earth tones, things made of pottery, and earthenware.

Ok, so what IS going on in that area of your space? Is it a lovely seating area for two? Do you have a photo of you and your honey anchoring that corner?  Does the artwork feel grounded, romantic or uplifting? Or, is there a bunch of clutter – if so, this may be creating arguments. What colors are there? How do you feel when you are in that area of your space?  These are just a few thoughts to get you to pay attention.

When reviewing the house to improve relationships, another area we need to check out is…. The Bedroom. Yes, dear friends, take a look to see what you’ve got going on there. You want to spice up your love life, then get ready to think of your bedroom as your “sacred space” or maybe even “the love shack.” Here are a few ideas: 

1) Eliminate the distractions:  Remove clutter, too many books, family and children’s photos, items stuffed under the bed, home office and financial papers, lap top and work related items. 

2) Review your artwork:  Does the artwork convey romance, restfulness and coziness? I’ll always remember a dear friend of mine who had me take a look at her bedroom. Hanging above her bed was a piece of artwork with the Founding Fathers of the US - a lovely piece of artwork but G. Washington and the boys signing the Declaration of Independence is anything but romantic. She replaced it with a floral and now they have a happy family of four! The ideal artwork for your bedroom or above your bed is a piece of artwork that you two select together, or is from a vacation, honeymoon or the like.

3) Make it comfortable: Decorate with warm skin tones, rather than cool colors. If you’ve got the designer look going on, make sure that the room is still comfy – think “love shack”, “sacred space,” rather than “museum." Also, men generally don’t like the 18 throw pillows on the bed and actually, from a Feng Shui standpoint they are right: lines of pillows on the bed represent boundaries. So, knock off those pillows and get cozy.

4) Schedule a Feng Shui consultation: Ok, here’s the sales plug – but worthwhile for your benefit. Reviewing the love corner and bedroom areas are key, but other coordinating corners also need to be balanced for best results. Plus, there are intricacies within your space that a consultation will clearly identify. Your relationship can improve by reviewing the entire space. Plus, it’s hard for you to see what is going on in your own space and be able to change it. Consultations provide a detailed plan of action that will set you moving forward. Trust me, when I need help with the Feng Shui in my own space, I, too get help from my fellow Feng Shui consultants. It’s hard to see it for yourself and expert help can be like a breath of fresh air! Treat yourself to a Feng Shui consult for V-Day and like the song says, “Come and get your love!” 

Speaking of improving your space – and relationships - there are TWO fun events taking place in February – please join me and bring a friend or two! 

Creating a Space for Your Relationship:  Combining the Art of Feng Shui and Couples Counseling
Tuesday, February 17 -  6:30pm-8:30pm
$10 per person / $15 per couple
Click above link for description, registration and location information.

For more information about this event, listen to this:
PODCAST: Arranging your space to improve your marriage with Jenna Boyd and Dr. Susan Orenstein:
Is your living space having a negative impact on your relationship? Many couples would not think that the home environment itself can have an effect on marital bliss, but Jenna Boyd and Susan Orenstein, Ph.D. join us to discuss how clutter, color, and emotional distractions can create stress and tension that robs your marriage of intimacy.

Creating a Balanced Environment - Feng Shui Workshop
Saturday, February 28 - 12p-3:30p
Gateway Yoga
$45 for pre-register, $55 on day of workshop
Click above link for description, registration and location information.

This Feng Shui workshop is also being held in March at Blue Lotus Yoga and in April at Evolve Yoga – check out upcoming events.
 
If you need a speaker for your corporate or networking group, I am now scheduling events for 2009. Also, a Feng Shui Home Workshop with friends and family is a fun way to learn about Feng Shui in the comfort of your home.

Namaste,
Jenna Boyd
Feng Shui and Organization Consultant