Law of Attraction – it’s not going to work if you fail to take this into account

Most people have heard of the Law of Attraction since the phenomenal success of The Secret (The Secret (Extended Edition) [DVD]).  It is a universal law that has been with us since Biblical times and probably before.  It states that what you give out you will receive back: hate or love – your choice.

Well, what choice is that?  Of course we all want to be happy and to have a healthy and wealthy life: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  So, we think good thoughts, we are positive, charitable and happy to serve.  We imagine what we want in our lives and have faith that we will receive.

BUT…for many people they don’t get what they receive.  Why, if it’s so simple, does that happen?

The Law of Attraction is based on the premise that there is a unifying force in the world and that we are part of that force.  This force is the basis of our physical world and can be manipulated with intention to provide our reality.  Our connection to this force is through our sub-conscious.

All well and good so far.  Quantum physics can demonstrate that everything is derived from an underlying energy and that the observer can affect the outcome of experiments on this energy.

So why do so many people have lives that they would not choose?  One theory is that of Karma.  The choice of this life has been made by our actions in previous lives.  Another is that our Soul has made the choice before coming into our physical body so our conscious mind is not aware of the reasons we are living this life this way.

The Law of Attraction suggests that we can overrule any previous choices and create the life we truly want.  Simply, we just need to instruct our sub-conscious, wind it up and send it out to bring everything we desire to us.  If this is so there is a weak link in the chain of command which may explain why so many people get frustrated with practising the Law of Attraction and do not get results.  And that weak link is one of communication.

We assume that we use our conscious mind to instruct our sub-conscious: we meditate, chant mantras, visualise, repeat affirmations, draw up picture boards and generally try to change how we perceive our reality and hope our sub-conscious will get the message.

However, the big mistake we make is by underestimating just how amazing our sub-conscious is.  It runs all the processes in our bodies whilst keeping an eye on our environment to ensure that we keep safe.  At the same time it has filed virtually everything that it’s ever registered and will use that information in future when we find ourselves in similar circumstances.  It can process up to 4,000,000,000 bits of information per second whilst our conscious mind can only get through 2,000.  It is an animal – our own animal – that we don’t understand and yet it has the power to kill us, cure us or give us the life that we want: if only we knew the language.

By understanding that our sub-conscious doesn’t just take note of our intentions, chanting, affirmations or picture boards we can make a huge leap in making the Law of Attraction work for us.  Our sub-conscious is continually taking note of our environment, where we are and who we’re with.  And if that environment is not congruent with the intentions that our conscious mind tries to communicate to it then how does it know what we really, really want?

For example, if you want recognition for your talents and state this as an affirmation daily but then, when somebody gives you a compliment on a job well done you say ‘Oh it was nothing’ that’s confusing and incongruent.

If you are looking for your soul mate but your home reflects arty images of single, lonely looking people that’s confusing and incongruent.

If you want to be an entrepreneur and star t a business but spend your time with people who tell you it’s a bad time to start a business and you’ll never succeed that’s confusing and incongruent.

And I could go on.

There’s a simple answer to this.  Look at your life using Feng Shui principles.  Feng Shui is about living in harmony with the energies that are inherent in you and your space (home or workplace).  However, Feng Shui is also about defining your goals and setting your intentions within your environment as well as your mind.  Just imagine how much more effective the communication would be with your subconscious if all those 4,000,000,000 bits of information it processes every second said the same thing: ‘I am healthy’, ‘I am loved’, ‘I am wealthy’?

So, if you’re trying the Law of Attraction, or any self-improvement plan, bring your environment into the equation too for real, life changing results.

Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer.  This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.

 This Feng Shui information is general for everybody. However, there are deeper levels of Feng Shui which take into account you and your specific business or home environment. 

 If you would like to find out more about living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website www.fs168.co.uk

WANT TO PUBLISH THIS ARTICLE?
You have permission to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included and no changes are made to the article. A courtesy copy of your publication or link would be appreciated.

Making it easy for Lady Luck to find you

Do you feel as if all the bad stuff just seems to head for your door?

Is everything coming in the mail bills or final demands?

Don’t you just feel that maybe it’s time you had a break?

These are some of the common reasons that I am asked to carry out a Feng Shui survey.  Now, here’s a little trick.  Next time you are out and making your way home I want you to imagine that you are a stranger to the area.  As you turn into your street, whether driving, walking or cycling, just think what it would look like to a stranger.  When you arrive at your house, what is the first thing a stranger would notice?

Is it easy to get through the gate? Or does it stick; need lifting out of the catch or pushing because it’s stuck?  Does it squeal with indignation when you do open it?

If you have a garden at the front of your house is it weed free, bright and welcoming?   Or litter strewn and unkempt?

Would a visitor have to step around bins or brush past overgrown shrubs to make their way to your door?  Are there leaves on the path just waiting to get wet and trip up your visitors.

And what would your visitor see when they got to the front door?  Clean, bright paintwork?  Shiny, clear glass?  A clean door mat?  Or maybe peeling paintwork, a ‘Beware Dog’ sticker and the door knocker so dirty they would worry about touching it with their bare hands?

Would they be able to see the name or number of the house to check that they are in the right place?  If not, would they be encouraged to knock anyway?

The same applies if you live in an apartment.  Is your name there at the entrance so your visitor knows which bell to push?

Or if you’re a business.  Does your website and literature show exactly how to find you?  Do you have a sign outside your building and do visitors know exactly where reception is?

Would Lady Luck stop and knock or walk on by?

Stand outside your house, apartment or business and be honest with yourself.  Would Lady Luck really want to visit someone who lives or works in a place like yours?

You see Lady Luck is otherwise known as energy.  And if you want good energy flowing to you then make it easy.  Make the energy want to come to you.  Make it feel welcomed.

In Feng Shui consultations we look at classic form, or how the building fits into the landscape.  We also look at compass school, or the orientation of the building, as well as building and people astrology, or the relationship between place and time, people and buildings.

However, when a Feng Shui consultant comes to visit, the simplest things need addressing before we get into the deeper layers. 

So, if you feel that you’re getting a bad deal at the moment, go outside and try to see why Lady Luck might just be passing you by.

Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer.  This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.

This Feng Shui information is general for everybody. However, there are deeper levels of Feng Shui which take into account you and your specific business or home environment. 

If you would like to find out more about living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website www.fs168.co.uk

WANT TO PUBLISH THIS ARTICLE?
You have permission to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included and no changes are made to the article. A courtesy copy of your publication or link would be appreciated.

Lord Sugar does Sweet Feng Shui

The Apprentice is back in the guise of Junior Apprentice with Lord Sugar giving young would-be entrepreneurs a chance to shine.

As the appeal of the show to date has been to view with incredulity and scorn the carefully edited antics of the contestants I wondered whether the format would work with 16 and 17 year olds.

And it does work although the scorn has to be replaced by amazement that the production people managed to find 10 ‘children’ with incredibly old heads and get them all into a room together.

Lord Sugar has always worked to encourage children into business, most recently promoting the Modern Apprenticeship scheme and I for one am going to be an avid watcher of this series.

In fact, apart from series one, I’ve watched all of them.  The attraction for me is partly entertainment, partly looking for business tips and partly with my Feng Shui specs on.

Lord Alan Sugar - Feng Shui Master?

The thing is that Lord Alan Sugar has got Form School Feng Shui perfected and, if you’re a budding entrepreneur studying him would not go amiss. 

Think about it, can you picture Lord Sugar sat at a cramped desk facing a blank wall?  Or Richard Branson, Bill Gates or Donald Trump?  I think not.

Form School is the oldest school of Feng Shui and focuses on the physical environment and how you fit in with it.  Finding the most auspicious place to dwell meant survival – in this world and the next.  Form School is still studied and applied although the natural environment is normally replaced by an urban, man-made environment.

Many people believe Form School can only be applied outdoors but it is equally important indoors as well and a good understanding of Form School, especially in your working area can provide that little extra element to attract success.

So, let’s have a quick look at Form School and then we’ll see why Lord Sugar is such a Master.

In Form School there are four areas that we analyse, and, as we’re talking about ancient Chinese principles, these areas have great names that symbolise their function and type of energy they represent. 

They are the Mountain, the Phoenix, the Dragon and the Tiger.

The Mountain

The Mountain (sometimes known as the Tortoise) is found at the back of the property.  Like a comfortable chair, the back provides support and protection.  It will also stop good energy and opportunities flowing into the house at the front and straight out the back.

An ideal working environment will have a wall behind you and a high backed chair. 

 

The Phoenix

The Phoenix is found at the front of the building.  The Phoenix gathers external energy to bring into the house.  It represents what is ahead of you so it’s important that you like the view.

An ideal working environment will have a pleasant view in front of you.

 

The Dragon

Standing with your back to the Mountain and looking towards the Phoenix you will find the Dragon on your left side.  Like the Mountain, the Dragon offers support but specifically for the male occupants of the building and all things Yang and practical.

An ideal working environment will have anything electrical here such as a printer or other gadgets and anything that needs action.

 

The Tiger

Opposite the Dragon is the Tiger so, looking out towards the Phoenix the Tiger will be on your right.  The Tiger supports the Yin aspects of the building.  This includes the female occupants.

An ideal working environment will have something pleasing such as a plant, flowers or pictures of the family.

Now, watch Junior Apprentice, particularly the board room scenes:

Lord Sugar’s Mountain

He sits in the very centre with a wall and closed door behind him.  The door is strategically placed to allow him to make an entrance as a ruler would at court.  His chair has a high back and that back is higher than all the other chairs in the room, including those of his assistants.

Lord Sugar’s Phoenix

Apart from his assistants, everybody sits on the opposite side of the board table.  So all this energy is directed at Lord Sugar.  In addition, the table appears to be up-lit which provides additional energy.  There is no doubt that this man commands the room and everything is drawn to him.

Lord Sugar’s Dragon

On Lord Sugar’s left side sits Nick Hewer.  Traditionally the place of the Dragon representing Yang energy or all things male.

Lord Sugar’s Tiger

On Lord Sugar’s right side sits Karen Brady.  Traditionally the place of the Tiger representing Yin energy or all things female.

Lord Sugar has perfect Form which may have come about organically or he may have had good advice – who knows?

Tips for your working environment

We can’t all have the luxury of space when we work at home or rent an office.  But you can take some basic elements of form and apply them, even in the most cramped conditions:

1. Keep your desk clear to allow the Phoenix energy to come to you.
2. When you look up make sure you see something good.  If you have to face a wall then have something on the wall which inspires you.  It may be a vision board, your list of goals or a picture of the family that you’re working so hard for.
3. Strengthen your mountain.  Invest in a high backed chair.  Not only will it protect and support you on an energy level, it also makes sense physically to sit in a decent chair for hours on end.
4. Be careful where you place things.  The Dragon (left) side should have all your electrical equipment, your To Do list, your campaign information and your in-tray.  Anything that requires action.
5. The Tiger (right) side is a still place and breeds creativity so your planning and development work can go here.  It also needs to be nice to look at so flowers or a plant (healthy ones!) can go here.  Because this is the Yin area your rubbish bin is best kept here but keep it out of site and empty it regularly.
6. Ensure your working area is well lit as this will attract good energy into your environment.  Natural daylight is best but, if it has to be artificial, use full spectrum bulbs.
7. Make sure your desk is sturdy and unbroken.

Take these tips on board and bring some entrepreneurial energy into your business.  And remember to study those you want to be like.  But, don’t just consider what they say.  Don’t just consider what they do.  Consider their environment too.  You could learn a lot and it could be the very edge you need to get ahead.

Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer.  This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.

 This Feng Shui information is general for everybody. However, there are deeper levels of Feng Shui which take into account you and your specific environment. 

 If you would like to find out more about living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website www.fs168.co.uk

WANT TO PUBLISH THIS ARTICLE?
You have permission to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included and no changes are made to the article. A courtesy copy of your publication or link would be appreciated.

What Feng Shui is not

Some things are hard to define succinctly.  When somebody asks me what I do and I reply “I’m a Feng Shui consultant” people will understand it in a different way.  If they then ask me what it’s all about do I tell them it’s about how the environment affects their lives, or how their home fits into the landscape or how they can find love or good health or wealth? 

The thing is that Feng Shui is many things to many people, which is what makes it so fascinating.  However, there are some common thoughts of Feng Shui and what it is so I thought I’d start defining it by explaining what it is not: 

Zen aims for enlightenment

 

Zen is a form of Buddhism where meditation is practised to achieve enlightenment. 

Feng Shui can help create a calm, relaxing place in which to meditate and, an understanding of Feng Shui will help you look at the world in a different way which is very enlightening. 

  

 

  

Space doesn't suit everyone

 

Minimalism 

strips something down to its most fundamental features.  In terms of design or placement this can be seen as having little furniture and ornamentation in our homes and work places and ‘displaying’ what we do have.   

Where this suits some people, many of us prefer our environment to be expressive of our lives which often means anything but the bare essentials. 

Feng Shui supports this and advises on how to express your life in successful and positive ways through your decoration, ornamentation, artwork, images etc. 

 

  

Will the toad bring you luck?

 

Three legged toads 

, just like four leaf clovers, are hard to find.  There’s nothing wrong with symbolising luck but Feng Shui doesn’t rely on superstition. 

Feng Shui analyses the types of energy in your home or workplace and advises on how you can make the most of the good stuff.  Feng Shui believes that you find positive energy.  It’s not about crossing your fingers and hoping. 

  

 

  

Best solutions on paper don't always work in reality

 

Disruptive.  

Being told that the best place for you to sleep in is the broom cupboard or you shouldn’t share a room with your partner is not realistic. 

A Feng Shui consultant takes account of your personal situation and works with you to find realistic solutions.  A Feng Shui consultant also understands that, sometimes, subtle is best. 

  

 

  

Extreme Feng Shui?

 

Expensive.  

Re-position the front door or your life will be doomed – and knock down this wall while you’re at it.  Who’s got the money to do that? 

Well, some people have but expensive renovations are not necessary.  

A Feng Shui consultant can provide a range of solutions to a problem.  There are always options.  

 

  

Superstitious Feng Shui?

 

Mumbo-jumbo.  

“It’s not scientific” we cry.  

Actually, there is a lot of data from studies of our environment and its effect on us: colour, lighting, noise, electromagnetic frequencies.  Before such studies we relied on anecdotal evidence and beliefs.  Who knows what we will prove ‘scientifically’ a hundred years from now. 

By the way, do you believe in electricity?  Well, we don’t know how electricity actually works so that’s not scientific.  Maybe you should switch the kettle on for a cuppa and think about it. 

Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer.  This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information. 

 This Feng Shui information is general for everybody. However, there are deeper levels of Feng Shui which take into account you and your specific environment.  

 If you would like to find out more about living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website www.fs168.co.uk 

WANT TO PUBLISH THIS ARTICLE?
You have permission to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included and no changes are made to the article. A courtesy copy of your publication or link would be appreciated. 

How many toilets is enough?

I’ve been house hunting recently.  It’s not a serious search but I’m interested to see how the market’s picking up and I’m also incredibly curious.   I like to see inside people’s houses and, with my Feng Shui spectacles on I like to see the layout.  (Take note estate agents and realtors – include big, easy to see, legible floor plans.) 

Anyway, nosiness aside, I’ve been surprised by the amount of toilets that are put in new houses.  ‘Ensuite’ seems to be the must have closely followed by a ‘Guest Cloakroom’.  

Treat toilets the Feng Shui way and be flushed with success

 

Now, I can understand the benefits of having multiple bathrooms when you’ve got a busy household trying to get ready for school or work in the morning.  I can also understand the luxury of having a bathroom all to yourself: you can soak in the tub, sing in the shower or read War and Peace for as long as you like.  And of course, for that unknown visitor who asks ‘can I use your loo’, the guest cloakroom is ideal because you don’t want a stranger wandering around upstairs do you? 

A few generations ago, at least here in the UK, the loo was a solitary affair and often located outside the house.  War and Peace wouldn’t have got a look in on a cold, frosty December morning.  But it hasn’t always been that way.  We have a long tradition of communal bathing brought to us by the Romans who used hot water, either from natural springs or heated, to supply central heating to buildings.  It is said that necessity spurned invention because the Romans found our weather cold and pretty hostile. 

For the Romans, bathing wasn’t the only communal activity.  I once visited a reconstructed Roman villa and the toilet, a fore runner of our modern composting toilet, consisted of a trench in the ground with a bench with 6 holes in it.  Community was important to the Romans at all times it would seem. 

But, all these watery sections in our modern houses make me a little uneasy.  In Feng Shui there are two schools of thought around water.  One is that it represents wealth and, if it goes down the drain then so does your money.  In my opinion it does represent wealth for some people but not for all.  However, the tips suggested are useful and can be implemented for another reason. 

That is simply that water represents energy.  If any of your bathrooms are in an auspicious section of your house then you don’t want that energy to be dissipated.  However, if the area is inauspicious then it’s a very good place to have a bathroom. 

This draining of energy can also have an effect on us if we spend a lot of time near a bathroom.  For example if we sleep in a room that has an ensuite. 

So there are some general rules with bathrooms: 

• Keep the toilet lid down (men this means you!)
• Try not to enhance the water theme with blue colour schemes, lighthouses, dolphins and buoys.
• Instead use the element of wood to help drain the excess water energy.  This can be with green colours or leafy upward-growing plants.
• Keep it clean.  This may seem obvious but any excess of energy will only exacerbate dirtiness.
• Keep the door closed.  This is especially important if it is an ensuite.

In my perusal of houses for sale I’ve come across ensuites that are really part of the bedroom.  They’re either in an alcove or behind a screen and there is no door to close.  If you have this in your house try to find a way to fix a door or section it off.  You’ll benefit from the effort. 

There also seems to be some individually designed houses that feature the bath in the bedroom with no attempt made to call it an ensuite at all.  It’s a ‘feature’ I suppose. 

All I can say is NO, NO, NO.  It may look good as a picture in a glossy design magazine but just try living with it for a while and you’ll want to move that bath right out.  Your bedroom is your haven, sanctuary, boudoir, love-nest or whatever else you call it. You sleep in it to repair, refresh and rejuvenate yourself.  You may entertain in it too which is fine.  But your bathroom is about basic bodily functions, however well you decorate it, and basic bodily functions do not mix with sleep or romance. 

So, remember that toilets are good and necessary but don’t go overboard with the quantity and keep the ones you have clean, tidy and shut away if you want a ‘I practise Feng Shui’ gold star. 

Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer.  This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information. 

 This Feng Shui information is general for everybody. However, there are deeper levels of Feng Shui which take into account you and your specific environment.  

 If you would like to find out more about living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website www.fs168.co.uk 

WANT TO PUBLISH THIS ARTICLE?
You have permission to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included and no changes are made to the article. A courtesy copy of your publication or link would be appreciated.

May 2010 Specials – The Little Shop of Charms

What a wonderful time of year May is.  The days are longer, the sun is warmer (for us in the northern hemisphere) and the energy is rising.  May Day celebrates fire and light and fertility through the Pagan festival of Beltane and I think of May as being truly magical.

My mind has been focussed on magic recently and I have added a ‘Magic & Spells’  page in the resources section as well as ‘Psychic Protection’ information.  The specials I’ve chosen for you this month are magical too.

Pentagram Journal

Your spells are special and deserve a special place to live.  This beautiful journal has a cover that is hand painted on a slate effect resin cover, is spiral bound and comes with a paper refill.

As well as spells you can record your rituals, dreams and much more in your very own Book of Shadows.

Usual price £17.84

Special for May 2010 £16.00

The Only Wiccan Spell Book You’ll Ever Need

The Only Wiccan Spell Book You’ll Ever Need takes you on a journey through spell work: from the basics of tools and symbols through to full spell casting.  There are quick and easy spells for: business, creativity, health, love, personal power, prosperity, luck and abundance.

The Only Wiccan Spell Book You’ll Ever Need is packed full of simple instructions, recipes and easy to find ingredients so you can cook up some magic in no time. 

Usual price £11.09

Special for May 2010 £9.99

Magical Herbalism: The Secret of the Wise

Herbs are one of the most important tools for natural magic, and the best introduction to this system is found in Scott Cunningham’s Magical Herbalism.

This book presents a complete system of magic using herbs. You will learn the theory of magic and the tools you’ll need. Then you’ll get countless simple and easy techniques for using herbs for magic.

Need a protection method? “Pick several protective herbs and bind the stems together with red thread, then hang them up. This practice dates back to Babylonian times.” You’ll find a list of over 115 herbs that details their magical powers, so you can easily find which ones are protective in nature.

How about a divination using herbs? “Get a small quantity of dried patchouli, mugwort, or wormwood. Crumble the herb between your hands until it is finely diminished. Next, pour it into a small square pan (glass or ceramic). Light yellow candles and place the pan on your working area. Close your eyes, extend the index finger of your weak hand, and gently touch the center of the pan with its tip. Move it at random in the pan, shifting from one direction to another … Now, remove your finger, open your eyes, and interpret the symbols you have just written in the herb.”

You’ll also learn how to make and use incenses, scented oils, perfumes, fluid condensers, and so much more. Here is your chance to work with a beautiful and simple system. Give it a try! You won’t be disappointed.

Usual price £15.42

Special for May 2010 £13.99

 Spell Mixes

We have a range of spell mixes available for just about anything you may want to use magic for:  attract love, quick money, empowerment, house blessing and pet blessing to name just a few.

These herbal mixtures are blessed and charged for their purpose and can be used in sachets, charm bags, ritual baths or burnt.

Usual price £6.29

Special for May 2010 £5.75

Is what you say and do all that matters for success?

Television history was made yesterday evening with the big three party leaders taking part in the UK’s first Prime Ministerial election debate.

I have to admit to not watching all of it and I’m certainly not going to comment on the policies discussed.  However I did watch a fair chunk and, even though you may think I’m a political lightweight, my main interest was in the colour of their ties.

Obviously worn to reflect their party ‘brand’ Gordon Brown was wearing red, David Cameron blue and Nick Clegg gold, or some would argue yellow. 

As a Feng Shui consultant I know the importance of colour and that explains my attraction to their attire rather than their words.

If you wear Feng Shui glasses like me you would see and interpret the world on an energetic level and colour is indicative of different types of energy.  Not only that but different colours used together will bring energies together that are either supportive or controlling.

So this morning I decided to look at their logos which are made of colour and imagery.  Any business person who wants to make their business a success will try to understand the energy that their logo symbolises and have their logo designed to reflect the right energy for them.

If you’re a business person and you haven’t considered this then you really are missing a trick.  Go find a Feng Shui consultant immediately and talk to them about getting an edge in your market place.

Technically speaking these political parties are not businesses, although I’m sure they have a very detailed profit and loss account.  But, they do want to succeed.

In an ideal world success would be down to their policies and how popular the policies are with the voting public.  But we don’t live in an ideal world.  We live in a world inhabited by humans and, whether we like it or not, our judgement is affected by a whole number of things so we don’t always vote on the policies.  We need to like these people, we need to trust these people and we need to want them to lead our country.  These are all subtle judgement calls.  They don’t come from our conscious mind, they come from the subconscious.  And so it is with colours and imagery in Feng Shui.  We don’t consciously decide that the logo means this or that.  The logo will send out a particular type of energy on a subtle level which we pick up in our subconscious mind.

Welcome - but don't stay too long

Let me give you an example, McDonald’s corporate colour is red.  Red is the colour of Fire energy which is an outgoing energy.  It’s very fast and active which is what a ‘fast food’ outlet wants: as many people in and out as possible.  Now look at the golden arches that make up the M.  Firstly the gold colour is representative of Metal energy which is focussed and concentrated.  The domed or rounded shape of the arches also represents Metal.  In addition, the shape looks like a doorway.  The McDonald’s logo says ‘come on in, we’ll give you what you want but be quick about it’.  This is what their business is all about.

With this in mind let’s have a look at the UK’s biggest political party logos.

Labour has a red stylised rose.  As we already know red is the colour of Fire energy which can be positive if you want to get things done.  The Rose is interesting.  Its symbolism can be seen as patriotic, if you’re English, or romantic as it represents beauty or love.  Either of these would be an unusual choice for a national political party.

As it’s a plant it can also be interpreted as Wood energy which is very supportive of Fire and would certainly bring a very creative and active energy to the brand.  But look at how the rose is contained.  Cut off, in a square.  It’s almost as if all this sparky energy needs to be contained and the square shape represents Earth energy which is very grounding.  But maybe we don’t want our political leaders to be too fiery.  After all, trust is often built on good honest down-to-earth policies.

The Conservatives sport their traditional blue shade.  Blue represents Water energy which is flexible and adaptable.  It can be a strong energy, like a waterfall or a slow meandering one like a lazy river.

A few years ago they added a tree.  Tree represents Wood energy which is all about creativity and growth.  (Many service companies and consultants have trees or plants or green in their brand that says ‘I can help your business grow.’)

Adding a tree was a good idea because Water supports Wood so the colour and imagery work with each other.  However, there is one thing which lets the whole thing down.  Look at the tree again.  It’s all sort of scribbled.  It doesn’t have any defined edges.  The energy of this image is quick, short-lived and unfocussed. 

The Liberal Democrats have a stylised bird on a gold or yellow background.  If the colour is interpreted as gold then that represents Metal energy which is sharp and focussed.  If yellow, that represents Earth energy which is grounded and trustworthy.  To be honest, the colour veers more towards gold in my eyes but maybe the tone should be changed to bring some clarity to the issue.

The bird is unusual in that it’s both fluid, which represents Water energy and also upward rising which represents Wood energy.

So, it’s pretty difficult to analyse because it may be Metal or Earth energy in the colour and it may be Water or Wood energy in the imagery.  But, I’m not going to sit on the fence.  My view is that the colour is Metal energy and the imagery is Wood energy.  Metal can do a lot of damage to Wood if it’s in the shape of an axe so in Feng Shui we class this as a controlling relationship. It’s almost as if the gold is holding onto the bird – tethering it to the ground.

I’ve tried to be very non-committal in my analyses of these logos because politics is a hot topic in the UK at the moment.  And I definitely haven’t offered tips on how to improve them because the relevant parties would have to pay me for that information!

My point is that, if you’re in business, you need to look at your brand on an energetic level as well as a physical one.  After all, you communicate with your customers and prospects on both of these levels (even if you don’t think you do).  And, if Feng Shui is good enough for Richard Branson and Donald Trump then maybe you should try it too.  In a competitive market place it may be the edge that brings you success.

Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer.  This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.

 This Feng Shui information is general for everybody. However, there are deeper levels of Feng Shui which take into account you and your specific environment. 

 If you would like to find out more about living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website www.fs168.co.uk

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You have permission to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included and no changes are made to the article. A courtesy copy of your publication or link would be appreciated.

Money, Money, Money – The Feng Shui guide to improving your bank balance

A recent news article featured a man who had won over £175,000 on a William Hill jackpot game.  Just ten months before he had won £95,000 on the same jackpot game.  ‘Lucky guy’ you might say but he put it down to implementing changes to his home after a Feng Shui consultation.

The purpose of this article is not to advocate gambling you understand.  The purpose of this article is to consider how Feng Shui might improve your wealth and to offer some tips to get you started.

You’ve probably seen lots of things advertised that guarantee abundance: money trees, three legged toads and pyramids are just a few.  But there’s a huge difference between hanging up a charm hoping Lady Luck will notice you as she passes by and using Feng Shui intelligently to improve your life and let abundance in.

Feng Shui works by considering the energies of your home or workplace and how they interact with you as an individual.  But it’s not just about space.  Timing is also important.  Each one of us is living our own unique cycle.  So, where you are in your life will have an effect on your interaction with your environment.

Confused?  No need to be.  Feng Shui is not complicated, just multi-faceted.  Once you know the nature of the energies around and within you, the key is to live with those energies – enhancing the good ones and minimising the not so good ones.  And a good Feng Shui consultant will be able to advise you on how to do this.

However, there are some general things that you can do to attract the good stuff:

• There are two wealth areas in your home or workplace that you need to be aware of.  The first is the south east sector and the second is the top left area as viewed on a floor plan of your space with the main door at the bottom.
• Clear clutter from these areas.  Clutter causes energy to stagnate which makes it thick, heavy and depressing.  What self respecting wealth would want to turn up in such a place?  Tidy things up and you make space for new energy and new opportunities.
• Keep the areas light.  There are a number of ways you can do this: remove anything outside the window that is stopping the light coming in (such as overgrown trees or shrubs); clean the windows; change the curtains if necessary; if natural daylight is limited consider a permanent source of artificial light; use a light, bright colour scheme and furnishings.
• To stimulate the energy in this area use a wind chime, aquarium or plants.
• If using plants choose the traditional money tree/jade plant (crassula argentea) and keep it healthy.
• If using an aquarium keep goldfish.  Their bright colours attract abundant energy.  Have at least three fish and, if more, keep them in multiples of three.  Keep the aquarium clean and the fish healthy.

Finally, you may be wondering what changes the guy who won the jackpots made which brings me to my final tip:

• Keep the toilet seat down and the bathroom door closed.  This rule applies to bathrooms anywhere in the building but is especially important if the rooms are in the areas mentioned above.  Energy is drained very quickly in the bathroom as water is flushed or washed away and you don’t want to get rid of it before the magic has happened.

 

Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer.  This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.

 This Feng Shui information is general for everybody. However, there are deeper levels of Feng Shui which take into account you and your specific environment. 

 If you would like to find out more about living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website www.fs168.co.uk

WANT TO PUBLISH THIS ARTICLE?
You have permission to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included and no changes are made to the article. A courtesy copy of your publication or link would be appreciated.