Today's I Ching Hexagram for August 17 is 7: Discipline

7: Discipline

Saturday, Aug 17th, 2013

The most successful general is not the one that triumphs in battle, but the one who is able, through strength of a resolute discipline and the personal power that results from that, to achieve victory without spilling blood. This is why for the effective leadership of any organization the key virtues are clarity, decisiveness and conscientiousness. The most effective team or partnership marches with a single purpose — a dedication to a common goal that is held dear by all. Otherwise, even with an excess of external discipline, unpopular wars are seldom winnable.

Let power be held in check by the acceptance of a common discipline, and submission to a higher authority. Look to the common good. When life is in balance, evil impulses are checked by human decency; parents die before their children; leaders lead and followers follow. If you hold or aspire to a position of leadership, remember that the true leader speaks to and captures the hearts of the people and articulates a clear, simple vision that unites them as a team.

In the realm of government, the relationship between the army and state is critical. Only when the state is economically prosperous can the army be strong. Only when the army is disciplined can the state be protected from disruptive outside forces. For this balance to be preserved, government must be steady, and mild toward its own people. When balancing strong complementary forces, modesty and generosity at the center can be a magnetic force that keeps relationships intact. Coordination of all elements is essential for success at this time.

Daily Feng Shui News for August 15th – 'Relaxation Day'

Now here’s a day after my own heart, mind and soul! It’s ‘Relaxation Day,’ which must also mean it’s time for a nice long soak to wash worry, tension and anxiety down the drain. Run a bath and add one tablespoon of sesame oil to the water. Place two tablespoons of uncooked rice and one chopped, unpeeled raw potato in a net and suspend this net in the water. Lie down in the bath and close your eyes while focusing your attention and concentration on the end of your coccyx. Massage the soles of your feet while doing this. According to ancient tradition, blending chi acupressure and bathing will enhance beauty, prevent aging and be good for your overall health. Now, relax, and go take this beautiful bath.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Daily Feng Shui News for Aug. 13th – 'Festival of the Double Sevens'

Today celebrates the ‘Festival of the Double Sevens,’ which is also known as ‘Chinese Valentine’s Day,’ a day that falls on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese calendar. One of the most common and powerful Feng Shui cures to enact on this day is to place an image of the Dragon/Phoenix in the ‘Romance’ corner of your bedroom. Considered by this tradition to be the perfect couple, when paired together these auspicious celestial animals complement and support one another as true life partners. Therefore, joining them in that same romantic space can strengthen or even rekindle a relationship while also promising to improve and sweeten married life. But these beneficial energies don’t just bless existing couples only. If you’re single and looking for love, placing this image in the ‘Romance’ area of your living spaces will greatly increase your ‘marriage luck.’ This is the perfect day to call on this couple so that you too can become a part of a blissful one.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Daily Feng Shui News for Aug. 5th – 'Work Like A Dog Day'

You might want to paws to reflect on today’s ‘Work Like A Dog Day’ energies before enacting a ‘secret’ Feng Shui cure that promises to make work a lot more empowering and enjoyable. Whether in a cubicle or an office, this philosophy says that you should always draw your eye to your ‘lucky’ corner. Find the corner opposite your entryway and place something beautiful or inspiring there. This could be as simple as a flowering plant or even inspirational, like a picture of a mentor. Here’s a helpful hint: Placing a favorite lamp or decorative mirror here will make your space appear larger while also activating the auspicious energies associated with this lucky corner.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Feng Shui News for July 17th – 'Yellow Pig Day'

It’s ‘Yellow Pig Day’ and although it doesn’t really matter what color they are, pigs play a big role in symbolic Feng Shui. The pig signifies sufficient food, material joy, prosperity, fertility and success in all affairs. In some cultures, having some symbol of a mother pig in the home assures wealth and abundance for the entire family. Place an image of the Feng Shui Fortune Pig in the ‘Wealth’ area of your living space in order to activate fat stacks and lots of money luck.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Feng Shui Tip for Sunday, Feb. 17th – ‘World Human Spirit Day’

It’s seems fitting on ‘World Human Spirit Day’ that I share a powerful way to energize your spirit. Both Feng Shui and vibrational healers agree that the healing color of green can cleanse and rejuvenate your Chi while raising your spirits as well. Close your eyes and imagine your entire body surrounded by a ball of clear green light. As you inhale, breathe in this light and visualize it circulating all throughout your body. When you breathe out, exhale toxins, imbalances and impurities along with anger, rage and fear. Repeat this exercise six times to make your spirit refreshed, revivified and restored. The ripple effect guarantees that you will uplift the entire world.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Daily Feng Shui Tip for Feb. 14th – ‘Happy Valentine’s Day and World Marriage Day!’

Happy Valentine’s Day and World Marriage Day! Whether you’ve recently entered a new relationship, are currently in one or hoping to find the perfect partner, you can change your love life by changing your sheets. Feng Shui considers red to be a powerful and auspicious color that will add sizzle, passion, heat and a new mate (if that’s something you’re hoping for). Just be sure not to use them every day as all that sexual energy will make it hard to get some sleep.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Feng Shui News for Feb. 12 – ‘Extraterrestrial Visitor Day’ and ‘Extraterrestrial Culture Day’

When I saw that today is both ‘Extraterrestrial Visitor Day’ and ‘Extraterrestrial Culture Day’ I immediately thought of one of modern culture’s most famous taglines: ‘E.T. phone home.’ That thought prompts me to share this Feng Shui ‘Phone Cure.’ If you want your telephone to ring with new clients and opportunities, place your phone on a round or octagonal mirror that is sitting on a piece of red cloth the same shape and size as the mirror. Then place symbols of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals in a circular design underneath the phone. Leave the phone sitting on this ‘cure’ for at least three consecutive hours in order to recharge it with good fortune. Don’t ask for whom that bell tolls, it tolls for you!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Feng Shui Tip for February 11th – ‘Clean Out Your Computer Day’

According to Feng Shui, clutter is the enemy, and not just those musty old objects you’ve been collecting for years. Cyber clutter can be just as chaotic and damaging to the flow of good Chi, so on this ‘Clean Out Your Computer Day’ I encourage you to do just that. Clear out or answer old email before deleting or filing them away. Remove old files that are taking up space and literally clean the computer equipment itself. Lastly, position or hang a clear quartz crystal somewhere in the vicinity of the computer and see how quickly clarity and clear-headed thinking come back to rule the day.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Feng Shui Tip for February 8th – ‘Laugh and Get Rich Day’

On ‘Laugh and Get Rich Day’ it might be time to go fishing. Feng Shui says that a fish mobile or a statue of a fish signifies gold, abundance and wealth filling the house. Fish are also employed to avert mishaps and disasters. Position fish in the ‘Wealth’ area of your home or bedroom or place them in the hallway leading to your bedroom. If you go fishing in this Feng Shui manner you’ll surely find yourself laughing — all the way to the bank!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Feng Shui News for February 7th – ‘Wave All Your Fingers At Your Neighbors Day’

Today is ‘Wave All Your Fingers At Your Neighbors Day.’ But what if there’s one finger in particular that you want to wave at them because they won’t quiet down? Looks like it’s time for Neighbor Shui! If you’re having difficulties with a neighbor, this philosophy says to hang a convex mirror on the same side of the house as the annoying neighbor so that any negativity will bounce back to them. A Feng Shui bagua mirror will do the trick, as will hanging a metal wind chime with solid rods. Good fences might make good neighbors but mirrors can make even better ones. Whatever cure you put in place, remove it when the animosity or the neighbor disappears.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Feng Shui Tip for February 6th – “Digital Learning Day”

In this world of pads and apps it makes sense that we would celebrate ‘Digital Learning Day.’ But when trying to educate yourself about anything, energizing the ‘Knowledge/Cultivation’ area of your main floor or bedroom is very important. Looking into the room from the main entryway, put a bell in the upper left hand corner. Feng Shui believes bells can symbolize ideas, clarity and mental acuity. Positioned in this arena, the bell also allows you to cope with changes and be optimistic about new projects, however you choose to learn them.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Feng Shui News for February 4th – ‘World Cancer Day’

The energy surrounding ‘World Cancer Day’ prompts me to share information from my most honorable Feng Shui teacher, Grandmaster Professor Lin Yun, and his effective adjustment for healing from this insidious disease. Master Lin Yun also shares that this treatment should only be used to augment and reinforce appropriate medical interventions that address this disease. He recommends that the patient look upon an image containing the Feng Shui ‘Six True Colors’ (white, red, yellow, green, blue and black — in that exact order) so they can then transmit this healing color sequence to all afflicted cells. This coloring outside the lines of mainstream allopathic medicine can be powerfully effective and empowering.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Daily Feng Shui Tip for January 14th – ‘John Hancock’s Birthday’

Today is John Hancock’s birthday. His was the first signature on the Declaration of Independence and he has become a euphemism for signatures ever since. Feng Shui believes that there’s a certain way to sign important papers (or anything else that requires your own John Hancock) so that success and fortune will follow. If you’re looking for financial independence you might want to employ the ‘Prosperity Signature’ that goes like this: When you write your first name you should be sure that the first letter of your first name ends on an upward slant or curve. Similarly, the last letter of the last name should also slant up and to the right. If you can slightly slant the entire signature up and to the right then you can rest assured that you’ve crossed all your T’s and dotted all your I’s and are well on your way to prosperous times. It’s a Feng Shui documented fact!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Daily Feng Shui Tip for January 13th – ‘Rubber Duckie’s Birthday’

Today is ‘Rubber Duckie’s Birthday,’ and if you want someone to think that you’re ‘the one’ and to make your own bath time much more fun, then you could use a duckie or two. Feng Shui says that a pair of mandarin ducks placed with loving intent into the ‘Romance/Relationship’ area of main floor or bedroom (or both) will quickly bring a perfect partner to you. And who doesn’t want a perfect partner to help feather their nest? If it walks like a perfect partner and talks like a perfect partner, well then it is the perfect partner! Thanks for the love, mandarin duckies — we’re awfully fond of you.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Today’s Feng Shui Tip for Jan. 9th – ‘Balloon Ascension Day’

Our energies are going up, up and away on ‘Balloon Ascension Day’ and our wishes should be heading in that same direction as well. Feng Shui says that you can make a wish come true simply by sending it skyward on a balloon. Take any red helium filled balloon and with a black marker write your wish on the balloon. Be specific, concise and clear. Then, on any clear and sunny day, let the balloon go. Follow it with your eyes and your intention and once it begins to get close to the horizon visualize it as a small, round and golden orb. As the balloon disappears imagine that it is being gobbled up by the Sky Dragon, a mythical creature who holds the power to make your dreams materialize. Once this dragon swallows your wish it is said that it will soon come true. Forget the pie in the sky, put your delicious wish there instead and watch it unfold!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Daily Feng Shui tip for Jan. 4th – ‘Kitchen Gods’

Forget Christmas and those four calling birds, on the fourth day of the New Year Feng Shui says that a magically delicious meal should be cooked and the kitchen gods acknowledged. This tradition advises that there is a kitchen god in every home that can substantially add to the flavor and happiness of every occupant of every home. One of the kitchen gods that I acknowledge on this special day is Zhou Chun. On the fourth day of every New Year I write his name in red ink on red paper and affix that above my oven. He’s a pretty swell dining companion and always brings the best hostess gifts. Just you wait and see.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Daily Feng Shui for Jan. 2nd – ‘New Year’s Traditions, Wishes & Resolutions’

In many traditions, wishes and resolutions are always made on the New Year, and as usual, Feng Shui puts a decidedly different spin on becoming a resolutionary soldier. This philosophy instructs that you should write your New Year resolution on a piece of paper and then place it inside an envelope. This envelope must be red in order to activate your desires and bring your dreams to life. Then you simply burn the envelope and the contents inside, as this is believed to complete the empowering action steps that this tradition says will soon make your wish come true.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Feng Shui Tip for Jan. 1 – ‘Happy New Year’

Happy New Year! Feng Shui says that making an effort to rest is the best way to start off any New Year! That’s it. Just relax if you want to start this year off in a wonderful way. Feng Shui also advises that housework should not be done today lest you sweep, wash or vacuum all your good luck away! Don’t use scissors or knives today, as they have a threatening nature and can contribute to ongoing tension and stress. This philosophy also warns against crying or quarreling today. As you can tell, the masters of Feng Shui believed that whatever occurs on this day will set the precedent for the rest of the year to come. I will also share that you should eat round foods for fortune, eat oranges for prosperity and speak sweet words for an even sweeter New Year ahead! Like I said, Happy New Year!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Feng Shui for a New Year

Feng Shui for a New Year

Attract positive energy to start the New Year right

by Stephanie Dempsey on the topics of new year, feng shui

The New Year marks a fresh start. Make the most of this auspicious time by implementing a few Feng Shui cures.

The beauty of Feng Shui is that it is quick, simple and effective. You may not be able to lose 10 pounds overnight, but you can get the scale moving in the right direction with just a few of these simple adjustments.

Clean up your act

Don’t wait until spring to launch a massive cleaning effort. By cleaning your abode from top to bottom in preparation for the New Year, you’ll wash away any negative energy. Be especially attentive to your kitchen, as this room governs your ability to cultivate good health and impressive wealth.

3 is a magic number

Feng shui experts view 3 as a magic number, as it embodies growth and creativity. Squaring the number 3 is even more auspicious. Therefore, if you want to experience a fabulously fortunate New Year, move 27 objects in your home. The objects could be as big as a sofa or as small as a cologne bottle. The important thing is to move 27 items with the intention of improving your luck.

Fill your wallet

Start the year right with a big, fat wallet. Get 27 crisp, new dollar bills from the bank and put them inside. This will set the trend for a prosperous New Year. Spice things up by sprinkling ground ginger on the outside and inside of your billfold. Ginger is a stimulant, and will attract new sources of income to you.

Sweeten the pot

Fill your sugar bowl and canisters to the brim with sweetener on New Year’s Day. This will make it easier to enjoy all of the good fortune that will come your way in the months ahead.

Set the proper tone

The first words you say in the New Year will set the tone for next twelve months. Therefore, you should prepare a little speech to utter at the stroke of midnight. “Health, wealth and happiness for all” is a good choice, as is “Thank you for all the prosperity ahead.”

Make noise

Loud noises are thought to scare away malevolent influences. Therefore, be sure to make a big racket on New Year’s Day, if only for a couple of seconds. Blast the stereo, bang some pots and pans or toot a toy horn. Your neighbors may grumble, but you’ll be sitting pretty!

Orange you glad it’s the New Year?

Because of their resemblance to the Sun, oranges represent prosperity. Put a bowl of 9 oranges on your kitchen table on January 1 as a means to summon all of that positive, life-giving energy.

Soak up negative energy

If you’re getting over a troubled relationship or need to find a new job, sprinkle sea salt around the interior perimeter of your home. Let the salt stand overnight, and then vacuum it up the next day. Imagine yourself beginning a happier, healthier life as you vacuum. When you are finished, throw the vacuum bag into an outdoor garbage can.

Find a new job (and get a new bod)

People often put off job searches until after the New Year. If you’d like to get a head start on the competition, get rid of 27 objects you no longer use or need. You can donate these things to charity, throw them in the trash, or sell them for a profit — it’s up to you. The key is to make room in your home for new energy. There’s an added bonus to getting rid of stuff: weight loss! When you get rid of dead weight in your home, it starts falling off your body, too.

Find a new love

If you’re in the market for love, you can find it in the coming year by absorbing more western energy. Make it a habit to pause and watch the sunset at least three times a week. By maintaining a positive attitude and a hopeful heart, you could be planning your wedding at this time next year!