No doubt Bill Gates spends an awful lot of time thinking about his windows, but, most of us don’t. Windows are such an integral part of all architecture that sometimes we hardly notice them unless our space doesn't have any. When we don't have any windows, we notice their absence immediately (and grouse about it at the water cooler). We may feel closed in without windows to provide a connection to the outside world. Here’s why windows are good feng shui:

When asked what Feng Shui is, I often explain that Feng Shui is not a religion nor is it a form of magic. Feng Shui is a practical method of assessing and improving the quality of our lives through observations and analysis of our home and office environments. That being said, Feng Shui can--and often does-- have "magical" results. Focusing our hearts and minds on high intentions for our greatest good is one principle discipline of Feng Shui. When we decide to live our lives with what I call "Intentional Success", we create an atmosphere of willingness to open ourselves to the best things in life, the little magical daily events that remind us that we are all connected.

We hate to think of ourselves as the kind of people who think in stereotypes, don't we? But even those of us with the best intentions are subconsciously influenced by our perceptions of certain archetypal symbols that represent either positive or negative emotions.

Color on a large scale can represent an element. On a "large scale" means an entire room or wall or large area rug. When a color defines a room, then for sure you know the vibrations from that color will affect the energy field of the space. What is an element? Elements are both literal and symbolic. In all of Chinese Metaphysics, which includes feng shui, Chinese Astrology, Chinese medicine, and martial arts, we have something called Five-Element Theory.

Many of the principles of Feng Shui originated as survival techniques. Our cave dwelling ancestors knew that it was important not to turn one's back to the cave entrance. If you did, a beast could devour you, or, a rival tribe could steal your fire, your food, and your family.

There is a whole branch of classical feng shui which deals with the outside environment. It is called Form School or Landscape School. But outside and inside are forever entwined in terms of how they can affect the occupants.

In the ancient Indian Chakra system, each power point of our energetic body is represented by a specific color. We are literally a rainbow of colors! Not only do our bodies emit color energy in this way, our personal ch'i / energy is deeply influenced by the hues we surround ourselves with in clothing, in home and office decor, even in the presentation of the food we eat.

When we think of a classic haunted house, images from the movies come up. Sometimes the haunted house is depicted as a dark, dingy, old, dilapidated house, secluded and covered with cobwebs. Oddly enough, these really are some of the "yin" attributes which can contribute to a house attracting a ghost.

Ed was a die hard yankee conservative Republican, a stockbroker / financial analyst who thrived on facts & figures, saw things in black & white with no gray areas, and valued tangible results. Not necessarily a person you would think of immediately embracing a concept as nebulous as ch'i and Feng Shui, right? But on closer inspection, Wall Street has its share of superstitious bond traders carrying lucky talismans in the pockets of their Zegna three piece suits.

The house which sits at the very end of a cul-de-sac or T-juncture is going to be receiving more energy than the other houses on either side, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Most feng shui books illustrate how this is a very accident-prone or unhappy home and to be avoided at all costs, but occasionally it is the luckiest house on the block. Why? If the house is inherently good in its "unseen" influences, then all the chi rushing toward that house will activate the good features. So, this type of street alignment will only intensifiy whatever house type it is.

What constitutes a balanced room according to feng shui theory involves not one, but several aspects. Some of those aspects are non-obvious while some aspects are immediately palpable, such as the flaw of a room which is chronically dark or cold.

Just as I suspected, Webster’s Dictionary defines clutter as something that can literally hold you back . I define clutter as anything I don’t use/ love/ need/ want any more. This can apply to people as easily as it applies to that stack of last year’s magazines, that bin of dried up magic markers, or that pile of junk I’ve been meaning to donate to Goodwill Industries. It can also apply to outmoded ways of thinking as well as outmoded styles of clothing. Clutter ---and its negative impact--- is everywhere!

I have found an interesting coincidence with some of the better neighborhoods I have visited and the better feng shui houses that exist there. I am speaking of the 4 major house types which are determined by their precise compass orientation.

Empty walls devoid of art --or any decoration-- are depressing, aren't they? The only thing less uplifting than bare walls is ugly walls that have stains and peeling paint where the art should be. Feng shui is about creating harmonious, peaceful, and inspiring spaces that improve one's quality of life at home and at work. If your work environment is depressing, chances are your workers are going to be depressed and not as creative and productive as they should be.

A question that comes up often during a feng shui consultation, is how to interpret the effects of art in our home or work place. Here are my thoughts:

Eat, drink, and be merry. Then do it again. The year of the Pig begins on the new moon of February 17th, 2007. (This exact new Moon occurs at 8:38 PM Pacific Time.) Pig year is a time of fun and self indulgence. Ease and enjoyment of life are valued more than power and status. We can be kinder to each other in our everyday interactions and feel little need for competition. Harmony, peace, understanding, and good fellowship are valued. Money is spent on luxuries such as extravagant vacations, sumptuous meals, and fine clothing. It is easy to become content and satisfied, ignoring the bills that accumulate during Pig year. The following Rat year 2008 will be time to face reality after Pig year indulgences, so enjoy now while the enjoying is good.

Are you and your romantic partner not getting along – is there a lot of disagreement conflict when there used to be love and togetherness? Or, do you not have a romantic partner in your life but wish you could find one? Properly applying the principles of Feng Shui might be just what you need to fix that relationship or find a new one, and it might be as simple as making a few simple adjustments. Feng Shui helps with many important life goals, including career, wealth, education, etc. One of the most important, and popular, Feng Shui goals is Love and Relationship.

As we all know, Florida has been the State which the whole country has been focused on since November 7th. It is undeniably in the southeast section of the United States. This is interesting from a Feng Shui perspective because the direction of Southeast this year has been an unlucky direction. Each year there is a direction which is considered unlucky and it is to be avoided for a number of activities. It coincides with the direction associated with the Chinese Zodiac sign for the year. This has been the Year of the Dragon, which is linked to East/Southeast.

Rampant materialism is all around. It can only mean one thing: 'tis the commercialized holiday season where the loudest silver bell ringing is the "ka-ching" of the merchant's cash register. Setting intentions for the world’s highest good is part of my feng shui practice. Lest anyone think I am a Bah Humbug kind of gal, let me explain that I am 100% behind the idea of giving. And apparently, so is my little friend Colby whom I visited last year over the Thanksgiving holiday in Downer's Grove, Illinois.