Water-Related Feng Shui for Dragon and Snake Years 2012-14

Yang Water Dragon Year 2012-13 is followed by Yin Water Snake 2013-14. Thus, this advice, when referring to Water, their Year Element, applies to each of the two years in question. Feng Shui means 'Wind and Water' and the Element has played a vital role in Human existence, evolution and civilisation.

Locations of Key Sectors

Water is associated with the North and the Northern sectors of rooms and dwellings. This is the key sectors of the Year Element.

Dragon affinities are with the East and South-East (via Wood Element links). These are the key sectors of the Year Animal (2012-13). The Snake has Earth associations via the North-East and South West of rooms and dwellings. These are the key sectors of the Year animal (2013-14).

Except Earth, Elements have Animal associations from Exterior Feng Shui. Earth in this represents the Centre, the Feng Shui practitioner's vacant living-space and therefore has none. 5 Animals Wuxing, however, links the limbless Snake to Earth, due to their immediate juxtaposition (lacking legs Snakes couldn't get closer to Earth if they tried).

Water Links

Colours: Black (Water at night); Blue (Water in daylight).

Materials: Glass (plain and coloured), mirrors, plastics, natural crystals, silk.

Objects, Images and Motifs: Fish, Taiji Symbols, Snakes, water-features, Aquaria, Dragons (Eastern not Western) Seascapes (especially Water-Colours), Rivers and Lakes, waves and wavy patterns, especially in pastel colours, serpentine, coiling, undulating meandering designs, sea-shells, Willow-pattern and of course the 'Chan Chu' or 3-Legged Toad or Money-Frog, crystal-boats, ships.

Roads and Streets are Water in Feng Shui terms, due to their traffic-flow and use for communication and travel. Statues and representations of the Bodhisattva Kuan Shi Yin, Daoist Immortal and Shaolin Temple Patron Deity, particularly in her Aquarian water-bearing mode might appeal to Martial Artists (in particular) and others at this time.

Remember, a picture, drawing, photo or replica can be as useful as an original for Feng Shui purposes.

Water Associations

Water has strong Wealth connexions (e.g. current accounts, currency, flotations, cash-flow and income-streams). Communications (see above) both physical and verbal are linked similarly (e.g. word-flow, gushing compliments, stream-of-consciousness accounts)

Crystals and Minerals:

Gem and Crystal Feng Shui has growing popularity. Care is needed to determine the Element these represent, to ensure effective placement. In Feng Shui, Black and 'Snowflake' Obsidian (water-cooled fragments of volcanic lava outflows) correspond to Water (even having the appropriate Elemental colour-black) not Fire or Earth as you might suppose. Displays off-set with Quartz (which intensifies the influence of minerals/crystals displayed alongside it) and reflected by Mirrors, both Yin Metal for Feng Shui purposes, may be particularly effective during the period.

Objects with water associations like crystal/mineral boats, fish, bowls and crystal water-features are also appropriate. Beach-stones and pebbles from the river bed can also be used for this purpose.

Backgrounds:

Metal supports/produces/encourages Water in Feng Shui (tanks, taps, pipes and pans confirm this, it even melts and flows when heated). Backgrounds utilising this Element's features (colours, materials etc) can encourage healthy Qi-flows within dwellings during this period.

Overall

This information may help you to prepare for, participate in and enjoy Chinese New Year Celebrations of Dragon Year 2012-13 in your area--23rd January 2012 is New Years Day. Hopefully, it will also help you 'harmonise' with Dragon Year Energies, in advance, and improve your health, fortune and prosperity throughout the Year. It may also sensitize you to the similarly watery nature of following Snake Year 2013-14 (4) and facilitate your longer-term Feng Shui planning thereby.

Notes

(1) 'Daoist Immortal and Buddhist Bodhisattva - Kuan Yin!', at Ezine Articles, by the same Author, has more about this remarkable female figure.

Feng Shui Consultant Peter Allsop M.Ed. also publishes 'Red Dragon Martial Arts Ezine'. Longevity Training, Iron Shirt, 5 Elements Qigong, Daoism, Chinese metaphysics and Astrology feature among his interests alongside gem and crystal Feng Shui.
Explore the free resources at http://www.sheffieldkungfu.com

Senior Student of GrandmasterYap Leong, Peter also teaches Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong in Yorkshire and Derbyshire U. K. as Shaolin Fists International Area Instructor for the region.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Allsop

Snakes and Their Charming Egyptian Owners

So let's talk about the seemingly dying breed of snake charmers. Exactly where did they come from? How did they become charmers of snakes and how do they do what they do?

It is said that the Guru of Snake Charmers taught people to revere Reptiles rather than be afraid of them and that the art of charming snakes emerged from those who were in the business of treating people for snake bites. Those who sought to follow in the Guru's footsteps were trained as to how to properly handle a snake and what to administer for Snake bites. These healers as they were called, also removed snakes from people's homes and became known for their healing abilities and the ease with which they handled snakes.

It is this ease these healers had with snakes that ushered in the era of Snake Charmers. The general belief is that the art of snake charming originated in Egypt and this is given creditability from the account of a showdown between a kings, sorcerers, and a man named Moses. But scholars hold that snake charming as we know it today probably originated in India. It is here we find the fine points of Snake Charming being defended as a family business.

Dressed in traditional attire, having long hair wrapped in a turban, wearing beads and earrings our snake charmer sets out to find his audience. He carries his snake or snakes in a basket that is suspended over his shoulder on a long pole. When he finds the perfect spot he will sit down in front of his basket cross his legs and wait for the appropriate time to remove the lid.

Having removed the lid from the basket he begins his ritual. The Charmer makes music with his flute and presto as if he has heard the music the snake will come up out of the basket; if by chance it is a Cobra it will extend its hood and begin to sway to the music as if being hypnotized by the Charmer. All who see this dangerous show being carried out before their very eyes are in awe; they applaud and reward the snake charmer.

How can this not be real? Well according to well informed sources a snake is in his comfort zone when kept in the dark; shed some light and he is startled into emerging from his den. As for why he will sway to the music and act hypnotized; well it is one or a combination of things. The snake will react to the movement of the flute, the vibration of the flute or to the patting of the charmers feet.

You are saying but what about the music? I hate to burst your bubble but the snake cannot hear it! I know you want to remind me that the snake retreats when the music stops; pay attention when the Charmer stops all motion the snake will retreat. Finally snakes by nature are timid creatures and prefer to scare off their opponents rather than fight.

So Egyptian Charmers, Indian Charmers they all emerged from the same source; they came from those who had a way with handling Snakes and provided a service for those who didn't.

Chris Jensen is a contributing Author of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and reviews visit Jetfly Pets & Animals Blog [http://jetflyshop.com/pets-animals-blog] now. Also, for the Best up-to-date related Online Products, check out Jetfly Reptile Supplies Shop [http://jetflyshop.com/reptile-supplies] for Todays Current Online Deals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_L._Jensen