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Feng Shui Lighting

In 2012, Fire energy becomes so important because this is the vital missing link in the chart of the year. The Paht Chee chart of the coming year has only four out of the five elements, and anyone who understands the practice of feng shui will know that the most critical thing is balance.

Feng Shui Lighting

Hence keeping the home well lit throughout this year becomes of the greatest importance. A well-lit home will bring instant benefit to any household. Addressing the issue of lighting from an architectural and design viewpoint, with valuable suggestions of the kind of lighting you should consider depending on the effect you want to achieve and the room that the lighting is intended for.

The kind of ambiance we create in a space depends on how we light it up. So it is important to understand how different types of lights are used to create different effects, and also how to manipulate light to help to soften up any space. Soft light is always preferable to harsh light because it easier on the eyes and does not create chi that is overly yang; while yang light is what we want, balance is always more important, so we do not want to go too far the other way either.

Types of Lighting 

First, it is important to note that different lights are used for different purposes. For example, ceiling recessed down lights are typically used to create an overall ambient lighting level, which helps to brighten up the space to an acceptable living condition. Spotlights are then introduced to highlight key elements within the room which then diverts our attention to specific areas of attention. Occasional lights such as table and floor lamps are used to soften up the room and to add a more human scale, as it allows the user to relate directly to the furniture at eye level rather than be overwhelmed by the size of the space. Chandeliers, meanwhile, are key to highlighting specific living areas such as the dining table while also introducing a feature piece to compliment the interior design.

Take for example in a bedroom, setting downlights are used to create the necessary ambient lighting, but the key lighting element is introduced by flanking the bed setting with the table lamps which helps to set the bed area within the room. Spotlights are then used as isolated lighting elements to focus on the actual bed thereby highlighting the focus of the room.

Ceiling Washers

The next element is to investigate how we can manipulate light to suit the use of the room. In this scenario, diffused lighting is created by bouncing light off the ceiling to create an illuminated ceiling, which offers a subtle diffused atmosphere. Further accents are introduced through intermittent spotlights along the feature wall to create a multi-dimensional effect while offering locations to highlight feature details. In addition, light can also be used to frame key features such as the curtain portal, to achieve a framing effect, using light as an architectural feature in the design.

Light may also be used to designate areas by creating different zones, and through the mixture of different lighting techniques, we are able to shift our visual attention and human movement to areas as required. Therefore we need to think of light as a design tool, and not only to brighten up your space. Lighting always works best when we think of how we can use it to complement the function of the space.

Wall and Floor Washers 

Another lighting technique is to bounce light off walls by creating wall washers, which is an inexpensive way of creating a subtle environment. In this example, the use of wall washers is used to create a visual disconnection between the walls and ceiling to enhance the sensation of space. But more so, it allows light to reflect the color of the feature walls thereby giving a soft illuminated ambiance to the bathroom.

This technique can also prove to be very advantageous in long corridors to illuminate walkways, while creating an architectural statement in the process.

One of the key design elements of washing light along the walls is the ability to separate the architectural planes. By 'detaching' the 2 planes from each other, we are able to create the sense of floating whereby the floor is visually disconnected from all the vertical planes.

Specialized Lighting Concepts 

When designing with light, look at ways of how we can design outside the conventional system and to to use light not just as a light source but also as an art piece. Through the architecture, we can bend, mould and even diffuse light in a manner where it can create an architectural statement that shapes the design and experience of the space.

Back lighting is another technique that designers use to highlight certain motifs that add character to the design. In this case, the patterned grille acts as the light source by casting intricate shadow details along the pathway; it also adds a touch of craftsmanship in the architectural treatment of how light is being used. 


Finally, skylights tend to be very efficient in introducing light to areas deep within the home without any light source. In this example, the skylight is backlit to diffuse light back down through the frosted glass panel to create an illuminated surface to flood the entire space with light.
 
Therefore, when we think of light, think of how light would behave and how we are able to transform light to become an architectural feature that can add a further sense of design and experience to the space. To find out more, you can check out Feng Shui Lighting.

 

Feng Shui Melbourne

Melbourne has moved up once again in the rankings compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit. YES Melbourne has been ranked as number one in a survey of 140 cities around the world in August 1 2011 by the ETU as the world's most livable city. This annual report assessed every twelve months takes into the consideration each city's location and its conditions of living. Melbourne was put in top place as the city that provides the best living conditions using factors such as livability, culture, infrastructure, education, healthcare and stability.

Feng Shui Melbourne

FSW Australian correspondent JANCY LEW explains Melbourne's excellent feng shui and says, "Several other cities in Australia have also in the past been ranked within the top 10 positions. Sydney for instance took 6th position, Perth 8th position and Adelaide 10th position in past surveys." We bring you Jancy's description of Melbourne's amazingly good feng shui!

What makes Melbourne so special? 

Good food, multi-cultural ethnic groups, major sporting events, healthcare, environment or just simply excellent feng shui. Melbourne is located in the Southeast of Australia. It has what we call in feng shui terms "an embrace form" whereby Melbourne city itself is located directly in the center of the embrace point. As seen on the Melbourne map from the view towards Port Philip Bay, the left wing (Mornington Peninsular to Portsea side) extends out more than the right wing (Geelong to Portartington side) in an embrace form, and both wing ends inwards which gives it fantastic feng shui to accumulate the wealth within Melbourne within Port Philip Bay. There is a small gap (or the water to flow in and have it accumulate within.

For power, support and authority, the ranges and hills that surround Melbourne provide its residents strong support; not forgetting "Table Mountain" beyond Port Philip Bay that is King Island. This stores the "Chi", bringing it to an excellent formation. Those who have read my previous article on the Parliament House would find that this is the same feng shui concept that has been implemented on the Parliament House using man-made forms, but for Melbourne, these are all available naturally!
 
Melbourne's excellent feng shui comes from naturally-occurring land formations, what the Chinese feng shui masters refer to as good "San He" (Environment and Landscape Form)
Feng Shui. This is widely regarded as one of the most powerful schools of feng shui.
 
According to landform feng shui, with the kind of Land Embrace formation like what Melbourne has, the energy of the city not only benefits its residents but the good fortune extends to all 10 sons in feng shui terms. This is because the land embrace has covered all areas to the great benefit of all the sons of the family.

 
So it is NOT surprising that the Men of Melbourne are good looking, have great fashion sense and most importantly, good intellectual qualities and capabilities!


Overview of Melbourne History
 
Melbourne capital of Victoria with a population close to 4 million, was first occupied by the Wurundjeri Indigenous Australian of the Woiwurrung language group that that lived in this area for about 30,000 years before the arrival of the European Colonization. During the 19th Century, various settlers explored Port Philip Bay from 1800, but there weren't any actual permanent settlers at that time, until 1835 when John Batman, a successful farmer from Tasmania, sailed in and struck a deal to buy 600,000 acres of land from the local Wurundjeri people, paying for the land with scissors, flannel jackets, shirts, blankets, knives, flour and promise of a yearly tribute or rental payment. He then built up the settlement area with John Pascoe Fawkner and founded Melbourne that was then called "Batmania". Melbourne is unique in that it is an Australian settlement of free people and not of convicts.
 

The Boom Years 

The boom period lasted 40 years during which there was rapid growth of schools, libraries, art galleries and learned societies. The city was famously referred to as "Marvelous Melbourne" a tag given by English Journalist George Augustus Henry Sala that is still very much in use today. Many historical buildings were built in this period. The first Australian steam railway was built between Flinders Street and Port Melbourne, and Queen Victoria Market was founded.
 
Other famous historical buildings were the Melbourne Football Club, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Town Hall and the Royal Exhibition Building.

 
The first cable tramline operated when the Town Hall was completed, and the Gold Rush then brought in the city's ornate Victorian architecture. Chinatown was established during the Gold Rush. Soon after that, Melbourne overtook Sydney to become the largest city in Australia. Need I add that most of the historical buildings built
in Melbourne have better feng shui than latter-day contemporary modern Melbourne buildings! Maybe it is time to bring more feng shui knowledge into Melbourne to fully tap into the excellent landform chi energy of the city. 

Wealth

Melbourne has always been rated one of the wealthiest cities of Australia with its rich history and the discovery of gold in 1851. It has become the major part of Australia and has grown rapidly. 

Gold fever took hold and stories of the gold rush abound. Gold Nuggets were being picked up without even having to dig, and this brought an enormous influx of wealth. Victoria then was known as the paradise of the working man. The economic boom of the Victorian Gold Rush peaked in the 1880s, making Melbourne the richest city in the world at that time.

Economy 

Melbourne's wealth continues to accumulate within the Port Philip Bay area; where good "Chi" settles bringing naturally good feng shui to that part of Melbourne that is King Island. Many of Australia's largest corporations have their head offices here ... five of its ten largest based on revenue and market capitalization and two of its four major banks are here! Its seaport is the busiest in Australia, and its airport is the second busiest. Melbourne is also the center of the country's automotive industry and is its top tourist city in terms of visitors and revenues earned.

Happily then, wealth has accumulated within the city. This is a great manifestation of good feng shui with the sea bringing wealth to a city. This same orientation in Landform Feng Shui can likewise help homes and buildings that have a water-facing frontage. This can be most auspicious when embraced by land on the left and right and supported by big mountains behind.

Education and Health 

Melbourne also has some of the best educational institutions in the world. The quality of its education and its prestigious universities have attracted many foreigners to its shores! Indeed Melbourne was ranked the world's fourth top University City in the world in 2008, and holds first ranking based on the recent National ranking amongst Australian universities. Health care is also ranked highly. 

Stars who became Hollywood big names 

Melbourne does not just produce big time winners in the political field, but many of its performers have gone on to garner world fame and recognition amongst whom are Cate Blanchett, Kylie Minogue, Geoffrey Rush, Rachel Griffiths, Guy Pearce, Eric Bana, Chris Hemsworth and more! 

Melbourne is the birthplace of television for Australia, with an extensive history of hits like Ghost Rider, Charlotte's Web, Knowing and many others. The city plays host to world famous cultural events and festivals including the Melbourne International Film Festival, various Arts Festivals. The Australian Ballet is based in Melbourne as is the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.


This big variety of cultural events has made it the second city in the world to be named a UNESCO City of Literature. Melbourne also hosted the 1956 Summer Olympics and its annual Melbourne Cup, Australian Grand Prix Formula One, and Australian Open are BIG dates in the global calendar of horse racing, car racing and tennis respectively.

There is thus no doubt at all that the Feng Shui of Melbourne is incredibly auspicious. Its residents have been benefiting from its excellent location facing water embraced by the celestial and supported by big mountains. No doubt it will continue to grow and expand through the coming years, as its feng shui will last through many generations.

Pursuit of Happiness 

So what does great natural form environment landscape feng shui do for people? I am happy to report that Victoria and Melbourne City are rated the top happiest city in Australia and is ranked in the top 5 in the world. Victoria may not have mining resources like other states but people here are happy with their lives. People here do relatively well supported by availability of good housing with low unemployment. Victorians are optimistic and contented with their way of lifestyle. So "No Worries Mate!"


Embracing Feng Shui in Melbourne 

Amongst all the states of Australia, Melbourne is the most knowledgeable about feng shui - its practice and its applications. Is this just pure coincidence or good luck that this city also has the most excellent landform feng shui? I would say that this city has all the eight aspirations kind of luck - power, support and authority luck, wealth luck, health luck, knowledge and education luck, career luck, love and happiness luck, fame and recognition luck and producing quality children luck.

Melbournians are open-minded people willing to go the extra mile to improve their life and to take up challenges. I can just say that with great feng shui comes great quality people. Surely this has to be just truly Marvelous Melbourne! To find out more, you can check out Feng Shui Melbourne.

How To Bring Good Luck To Your Life

Auspicious art and Dragon babies bringing the promise of good fortune, economic recovery coming in the Spring, milestone election leading to change of governments, unexpected hit shows benefiting from Heaven chi and simulating the power of the Tortoise power ... Feng Shui brings you the A to Z of what to expect and what you can do to attract luck in the Water Dragon year.
 
How To Bring Good Luck To Your Life

AUSPICIOUS ART Few things work as well as hanging meaningful art to bring the the new chi energy for your home. For the new year, look for something bright and colorful. My secret passion is creating images, designing and playing with colors and for years I've indulged myself with paints. ART is a hobby I believe bring plenty of good fortune especially when the lines drawn are strong and the color mixes are auspicious. Check out the twelve animal signs ... as well as the very meaningful golden mountains.

BASIC BLUE The color of water to reflect the power of the years heavenly stem. To wear or to display, this is the color that will produce the much needed new growth that will make such a great difference to your jump start luck! Wear all shades of blue or scatter blue cushions in your living spaces.  

CHAMPAGNE & CAKES A great year to celebrate with sweet and fizzy energy. Hold lots of parties to generate yang buzz. Celebrate anything and have friends and family into the home to get the chi moving!

DRAGON BABIES Did you know that a Dragon addition brings fresh new luck for your family? Especially lucky for those of you born in the years of the Snake, the Rooster, the Rat, the Monkey and also the Rabbit ... each of you has a special affinity with this celestial creature.  

EIGHT The number to magnify all your good fortune. This is the number of the current flying star period and more! It is also the sign of infinity, the number of strength and winning. Display things in multiples of 8 and incorporate this number into your daily life ... or get the sign of 8 activated with water in your Western corner!

FIRE ENERGY Bring FIRE element energy into your surroundings to make up for the lack of Fire this year. This alone will help you make gains on the stock market and bring good harvest to those of you in business. Good Harvests equate to good profits.

GODS OF WEALTH EVERY tradition and culture has their own WEALTH GODS whose presence in the home generate wealth luck. The Taoist Gods of Wealth are very popular and are best brought into the home on the first day of the Lunar New Year. In 2012, it is recommended that the God of Wealth enter the home on the third day of Chinese New Year. The Buddhist Gods of Wealth are the Yellow, White and Black Dzambhalas, each holding a jewel spouting mongoose! This year, the wealth direction and location is the WEST.

HANGING WIND CHIMES  It is incredibly vital to hang special six or 8 rod wind chimes in the NORTHWEST sector of all homes in 2012. This will strengthen the energy of the patriarch - especially if you get the sun and moon wind chimes that invoke the power of the Sun God and the Moon Goddess to cast an auspicious cloak of protection on the head of the household during the year. This keeps the Patriarch safe from the violent star of the year.

INK ON YOUR BODY Get Dragon Tattoo inked onto your right arm to capture the power of this magnificent creature. Best is a frolicking Dragon amongst the waves to simulate the presence of water.

JAZZING UP YOUR LOVE LIFE Take advantage of the flower of romance star this year - wear red to attract a new love in to your life. Drape the scarf with the popularity amulet around your neck to increase your attractiveness - pink for girls, blue for guys! 

KHENG HUA This is the flower of Heaven, white in color with yellow stamens and is extremely fragrant. This succulent cactus-like flower blooms at midnight and when it flowers it brings extremely good fortune. In 2012 a blooming kheng hua brings something big associated with one of your children. Great wealth is indicated.

LO SHU NUMBERS OF THE YEAR The dominant chi number of the year is 6, the number of the patriarch and of Heaven energy. This also means that the North/South axis is ruled by the numbers 1 and 2, which spell victory amidst a vulnerability to sickness and injury for those living in North/South facing and sitting houses. The East/ West axis is a lot more auspicious being blessed by the 4 and 8 star numbers, bringing a great deal of health, wealth and happiness luck to houses with this orientation.

MOUNTAIN Make sure you have the support of mountain energy in 2012. Sit with something solid and stable behind you. Easy ways to tap in to lucky mountains are to place paintings of mountains behind you. A golden mountain is excellent, while three mountain peaks signify honor and pride brought to you from your sons.

NORTHWEST This direction is the place which signifies leaders. Unfortunately it is very afflicted this year, bringing danger to Patriarchs and people in authority. The year also indicates significant change in leadership in many countries caused both by uprisings and election results. To survive the year, patriarchs and leaders should place YIN WATER or an image of Blue Elephant and Rhino in the Northwest of their homes.

ORANGE TREE This is extremely auspicious place near the entrance of the home during the 15 days of the lunar New Year. Its presence brings wealth luck because the word "kum" for orange also sounds like the word for "gold". Better to have a pair than a single tree! 

PHOENIX This year, the luck of the Phoenix makes an appearance in the West. Often depicted in Chinese mythology as the mate of the mighty dragon, the Phoenix activates the luck of opportunity. In 2012, the Phoenix presence activates the auspicious energies of your West walls and West-located rooms. 

Queen Go to London and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the world's longest resigning. Queen to absorb her amazing good vibrations. The Queen is also a favored symbol of good fortune in the cosmic mandala. An incredible program of cerebration is surely being planned, so enjoy!

RED STRING Signifies FIRE element energy which is miming in 2012. Get a reel of red string and recite some pocketful mantras over them, then use them for tying onto the auspicious symbols in your home to signify Yang Fire chi. Many of your cures and enhancers displayed in the home will have their chi strengthened, increasing their symbolic power to attract good fortune into the home.
Examples of symbolic objects that benefit from having red knot ties to it are the three legged toads, good fortune
coins, raw semi-precious stones and so forth. Let these come alive with Yang Chi. 

SEASONS OF 2012 Spring and summer are the more auspicious seasons of the current year these are the times when growth energy is strong and wealth luck manifests for many people. But winter will be one of discontent and anger energy. The energy turns violent and destructive and both natural disasters as well as severe human conflicts cause suffering to many.

TORTOISE POWER The year benefits from strong TORTOISE energy. The Paht Chee chart of the year has the Dragon, the Tiger and the Phoenix (in the form of its material world emanation the Rooster). Only the Tortoise energy is missing. Hence placing the image of the tortoise or the Dragon Tortoise in the home will complete the presence of the four celestial guardians of the year. Place any tortoise you bring into your home either at the back of your home or in the NORTH sector.

URNS Having these symbolic receptacles of good fortune in the home is very auspicious. Wealthy Chinese families of Hong Kong and Taiwan who believe in feng shui are especially fond of placing a pair of very large urns flanking the doorway in to the dining room. These urns are symbolically kept empty to signify a receptacle for containing incoming wealth luck. Choose urns that have auspicious paintings and designs.

VASE The VASE is a symbol of peace and prosperity and in 2012 having five vases in five element colors is exceptionally good feng shui. Place them anywhere in the front half of the home or at the base of your altar (if you have an altar at home) as offerings to your deities.

WATER DRAGON It is incredibly auspicious to create a scenario that seamlessly incorporates the Dragon image placed inside water such as an aquarium. Place near the entrance of the home. 

X FACTOR IN FENG SHUI The X factor in feng shui is the good motivation. Having genuinely kind intentions - such as doing it to benefit your family, your children rather than yourself when you are rearranging your home to bring good fortune is the secret ingredient in adding more power to what you do. One simply cannot over stress the altruistic intention!  


YEARLY REFERENCE TABLES Get all your reference tables and charts from the FENG SHUI DIARY and have the FENG SHUI ALMANAC close to you as these contain all the significantly good and had days for a variety of events. The Almanac even has the auspicious and unlucky hours. 

ZOO SCENARIO Display your astrological allies in your direction ... thus DRAGONS feel good when the RAT or MONKEY are near ... just like SNAKE, ROOSTER and OX make a great trinity. Likewise the TIGER, HORSE and DOG bring good fortune to each other, while the RABBIT, SHEEP and BOAR give one another great support. To find out more, you can check out How To Bring Good Luck To Your Life.