Earth Day intentions magnified

Hello and welcome to a brand new moment!

Warm Greetings :)

In case you haven't heard yet, Earth Day this year is April 22nd. Why is this important? Well, apart from being my baby girl's birthday, it is an event that promotes a conscious experience of Living Well. It is not just about turning off your lights for an hour and then reverting back to various ways of excusing wasteful energy practices.

I do realise I am most likely expressing a notion that this readership has already taken on board, and are already exercising various ways in which they can reduce the amount of energy waste in a modern Life. Magnifying our Intention around the Earth Day message can be expressed in many ways. From replacing a product like our dishwashing and/or laundry powder/liquid to an environmentally responsible brand, or by simply changing the 'way' in which we live now, we can magnify our Earth Day Intention to encompass every day of the year, for years to come...for the rest of our lives.

Here are a few 'real world' tips for reducing your energy consumption:
1. wash your clothes in cold water, dry them using the sun and wind.
I've been washing in cold water (and now tank water) for well over a decade, with only some items ever getting the warm hand wash they might need for delicates or stubborn stains. My clothes always come out clean and fresh, while I also practice using environmentally conscious laundry products (soapnuts) and natural fragrances (essential oils). And I've never owned a clothes dryer. Always been able to use a clothes airer in the garage, or put it in the loungeroom at bedtime so the clothes can dry off in the warm air we've used for heating or cooling during the early evening.

2. turn off your unused appliances at the wall.
Simple really. Even though a toaster, kettle, or entertainment unit amplifier is not 'on', the residual current coming through can add up over the space of a year. It goes back to that 'conglomerate effect' that is talked about with all consumption issues. If we all do a 'little bit' it means a lot of saving is accumulated! Yeeeeah!

3. use energy efficient products.
Buy light bulbs that are the 'new' energy efficient kind,... they don't have to all be replaced at once. (thankfully we are seeing more of these that replicate the nice warm 'glow' of a traditional lightbulb) Replacing each bulb that blows with an energy efficient kind is a gentle and easy way of making this strategy simple to implement in your home and office. When you need a new washer, fridge etc, look for one that has a great energy efficiency rating. It will save you $$ in energy over its lifetime.

I know that if you have a quiet moment to observe your energy consumption behaviours, you would be able to find at least 3 more areas where you could become more energy efficient, by simply reducing the appliances you use, or the way in which you use certain appliances and products.

I've recently been made aware of a wonderful new website called GreenChickadee. I found ChickadeeBaby over 12months ago while looking for certain products, and have been communicating with the owner and operator of GreenChickadee about stocking certified organic products. I am happy to say they have started this line of products as it runs smoothly alongside the many other environmentally conscious product lines they already stock. If you do ONE thing this Earth Day, perhaps you could make a difference by swapping your usual mainstream product for one with a 'green conscience'?

Intention is everything. With clear intention, manifestation is so much easier. What is your intention for being aware of Earth Day? What is your intention when it comes to improving your World, your Planet, your Life? Many suffer from guilt associated with being pushed into feeling that they are not participating in being responsible consumers, when we need not feel a level of guilt at all. Simply by having the intention to add to a conglomerate effect, we are certainly participating in a large way. With one small area of our lives 'greened', one small choice, one small behaviour change, we are submitting our intention to improving our energy consumption, and our effect upon this lovely planet. Feeling good about participating in this way adds to the global consciousness surrounding 'greening', and conscious energy consumption, so that it remains Positive and High Level in its Energy Signature.

With Love and Gratitude for reading this article
Jannette

If you are feeling guilty or unable to participate, you may benefit from using Bach Flowers of Pine and Water Violet. These both assist in feelings of self-worth and easing positive communication. Simply email me at jthtc@yahoo.com.au or visit my website for Holistic Therapy Connections, to read more about Bach Flowers and how they can be used.

An Annual Stars courtyard made-over!

The courtyard to Ganesha

The beautiful redecoration of this courtyard was inspired by the Annual Influences Guide’s suggestions to deflect the potentially problematic Star 5 influence from the North ‘Career and Life Purpose’ sector this year.
Using Flying Stars Feng Shui Shape and Colour remedies, as well as Holistic Feng Shui symbolic representations, has imbued this space with exceptionally high quality vibrational energy. Gold is the Metal agent (or element) representation and is presented as the rounded form of Ganesha, ‘remover of obstacles’. This is then accentuated with more gold pots. The healthy, lush plants and tidy paving all help to strengthen the feeling of order and tranquillity. The crisp White of the new painting and rounded hanging pots also bring the Metal influence into this space.
The Energy Signature™ of this area resonates with exactly what we wish for in the North Career and Life Purpose sector this year, as the Star 5 energy is often responsible for confusion and mishaps eventuating that may have potential to cause obstacles of all sorts. This courtyard now displays Form and Purpose beautifully.
This property owner also received a Holistic Feng Shui Reading for the year. This was able to alert her to influences she can capitalise on, and others that she can remedy or avoid. Readings are available to anyone who has had, or is having, a Full Holistic Feng Shui Assessment of their building.

If you would like your Property Reading please contact me directly at jthtc@yahoo.com.au or mobile 0427 152 756, for bookings and further details.

Are you breathing 'good feng shui'?

The beautiful Peace Lily (Arum, or Madonna Lily too)

What is a healthy home? Is it somewhere that is neat and tidy, newly painted and cleaner than clean? Possibly not! Humans today have to deal with many inadvertent pollutants from synthetic materials used in building, and with the current housing boom still going, a lot of us are either living in new buildings or renovated houses.

Toxins from cement, carpets, paints, glues, particle board, laminate, cleaning fluids, preventative coatings (and the list goes on) will all be present in the atmosphere of our homes and possibly workplaces too. Our nose alerts us to a lot of these as ‘new product smell’, like the aroma of a new loungesuite, or floor covering. These hidden toxins can be responsible for a myriad of respiratory illnesses, headaches, nausea and skin conditions. In Feng Shui terms, these kinds of aromas and invisible toxins can be classed as Sha or Si energy. Sha means rushing or ‘loud’ energy, like overpowering smells. Si means low level, unhelpful, and unbeneficial energy, like synthetic materials and chemicals producing toxic vapours. This is very Si energy.

How can we remove these vapours and maintain clean air?

One option is to be aware of the kinds of products being used in the construction of your building, and making choices that will limit and reduce the amount of toxic chemicals. However, if you are like me and renting your home or business premises, you wouldn’t have this option available, so you have to try another approach.

Indoor plants can have a dramatic effect on the quality of our indoor air, and can also be used to help rid the atmosphere of various toxins that could be responsible for asthma, headaches, eye-irritation, respiratory problems, and sometime allergic reactions. In the 1980’s, NASA conducted experiments with ten particular plants and found that they were able to increase the quality of the air by putting these plants into confined spaces. The three most recognisable of these are:

The Peace Lily—removes alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde.
Dracaena—removes most pollutants, especially trichloroethylene.
Rubber Plant—removes most pollutants, including formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is such a hidden toxin, and it can even be found in textiles for clothing. Commonly, it is found in particle board, paints, glues and carpets. Benzene is a known carcinogen, and is used in the production of solvents, dyes (carpets again!), plastics, and some synthetic rubbers. Trichloroethylene has been used in dry cleaning fluids, (may be in new curtains and carpets) and is commonly used as a ‘de-greaser’, yet also found in stationery products, art supplies and some fabricated metal products. (it was also used as an inhaled obstrectic analgesic!) Acetone is of course found in nail polishes in a household situation, and is also likely to be inhaled from paint fumes or residual vapours from new paint.

Once you have gone out and got a few indoor plants, be conscious of the kinds of ‘food’ you give them too. Only organic fertiliser and regular spells outside in the fresh air make good indoor plants!

Flying Stars for April

Another month with the Clarity and Beauty Annual Star 9 in the Centre being nourished but this time by the Competitive Star 3. Star 3 can be very helpful for any business, but is not always wanted in the family home, however, seeing as the energy of the Star 3 is Wood it will be very well consumed by the Annual Star 9 Fire this month. The Energy Signature of a combination like this leads one to think of a genius at work. All of the competitiveness is thrown into one avenue to gain utter clarity and create beauty in the eye of the beholder. Boost with bamboo, leafy plants or gorgeous representations of Fire energy. (Reds, pointy & explosive shapes)

The Annual Wealth Star in the SE is moved towards potential property with the visitation of the monthly Star 2, which is associated with Earth and receiving. Keep up the Wealth associations in this area and bring direct focus to desires associated with property. Ooooh yeah, a vision board may be the very thing...or a ‘String of Inspiration’...

The South sees some potential gossip surrounding our Reputations as Star 7 brings the energy of shallow speech. In a combination with the passionate Star 4, Star 7 can bring a very childish and impish quality to events. Sometimes it can bring a lot of ‘fun’ vibes, so my advice is to enjoy a ‘light’ attitude to any gossip directed at you during April, and giggle at it rather than take it at all seriously. To weaken a Star 7 use the elemental representation of Water energy in Shape and Colour. Black, Dark Blue and wavy shapes.

9,6 in the SW relationships brings a beautiful pairing of Angel influences. Beauty, Warmth an Clarity combined with the Angel of Gallantry may bring assistance with any relationship issues and resolve problems in a gentle and healing way. I feel that the Angel of Vivacity and Vigour Star 9 will respond to the softening energy from candlelight. Use this in the bedroom with aromatherapy burners, or soft muted tealight holders to add that ambience of quietude. If the SW is an ‘active’ area in your house you can still use the candlelight effect to gain a special ‘twinkliness’ (yes, I know its not a real word) to attract the angel energy.

There may be a bit of a problematic time in the Creative sector of the West during April with the 5,2 combo rearing its tiresome head. It can lead to ‘writer’s block’, feeling uninspired if you are a usually creative person, or having projects stall due to lack of ideas. This is remedied with the Sound of Metal best, so out with the piano music/chimes or you may be able to beef up the Gold, Silver and White décor of this area as well. Round and Globular objects will also instil the energy of Metal to distract and weaken the Earth energies of 5 & 2.

The Helpful People sector of the NW gets a jab of passionate inspiration with the arrival of the Star 4 Wood (Academia and Romance) to be boosted by the Annual Star 1 Water (Wisdom, Ideas, Expression, Danger). This combination can lead to the general opposite of the current West combo, so if you need to move a work area for the month then this is your place to shift towards.

The North Career sector has some welcome relief during April with the Star 8 flying in to make the Star 5 behave. This should see a relaxing of any tension or problematic issues surrounding Career or Life Purpose aspects, yet I will still suggest leaving the Sound of Metal remedies or other Metal remedies in place.

The Angel of Gallantry, the authoritative Star 6 flies into the contemplative NE this month, which will allow some respite from any over competitiveness that the Annual Star 3 has been responsible for. You may keep your Fire agent representations in the area, but to assist the Metal Star 6 you can support with representations of Metal and/or Earth too.

The 1,7 combination in the East of Family and Health can indicate issues with the Ears, Kidneys and Blood, and the Star 7 associations with the Mouth, and Chest may the warning against the ‘change of season’ ills we sometimes see. Often viruses can enter via the ears, nose and throat to bring what is commonly known as ‘chills in the bladder’ but that stem from infection overload of the kidneys. This in turn affects the quality of our blood and may bring greater illhealth. So! In the Southern Hemisphere we enter the cooler months, Autumn has already graced us, so we need to start to warm our systems with longer cooked foods, nuts and root vegetables, along with strengthening ginger, chilli and garlic. In the Northern Hemisphere, the warmer weather is on its way so you need to be thinning your food to more sweet green shoots and leafy veges. Fresh is the name of the game here, so try to eat a few ‘uncooked’ or quick cooked meals each week throughout warm weather.

Otherwise, the Annual Star 1 brings new wisdom, or more importantly, perspectives, to Health and Family situations. Take a moment to reflect on any current problems you are facing and achieve a new avenue of thought regarding them. This is the main Energy Signature™ of the East.

For any of these forecast observations, consider which area of your building receives the most energy via Humans, Activity/Purpose etc, and make changes based on which areas are likely to be most activated.

Where do I put my windchime for 2009?

From the awesome Abbey six pipe, down to the aptly named 'Celestial', Windsong Chimes are individually tuned and just gorgeous, as well as having an 'afer sales service' option too!

The North sector is receiving the energy of the Star 5 this year, which ‘pushes for change’. It can often lead to uncompromising situations, challenging changes and generally a feeling of not being able to ‘get comfortable’.


The North is also the sector relating to our Career and Life Purpose, so with this changeable and uncompromising energy influencing our Life Experience you may find your thoughts turn to a new job, or a new employer, a different lifestyle may start calling to you, or things may just end up changing all on their own! Change and humans don’t always go well together, because we essentially like to get comfortable and know where certain boundaries are. We want to feel that we are aware of our place and obligations in the world, and organise ourselves to enjoy this and meet our responsibilities. When the ‘goalposts’ keep changing it can be very disconcerting, leading to confusion, frustration, mishaps, and general misfortune. Simply put, it can lead to a lack of Harmony.


If your front door, or other active part of your building is in the North you may have already started to feel this influence. Place a Metal Wind Chime outside the building in the North to distract this influence away from your building and calm your Life Experience.


To find out more about the Annual Influences order the A I G 2009!


2009 Year of the Yin Earth / Earth OX
The Annual Influences Guide is available to order NOW.
Invite in the best possible energy for successful endeavours !
Be aware of the best possible directions to face to attract high level Chi, and which directions to avoid facing…plus the guide is packed with the Holistic viewpoint and information about various modalities (crystals, essences, Energy Signatures) to enhance your Feng Shui.


This year’s Guide is bigger and better with stacks more info. You’ll find ‘at-a-glance’ pages for easy reference, plus some more in-depth articles to read in your own time, or to look back on when you need to. All in easy to read language so you don’t have to be a Feng Shui scholar to understand!


This Guide is great value at only $50.00AUS, postage paid to anywhere in Australia.
Email support is always offered with the Annual Influences Guide.
The guide is half price to anyone who books a full Holistic Feng Shui Assessment.
Contact Jannette for bookings... jthtc@yahoo.com.au

Aligned for Online?

Over the last couple of years I have been trying out and converting a lot of products I consume to certified organic or at the very least, natural alternatives. Buying certified organics seemed a big thing at first, and I struggled with reading labels, understanding the ‘plant derived’ and ‘made without the use of chemicals’ phrases and what that actually meant. It was all for self education so I persevered. If anything, I am persevering.

I thought that a lot of what I was going to buy was only going to be available at speciality shops, like health-food outlets or bulk buying delicatessens etc. The happy surprise I got was that things like this were also available to order online and at a comparative price too, especially when I included my time, effort and vehicle running cost as well. Some products actually work out to be great value this way. In the end I was spoilt for choice and had to simplify my sources so that I didn’t spend an overt amount of time choosing which supplier I was going to use this week.

I found that some of the mainstream shops are definitely turning their heads towards the organic market. One particular supermarket chain has been doing this for a while and increased their certified organic range impressively, so that I can buy nearly all of my C.O. pantry goods and things like fresh milk and cheese etc all at one place. However, another chain sold a range of ‘organic’ goods that were not certified organic at all. Always search for the Certified Organic labels to be assured that what you are buying is certified organic. If you do not live near a major centre the availability of this kind of product range can be scarce. (fresh produce however may be where you find it easier than us urbanites, especially if you have the room and energy to grow your own) I turned to certified organic and natural alternatives to reduce the amount of toxic chemical me and my family were ingesting via the popular ‘labels’ we were buying.

And then there are the astounding amount of toxic chemicals in personal care products, and here is where the chain stores really fall down when it comes to offering a quality organic product. There are acres of SLS infused products on the shelves in supermarkets, and nothing that I would want to use anymore in my house. I had to go online to source safe personal care products at a decent price, and with a rewards program too. As most of the readership know, I am a ONEGroup representative, selling Miessence, MiVitality, and MiEnviron which are all certified organic products for personal care, household cleaning and nutrition. While you can get these from health-food shops and some speciality shops, the product rang is often limited, and don’t come with a discount or rewards program. One of the reasons I became a rep for this group was because of my very good experiences buying online with them, and of course, the product range being exactly what I wanted it to be too.

As a ‘mum to be’ last year, I was also able to research and find some great fully biodegradable and environmentally responsible options in nappies, detergents, and other related accessories, all delivered for free from online services. What a treat! This saved so much Time and Energy that the products were amazing good value.

All in all, the one thing I have learned about buying specialty and ‘run-of-the-mill’ items is that unless you do some research you can get stung and end up paying too much for the convenience of it being delivered to your door. From my own experience, doing a little homework and ringing around a few local shops to find out if they stock (or are willing to stock) certified organic ranges or certain labels you want to buy, is well worth it. I found that the dinky little local shops nearby had a great range of C.O. labels, natural alternatives and even some of the environmentally responsible laundry detergents I had been buying online. I ended up being able to find more than half of the goods I was buying online at these local shops! So it pays to look around of course. For other things I will continue to buy online and have them delivered. It is just so convenient and I am definitely getting used to tickling the keys and receiving what I need. Beats traffic, a parking lot and queues any day!!

Top Tips for Buying Online
Look around for the best customer rewards deals.
Ask for samples of anything you are interested in trying out. Online companies understand ‘try before you buy’.
Buy in bulk if you can, as you will find it can save you dollars, and time and effort too!
If you find a particular unique product you want being sold by another online firm, ask your usual supplier to price match, they are usually happy to oblige.
Commit to buying regularly online, and reap the benefits of multi-order deals.

Thankyou for reading this article

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