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I am so excited for Labor Day I can’t even begin to tell you!

Not only is it a break from Los Angeles, its a sign that 5 things are coming… 1. fall food and a zillion dinner parties, 2. the best art openings, 3. exciting back-to-school energy, 4. family holidays and, to be self-indulgent, 5. my birthday, too!

Today I am thrilled to share some Pre-Fall feng shui from my very own feng shui master, Dr. Gabriele Van Zon, to help you smoothly transition into an incredible season of action ahead! 

Labor Day – is it the Last Hurrah or a New Beginning? by Gabriele Van Zon

” Do we cry tears over summer’s ending or celebrate a new order?  Let feng shui help us figure this out and guide us with valuable points from linear to cyclical thinking.  In our digital, discontinuous and fragmented world, holidays are reminders that life used to be and still could be cyclical.  Holidays are mile markers in a circular pattern of eternal returns.  They are seasonal and characterized by weather and cultural habits.  Traditionally, you stopped wearing white on Labor Day, took the summer slip covers off and stored the straw hat till Memorial Day.

The metal element resonates with the shape of the circle and with the colors white, silver and gold.  Metal is dense and gravity-laden and pulls toward the center.  The circle is the only shape that has a natural center point with equal distance to any point on the perimeter.  Therefore the circle and the metal element have strong characteristics of focus and completion.

” Do we cry tears over summer’s ending or celebrate a new order?  Let feng shui help us figure this out and guide us with valuable points from linear to cyclical thinking.  In our digital, discontinuous and fragmented world, holidays are reminders that life used to be and still could be cyclical.  Holidays are mile markers in a circular pattern of eternal returns.  They are seasonal and characterized by weather and cultural habits.  Traditionally, you stopped wearing white on Labor Day, took the summer slip covers off and stored the straw hat till Memorial Day.

Labor Day is the symbolic end of summer with a last round of picnics or family get-aways before swimming pools and beaches close officially.  With Labor Day we are getting ready for autumn and the winter season.  Nature is completing its growth cycle, and children are going back to school.  After scattering about on summer fiestas and vacations, we are creating a new order of more centered activities.  There is more definition with a protocol to follow at work and in school.  Therefore we declare Labor Day as a metal holida

The metal element is reflective. Looking in a mirror, we may see things that we need to pay attention to, just as artists look at their work in a mirror to discover what they may want to change.  A round mirror could reinforce the strength of focus as does a dart board with a target.  With circles more than any other shape, we must distinguish between seeing and being.  Circles are powerful equalizers as being in a circle erases boundaries and hierarchies.

(I love great inspiration boards for new seasons)

With feng shui as our guide, let us dismiss the chaos and laissez-faire of summer and create a new protocol for a productive order of fall activities.  Here are our suggestions and helpful tips:

• Install a bulletin board in a readily visible area, perhaps in the mudroom or in the kitchen next to the refrigerator.

• Use color postems as reminders for special events.

• Set up lists of regular and extra chores and use “happy faces” as signs of completion.

• Give preference to the metal element in shifting decorative items into more prominent positions.

• For harmonious groupings, use the host and guest rule by placing larger items with smaller objects in odd numbers.

• Create highly legible focal points to capture your gaze as an attention getting device.  Examples are:

• A colorful picture on a facing wall as you enter

• A sculpture on a pedestal in a distant corner

• A crystal ball as a focal point on your desk

• Visually expand a narrow hallway with a round mirror

• Provide focal points for children’s rooms to nurture good study habits:

• Perhaps a ball that sits on top of a spiral

• A globe instead of a world map

• A picture of our planetary system

• Round colorful pillows on a polka dot bedspread

• With the splendor of your summer flowers fading, start thinking about your winter garden and install a stainless steel gazing ball.  As a reflective sphere it represents the essence of the metal element.

• If space permits, use large round stones in various sizes as path markers leading to your gazebo.

• With fantasy and winter snow, they will turn into charming little garden gnomes.

Labor Day is a natural mile marker to give us a sense of completion, thus ending summer activities while focusing on seasonal transitions and on creating a new order.  With good feng shui as a life style, we honor the yin and yang of labor and leisure. ”

Thank you Gabriele for the visual and vibrant recommendations!!!

You can all learn more about Gabriele here at Feng Shui Universal.  xoxo Dana

 

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And, if you want to dive in to your own personalized feng shui in a modern, practical way, Say hello to Feng Shui 101.  Its the guide I made for you to create your own personalized feng shui at home, in the office, wherever you may be… in 8 weeks.  It’s not filled with strict rules or what you “must” do.  Its filled with information, questions, exercises and even videos and classes to help you confidently create amazing spaces with killer feng shui and live with more flow.   Learn more about the 8-week feng shui adventure & grab your copy to get started right HERE…   And, as always, please let me know what happens!