Feng shui is all about feeling good in your space and reaping the benefits of good qi. Domestic pleasures seem to be on the horizon for the year of the dog. According to Chinese astrology, he will be an “Earth Dog”, and that means a year of stabilizing energy in a nurturing environment. After the volatile energy of the Rooster, we are ready for the reign of the placid brown dog. However, to optimize our prospects for the coming year, we must play by the rules and emulate the positive traits of our canine companions. There are always doomsayers who predict the worst and warn of hostilities and health problems, but with good feng shui we are likely to protect ourselves from adversity and bad winds. Therefore, it is better to be forewarned and take precautions.
Caesar, The Dog Whisperer, says that it is exercise, discipline and love, in that order, that makes a good dog. As we watch him do downward facing dog, we notice that our dog’s first move in the morning is a yoga stretch. Running for a ball is next on the agenda when we throw a game of fetch! Our dog also knows how to relax after a few twists and turns of snuggling up in his favorite spot. Dogs are so good at biding their time that they could teach us a few things about patience.
Feng shui tells us about qi (chi), the vital energy within and around us. We experience this energy with all five of our senses, but dogs seem to have that sixth sense that we always crave. The dogs watch every move we make, and even while they sleep, they watch the door. Their sense of hearing is quicker and more cunning, as well as being attuned to a variety of sounds we can’t hear. What they smell and smell completely escapes us. A dog’s olfactory talents and abilities make it an indispensable asset to detective services. Dogs have been companions of humanity for 15,000 years, and we are still learning and discovering the magnitude of their “strange” perceptions.
Contrary to our modern obsession with mindfulness, it seems to be a dog’s innate predisposition, and we doubt he’d rather text than chat with you. In other words, domesticity and conscious attention to detail with a central focus on closing loose ends is shaping up to be the theme of the year. In number tables, the number 9 is in the middle, which, as the last single digit number, is the ending number. With these indicators, we have the opportunity to create a very solid base of operations. A well-built foundation is the optimal platform for launching future projects.
Here are our initial tips as we approach the New Year of the Dog:
• Avoid confrontations
• Stay away from gossip and duplicity
• Keep calm and take the right path
• Wear protective charms that are personally meaningful
• Boost your immune system with herbs and supplements
• Consolidate and complete what has been started
• Strengthen your sensory experience with uplifting scents
• Place auspicious demarcations in the center
• Increase the lights in the center and nurture a plant
• Emulate your dog’s loyalty, fidelity and unconditional love
• Practice the golden rule
• And remember: dogs sniff out the truth!