This means the articles will load faster.  I’ll be able to add more articles easily.  And, the site will be able to handle the increased traffic as it becomes even more popular.

For a week or so, the articles are here (some may have typos) but the site won’t look quite right… until I tweak it.

Thanks for your patience and understanding during these “growing pains.”

Our first course is called, “On the street where you live.” It teaches you to analyze and improve the Feng Shui of your home’s exterior.

The audio portion of the course is divided into easy steps. The total listening time is 20 minutes.

To help you apply this information, you’ll also receive an eight-page workbook.

This is a useful course for anyone who wants greater success in any aspect of his or her life. It’s especially helpful if you’re selling your home.

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HERE’S HOW TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COURSE

THE AUDIO FENG SHUI LESSON

The audio lesson, “On the street where you live,” was recorded in a series of segments. You’ll listen to part of it, stop the recording for a few minutes to follow the instructions, and then continue listening.

The first part begins in your home.  You’ll be instructed to dress for a comfortable walk, and stroll about a block and a half from your front door.

During the next parts of the audio lesson, you’ll study your neighborhood, noting specific things described in the recording.  You’ll analyze different aspects of your street, the houses on either side of your home, and your own house as well.

You can listen to this MP3 on your computer using any MP3 audio software including WinAmp or Quick  Time. Generally, when you click on the MP3 file, your computer will open it automatically.

However, to get the most from this course, it’s best to transfer the MP3 to a portable player if you can.  That way, you can listen to it as you follow each step in the lesson.

Download your free audio lesson by RIGHT-clicking on this link, to SAVE it on your computer:

http://media.libsyn.com/media/aisling/basic-front-door-lesson.mp3

THE 8-PAGE FENG SHUI WORKBOOK

The workbook pages will help you take notes as you listen to the audio course and follow the recommended steps.

You can download it by RIGHT-clicking on this link, to SAVE it on your own computer:

http://www.shuitogo.com/courses-free/shuitogo-street-lesson.pdf

That file is a PDF.  It will open on any computer with a PDF reader such as Adobe Reader.  (You probably already have this on your computer. If you need a copy of Adobe Reader, visit http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html )

When you are selling your home, most people will give you the same advice.

1. Make your home look its best.
2. Price your home in the same range as other, similar homes.

However, unless you know what homebuyers are looking for, you won’t know what will make your home look its best.

For example, there’s no point in repainting the bathroom if they’re primarily interested in a sunny kitchen and a working fireplace in the living room.

In addition, when you know what the most popular homes have in common, you’ll know which homes are actually similar to yours and correctly set your price.

Let’s start with the issue of price.

PRICING YOUR HOME TO SELL

If yours is a ranch style home, you may be tempted to price your home at the same level as other ranch homes sold for. Too late, you may realize that you are actually competing with homes near the train station, or homes that have room for a vegetable garden. Those are the homes that should help you set your price.

Your home should never be the most expensive in its category, unless its extra value will be obvious to homebuyers.

On the other hand, if the price of your home seems too low, buyers may be suspicious. Nothing you can say will assure them that there isn’t a hidden defect.

So, here’s what to do.

Before selecting a realtor, ask several real estate professionals what homebuyers usually look for. Identify the category or categories they your house will compete in.

Survey the prices of the competition and set your asking price among the lowest, if you can.

MAKING YOUR HOME LOOK ITS BEST

After establishing a good selling price, review Feng Shui principles that can help your home sell.

After getting the clutter out, and applying basic Feng Shui, focus on the elements that you know buyers are looking for.

If most buyers want a low maintenance yard, plan your landscaping with this in mind. Use Feng Shui techniques to attract buyers’ attention to the most attractive, trouble-free details of your lawn and garden.

If houses are selling most quickly to young couples starting a family, use Feng Shui to energize the children and family areas of your home. This will include painting bedrooms in appropriate pastel colors.

In the fame area of your home, place images related to babies and children. If you have a pair of bronze baby shoes in your attic, dust them off and place them in your fame area. Take some of your children’s drawings off the refrigerator, frame a few of them, and place them in your fame area, too.

FENG SHUI MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Feng Shui may be your most important money saving — and moneymaking — tool when you are selling your house. A few hundred dollars spent applying Feng Shui principles can reap thousands of dollars in benefits and the quicker sale of your home.

Because Feng Shui has existed for thousands of years, most people practice it without any formal Feng Shui training.

However, new Feng Shui enthusiasts — especially in the West — often ask for workshops, classes, and Feng Shui certification.  Certification can be very useful if you plan to practice Feng Shui professionally.

With no formal Feng Shui governing board, it’s difficult to know which schools and instructors are trustworthy.

If you’re taking a Feng Shui course for fun, such as through an Adult Ed program, credentials may not be important.

On the other hand, if you’re thinking of investing months of study and thousands of dollars, research is vital.

Here’s how to select a Feng Shui school or teacher.

1. EXPERIENCE COUNTS

The first thing to ask is, “How long have you been studying and practicing Feng Shui?” Then, ask for evidence of this.

For example, a Feng Shui school would have a business license on file with the town or county. At the licensing office, you can find out how long they’ve registered as a business.

Ask who their teachers are, and where they trained. Follow this line of training until you’re satisfied that the teachers have a solid foundation in Feng Shui.

2. IF THE TEACHER IS SELF-TAUGHT

There’s nothing wrong with being self-taught; if a teacher began his or her studies 15 or more years ago, there were few Feng Shui schools in the West.

If there is no chain of authority — that is, no one who taught the person — you’ll ask for references, and check them. You’ll also see if the local Better Business Bureau has a file, and what’s in it.

Find out if they’re respected by their peers. Feng Shui practitioners tend to work either with interior designers and decorators, or with the holistic community… or both. Find out where the Feng Shui teacher advertises, and get opinions from people who know him or her, professionally.

3. WHICH STYLE, AND WHY

Next, be sure that the teacher practices a style of Feng Shui that you like. There are two leading styles in the West: Compass School and Black Hat. In addition, there are many less well-known and quirky styles; many of them are simply called ‘intuitive’. Some have emerged from design trends. Others have been developed by individuals.

The latter approaches may only work for those who develop them. It may be more about their energy (or chi) than universal principles.

If you don’t have total confidence in the teacher’s style and how he or she explains it, that’s not the teacher for you.

If the style makes perfect sense to you and you’ve seen it work, repeatedly, you’re with the right teacher.

SUMMARY

Certification can be a useful credential for anyone who plans to practice Feng Shui professionally.  However, finding the right Feng Shui school or teacher is an important decision.

Whether you learn locally or through long-distance study, there are many excellent options.

The homework you do before choosing a Feng Shui school or teacher can be just as important than what you do as a student.

Visit lots of websites, talk with many teachers and Feng Shui consultants.  Compare what you learn from them.  Then, you’ll make the best possible choice.

The power position in any room is usually the seat that is furthest from the door, but faces it. It should not be in direct line with the opening of the door; it should be slightly diagonal from the door.

In some schools of Feng Shui, the power position can be commanded by art, a window, a display, or anything else that catches your eye as you enter through the door. You can achieve this with design elements such as gold highlights, or with small spotlights or other decorative effects.

If you are planning your office, place your desk chair in the power position and arrange the rest of your furnishings around that. Ideally, your desk chair should also be in the Money corner (left corner) or the Fame area (center back of the room). You can still be effective if your desk chair is at the far right–in the Romance (Relationships) corner–where you are most likely to develop networking opportunities.

At home, design your dining room so that you sit in the power area. If it is impossible to place the table so that your chair is in the Money corner or Fame area, be sure to put some eye-catching decor in one of those areas to strengthen your position.

Also, although the dining table is likely to be in the Health area (center of the room), plan the seat covers in the colors of the power seat.

That is, if the power seat is in the Fame area, your dining room chairs should be upholstered in red, orange, or yellow fabric. If the power seat is in the Money corner, choose upholstery in Mardi Gras colors of green, purple, or gold. If possible, add gold accents to the chairs or upholstery to better support the Health aspects.

When planning your living room, place your favorite chair (or your end of the sofa) in the power position. The upholstery color should match the location of the power seat rather than the overall placement of the sofa.

When planning your kitchen, consider where you spend most of your time. This is often at the stove, a food preparation area, or at the sink. Ideally, you should spend the most time in the power area, facing the doorway. If that is not possible, either add design elements that immediately draw the eye to you, or weight important areas with extra Feng Shui elements.

If you do not see the doorway easily from that position, place a mirror or other reflective surface so that you can always see someone entering the room.

This can be tricky when designing the bedroom. Try to plan your “power seat”–in this case, the bed–so that it’s in far right corner of the room as you enter through the door. That’s the Romance corner.

When you are in bed, you should also be able to see the doorway easily. However, if you can’t, do not place a mirror for this purpose. In Feng Shui, if you can see yourself in a mirror from the bed, this can lead to poor sleep habits and insomnia. Instead, move the bed.

Above all, never place the bed so that your feet are in direct line with the door. This is very bad luck. Try to place the bed at least a few feet away from a straight line to the door; that is, it can be diagonally across from the door.

Whether you are selecting a seat at a banquet, on a bus, or in the boardroom, always try to secure the power position. This is where you will shine and where you’ll find the greatest success.

By using Feng Shui’s “power position” at home and work, you can improve your luck and success in everything that you do.

In Feng Shui, dragons are among the most powerful good luck symbols. Like Persephone, the dragon hibernates beneath the earth during the winter months and re-emerges on the second day of the second month, according to the Chinese calendar. This is when we see the dragon represented in parades.

In a general, the dragon is the male, yang symbol of energy, and the opposite of the phoenix which is feminine, yin energy. Together, the dragon and the phoenix represent a balanced, married couple.

In Feng Shui, dragon represent power and wealth as well as energy. Its position is in the east where it symbolizes beginnings, growth, creativity, and it sometimes manifests as the sunrise.

When studying the landscape to place a house in an ideal location, Feng Shui masters look for a gently sloping hill on the left side–or to the east–to shelter the building. This hill is called the green dragon, and it should be opposite another hill towards the west of the house, called the white tiger.

Another geographic reference to dragons refers to the crest of a mountain, which many indicate a powerful dragon line. This line may provide positive Feng Shui energy for any building in its path.

Dragon lines also referred to lines of energy. A single line of energy can be very powerful, but–for maximum benefits–Feng Shui masters look for the intersection of two or more dragon lines. In the West, these lines are called ley lines. Often, cathedrals, temples, and other sacred sites are located on ley lines. Studies in Britain have shown a remarkable network of ley lines across the British Isles.

Because the dragon is such a powerful good luck symbol in China, you will see it in jewelry, clothing, architecture, flags, and other decorations that are used daily.

There are many ways that you can put dragon energy to work in your life.

First, check the position of your home, school, or where you go to work. See if the building benefits from a green dragon hill one side (usually the left), a smaller white tiger hill on the other, or both.

See how close the building is to the nearest intersection. If the building is near a “four corners” intersection, powerful positive energy can be available; this is dragon energy. Make sure that some windows have a clear view of the intersection, if possible.

In your home or office, as you look into the building through the front door, the left side is your powerful, dragon side. Everything on that side should be slightly larger, more colorful, and–in general–represent it as a place of power.

Although the dragon seat–also called the power seat–can be on either side of the room, it’s best when it is on the left side.

Decorate with dragons when you can, if that’s your personal style. Whether you use Asian-style dragons or fantasy dragons from Celtic lore, any dragon is a good dragon in Feng Shui. Make the best use of them in your Fame area and your Money corner where gold and fire can energize Feng Shui luck.

Dragon jewelry is always good for protection as well as luck. Dragons made of golden metal are good choice, but a green jade dragon is even more lucky. In fact, always look for dragons made from earth materials such as crystal glass, china, clay, or stone. If an Asian-style dragon is carved from wood, consider painting it green with gold accents.

Finally, if your astrology sign is the dragon, you are among the luckiest people in the world. The dragon is the sign of most people born in the years 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, and 2000. Wear symbols of the dragon proudly; use its energy to move you forward to fame, fortune, power, and the greatest happiness.

1. Keep the front and back yard balanced.

Alternate your gardening projects in the front and back yards so that both areas are in balance. The back yard is important for a sense of permanence and stability. The front yard symbolizes the energy of the home, and it should seem vital and fresh.

Avoid placing an abundance of flowers in the front yard (with few shrubs), and edging your back yard with trees and shrubs and no flowers, or vice versa. A balance of color and greenery is ideal for Feng Shui.

2. Use window boxes and hanging plants if you live in an apartment, or have a very small yard.

If your house is large and nearly fills the plot of land that you’re on, don’t overfill your yard with plants. Instead, add to the sense of depth by using hanging plants and window boxes where you can, on all four sides of your home.

Remember that you can also hang window boxes–and other potted plants–from fences with special hardware. Ask at your garden shop. You may be very pleasantly surprised by the many options.

If you live in an apartment, extend your Feng Shui luck with plants outside your doors and windows. Even if your only option is silk flowers, place a few in window boxes where you will see them.

Generally, flowers improve your money and wealth luck. Be sure to include them among the plants that you display. Ferns are a symbol of wealth in many cultures, if your climate will support them.

Many hanging plants need extra water to stay fresh and healthy. One of the easiest ways to keep the soil moist is to place a few ice cubes in the hanging baskets; the ice will melt slowly and provide plants with a steady supply of water.

3. Place hanging baskets close to walls or fences.

In Feng Shui, we avoid placing any object above eye level if the object might fall on someone. Even if it’s very unlikely that it will fall, if there is any possibility of that subconscious concern, we avoid it.

So, if you use hanging baskets–and they can be a lovely addition–place them close to a wall where no one is likely to sit or stand.

(If you or anyone in your home has had feelings of “the axe is about to fall” or other fleeting thoughts of impending doom, see if anything in your decor is above eye level and could seem a little threatening.)

4. Make certain that your backyard plants are uplifiting.

The visual lines of your backyard plants should generally emphasize upward growth. If you have a large downward-pointing plant or tree such as a weeping willow, balance that with strong upright lines. Bamboo plants are among the best to offset a weeping willow.

If your backyard slopes away from the house, consider a brick or stone wall in front of where it starts to slope, to keep too much “chi” (energy) from rolling right out of your life. Fast-growing trees and shrubs in the lower parts of the yard can also remedy this problem.

5. Remember to balance the five elements when you plan your landscaping.

The five elements in Feng Shui are: Water, wood, fire, earth, and metal.

For water, consider a small lucky koi pond if your climate is suited to it. Otherwise, any birdbath, pond, or artificial stream or waterfall can be beneficial.

Wood and earth are usually in abundance in most landscapes. However, if you cover the soil with mulch and your yard has a perfect lawn, add some interesting rocks and boulders to restore a strong presence of earth.

Metal is simple to add with lawn decorations, wind chimes, and even a barbecue. Likewise, the barbecue can symbolize fire.

If you don’t have a barbecue, or live in an apartment where you can’t have one, there are alternatives. These include the colors red and orange, and objects that are triangle shaped.

Our ancestors celebrated many holidays with bonfires. If you don’t have the space for one, consider a fire in an hibachi or barbecue, or even outdoor candles on special evenings.

6. Keep your garden fresh and just a little wild.

When flowers begin to fade or leaves turn yellow, pinch them immediately. Unless it is winter, when dead leaves can protect a living plant’s roots from frost, your plants should not have anything dead or dying on them.

At the other extreme, don’t over-prune your trees and shrubs. It’s fine to keep your greenery tidy, and even include some topiaries. However, balance remains important in feng shui. Find an area in which to include vines, rambling plants, and anything that adds a sense of wild beauty to your garden.

7. Be sure to include a sense of fun and entertainment.

Your yard should always provide a sense of beauty and relaxation. However, it’s also important to include elements that suggest fun and even recreation. Whether you add an outdoor chessboard, a swimming pool, or a badminton net, your back yard should have cues which remind people of fun.

In your front yard, add whimsical colors and plant designs. A fun topiary can bring you great luck, since it attracts favorable attention from passers-by.

To the side of the house or on your driveway, consider a hopscotch design, or a very artistic representation of a tic-tac-toe board. Anything fun and unexpected can increase your luck.

8. Follow the seasons and make small changes steadily.

Plant a few perennials and replace them seasonally, to give your garden a fresh new look.

If you use lawn and garden decorations, including outdoor flags, rotate them so that there is always something new and interesting to see when people visit you or drive past your home. Change the pillows on your lawn furniture. Place a potted plant on an outdoor table, or at your front stairs. Find small ways to change your outdoor environment to match the surrounding seasons.

By applying Feng Shui to what is outside our homes as well as inside, we achieve greater balance and harmony in our lives. Whether you’re working with a single window box outside your apartment, or acres of landscaping around your home, you can increase your luck by enhancing this bridge between the indoor and outdoor worlds.

CURB APPEAL - PRETEND YOU’RE SELLING YOUR HOUSE

Start at the curb in front of your home. What’s the first thing that you notice about your home and yard? Amplify the plus points, and work on the minuses. Are your shrubs and plants well-groomed? Is there any dead wood that needs to be removed from trees?

Examine your lawn. If there are areas that need sod or reseeding, be sure to measure them. If you need to mow the lawn more often, note this as well. Are dandelions or other weeds a problem? Add that to the family chore list each week until you get it under control.

Are grass and weeds growing through cracks in your sidewalk? Do you need to use an edging tool along the walks?

MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK ‘GOOD AS NEW’

What about your house; does anything need repair, such as a front light or doorbell? Is there any peeling paint? Check the driveway. Automotive supply shops carry cleaning products that will lift most oil stains, if that’s a problem. (Of course, if your driveway is home to a broken car, set a date no more than three months from now. If the car isn’t running and inspected by then, sell it or donate it to charity.)

THE GARAGE CAN BE MOST IMPORTANT

The garage can be a Feng Shui nightmare. If you’re storing junk in there, or if it’s cluttered, make this a very high priority as a weekend family project. Almost every detached garage is either in the Money corner or Romance corner of your property. If you’re nagged by old bills, or if your relationship seems to be weighed down by past issues, you may notice a big difference when the garage is clean and clutter-free.

After examining the front of the house, do the same kind of survey in your backyard.

FINALLY, GET ORGANIZED

Make a realistic schedule and budget to make the outside of your home reflect the kind of life that you want to live. Stick to that plan as well as you can. Feng Shui can make even bigger changes in your life when you apply these principles to the outside of your home, as they do indoors. Try it and see for yourself.

Every year, the Chinese New Year is on a different day. However, it falls no earlier than January 20th and no later than February 20th. You can use the following chart to find your personal animal, based on the year of your birth:

Or, have you ever sat down in your cubicle to do some brainstorming, and not one good, creative idea came to mind?

In Feng Shui, we try to match the place to the project and to the individual’s workstyle.

So, your workstyle is probably the best place to start.

Start by taking a quick mental survey of the projects you’ve worked on in the past. Where have you come up with your best ideas? Is that the same place where you are able to keep your nose to the grindstone and complete challenging projects? Probably not.

So, if you’re planning up a home office, consider creating multiple work areas in the room. Each should be designed to match your personal work style and make optimum use of the room.

If you’re creating a new home office, it may be simplest to start ‘by the rules’ and see what works (and doesn’t) for a few weeks.

IF YOU’RE DESIGNING ‘BY THE RULES’

If you’re following strict Black Hat Sect (BHS) Feng Shui rules, your reference books will be on your left as you enter the room, in the Knowledge area.

As we continue around your home office, clockwise, here’s what can go in each area: After your reference materials, the next area should be for the core of your business. It’s the Stability part of the room. If you sell things, this is a good place to display your inventory. If you are in a service industry or deal with data, your desk or communications center could be here.

The back left corner–the Money area–of your home office is for bookkeeping, and symbols of success and affluence. To the right of it as you circle the room, think about Fame and Reputation. Display diplomas, awards, and promotional materials.

At the far right corner of the room, relative to the doorway, set up anything that has to do with your customers. This is your Relationships area. It’s smart to display endorsements, thank-you letters, and pictures of you with happy customers or clients.

Heading back towards the doorway, the next area has a Creativity theme. Whether you assemble products here or do your brainstorming in an overstuffed chair, keep this area open and equipped for your most energetic and original work.

Finally, the area on the right side of the door (as you’re looking into the room) represents Helpful People and Travel. Display photos and news about your mentors or role models, as well as postcards from friends, and pictures of places you’d like to visit for business or on vacation.

The center of your home office is symbolic of growth; keep it as open as possible, with plenty of fresh air and good lighting.

Next, learn to Design Your Office with Intuitive Feng Shui.