Dear Conscious Design friends,

I have heard so many people say that they are looking forward to a great new year ahead, and also happy to leave 2009 behind us. In this issue, we have included the wisdom of many masters on the Year of the Tiger. Jami Lin shares some great insights for inspiring romance. Remember to clear clutter - Jill Butler shares some closet secrets. Enjoy some great green resources, and follow a wonderful sacred journey that is shared by Sharon Rothman.

I am, as always, grateful to join us all together. Happy Year of the Tiger !
Renae

by

Jami Lin

For the third time since 1900, Valentine's Day falls on the same day as the Chinese New Year and it won't happen again until after 2030.

This year of the tiger is suggested to be filled with passion and capable of great love. Take advantage of both holidays falling on the same day to attract new people, express love to family and friends or even deepen love with spouses or partners. Even if you are not Chinese, the day can be full of celebration, fun, love, and fresh starts with broken New Years' resolutions such as losing those few extra pounds.

Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day are filled with the same intentions.

It's a time for forgiveness, sharing love and good fortune. Good business is rooted in relationships; bring extra heart and celebration into the office too.

Set the momentum for more love and better relationships all year long with the color red, which is associated with both Valentine's Day and Chinese New Years.

Prepare for new love and fortune with Chinese New Year traditions. Clean your house with the intentions of sweeping away any misfortune, which also makes room for good luck.

Since February 14th is on a Sunday, prepare breakfast in bed for your special love or a romantic brunch. Remember chocolate-covered strawberries and two red roses, one rose for each of you, nestled together in a single vase.

By

Jill Butler

From Jill's book, Create the Space You Deserve, the chapter on storage titled: finding spaces and places for everything imaginable .

The issue is storage, or is it? What to do with all that stuff. Lurking in the closets are things to try on to see if they still fit. I hate trying on my old favorites because I'm afraid. My body has shifted, shape-shifted. How dare it. Gratefully, some things still work. Pants I wore this weekend I've had for 25 years. I love these white pants. I loved them from the first day I bought two of the same. Hallelujah, something old is to be kept and continues to be appreciated and fitting.

But there is more lurking at the back of the closet waiting to be discovered. The "comfort habits of old ways of thinking; the assumptions about life and what works and what doesn't. Old ways of being are asked to be tried on. Some things (ideas) pinch, some are discolored, some are simply out of style. Goodbye! Well, maybe not so easily.

How hard it is to give up the favorites; the behaviors and beliefs that have carried, covered, warmed me for years. I believe that the reason we have so much trouble with this issue is because much of what we have we don't actually want but we're hard pressed (or lazy) to make the decision to get rid of it. Having only that which is truly needed and appreciated is liberating both physically and emotionally! Trust me.

by

Jon Sandifer

Astrology Predictions

Chinese astrology signs

Whatever our background or interest in Feng Shui is, it is always useful to take time and reflect on what may be coming in our direction over the horizon in the New Year. Here I would like to share with you my insights using different perspectives and formulae that look at the influence of time, both on us as individuals and also our space. I like to think of the annual influences in Feng Shui rather like the seasons. In that sense, they are predictable but not right down to the wire. For example, knowing that Spring is on the way, be prepared for it and take advantage of it. If you know your front door is weak and the winter is going to bring strong winds, then be prepared. For me it has been a fascinating study simply to be prepared.

By
Sharon Rothman

It was our first time out of the U.S. and our first transcontinental flight. My husband, Sol, and I were leaving our new puppy behind and flying off with Enrique and Kristin Dura for 10 days in Argentina.

As a Feng Shui intuitive, my work with Kristin and Enrique has been in clearing and re-balancing their home through major renovation and guiding them in cementing family ties through 9-Star Ki astrology. Observing how this has enriched their lives and changed their direction to be truer to their intrinsic natures has been my real reward. More recently we had been working together to fulfill their dream of transforming his family property in Cordoba Province, Argentina, into a holistic center in balance and harmony with the land and the people there.

During a house clearing in New Jersey around the same time, I had experienced an unusually moving connection with the Earth. As the energy was being re-patterned, I felt I was being guided forward with a sense of mission towards what I didn't know. So, when the Duras asked me to go to Alla Arriba Centro Holistico to check on their progress and do an energy clearing, I didn't hesitate.

In a matter of hours, we traveled from early spring into late summer, arriving in Santiago, Chile from JFK in New York. After a short hop over the spectacular Andes, we were greeted in Cordoba with hugs and kisses, the Argentine way, and whisked off to Alla Arriba by car to a welcome feast of empanadas, roast chicken, fresh salads and local organic wine. For the length of our stay, this bounty of generosity and love never ceased.

The green market is expanding as environment and health friendly products become more and more popular. Included in this growth are green home building materials and sustainable furniture.

The abuse of our forests and natural resources has made it a priority to make more responsible decisions on behalf of our environment. Environmental protection agencies and eco groups are in support of green furniture as it is made from natural, biodegradable materials or from recycled materials. By shopping for such materials, we can all help in the commitment to save the earth. See the resources at the end of this article to help guide you in doing your part. By following these guidelines, you can also help to improve quality of life in your home for you and your family.

There is a much greater percentage of illnesses and allergies plaguing children than ever before, which many studies say is a direct result of the over-processed products in our lives. Manufactured and processed materials carry with them a long list of chemicals and allergens. Sensitivity to these chemicals and allergens has driven the green furniture market even further. It is much safer to choose natural materials and manufacturers that use minimal formaldehyde and glue.

THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR BAU-BIOLOGIE & ECOLOGY, INC
EcoDwell Publication

by
Valerie Tourangeau

Crayons and pens, paper and notebooks, new school clothes, wondering how healthy school lunches will be and knowing that once again our kids will be exposed to colds, the flu and other illnesses. Summer is over and another year of studies begins but what may be making your child sick may not just be the flu.

Have you ever considered that the school building may be making your child sick? In Arizona and other states school buildings have been making the news in a less than positive light for a few years. According to reports, it appears that besides the 3 Rs our children are being exposed to mold, high CO2 levels, pesticides, and toxic cleaners. Our homes may be free from these exposures but the schools, where our children spend 9 months of the year may not be.

If your child has symptoms that include nasal congestion, flu-like symptoms, headaches, and fatigue and in some more serious cases dizziness, chest tightness or joint pain, environmental factors in the school such as indoor air quality may be to blame.

This information is in agreement with the Institute for Bau-Biologie® & Ecology (IBE). IBE is a non-profit organization that promotes the holistic study of human health in relation to the built environment and the natural environment. The principles of Bau-Biologie®, or Building Biology, are based on the concept that buildings can and should function in harmony with nature and human life. To learn more, visit www.buildingbiology.net.

By
Yvonne Phillips FSII


Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Chinese New Year starts on February 14, 2010 and lasts for 15 days. This is China's most colorful and important event of the year.

This year it is named The Year of the Golden Tiger. There are a total of 12 animals and they rotate throughout the years. There are many activities that happen during this time. On the first night of the celebration, there are fireworks to let go of the old and bring in the new, just like we do here in the USA. Also, on this night, they open all the windows and all of the doors in the house to allow the old year to go out! They have large parades and the lion dancing sways back and forth to the beat of the drummers.

On the 5th day of the New year is the Chinese Lantern Festival and it is very colorful and beautiful. You will see paper lanterns made of the animal of the year and also hugh large lanterns that are displayed in their parades

Stark Carpet Corp. has collaborated with David Oliver to develop and launch a line of fashionable and environmentally friendly paint. Stark Paint - Colours by David Oliver was established to complement the furniture, carpeting, wall coverings, and fabrics in the Stark product family. Having all of these available from one resource creates a one-stop shop for all designers. The new line also provides a responsible choice for everyone to decorate in their taste, but still maintain a natural and green home.

Stark Paint is water-based with zero VOCs and meets the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED standards. The line offers over 240 paint colors in 3 finishes: velvet emulsion, porcelain shell and lacquer gloss. It is made and sold in the U.S. and is available at all 25 Stark showrooms.

The popular deity of Ganesh adorns many homes. When bringing ancient and powerful symbolism into our lives, it is important to understand and to honor their proper placement. Ganesh will become the lord of obstacles who places barriers against those who neglect to worship him.

Here are some suggestions to make Ganesh happy, and to bring his blessings into your life.

Ganesh's trunk: If the trunk turns to the Ganesha's left, that is the direction for success in the world.
If the trunk is to his right, the trunk represents renouncing the world. When one chooses a Ganesha sculpture that is proper for their own spiritual path the trunk position is one thing that is good to keep in mind.

Avoid abstract paintings of Ganesha. Ganesha should not be made of broken pieces of wood, leaves, either in idol or in a painting.

Provide a small light in the evening to light up Ganesha Idol face.

Music is appreciated by Ganesha.

By
Alison Baughm

What can I say? I love Feng Shui. It seems like such a simple thing to do to enhance your life and bring positive energy to it.

Do not underestimate the power of a few good Feng Shui Tips. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain:

Start off 2010 with a little Feng Shui Help.

Probably the most important one too, DE-CLUTTER! Clutter stagnates the energy in your home. It also keeps us stuck in old energy and the past. Ask yourself " Do I need this? Do I use it? Do I love it?" and if the answer is NO..get rid of it. Pay special attention to the entrance of... your home as you want to keep a clear path for good energy to enter.

Energize your love life by creating a romance corner in your bedroom. Place pictures of you and your hubby or happy couples there and add some hearts ( made from earth materials) and flowers even. Add a pink quartz crystal. Single ladies paint your bedroom pink or peach to attract a partner.

Don't put up your Christmas jingle bells just yet. Why not string 3 of them on red ribbon and hang them on your front doorknob or above your door. Your objective is to have them jingle each time someone enters your home. Bells attract good luck and good fortune!~

Turtles are symbols of longevity, good luck, strength, fortune and endurance. Believed to posess great protective powers, turtles are considered to be sacred in China. You can keep a live turtle if you like but also consider turtles made of wood, metal , crystal or stones. It is considered to be fortunate if you save a turtle's life.

Hang a mirror above the kitchen stove, so that it reflects - therefore doubling - the number of stove burners. Because the stove is symbolic of prosperity, doubling the burners with a mirror symbolically doubles your wealth.

We asked Master Leung to share his insight on the upcoming year.

A Preview of 2010 Year of the Tiger

The year of the Ox will be over on February 4, 2010 at 06:48; the Chinese Lunar New Year will be on February 14, 2010.

Looking back at 2009, Ji Chou year is earth on top of earth. In world news, we saw buildings collapse, coal mines collapse and people buried alive under earth. In the financial world, we saw the housing market stabilize, oil prices going up again (from a low of 33.98 USD per barrel) and gold hitting a historical high (1217.40 USD per ounce). As you can see many of the major events of 2009 were focused on commodities from the earth or are events directly related to the earth element.

Now it is time for me to sit down and look into 2010; the year of the Metal Tiger or Geng Yin year.

The yearly hexagram from Huang Zhi Qing Shi is "Bi" gua, (Kun over Kan).

Bi has the meaning of "to befriend" and "to assist".
In order to achieve harmony and prosperity we must befriend each other; we must assist each other; we must help and cooperate with each other.

Feng Shui Living-
A Photo Book
by
Aroon Ajmera

A beautiful feng shui book !

Feng Shui Living has A4 size 38 pages with 19 pages of stunning images supporting the text on key Feng Shui concepts. It is hard back, on glossy paper, making it the first such feng Shui photo-book with such a wealth of information.

Originating in Brazil, this beautiful herb has large leaves and flowers. Look for many color varieties including white, pink, red and purple. This flower can make quite a statement for Valentine;s Day as it means "Love at First Sight."

The modern Gloxinia is a hybrid from two Brazilian tropical species; Sinningia speciosa and Sinningia maxima. It arose as a chance seedling raised by a Scottish gardener, John Fyfiana, in the nineteenth century.

By
Deana Schimmenti

Deana is a Healer and Reiki Practitioner working primarily through the energy and vibrations of crystals, stones and the earth.

The desire to lose weight does not begin with a glance in the mirror which results with a grimace. Nor does it begin with the loosening of the button on your jeans. Rather, it begins with self love.

Muscovite is a beautiful gemstone and part of the mica family. You can find it in many colors, such as brown, pink and yellow, and it usually has a pearly sheen.

It was traditionally believed that Muscovite would connect you with angelic forces and is therefore used for scrying, astral travel, and to stimulate psychic vision.

Off-grid, self-sufficient waterfall property and home in NC Mountains. 11.6 acres, stream (Roaring Spout Branch to the S. Toe river), springs, ponds and lush flora and fauna. 80+ foot waterfall (Roaring Spout). Borders USFS (Pisgah Nat'l Forest). Includes NBC Survival Shelter.
$775,000

This "green" self-sufficient 11.6 acre property and home has many unique features, both natural and man made. You will enjoy privacy and be far from major cities, in the North Carolina mountains. The property joins a National Forest and features an 80+ ft waterfall, 2 trout ponds, a creek, springs and lush flora and fauna. Power is solar and hydro, with a Lister Petter diesel backup generator. There is more than enough capacity to run existing buildings plus a large future home. Standard power is also present on-site but not connected. There is a terraced area for fruit trees. One of the most unique features of this property is the NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) shelter, which contains a toilet, shower, cooking and sleeping facilities. The totally rebuilt 2 bedroom, 2 bath home has gravity-fed, pure spring water, radiant floor heating system, large JUCA wood-burning stove connected to heating ducts throughout, and all energy efficient appliances

Peter Leung has dedicated his life to the study of the ancient arts and sciences of China, for the purpose of helping others to achieve a better life. His love for his work and passion for learning have led him on an endless search for knowledge. This has driven him to do much personal research to verify through actual experience the most accurate theories, and through careful study and observation to logically deduce the "secret" missing links in published works.

He desires to bring to bear all of the knowledge and wisdom he has been privileged to gain, to continually expand the current boundaries of thought and practice in Chinese metaphysics. Peter has chosen to teach in the English language for two reasons: The first is to insure that the cultural heritage of Chinese people born in English speaking countries would never be out of reach. The second reason is that it is Peter's dream to enable people from both the East and the West to join together to learn and make new contributions to the current body of knowledge that can be used in practical ways to benefit all of humanity.

Greener Building News

Office Depot, whose annual Green Guide is a compendium of the nearly 2,200 greenest products the retailer provides, has added a new dimension to its campaign to be the working world's top supplier of eco-friendly office products.

The company recently held workshops around the country called "Smart Steps to a Greener Office" to introduce business customers to the basics of greening work operations and facilities starting with supplies -- from the desktop, to the breakroom and the cleaning closet.

The sessions also include info about how the use of more environmentally responsible products and materials can contribute to points toward a green building rating under the U.S. Green Building Council's standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification in certain areas, such as Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance.

By
Jon Sandifer

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times

With I Ching Astrology, you can see deep into a person's character. Scott Speed, who turned 27 January 24, raced across my radar. I have no idea what he is like but his potential is completely obvious to me. Anyone with a 9 Fire Birth Star will have a degree or two of flair, passion and drive. No matter what field of endeavour. Mother Theresa, Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton and Sarah Palin were all born under this successful and sometimes impulsive Star.

Race car driver Scott Speed was born today in 1983. He also has lashings of stamina and enthusiasm. Always full speed ahead. This is born out by his explosive 3 Thunder Inner Sta, which also sometimes makes him impatient or rash.

Yet he seems cool and laid back. It is an illusion! What you see is a calm exterior born of his shrewd and dedicated 2 Earth Outer Star which is just what he chooses to show the world.

To fully understand your own I Ching Astrology profile: your Birth, Inner and Outer stars, download Jon's cosmic analysis of your birth data and your year ahead NOW!

I saw a great sign when driving through Philadelphia. It said " Bill Gates started Microsoft during a Recession."
It reminded me that, more than ever, Now is the time to find and follow our dreams.
This oil blend is a lovely way to support your journey.

Dream Catcher is an exotic formula designed to enhance the process of dreaming and visualization. The ability to hold onto your dreams - positive dreams that move you forward emotionally and spiritually - can lead to a greater ability to realize your desires and stay on the path of fulfillment. Dream Catcher also protects against negative dreams that may cloud your vision.