|
We
are aging-not just as individuals or communities but as a world. In 2006, almost
500 million people worldwide were 65 and older. By 2030, that total is projected
to increase to 1 billion. That number translates to 1 in every 8 of the earth's
habitants. While global aging denotes medical advances, it also presents challenges
to some of our most basic systems including finances, family structure and models
of social support. As
people live longer, the young-old balance is shifting. This is exacerbated by
the fact that couples are having fewer children. The combination of these trends
has important implications regarding adult care issues. By and large, people will
have less familial care and support as they age. The impact is building more long-term
facilities and consuming natural resources in the process. Assessing
the aging population challenges from a feng shui perspective is two-fold. First,
we must examine the situation on a local level. What is going on in your own backyard?
Perhaps you personally have become a "caregiver;" a role that we are
never prepared for. Mixed emotions are likely to be experienced from feelings
of nervousness to completely being overwhelmed. You may find yourself having to
perform new and unfamiliar tasks that may include dispensing medicine, providing
assistance with meals or assisting with other bodily functions. Being a "caregiver"
for an aging family member can translate to physical, emotional and financial
strain. The role of the
feng shui consultant begins with assessing the dynamics of the space. Most certainly,
the caregiver is multi-tasking resulting in a major shift towards the yang polarity.
Balancing this extreme shift is paramount and can be done through interior space
alignment, diet and yin activities such as meditation, breath control (pranayama),
yoga or qigong practices. Encouraging your client to engage in these activities
will prove to be beneficial. Balancing
Suggestions External & Internal: - Assess
geopathic disturbances and electromagnetic emissions - these infractions will
compound physical, emotional and mental challenges your client may already be
experiencing. Address black lines streams with readings greater than 4 on the
Von Pohl scale with earth acupuncture and recommend healthy vegetation as a reflectance
against outdoor EMF's.
- Evaluate
directional position of rooms and their respective element and color choices.
Suggest sheng cycle arrangements and avoid ke cycles that disperse stress
into the space caused by a
collision of qi particles. - Note
the location and number of internal electromagnetic devices. Remove any EMF sources
from bedrooms and clear radiations with either resonator tabs or natural quartz
crystals (high paramagnetics). Plants such as a Boston fern or Peace Lily is workable
in other room locations.
- Calculate
supportive personal and room directions (Ming Gua & Bazhai) for the caregiver
and elderly family member. Suggest they spend time in these areas.
- Assess
the structure for anything in disrepair on all levels and in all directions. Any
infractions can further impact the health and well-being of the occupants.
- Assess
the materials in the structure and décor. Emphasize the importance of eco-friendly
fabrics, furnishings and products.
- Balance
lighting sources with natural sunlight and low wattage incandescent bulbs.
- Recommend
soothing sounds and scents to adjust the vibration of the space.
- Assess
the flying star combinations that may predispose or exacerbate health challenges
for the occupants. Every star is associated with an organ system (i.e.: #1 star
governs the urinary system, #2 governs the abdomen, star #3 governs the liver,
spleen and legs, etc.). If a star is positioned poorly, it needs to be addressed
accordingly.
- Make sure
the center of the structure is stable. A bathroom, laundry room or staircase will
disrupt the balance resulting in potential emotional and health issues.
- Evaluate
the percentage of the 5 core elements in both the caregiver and patient's 4 Pillars
natal chart. Overly weak or strong elements need correction by incorporating the
proper element(s) in the décor, their diet or activities they may engage
in.
- Support the Southeast
and Northwest corresponding polarities representing wealth and near wealth respectively
on the ba-gua, as finances may be a contributory stress factor.
- Support
the Eastern sector of the home with water and wood elements along with family
symbolism to strengthen the bond that can be fragile during the transitional phase.
- Assess
the bedrooms - utilize good form school layout designs, agreeable directions,
yin colors and lighting, natural elements, pleasant images and minimal electrical
components.
- Create a
sacred space (preferably in the Northeast sector) that all family members can
utilize. Incorporate yin lighting, music, comfortable seating, natural elements,
objects from nature, spiritual items and favorite possessions.
The
second phase of the aging population trend challenges the environment and impacts
the end user or elderly disabled person. From an environmental standpoint, the
building of additional facilities will impact natural resources. From a human
perspective, building design and the material components will impact behavior
and physical well-being. Incorporating green design, feng shui and sacred geometric
concepts will effectively address both concerns. Green
Design - Feng Shui- Sacred Geometric Designs: - Suggest
facilities to be built on redeveloped existing sites.
- Incorporate
flexible designs to enhance building longevity.
- Limit
destruction of natural vegetated areas.
- Develop
passive solar lighting strategies.
- Promote
occupant health and well-being with effective ventilation systems, natural materials
and lighting sources.
- Use
native plant sources to minimize irrigation.
- Incorporate
recycled materials.
- Include
curving designs and regular shapes in floor plans.
- Incorporate
proper elements and colors in aligned directions for sheng qi to propagate.
- Include
circular and spiral designs.
- Enrich
the space with nature's elements - rocks, plants, shells and water features.
- Incorporate
the Golden Mean Ratio in room configurations.
- Include
beautiful art depicting scenes from nature.
- Imbue
the facility with pleasant sounds and smells.
The
upward spiraling trend of our aging population impacts us personally and globally.
The challenge for the future is to ensure that people everywhere will be enabled
to age with security and dignity. The feng shui community has a responsibility
to assist in this process by enhancing the external and internal spaces where
this population group resides impacting the quality of their lives.
© By Mary Jane Kasliner December
2007.
About the Author: Mary
Jane Kasliner, a former health care provider, has trained at elite feng shui schools
world-wide. Her studies include, Classical & Natural Feng Shui from the Feng
Shui Institute in London, Western Astrology from Client Centered Astrology in
Oregon, Eastern Astrology from the NY School of Feng Shui, Dowsing, Earth Alignment,
Space Clearing, Qigong and currently she is working on her National certification
in Hatha Yoga. She is the founder and director of the Teaching Tortoise School
of Feng Shui and president of 5 Element Designs Feng Shui consulting firm located
in Ocean, New Jersey. Mary
Jane has received word-wide media coverage by the Associated Press for her work
and is the feng shui expert for Lasting Lifestyles cable television talk show.
Her latest publication: The Feng Shui Connection To A Healthy Life is featured
on Lasting Lifestyles cable TV and Webcam programming.
To contact Mary Jane,
go to:www.5elementdesigns.com
or email: consult@5elementdesigns.com.
|
