A Fresh Start

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A Fresh Start

The aftermath after ending a relationship can be unsettling. While it is easy to disregard photographs or sentimental items collected together in a relationship, the decision to get rid of something as intrinsic as the mattress you sleep on every night is a bit more challenging.

In Feng Shui philosophy, the mattress holds all the intimate and intense energy from your relationship. Just think of the amount of time you both spent on that mattress. The sum of activities that take place in, or on a bed can range from romantic to the mundane and can leave a reservoir of painful memories that are difficult to detach from and forget.

Of course, if your mattress is still in good condition, not yet eight years old, and you feel no emotional connection to the mattress, then keep it. However, if you ardently attached, but it is impractical to replace your mattress then energetically clear the mattress with sage.

Burning sage is one of the oldest and purest methods of cleansing a person or things. The practice dates back to prehistoric times and it’s been documented as having been used in every corner of the world. Before you light up, set your intentions and open the doors and windows as the unwanted energy you are trying to clear must have a pathway to get out. Sage spray is an alternative if you live in a no smoke zone. Next, strip the bed down to the mattress. Circumambulate around the bed with the sage, and as it burns thank and release the energy of your partner, and allow the energy that you shared to go with gratitude and love. As the smoke ascends your good wishes and intentions rise and are released into the universe.

Whatever you decide, the decision is a big one but consider, closing that chapter of your life could be as simple as investing in a new mattress.

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer Feng Shui.

Sage Advice

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Sage advice

I’ve been getting a great deal of questions about sage, and how to use it to remove negative energy. Sage comes from the Latin word “salvere,” meaning to be saved or to be healed. Since ancient times, sage has been used for many things. The Egyptians used sage for fertility, while in France sage was grown for tea. The Romans used it for digestion issues, the Chinese used it for sore joints and the Native Americans used it in ceremonies.

Simply put, sage clears the bacteria in the air. Sage smoke offers rapid delivery to the brain and efficient absorption to the body. Scientists have observed that sage can clear up to 94 percent of airborne bacteria in a space and disinfect the air. When sage is burned it releases negative ions, which is linked to putting people into positive moods.

Burning sage is one of the oldest and purest methods of cleansing a person, group of people, or a space, and is believed to bring wisdom, clarity and increased spiritual awareness. The practice dates back to prehistoric times and it’s been documented as having been used in every corner of the earth by our ancestors.

I grow my own sage to use in cooking and to make smudge sticks for ceremonies. I avoid mass-market websites to buy smudge sticks because I want to make sure of the intention and cultivation of the sage.

Before you light up, remember to open a door or window to clear out a path for unwanted energy. I use an abalone shell to hold the sage in and then a feather to fan and spread the smoke around the space as it burns. Abalone shells are great because of the shape, they are easy to hold when walking around any space. Set your intention for the ceremony and then after you light the sage let it burn for about 20 seconds and then gently blow out the flame. Then you can start the process of clearing out the energy from the space.

The sage ceremony has a great deal of yang energy so afterward, to evoke a balance, I use the yin property of incense, and I thank the wisdom of the sage for it’s healing properties. Sage is cleansing and sacred and I know it will help to clear any space as well as hearts and minds.

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer Feng Shui.

These Boots Aren’t Just Made for Walking!

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Texas proud

A Friend (not from Texas) asked me why I wear cowboy boots. Cowboy boots have a deep meaning for me.

They are a vital part of the Texas heritage as horses, cattle, barbecue, oil wells, and manners. They remind me of growing up in Austin and my family. Mother and Daddy, my brothers, my sister, grandparents, uncles, cousins, everyone wore them and still do.

Boots become part of your life. The little nicks and scratches that you get on them really endear them to you. You remember what you were doing when you marked ’em up. Those little nicks are character builders. They are your life.

I love that’s there’s no such thing as an out-of-style cowboy boot. I’ve probably owned thirty pairs of boots in my life, and I still have all of them. Leather is a living product, and you have to keep it cleaned and oiled. The more you wear and condition your boots, the better they feel and fit—like a pair of gloves. If you take care of them, they’ll last you a lifetime.

I’m wearing Rocketbuster boots. I remember decades ago when Marty Snortum started making these artisanal masterpieces in his converted movie theater/boot shop/photography studio. During any client photoshoot, I could hear the bookmakers behind the wall tapping away, and I always went back to take a peak.

I love the instant swagger I have when wearing cowboy boots, and that no matter where I am in the world, anyone who sees me knows I’m from Texas. I’m so proud of that.

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer Feng Shui.

#cowboyboots #rocketbusterboots #Texas

5 Tips on How to Move your Chi and Prevent Stagnant Energy

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Stagnant chi or energy accumulates through repetitive, restrictive thought patterns like fear, envy, jealousy, not moving your body, and allowing clutter in any space. We want to move the chi around so that this stagnant energy doesn’t cause any issues in our body or prevent us from moving forward with life.

Here are 5 things to do to keep that chi moving:

  1. Move your body. Get out and walk, or jog, or do yoga every day. Physically move the energy throughout your body.
  2. Stop and breathe. Find time in your day to stop and close your eyes. Go inward and feel the present. Take a three-second deep breath and hold it. Ask yourself how you feel. Then slowly release the breath.
  3. Watch your diet. Either you put food in your body that has chi, or you put food in your body with dead chi. Dead chi is stagnant chi. Anything with a label no longer has chi. If you can’t cut those foods completely out, at least try to limit them.
  4. Your chi goes where your intention flows. Thoughts are forms of energy. Be aware of your thinking. Monitor your thoughts. Make sure you aren’t having negative self-talk like, “I am stuck in my job or relationship.” Remember the first thought of the day sets the intention for the day.
  5. Clutter. No excuses. Get rid of it. This is the number one reason for stagnant energy in any space. This stagnant energy is preventing you from moving forward in your life and depending on where it is in your home, I can get very specific as to what area in your life the clutter is impacting. Far-right corner your love life; far left corner your wealth; and front door, your career. We can’t deny what happens in the world or in our own lives but we always have the choice as to how to respond to it.

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer Feng Shui.

Happy Chinese New Year–The Year of the Rat

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Happy Chinese New Year--The Year of the Rat

On January 25th we bring in the Chinese New Year! It’s the year of the metal rat!

The rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order of the zodiac would be decided by the order in which each animal arrived to his party. The rat tricked the dependable ox into giving him a ride on his back. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, the crafty rat jumped down and landed ahead of the ox, finishing first.

The rat is also associated with yang or male energy so this will be a powerful and passionate year. In Chinese culture, rats are, for the most part, seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. And since rats are the first sign in the zodiac this is a terrific year to start a business or change jobs, or begin a meaningful relationship. One female rat can have up to 200 offspring a year so it will be a fertile year. This is a fast-paced year full of optimism and a terrific year to find true love, earn more money and save.

Here are some tips to ensure you are welcoming this successful new year with honor and respect.

  1. The day before, on January 24th take a broom and symbolically sweep to ensure you are sweeping away all the stagnant energy of last year. Open your front door and sweep away old ideas and any problems that were faced last year.
  2. Dress up to honor the new year. Since it is the year of the metal rat wear something silver or gold.
  3. Light candles symbolizing that you are lighting the way to new opportunities.
  4. Put out nine oranges, nine is a very auspicious number and oranges represent wealth because they look like gold. I put the oranges in a heart-shaped bowl representing all the love that will surround me this new year.
  5. I buy fresh yellow flowers in the color yellow representing good health.

Wishing all of y’all best wishes for luck, health, prosperity, and love!

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer Feng Shui.

Michelle Cromer