THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME...

We’re at the beginning of a new nine-year cycle, according to an ancient form of astrology called 9 Star Ki, which is based on the I Ching, or Book of Changes.  Each person’s star sign is determined by their year of birth beginning on February 4, the start of the Chinese Solar New Year.  Every year the signs rotate through a series of houses in a configuration known as the Bagua, or magic square, which may be pictured as a tic-tac-toe board with nine equal areas.  Each of these houses, or guas, has a particular energy and purpose.

Every nine years we all get to return to our home gua – the energy that was predominating in the year of our birth; and that is what is happening this year and through the beginning of 2014.  The presiding influence this year – the energy at the middle of the magic square – is 5 Tai Chi, the number of beginnings and endings.  This is a good year to take stock of our lives, and to make choices based upon our deepest desires for life and growth, for the seeds planted this year will have long-reaching effects.  It’s a good year to resolve old issues, and to get back up on the bike if we’ve fallen off in the past.

The teacher who shared his wisdom and insights on this wonderful guide to human character, tendencies, preferences, health, and foibles, Jon Sandifer, passed away on September 15, 2012 in the U.K.  Jon made several visits to The New England School of Feng Shui in the early 2000’s, and I was privileged to be part of the classes that he taught.  I remember him saying that you can get along with anyone if you understand where they are coming from.  He gave us a rich tool with which to find that bigger picture, and it is from this perspective that I start each one of my Feng Shui visits.  Thank you, Jon.