Simply Feng Shui: Pay attention to your feng shui symbols

Kathleen Tumpane
Special to The Desert Sun

One of the things that happens occasionally is a symbol gets moved or it is knocked over or gets damaged or broken irrevocably or the plant you placed as a symbol of growth and wealth starts to drop leaves.

What does it mean … when something happens to one of your symbols? Does that mean that whatever it symbolizes is doomed is some way?

Well, I wouldn't like to say "doomed" but it does offer some interesting information.

One of my clients had three canes of lucky bamboo in a vase in her office. We decided on three tall canes as a symbol of the two partners and the business they owned together. Within a few weeks, one of the canes died.

Was this cause for concern? Perhaps. However, we decided that apparently two canes simply symbolizing the two owners was ideal!

Another has a relationship symbol that is two charming and whimsical birds made out of gourds with hand painted feathers and pointy beaks. Through some careless handling, one of the bird's beaks snapped off.

What are the possible interpretations? I can think of several: one of the two people cutting off his/her nose to spite their face, a breakdown in communication, one person not expressing their needs/desires/feelings, or one person dominating the conversations.

And the interpretation that felt most accurate: she had a sinus infection.

To assist in the healing of the infection, both birds and the detached nose were delivered to the repairman. The nose was reattached, stronger than before, and both birds returned home.

Why did both birds have to go to the bird doctor? Because you just don't want to separate your relationship symbols.

Yet another had a relationship symbol of a pair of candlesticks with red candles in them. One of the candlesticks was knocked over. It stayed that way for weeks.

Interpretation: a certain reluctance to even have a relationship. This provides interesting feedback and allowed the person the opportunity to either decide to attract a relationship - deepen the commitment/desire - or decide to be quite happily single.

The bedspread on yet another client's bed has a tree of life motif and therefore is ideally laid on the bed so the top of the tree is toward the headboard. It was inverted by the housekeepers and left that way for 10 days.

Again, this is interesting information. It begs the question, how did the relationship fare during those 10 days? Was the harmony and enjoyment the same as previously? Or was it upside down in any way?

As this person is particularly sensitive to her environment, it is absolutely amazing she left it upside down. When she realized things were a bit off kilter, she shifted it around. She immediately noticed her comfort level in the relationship was restored.

So when something happens to one of your symbols, remember it is just interesting information. No need to freak out. Give some thought to possible interpretations … not just one … several. Then consider each possibility to determine which feels most accurate. Take appropriate action. Then notice what happens next!

By the way, if a welcome guest moves one of your symbols, this is truly small stuff. Since you want your guest to feel comfortable in your home, you'll wait until after they leave to move it back.