It’s officially the last month of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
I am sorry to depress you with this reminder and for those of you who have kids, I’m sure you’re already feeling it. If you haven’t gone away already, it’s not too late! There are still plenty of August days clamoring for last minute getaways and day trips. And it’s weird (and sad) to say that with global warming, Indian Summers may become more a norm than an anomaly.
You may ask, “But Susan, I’m working on Feng Shui-ing my space. How can I stop right in the middle?”
Yes, you may be using this free time to tackle organizing and decorating projects. But know that your home is always a work in progress and this is what I say about it – forget your projects for now! The lazy days of Summer are quickly fading away, so you need to take advantage of it. You’ll thank me for it later.
So pack your sunblock and your comfy shoes and find out what you need to know about using Feng Shui during your travels.
To make your trip as Feng Shui friendly as possible, be sure to:
1. Set an intention – Before you leave your home, set an intention for your time away. It can be for yourself, for someone else (remember the Travel section of the bagua is also your Helpful People section – see image below for reference) or even for greater good. You set intentions for your yoga practice, meditation and specific Feng Shui remedies, so why not set one before you hit the road? Dedicate your time away to a specific intention and remind yourself of it throughout your trip.
2. Pack more than just your swimsuit – Bring small items that you absolutely love and remind you of home. Things such as stones (grounding element in Feng Shui) or crystals are great travel items and put them in the Travel/Helpful People section of your room when you arrive at your destination.
3. Make it sweet – Pack scents that can address various situations. Lavender is known for its lovely scent and also for its protective properties. Citrus scents such as orange can help uplift the feeling of a space in a jiffy.
4. See Red – In the Chinese tradition, the color red is very auspicious. It symbolizes luck, safety and prosperity. Incorporate this vibrant color in your wardrobe or bring a red beach towel. Not only will it bring you all the qualities of the color, you will probably be easy to spot on the beach or on a crowded boardwalk!
5. Pillow talk – Instead of using a hotel pillowcase, pack your own. Your bed is very important and symbolic in Feng Shui since you spend so much time in a open and receptive state when you are sleeping. Pillowcases absorb your chi (or personal energy) while you sleep which makes taking your home with you is easier than you thought.
If you just can’t seem to find the time from your busy work schedule to travel, you can still incorporate some of these elements into your daily routine as you leave your home to go to the office or business meeting. You may just want to leave your pillowcase at home.
