By Maria McCullough
“I feel invisible at work.” “No one asks for my opinion anymore.” “How can I get more positive recognition?”
There’s a saying: “If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of me.” Because of these connections, when we live interdependently, giving and receiving support, a good reputation is assured. This opens our world to the synergistic connections and auspicious opportunities that occur only when trust and fair play are in place. Our life is illuminated with goodwill! What you put out comes back to you.
One of Feng Shui’s principles is that everything is connected. So if you ask yourself, Can changes I make in my home really affect my fame and reputation? The answer is ABSOLUTELY.
In the Feng Shui Bagua (Ba-gua) Map, represented as a grid of nine sectors, the Fame and Reputation area is located in the center back of your home/office/business. The Bagua comes from the Chinese philosophy, “The I Ching,” and literally means “eight trigrams.” In the “I Ching,” the Fame and Prosperity area of your home or business is called “Clinging Fire” because one of the attributes of Fire is that it clings to whatever it is burning.
Good or bad, our reputation is very difficult to shake off. It clings tight, either warming or burning us into the hearts and minds of others. Therefore, cultivating a good reputation helps friendly relations to spring up all around us, creating the best chances for a happy and secure future.
When the opposite occurs and we burn our bridges with friends, neighbors and the community, our future happiness can be jeopardized.
So, how can the energy in your home help you bolster your positive reputation?
Enhancements in this area are particularly helpful if you would like more recognition at home or at work, you want to establish a good reputation in your community, or you want to be well known for something you do.
The element for this area is Fire, and the color is anything in the red spectrum. Red is one of the most powerful colors in the Chinese culture. It represents fortune, joy, festivity, longevity and protection from bad luck. Representations of this element can be used inside and outside your home or business.
Enhancements inside your home or business
• Personal images and symbols of Fame; diplomas, awards, trophies and acknowledgements
• Things made from animals, such as leather, feathers, wool and/or bone
• Posters, paintings, collages, photos and figures of animals, people, fire, sunshine and favorite celebrities; vision boards that represent hopes for the future
• Cone, triangular or pyramid shapes
• Items in the red spectrum
• All pleasant lighting, including sunlight, candles, electrical lights and oil lamps
• Quotes, affirmations and sayings pertaining to Fame and Reputation
Enhancements outside your home or business
• Items that represent the sun, fire, stars
• Fire pits and barbecue grills
• Items, flowers, plants in the red color spectrum
The Elements of Fame
The Wood Element feeds Fire, so adding representations of Wood — plants or items made of wood — feeds the fire of your dreams, enhancing your opportunities and achievements. Avoid the Water element in this center area — Water extinguishes Fire.
A missing Fame and Reputation area
If your Fame and Reputation area is missing from your floor plan, you can anchor the area by doing one or a combination of the following cures: Anchor the missing area structurally, such as building a trellis or deck; plant flowers in a flower garden or planter boxes in the red spectrum; plant a tree with red leaves, such as an ornamental cherry tree; add a seating arrangement with red pillows and umbrella; add garden art representing stars or celebrating figures; add up-lighting, twinkle lights or tiki torches. If the area outside is not accessible, you can symbolically anchor from the inside by hanging a 30mm, round-faceted crystal and placing a mirror and/or a picture representing Fame on the wall by the missing area.
A bathroom is especially important when it’s in your Fame and Reputation area. Remember that all drains and toilet lids must be kept closed when not in use to keep the flow of Fame from “pouring down the drain.” Using the enhancements above, you can turn your bathroom into a beautiful shrine to your Fame.
Feng Shui at work
In our home office we enhanced the Fame wall by hanging awards, certificates and pictures of recognitions. Half the wall holds my husband’s awards, the other half mine. They are framed in wood to further feed the fire. The office offers a pleasant reminder of our accomplishments and acts as a boost to our egos.
My daughter has this area missing from her home Bagua. She had struggled with finding a job where she was appreciated and able to learn and grow. Together we went shopping and, in her patio (the Fame and Reputation area) she hung three large stars on the fence, cleared the area of garbage cans and bikes, placed a large barbecue grill under the stars, and added a wicker seating arrangement with red cushions. Shortly after making these enhancements her reputation earned her a position as a director of a fast-growing company where her skills are both utilized and appreciated.
Small changes can make a big difference. When you find that you’re struggling, it’s important to recognize what small changes you might have made and what effect they had. A client once had colorful paintings of dancing ladies on her Fame wall. During that time, everything was going great for her at work. On a whim, she found some beautiful burgundy, green and gold wall hangings and decided to replace the celebrating/dancing lady. Almost immediately, she felt the shift. Her new boss changed existing procedures and meeting structures, and she was no longer involved in higher level meetings. She felt slighted and unimportant. A consultation indicated the problem.
Though beautiful, the new hangings had vertical asymmetrical shapes representing water instead of fire. She chose to place them in her Career area foyer alongside a large mirror instead, since water feeds career. The dancing ladies returned, and she was able to retire with great recognition and started a lucrative consulting business. She will someday replace the ladies, but she will definitely choose more carefully.
Affirmations
Remember that in Feng Shui, intent plays a significant role in enhancing any area of your home or business. That’s why all enhancements need to be made with intentionality; written or stated affirmations are very important. It is also important for them to be expressed as if they are already happening.
Examples of affirmations for the Fame and Reputation area: “I am honored and respected in every way by the people I work with, and for the work I do”; “I enjoy an abundance of support and enthusiasm for my accomplishments”; “My reputation for honesty and compassion grows daily.”
For questions or home consultations, email me at mtmccull@aol.com and put “Feng Shui” in the subject line. Also, visit my website, or go to “Feng Shui by Maria” on Facebook, where I post pictures as examples to enhancements.
I now have a blog, too — just go to the website and click on “Blog” to view many pictures.
I will be teaching three more three-hour classes through Benicia Parks and Recreation: Friday at 9 a.m.; May 5 at 9 a.m.; and July 21 at 9 a.m.
These are the same classes repeated. The Parks and Recreation Guide is now available, if you’d like to register. Participants will receive $40 off a home consultation.
Until then … Blessings!
Benicia resident Maria McCullough is the owner and founder of Feng Shui by Maria. She is a speaker and educator with more than 15 years’ experience specializing in residential, landscape and business consultations.
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