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Predictions! Year of the Wood Dragon

The Year of the Wood Dragon is upon us.  Every year, I do a meditation and tap into the messages to see what’s in store and what the new energies of the year are bringing.

Here are my “predicitions” for 2024, Year of the Wood Dragon, which begins on Feb 10:

The first impression I received was liveliness and laughter.  The Wood Dragon carries a lot of JOY.  Despite how Western culture tends to depict dragons — as something that needs to be slayed and destroyed — this 2024 Dragon pierces through the clouds with color and ease.  He/she brings LUCK and and blessings and a lighter spirit than we’ve seen in a long time.

Expect more comedies, lighter storylines in books and movies, happier music, and brighter art!

This Dragon reminds us not to take life so seriously — and reminds us of the power of perspective.  Think: a “dragon’s eye view” as she floats above the world, getting the “bigger picture.”

Dragons sometimes get a bad reputation due to their size and power.  People who aren’t comfortable in their own true empowerment, (I.e. who use manipulation, bullying, and other tactics to overpower rather than relying on alignment and connection to Source/Great Spirit/Inner Being) will try to bring the joyful and playful and powerful Dragon down.  But the Dragon only laughs!  He or she can easily dodge those pitiful attacks.  There is quite literally nothing the folks who are out of alignment can do in face of the Dragon!

This message reminds me of the scene early in the Wizard of Oz, where the wicked witch flies in and confronts and threatens Glenda in Munchkinland.  Glenda basically laughs and says, “You silly witch, you know you have no power here.”

This year, 2024 ~ Year of the Wood Dragon ~ is a reminder that being powerful doesn’t equate to conquering and terrorizing or even overcoming.  Being in true power means being at peace with yourself and KNOWING that you are powerful in the way that we are all equipped with amazing inner guidance and wisdom — and if we befriend ourself in that way, nothing can threaten us and bring us down.

This is the year to Have Fun.  Take up dancing or juggling or snow skiing.  Do something different to keep yourself young and keep perspective that life is meant to be ENJOYED.

In 2024, the younger generations will also have their day in the sun.  The Wood Dragon adores the spirit of Youth, and we will see many young people “taking the microphone” and busting up any old cultural beliefs that are not serving the collective good.  So take heed if you’re not a fan of generational change — it’s coming.

It’s going to be an exciting — and again — vibrant year.

Remember, the Dragon’s message is:  the best way to disarm an enemy is not to engage in their game.  Laugh instead.  Rise above, and if someone won’t give up the fight, the dragon reminds you that, when you’re confident in your own strength, a smart swish of the tail is all it will take.

Summary:  The Wood Dragon wants to take us on an exhilarating ride!  If you cling too tightly or haven’t faced your fears, the ride could be a little intense or uncomfortable.  However, if you go into this year with curiosity, a playful spirit, and knowing that you’re safe, strong, and powerful, the Wood Dragon promises a year of fun and delight.  Stay open-minded, take care of your bodies with fresh foods and plenty of exercise, and keep your spirit light this year for best results.

The Wood Dragon can bring you all sorts of luck and blessings, but you’ve gotta be RECEPTIVE to it, and the best way to do that is to tap into your own youthful spirit.  It’s beckoning!

JOIN KATIE’S NEWSLETTER to attend the FREE Zoom@Noon discussion on how to make the best of the Year of the Dragon using Feng Shui and other techniques.  Happens Friday, Feb 2, 2024.  Go to www.katierogersfengshui.com to receive the Zoom Link, etc.  (Recording will also go out in the newsletter if you can’t attend or reading this after Feb 2.)

See you there!  

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Before & After

I had a fun opportunity last month to help a friend.  Andrea Dapkus, an interior designer here in Birmingham, called me on a Sunday night to say, “Hey, you know how E. is going in the hospital on Friday?”  “Yeah,” I said.  E. had a double mastectomy scheduled, having been diagnosed with breast cancer just six weeks prior.  “You and I are going to re-do her room for her.”

How could I resist?  E. is a sweet friend: a woman who gives everything to her family and community and rarely gives to herself.  Her bedroom decor is the last thing on her to-do list.  Correction:  it wasn’t even on her to-do list!

For the next five days, Andrea and I colloborated with Andrea as lead designer.  We scrambling to find new pieces of furniture and handymen who could install on Friday and Friday only!  We found people so generous, inspired by the story, who changed their schedules around and made things happen, so that when E. returned home on Saturday, her new room would be put together!  It was amazing, fun, and a complete whirlwind.  Andrea got to learn a thing or two about Feng Shui too!  (No, the cool blueprint art work of the Titanic would NOT work in their bedroom, which also happened to be the Money gua.  No sinking ships in the Money corner, please!). And I learned a lot from her as well.  (Okay, okay, the bronze bull can stay — hello, Ferdinand.)

On Friday morning at 6am, this is what the room looked like:

BEFORE:

 

And by 7pm, it looked like this:

 

Andrea did the detail work so that by Saturday, the mostly finished product looked like this:

E. was delighted, and she kept writing us texts on how she felt like she was living in a hotel, how it was the best place to come home to, etc.   After all, she was going to be spending weeks in that room in recovery.

I hope this is incentive for you to GIVE TO YOURSELF and put some love and time and energy into your space!  No one can deny the difference in the chi by looking at these Before and After photos.

NOTE:  Please know this is HIGHLY unusual for me to decorate a room without feedback from the client.  In Feng Shui, we spend a lot of time getting to know a client’s tastes and even their life goals before making changes.  However, because Andrea and I have both known E since childhood, and we had E.’s husband and mother in the mix too, this was a very rare exception to that very serious rule!  

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Predictions for Year of the Rabbit

Welcome, Rabbit! 🐇

Every year, I do a meditation for the upcoming year to share with you all.  This is the Year of the Rabbit.  Please know that these “predictions” are a result of me quieting myself and listening.  I don’t really believe in too many “predictions,” because it’s your energy (your thoughts, beliefs, and actions) that creates your life!  However, I do enjoy the tidbits of wisdom that show up every year, and I do believe that there are certain mass consciousness energies in motion that can be helpful to know about.   

PREDICTIONS:

Bunnies live in burrows, which symbolizes going within.  It’ll be a year of nurturing one’s self, taking care of one’s self, and listening to one’s self – IF the Self has the tools to do so.  In a world that prizes “fierceness” and “confidence” and the notion of “challenging one’s self,” the softness of tuning into oneself and the natural rhythms of the Earth may be looked upon as weak and even vanity, only because they have not been prioritized in modern society.

But the Bunny knows better.  Tuning in and even retreating has amazing benefits.  It prepares the Bunny.  Look at a rabbit’s ears – they are almost ridiculous – yet they are like large antennae, again representing the idea of “tuning in.” Rabbits have developed an awareness, and that awareness is the ultimate “protection.”  It’s laughable to say a Rabbit is defenseless. That is a misunderstanding.  A Rabbit’s “defense” is their keen sense of their surroundings, which is the best so-called defense because it avoids the “fight.” And because Rabbit is so good at populating and procreating, the species known as Rabbit also understands the circle of life, again a reminder that there is a natural rhythm to heed to.

This year could be remarkably productive for those who choose to flow with the energies of the Water Rabbit.  A word that comes to mind is Development.  Rather than pushing, let it all “develop,” whether that be a project, a relationship, or even a dream.  ENJOY the process.  Take times of silence.  Practice listening. Doing so will help you decipher the noise from the guidance.  “Tuning in” is a skill – and a priceless one at that. The rhythm of the seasons will carry you – and your projects – and relationships.  Expect a flurry of creativity in the spring, but this will be better achieved or handled if one has developed a practice of tuning in.

Key words/phrases for Year of the Rabbit:

Tuning In

Listening

Development

Stillness

Enjoyment

“Predictions” by category

Career:  Slow and steady development.  Enjoyment of the process.  There will be spurts of energy so take advantage of that but if it seems slow don’t get discouraged.  Things are happening energetically behind the scenes.  Keep your eye on the prize, and pay attention.

Creativity: Those in creative fields will flourish…if they surrender more, rather than push.

Money:  Be mindful of your spending, but don’t hold on too tight. Wise investments will pay handsomely, but only if they are wise!  Saving should be a priority this year as well.

Family:  Joyful times with family will occur this year.  Keep it light and easy.  Enjoy the children around you; allow play.

Love: Stay open and fresh. Sensuality is a must for fulfillment in romance, so find way to bring that out.  Staying in touch with one’s self will help the relationship blossom and thrive.  Find the balance between selfishness and selflessness to reclaim your spark.

Business:  Use caution in business deals; watch out for the clever fox or the keen hawk.  Pay attention to your inner guidance.  Rather than be amused by cunning, beware of it.

Living: Living arrangements may change, whether moving locations or moving large pieces of furniture in and out.  It’s a good year to pay attention to your living space and make adjustments.

***Besides that, have a restful and fun couple of weeks, basking in the new year, The Year of the Yin Water Rabbit. I will be hosting a LIVE Zoom on Friday, Feb 3rd, and you’re invited.  We will discuss the “predictions” and I will offer some Feng Shui cures for the year.  Feel free to forward this email to anyone who you think could benefit from these teachings, as I invite them to get on my email list for upcoming events and such.

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Improving your Money Mindset Using Feng Shui

We hear this term often:  MINDSET

But what does it really mean?  Dictionary.com defines it as:  “the established set of attitudes held by someone.”   Verywellmind.com takes it further and explains “mindset” to be “a set of beliefs that shape how you make sense of the world and yourself. It influences how you think, feel, and behave in any given situation.”

I think it’s safe to say that one’s mindset is one’s belief system.

Our beliefs show up in all areas of our lives, and what better topic to explore our belief system than the topic of Money?  Why?  Because it’s loaded.  There are so many cultural concepts around money, and it’s up to you to decide which beliefs and attitudes you’d like to adopt and call truth, and which ones are absolutely not serving you.

Here are a few MONEY BELIEFS that circulate in our culture:

  1. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
  2. Who do I look like, Rockefeller?
  3. Money provides opportunities.
  4. Blessed are the poor.
  5. Making money is fun.
  6. Time is money.
  7. Rich people are superficial/cheats/not spiritual.
  8. It’s tacky to talk about money.
  9. No matter how much money I make, I feel broke.
  10. I don’t know where the money goes.
  11. Your eyes are bigger than your pockets.
  12. Money is freedom.
  13. It’s not easy to save money.
  14. I’m not an ATM.
  15. Make lots of money so you don’t have to depend on others.
  16. I love money.
  17. A girl’s gotta eat.
  18. There’s money available to all.
  19. Money is a finite resource.
  20. Money comes to me easily.
  21. I don’t really have to worry about money.
  22. I have a good handle on money.
  23. It doesn’t matter how much money I get, I spend every penny.
  24. I never have enough money.
  25. I have to work really hard for money.
  26. I’m not good at earning money.
  27. Rich people have a lot of problems.
  28. Do something you love, and the money will come.
  29. Artists don’t make much money.
  30. Running a business is hard.
  31. I feel guilty for having money when others don’t.
  32. It’s not my money so I can’t do what I want with it.
  33. Money is sexy.
  34. You gotta have money to be happy.
  35. …and more!

Did you hear any of these concepts growing up?  Which ones are you subscribing to now?  Can you see how certain beliefs can absolutely block a healthy relationship with money?!  Even if it’s “true,” that doesn’t mean you should subscribe to it.  For example, sure, money doesn’t literally grow on trees, but how would repeating that saying over and over again affect the way operate when it comes to your finances?

Feng Shui can reveal to us our belief systems in amazing ways.   And once our belief systems are revealed to us, we can become more conscious around what we think and feel about certain aspects of our lives in order to have more control and influence.

One way to get a glimpse into your psyche when it comes to money is to check out the Money/Prosperity/Opportunity area of your space.  This is generally the back left section of your home if it was divided into 9 equal sections, like a tic-tac-toe board.  If you’re standing at your front door, what’s in the back left?  Is it your kitchen?  Your bedroom?  A  mudroom? Or a cluttered closet?  A bathroom with the broken toilet?  Or the basement entrance with the door that always seems stuck?  Now, look at it symbolically.   Does this space represent “having enough?”  Does it represent “luxury”?  Or does it feel clogged or lacking in some way?  Are there items there that you don’t love or use?  Or does the room feel comfortable and inviting, clean and fresh?

There are so many ways that money beliefs can show up in a space.  The bagua is just one place where I look when I’m consulting for money blockages!  To learn more about Feng Shui & Money, consider taking the Feng Shui & the Energetics of Money eCourse the next time I’m offering it for a thorough look at your own personal mindset as well as to receive dozens of Feng Shui tips to course-correct your money beliefs towards empowerment and freedom, all while learning about Feng Shui.

The basic notion is this:  When you put some love and attention into your space, (i.e. freshening up the tired spots or decluttering the clogged areas), your Money mindset will naturally improve, via intention and awareness.  Enjoy the process and the prosperity that springs from it!

 

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Don’t Be Fooled By Feng Shui

There are a lot of myths and superstitions linked to Feng Shui!  If you’ve ever Googled to topic, you’re likely to get confused because there is so much.

While there are nuances to Feng Shui that only an expert can detect, there is also a lot of common sense to it.

Join me on Friday, April 1 (April Fool’s Day) for a special FREE discussion on this topic!  Learn what Feng Shui is — and what it isn’t — and please bring your questions!  Register Here to receive the Zoom link the day of.  See you there!

 

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Year of the Tiger “Predictions”

ROAR!  Yep, it’s the Year of the Tiger starting Feb 1, 2022!

And yep, it’s time to prepare, because it’s going to be an interesting one!  Every year, I do a meditation to tap into the “energies” that this new year is bringing us collectively.  This year the element for 2022 is Water.

Water is the element of the emotions, so expect some “cleansing” this year. Water also symbolizes clarity and reflection, so expect to see things in a new and, ultimately, better way.  Remember, water can be refreshing and lovely in its flow, or terrifying in its power.  This will be a year where we learn to harness certain energies, especially the emotional body, so that moving forward, we feel more in control and empowered.

As far as the animal itself, the “Water Tiger” is graceful, steady, and focused.  She waits for the right time to make her move.  She is watchful, and did I say, focused?  The Water Tiger knows what she wants, is hyper-aware of her surroundings, and yes, she is fierce…when provoked.  Luckily, her reputation proceeds her so those around her know not to mess with her.

2022 is a year of great power.  The Tiger, again, is watchful, never taking her eye off either her prey (desires) or anything that could be threatening her or her cubs.  She is a great protectress, and she will not tolerate anyone who wants to put her – or those she loves – in danger.  Tigers are great nurturers too.  She carries her babies to safety and always alert.  WATCHFUL is a word for 2022.

Even though the element of Water may seem contradictory to the Tiger, indeed, these large cats are not turned off by that element, but actually take to hiding in shallow waters from time to time.  They are even known to frolic in water!  In fact, because of the reeds that surround some of the shallower waters, it is a place where they feel safe and free to do so.

So remember, tigers do have their playfulness.  They are big cats, after all, and what videos are most-watched on YouTube?  Cats!  Because they are cute!  Grooming.  Lounging.  Cultivating a sense of self. Tigers command great respect because of their assuredness.  Bask in the energy of “royalty” that large cats exude so that respect will come naturally to you.

This is a year about getting still so that when it’s time to act, you feel ready.  STILLNESS is key.  There are big things coming!  And if you’ve squandered your energies, then you will not feel strong when they do come.

It’s a big year for cultivating a true sense of power, if you can learn to BE.

Message:  Know that your time is coming.  Know that your desires are worth waiting for.  Know that focus is the name of the game this year.  Know that there will be time for play, time for nurturing, and yes, a time for protection and vigilance.  Don’t be in a hurry, but also know that if opportunity comes your way, it’s game on, and you should take advantage of it, using your skills and great focus.

Practice for 2022:  Meditation, of course.  Sitting still for periods of time, observing your surroundings.  Practice listening to your environment and tuning in.  Perhaps consider some sort of martial arts or balance endeavors, like yoga.

COMING UP!

Sign up NOW for the “Make Space for Grace” Declutter eCourse for accountability buddies and emails in your inbox to prep for the Chinese New Year!  It WORKS!  Free Zooms with Katie too, if you sign up now!

Also, the 2022 Feng Shui Odyssey (with the Feng Shui consultant certification program add-on option) begins in March.  APPLY TODAY to have a free 1:1 Discovery Call to see if this is for you!

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Are Pets Good Feng Shui?

The short answer is YES!

Well, if they are well-loved and taken care of.

And if you have a good vacuum cleaner.  (wink, wink, you know what I mean.)

In the Feng Shui bagua, pets fall under the gua that is titled Creativity/Children/Projects.  That’s because this section has to do with “what we nurture.” 
Anything alive in a space brings chi!  But there is another aspect to the quality of chi:  health.  An animal that is happy and thriving and well-taken care of generates a lot of goodness in a space.  Therefore, if one is to have a pet, it’s important to offer it loving care, and yes, it’s a good idea to have a regular cleaning routine, because along with a pet’s unconditional love, they can make things a little bit…furry.  🙂  
Nurturing a pet can be a way to nurture yourself.  Pets give us a chance to slow down and appreciate.  The benefits of owning a pet are 1000-fold given their “mission” on this planet to demonstrate alignment…and love. 
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The Creative Spark

We are currently discussing the Creativity/Children/Projects section of the bagua in the Feng Shui Odyssey, where we’ve stumbled upon the notion that creativity is “presence” and “play,” at the heart of it.   Creativity is not limited to writing or painting or acting or singing.  Tapping into your creativity is quite simply a way to make life more fun!
i.e. I can put together an edible meal and have it on the dinner table to keep us fed, but it’s those moments where I’m actually enjoying myself and present in the process of making a meal, where I can say that my cooking becomes “creative” — and much, much, much better-tasting-and-looking, and fun and yummy, I might add!
In Feng Shui, the right center section of the home or office (when facing in while standing at the front door) is the Creativity gua.  Symbols for the gua include anything that represents playfulness or children.  Rainbows are great too!  I also love kids’ colorful handprints in this gua because hands symbolize the creative process in humans.  We do so much with our hands!   Bonus points for a photo of yourself as a child, maybe doing something you love, set there with the intention of honoring and listening to your Inner Child.
For Creativity, also consider: Is there a part of your home that invites a bit of a happy mess?  Is there a place where you can feel child-like and relaxed and still safe?  Or is your home a little too perfect, a little too strict or sterile?
The creative process is fluid, playful, and without bounds.  A masterpiece may be the end result (or not), but it’s the Enjoyment of the Making that really defines creativity.
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Feng Shui School OPEN!

Wind Horse School of Feng Shui

I’m thrilled to announce that the doors to the Wind Horse School of Feng Shui are officially open!  If you are considering Feng Shui as a career, or looking to go deeper in your personal practice, I hope you will consider this remarkable program.

For more information and to apply or register for a Discovery Call, see the Get Certified page here on the Katie Rogers Feng Shui site.

 

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Why Is Decluttering Hard?

Spring is in the air, and it’s the time where a lot of people feel a natural inclination to clear some things out after winter’s slow-moving “hibernation” period.  Freshening up this time of year is a great idea, because all that indoor time can create stagnant chi in the home — and no one wants that!

So, open those windows, beat out those rugs, sweep the patios!  Get rid of those clothes that aren’t “sparking joy” and tackle the garage!  Go through the kids’ artwork and straighten up that linen closet.

Oooof.   If it were only that easy, right?!

Here are 5 reasons why you may be feeling stuck or down or even incompetent when it comes to decluttering.  Hopefully these tips will help you be easier on yourself about not having that Pinterest-worthy closet (those rarely stay like that) and give you a dose of inspiration for moving forward!

  1. Getting started. Sometimes folks just don’t know where to start.  Just making the decision to declutter can sometimes be where folks get stuck!  This is okay!  You’re about to embark on a power-giving endeavor, and your psyche knows this and may not want anything to do with you getting “empowered.”  Plus the “heavier” energy of the clutter makes it harder to get going, but now that you know this, you can tackle it accordingly.  Also, I love Marie Kondo for her smart idea for working in categories. She’s brilliant when she says:  “Start with your own clothes!”  Once clothes are done, move to books, then to papers, and so on.
  2. Time.  Yep, decluttering takes time.  I’m not gonna sugarcoat that one.  Sometimes, depending on the current state of your home, it takes A LOT of time.  You say you don’t have time, I know I know, life is so darn busy.  But guess what! The irony about the “time” excuse is that having a cluttered home is the BIGGEST time-suck I know of.  Imagine knowing where everything is and not having to look for it.  Imagine your daily cleaning happening ten times faster because you have less stuff to clean and organize.  Imagine having more clarity and decision-making power in all your endeavors…because you’ve chosen clarity and made wise decisions about the stuff in your home.  Look:  it’s a rare soul who really WANTS to declutter — what they are wanting is the result!  And if they are excited about decluttering, it is ONLY because they know how good it’s going to feel once they make some headway.
  3. Not having decision-making power.  This is another reason I like one’s own clothes for a starting point.  Usually, one doesn’t have to check in with a spouse or mother-in-law for permission on those.  But move into other categories, and wow!  I’ve had clients have a list of folks they need to check in with on items before committing to donating them — even if they’ve lived with those items for over 20 years!  It’s one thing to honor the family’s wishes, it’s another to get blocked on doing a huge, kind thing for yourself (making your home better!) by using these folks as an excuse for not moving forward.  Take back your power.  If it’s in your living space, claim it as yours or give the others who are most likely on the fence about it anyway a clearly-communicated deadline in picking it up — and stick to the deadline.
  4. Not knowing what to do with the stuff. I see it all too much.  Clients do the hard work of sorting and figuring out what to keep and what to let go…to have garbage bags cluttering up their hallways or garages for weeks on end because they haven’t figured out where to take them!  I’m a big fan of donating over landfills or delegating specific items to specific folks (that’s a lot of work and who knows if they really want it?!
  5. Poverty (or other unhealthy) mindsets + painful memories.  When you declutter, you not only come face-to-face with your stuff — but with yourself.  Believe it or not, every item in your house holds some sort of “story” or another and could represent things in your life that you’ve avoided dealing with.  Furthermore, you may be holding on to stuff with an underlying fear that you may not be able to “replace it” or get something as “nice” (even if you don’t like it in the first place!). I would say this is the #1 reason people have a hard time decluttering — because having a look at how we have been living may bring up some painful memories.  But trust me when I say: if you look at it, make an informed decision about it, and are bold enough to “let it go,” you are making energetic space for the new in better, not only in your home, but in your life!  Decluttering is a way of processing your past so that you can move forward more easily.  It’s POWERFUL, and well, sometimes, we aren’t ready for a powerful shift, and so we will find every excuse on the planet not to let go of those things we are holding on to.

I hope reading this has helped you see that it’s okay that decluttering is hard — because it is hard sometimes!  But the benefits are exponential.  If you can look at the “tidying up” process, as Marie Kondo so wisely calls it, as a way of connecting with yourself, as a way of honoring and respecting yourself, as a way of saying YES to a better life on the horizon, you’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish and how good it will feel.

For more on this and to get going with daily tips and an accountability group, consider joining the Declutter Your Way to Clarity eCourse offered on this website under Classes. Katie also highly recommends Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

 

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