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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!

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!

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!

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.)

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.

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.

I’ve loved horses my entire life.  I was basically one of those little girls who was obsessed with horses, reading Black Beauty and the Black Stallion, watching National Velvet, collecting the figurines, and wishing for a horse when blowing out my candles every birthday.  I had my first riding lesson when I was 7, and I can still remember the day.  I was in heaven.

When I got certified in Feng Shui, Sharon Stasney (my teacher) taught us about the mythology of the Wind Horse which is an integral part of the Buddhist Tibetan tradition.

Plainly said, the Wind Horse means luck.

You’ve probably seen pictures of the prayer flags that Tibet is famous for.  Chances are there is an image of the Wind Horse on it.

In Tibet, they say, when one’s “wind horse is running,” it means that they are feeling lucky.

Horses have a major symbolism in the west too.  Think about it: they have changed the course of human history as far as being a mode of transportation and labor for farmers.  In Native American animal medicine, horses stand for “freedom” and “power.”  Sounds like luck to me!

The gua for Money and Wealth is also called Opportunity.  Opportunity could be considered “luck.”   This gua is associated with trigram “Sun” which means “Wind,” as derived from the ancient Eastern book of wisdom, the I Ching.

We use language like “run like the wind” or “the winds of fortune” for a reason.  There is force there.  Chi.  Power.

Sharon explained why running horses are such a lovely symbol for the Money area of the bagua.  She said that we all have opportunities come our way.  Imagine standing in a field and a horse is galloping up — this is the Wind Horse, and she represents the opportunities that will take us forward, fast and with confidence.  Are we ready for her?  Will we grab onto her mane?  Or will we let her pass us by?

The Wind Horse School of Feng Shui officially opens this March 2021.  I’m honored to now be a teacher, certifying others in this amazing art and science that I’ve studied for over 22 years now.

(Applications now are now being accepted.  Enrollment is limited so be sure to fill it out today. CLICK HERE TO APPLY.)

The “Western” New Year is here, which means that Chinese New Year is around the corner.  Remember, the Chinese New Year is aligned with the lunar calendar, and therefore falls on a different day each year.

In the 2021, on February 12th, we will enter the Year of the Metal Ox (leaving that tricky Metal Rat behind!)

To prepare for that date, it’s tradition to “clear out the old” by decluttering and cleaning PRIOR to Chinese New Year’s Day, so that when that day arrives, you’re fresh and ready to welcome in the new energy.  This is a powerful yearly ritual that I do every year myself, so I encourage you to do so.

Also every year, I meditate and receive guidance on what the new year will bring, focusing on the animal that represents those energies.

Here is what I received for the Year of the Metal Ox:

The first image that came to mind when focusing on the energies around the dawning of the Year of the Metal Ox was a huge metal ox in a complete rage, much like the bulls you see in the matador rings.  It was furious, huge, powerful, and bucking wildly.  There were several people, who looked tiny in comparison, trying to manage him, but he attacked and tossed them like pieces of paper, totally out of control.

This angry metal ox represents the pent up energy that 2020 is leaving with so many of us on a collective level.  (And no wonder, with the stress of the pandemic, the election, and isolation!)

A goddess-like maiden then appears, coming forth to calm this masculine, explosive energy.  She sings a lullaby and soothes the beast.  She then sits quietly with this gigantic metal ox.  There is a stillness now.  Rest.  This represents sitting with difficult emotions.  The metal ox has gone within, eyes closed, breathing powerfully but calmly, and there is a feeling of peace, thanks to this maiden’s gentleness.

Just then, a new world springs forth around the ox — flowers, he’s in a field, and we are reminded of that gentle bull, Ferdinand, from the famous children’s story.  Some birds have taken up homes in the cracks of his armor, filling them with straw for their nests.  The ox smells the air with pleasure, takes in the beauty of the scenery — simple nature.

He looks over and sees an old wooden cart, still sturdy and functional, and it reminds him of the joy of simple labors, being of use in the world, and providing.  He remembers what it like to use his natural strength to help the world around him grow (by plowing the fields).  He thinks of that slow, steady labor, and how, although it’s easy for him, it’s tremendously helpful to others.  He considers the routine and the basic joys of seemingly small contributions.  In fact, his strength had helped the farmer feed an entire village.

The plowing field has grown up now into great abundance, with a healthy variety of crops.  There is a celebration — the townsfolk have come in to be glad for the harvest.

The ox looks on, quietly proud of his part to help create this joyous gathering.

***The message here is what may look like dull work could reap great abundance and the joys of that abundance.  The message is to “be satisfied with satisfaction” without reaching too much forcefully, because with that energy, joy and abundance will “spring up.”

The Metal aspect of this year is represented by what appeared to armor on this Ox.  Beneath the harsh and even intimidating exterior, the Ox is still a being of light, a “child of God.”  Do not fear what seems abrasive and harsh this year — there are blessings in every situation.  Focus on those blessings to bring them forth more often.

This year is about Stillness.  While the Ox may seem to represent masculine drive and strength, it’s not until the gentle feminine spirit is allowed in that the “upset” energy can manifest into something whole and balanced and beautiful.  What was out of control and dangerous, when approached with grace, can become a symbol of Gentle Power and a Bringer of Abundance.

Again, be satisfied with feeling satisfied.  (Abraham-Hicks talks about this!)  Don’t push against or struggle, but rather get in a more relaxed state more often, to ALLOW.  Transformation and great abundance can occur but only when stillness is accomplished.

— To end the story above, it should be noted that when the great Metal Ox is at the end of his life cycle and dying, the children of the village cry and go to his huge body, putting their hands on him to say their good-byes.  He was so beloved as the gentle giant that he is.  The sadness of the children doesn’t last long however, because, as his spirit departs his heavy metal body, they quickly realize that his the Ox is still alive, in the wind-blown seeds of the dandelions and in the rustling of the leaves of the trees….free.