🧘🏼♀️ 5+5+5=15 “Fulfilling All Possibilities!” The number 5 is the Center of all numbers in the Ming Kwa, birth numbers system. This year we are in the universal house of 5️⃣ in the I Ching. Everyone working on themselves and what’s inside you.
“The New Moon in Libra is the time to set intentions around committed relationships, all partnerships, teamwork, and bringing more beauty and balance into the world. Get clear on your own needs in relationships, while making space for the needs of others. Work magic for justice, spells to find the right love, or blessings for marriage and existing committed relationships. Spells for beauty, the arts, balance, peace, and negotiation or enhanced by Libra. Celebrate your harvests. Work magic with a partner. Working with air magic is especially potent now. Tie Clooties in trees and work with wind magic, fallen leaves and branches, and birds and feathers.
Goddess: Aphrodite Urania, Venus, Pallas, Radha, Lakshmi, Ma’at, Eirene, Hera, Juno Crystals: Fluorite, lepidolite, prehnite, seraphinite” Excerpt in quotes from Llewellyn’s Date Book 2022
Great time to work on your partnership corner to the far right as you walk through your front door when coming home. For details see my ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ post on my blog. http://www.JAFengShui.com
Peace & Harmony, Jacqueline Albert Pepper🌶. “Carpe Diem!”
You’re almost there, 1/2 way through 😍 Have you noticed that text that you didn’t mean to send went through? Were you waiting on the wrong block for a friend? Did you butt dial somebody you hadn’t talked to in years? Yup, mercury is in retrograde 😳😆🥰
Enjoy these funny moments, and take the time you need to care for yourself. Oxygen mask on first. How do you heal the world? Heal yourself first and the rest will follow
🎋ANNUAL CHINESE ASTROLOGY, MERCURY RETROGRADE SALE! LAST SALE OF THE YEAR In Continued Celebration of 25 years of “Loving what I do in 2022″, I am passing along the savings to you, the Feng Shui FANS!
25% Off Chinese Astrology Readings for New Clients.
30% Off Updated Chinese Astrology Readings for Continuing Clients,
25% Off of Gift Certificate for Readings (1 year from purchase to use) for friends, family, and most importantly yourself!
🎋Xao (Petite) Package 🎋Zhong (Medium) Package 🎋D`a (Large) Package Includes: Ming Kwa Numbers, Natal Four Pillar Chart, 5 Elements with VItal Element & More.
2022 – Celebrating 25 years of Loving what I Do! Schedule, Pay and Book your reading or gift certificate between 9/9-10/2 for your savings today. DM me, email me direct or go to my website contact button. http://www.JAFengShui.com
LAST SALE OF THE YEAR In Continued Celebration of 25 years of “Loving what I do in 2022″, I am passing along the savings to you, the Feng Shui FANS!
🎋25% Off Chinese Astrology Readings for New Clients. 🎋30% Off Updated Chinese Astrology Readings for Continuing Clients. 🎋25% Off of Gift Certificate for Readings (1 year from purchase to use) for friends, family, and most importantly yourself!
🧧Xao (Petite) Package 🧧Zhong (Medium) Package 🧧D`a (Large) Package Includes: Ming Kwa Numbers, Natal Four Pillar Chart, Your personal 5 Elements with VItal Element & More.
Schedule, Pay and Book your reading or gift certificate between 9/9-10/2 for your savings today. DM me or inquire on my website. http://www.JAFengShui.com
Peace & Harmony, Jacqueline Albert Pepper🌶 Feng Shui Consultant & Teacher, Chinese Astrologist, One on One coaching, & founder of ‘Wu Center for Healing Arts’, certifying future Feng Shui consultants.
Here Comes Mercury Retrograde: Starts today, Friday September 9th at 11:38pm EDT, and goes direct on October 2nd at 5:07am EDT.
A great time to finish forgotten projects, and rest up to fill, and rejuvinate your energy cup. Pay attention to self, and self care during this time.
Full, Harvest Moon, in Pisces Saturday the 10th at 5:59am EDT. Since this is called the “Harvest” moon…capture the energy this weekend: – Meditate on that which you would like to see come to fruition this year.A raise, a new relationship or job you’d like to see happen. -Let go of heart hurts and forgive yourself and others by getting in touch with left over grief and releasing that. -A salt bath, a good cry, or a great run sweating the stuck grief deep down in our lungs.
This is the month the Veil is the thinnest between the spirit realm and the earth plane. You may get messages from loved ones past, and others may take this energy time to crossover like we’ve seen happen with the Queen of England.
-September 25th New Moon in Libra at 5:55pm EDT, and Rosh Hashanah begins. -September 22nd, Mabon/Fall Equinox. -Oct. 2nd, Mercury goes direct -Oct. 9th, Full Blood, Moon, Sukkot begins. -Oct. 25th New Moon Solar Eclipse in Scorpio, my moon, at 6:49am EDT.
May everyday bring you rainbows and more 🌈❤️ Happy Full Moon in Aquarius ♒️ and Metal Element season energy, Chi! A shift in the slower chi of summer to the faster pace of harvest/back to school time. What seeds did you sow and what energy will you be harvesting? Energy flows where thought goes… set your intentions and let the wind blow.
8/7 – 11/7; If you were born between these dates your Birth Season is also Metal.
Metal is connected to: ⚙️West & North West ⚙️White & Silver ⚙️Autumn / Fall ⚙️Grief ⚙️Lungs ⚙️Skin ⚙️Rooster(You) / Monkey(Shen) ⚙️Circle / Oval ⚙️Perfectionism ⚙️Rhythmical Order
Enjoy this season of preparing before the Water / Winter seasons arrival. A time to get things in order and create a more structured schedule from the free flowing, Fire Season of summer.
Look at the West and North West sectors of your home and make sure all is in order there. It’s helpful to declutter and reenergize the Chi as each season comes, but it doesn’t mean that’s the only time to check in.
For more on your Birth Season and Four Pillars, Ba Zi, chart PM me or go to my website.
The new moon in Leo is the time to set intentions around pleasure and enjoyment, creative inspiration, self-confidence, and sovereignty.
Work for public recognition, popularity, and bringing your creative work into the spotlight. Confidence, heart healing, self trust, vitality, strength, and leadership are enhanced by Leo. Working with the fire element is especially potent now, particularly Sun magic, fire rituals, and candle magic.
The Leo new moon is an auspicious time for handfastings (wedding ritual), blessings on creative projects, and inner child work.
Work with gold and symbols of sovereignty, such as crowns, rings, and frankincense. Crystals: Carnelian, citrine, ruby, Sunstone, tigers eye -excerpt from Llewellyn‘s datebook
Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what’s next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take Leap after Leap in the dark. -Agnes de Mille
Agnes, Born the year of Wood Snake with Metal Monkey day of birth. (September 18, 1905 – October 7, 1993) She was an American dancer and choreographer. De Mille was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1973. Her many other awards include the Tony Award for Best Choreography (1947, for Brigadoon), the Handel Medallion for achievement in the arts (1976), an honor from the Kennedy Center (1980), an Emmy for her work in The Indomitable de Mille (1980), Drama Desk Special Award (1986) and, in 1986, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts.
This quote has such connection to the present time now. No one ever knows what tomorrow brings. In these last 2 weeks of Fire Season, when impulsiveness can come up if you’re feeling imbalanced … find the present moment within yourself.
Peace & Harmony, Jacqui Pepper 🌶
For more on your personalized, Chinese Astrology chart or info on Feng Shui. http://www.JAFengShui.com Link on profile.
May 17th – 20th, 1999 – New/Old Delhi to Agra – Traveling alone
Day 41~May 17th – I had a long day today. My private tour guide and driver picked me up at 9am …I felt like royalty… This was the best way to see the bustling city in a country you have never been before as a woman traveling alone and very affordable coming from the West. We went to the largest Mosque in all of India. You had to take your shoes off, and they had to provide me with a fabric to wrap around my legs since I was wearing shorts instead of my usual skirts which were all dirty. It was beautiful. We climbed to the towers of the Mosque … my thighs were hurting that night. They were very steep stairs and lots of them. From there we went to Red Fort, Delhi and walked around then we went to the parliament area of town where the president’s palace is. The font gates were open because the president was on his way back from somewhere, so I got the see the president’s motorcade and the president himself was in one of the stretched, blacked out windows, black Mercedes. Then we drove around the wealthy parts of town where a lot of the diplomats live. We went to a fancy hotel to meet Lalita who was the woman that set my mother up on a trip in the past and worked with me on this trip. She treated me and Sanjay, my guide, to lunch it was nice. What I love most about traveling is all the lovely people you meet all over the world.
After lunch we drove to the Lotus Temple, it was closed because it is Monday. Oh Yeah, before lunch we went to the Gandhi Museum to see where Gandhi had been assassinated and some memorabilia about him. I enjoyed the energetic peace there. After the Lotus Temple we went to a Temple community where all different sects of Hindu temples were built – we mostly just took pictures from outside. From there we went shopping at the government run shopping centers which meant decent prices at fixed rates. I got all my Christmas gifts done there for friends and family back home. After that I was exhausted. It was around 110 degrees today with bright sunshine
I got back to the Taj Palace Hotel around 5:30pm and the entire hotel was out of electricity and had been since 2pm…So I decided since it was dark inside, I would put my bathing suit on and go read by the pool. I did that for n hour then came up for a shower and to rearrange my bags. I ordered dinner in my room since there was only partial power restored.
Day 42 – May 18, 1999
Woke up at 4:45am and got ready to catch the train to Agra. Checked out and my driver and guide picked me up around 5:40am. I had a 6:15am train to catch. The guide got on the train with me and seated me next to a nice gentleman in his fifty’s. The train left on time and the countryside was very beautiful…mostly farmlands the entire way. The gentleman that sat next to me was very nice. We talked the entire way to Agra. He is an airline engineer and we talked about his children and his career and his golf game. His wife is from Nepal they live in Bangor, South India. He was a very pleasant man it was nice sharing with him.
Then my tour guide and driver picked me up at the train station and we went to check in at the Mughal Sheridan. Very Nice hotel. I cleaned up and put my stuff down and we went straight to the Taj Mahal. You can also see it from my hotel room. It was beautiful, breathtaking! A monument of Love!
We were there about an hour I had a photographer take pictures of me as you can hire them around the campus to support local business.
From there we went to the Baby Taj Mahal a monument to one of the Queen’s parents. It was nice driving through the city and bridges. We went to a marble laying factory, tourist trap, but so nice to see the local artistry and marble sculptures as a sculptor of stone myself. Of course, I bought more gifts things were so beautiful you wanted to capture it in small tokens to bring home.
Back to the hotel for lunch and a rest mid-day as it is so hot here my eyeballs are sweating. After the break we went to Agra’s Red Fort and could see the Taj from across the way. I could not stop taking pictures of the Taj Mahal thinking there was a way to capture its energy on film.
After a tour of the Fort, we went back to the Taj Mahal for sunset time… It was the most magical energy I have felt… I sat and meditated, prayed to release unwanted energy I was carrying, and to leave it there and take with me the joy I felt in the presence of this outstanding energy. When the lighting was just right, I did pictures again with that photographer.
Back to the hotel I called Sashikala and met her and her husband for drinks… He is a mice man, and they make a handsome couple. So great seeing her again outside of studying with her.
Tomorrow morning back to the Taj for sunrise…wondering if the energy can be beat from sunset tonight!
May 20, 1999 – 8:10am Thailand Time
Well, I am finally on my way home after more than 51 days of traveling. I was up at 4am yesterday morning and haven’t really slept since…
I woke up from a dream I can’t recall and couldn’t get back to sleep. I had to be up around 5m anyway to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise, so I just got up. The Taj at Sunrise was truly magical I could have stayed there all day. I got more pictures taken by the local photographer’s who have been there for years doing this as a profession to feed their families…
I felt like a princess it was so much fun it felt like a photo shoot. I sat and meditated and prayed for 20 minutes then 15 minutes more of my own photos. I was there over an hour…it was great. Then back to the hotel I laid down for 45 minutes but couldn’t sleep. Got up, ate breakfast, and met the guide to travel an hour out of Agra to the ‘Deserted City.” The countryside was nice, mostly farmland again.
The Deserted City was beautiful all-in red sandstone – much like the Red Fort of Agra and Delhi. The architecture was amazing it felt like the ruins of ancient Greece, ancient anywhere. We walked around for about an hour it was extremely hot, but I took some great photos. Back to the car for the hour drive back. Just before we got to the hotel I asked if we could stop at a bookstore so I could get Shashikala’s book on Vaastu – The Penguin Guide to Vaastu “The Classical Indian Science of Architecture and Design.” They had one copy left. Back to the hotel… It was around noon. I tried to call Sashikala but there was no answer. We had said we would try to get together for lunch or something. I laid down but still could not fall asleep. Got up went to lunch, the pool for a bit than back to the room.
Mid-day is not the day to site see in May in India. Sashikala called. I showered and got ready to leave as she said she had come through the lobby to say goodbye. As I was checking out, she came over. I told her I got the last copy of her book at the bookstore could she sign it for me. She signed it and we said our goodbyes. The driver picked me up around 6pm my train was at 6:35pm out of Agra and back to Delhi…Off we went.
The train was a few minutes behind. I found my seat on the one airconditioned car on the WHOLE train. It took over 3 hours. By this point I was running late for the airport. I did not want to miss that flight with the two connecting flights there after waiting it would be a mess.
My tour guide Sanjay set me up and I said goodbye. I waited in customs line for what seemed like forever. Finally, I boarded my flight on Thai Air. It was nice. A little over 3 hours layover with more delays but there was nowhere to lie down and at this point after not getting much sleep I am exhausted. Oh well, Caught my next flight to Tokyo… I’m on it now with 3 more hours to go to get to JFK – NYC.
1:30am Japan time – I cannot wait to get home and take a hot bath.
May 14th-16th, 1999 – Goa with Teacher Sashikala Ananth studying Vastu Shastra.
Day 40 – May 14th Gee it’s our last day of the trip … Last night the 14th we walked up the beach to a great restaurant right on the beach. There were 15 of us…We had a great time walking there and watching the sunset as the sun fell to the Earth. There was a great breeze and the warm sand under our feet. We were all taking pictures in various groups and ways so we could all treasure this moment and the trip and what it meant to all of us who completely the entire 3 parts together.
I had the Lobster grilled with garlic butter, it was a wonderful evening. We treated Sashikala and Ahaliya to dinner, it was their last night here. They leave this evening. We loved her energy and her teachings as she literally ate, breathed and slept the wisdom and beliefs of Vastu and its entire culture and way of being…a life-style.
Then we walked back in the dark with beach crabs crawling all over the sand with not many flashlights, if any. Suzanne and I were screaming at some points and then roaring with laughter about the whole thing.
We all met in the bar here at the hotel to have a meeting for “Global Design Network” – A company Sashikala wants to start with all of us from the trip. To share ideas, information, and brainstorm with like minded people from around the globe. It was nice. We will all keep in touch via computer. I have to get email when I get home. (yes, that’s right, email and I didn’t have a cell phone then either 😉)
PS I googled Global Design Network and it does exist since 2005 but I don’t believe it was by my teacher…we all kept in touch for a while but without things like Social Media back then to make it easier, I have lost touch with most of the group including my friend Suzanne.
Class Notes – Vaastu Shastra – Teacher Sashikala Ananth
Anchors of Indian Logic – Yoga – Ayurveda – Vastu. 1.) Personal serenity (healer) Mind (disturbed) & Body (patient) 2.) Inward Harmony. Order in an outward form creates order in an inward form
A drawing in my notes shows a Triangle with: -Philosophy/Belief System at top -Integrity of Self at lower left corner. -Accountability to System/People
Cooking is such an intimate way to offer nurturing to other people. Never let go of cooking – cooking is like Yoga…A meditative process
Create in your day, each day, a time to have time, space & energy come together – that’s the celebration of life with all the senses open.
Like a flower looking at the sun, STAY OPEN!
Order or Discipline = Sadhana
Fullness = Poornam (a complete experience, a full moon) Fullness is accomplished when all levels of consciousness are achieved in conjunction.
Day 41- May 15th, 1999 – Goa with Teacher Sashikala Ananth studying Vastu Shastra
Well, today was the last day of the tour and the class. It was good we ended class with a group share, and everyone had nice things to say about Sashikala and the trip as well as our leader Roger green. It was a nice moment. We all got ready and went back to the restaurant on the beach that we all walked to, around 6:15PM, just in time for the sunset. I got some great pictures and we all took some group shots too. It was really great energy. I’ve made some great friends, we had a wonderful dinner while it rained, and we watched lightning in the distance as well as heard some thunder… it stopped as quick as it started. We had a nice dinner, and a nice conversation, then we all walked back to the hotel and went to the bar for a drink. Sue was doing face analysis on Katherine, and I went after her, it was pretty precise and very interesting.
Suzanne and I came back to the room and of course her shotzy (sweetheart in German) called right when we walked in. I’m writing in my Journal as she talks on the phone.
Sashikala will be in Agra the same time as me so we have decided to get together when we are both there. Well, tomorrow we all leave Goa and each go our separate ways to different destinations, it will be bittersweet. I am looking forward to moving on and traveling alone but will miss the friendships I’ve made.
Day 42 – May 16th, 1999 – 5:45 PM
Just arrived in my room at Taj Palace hotel in New Delhi. It was a bittersweet day, I said goodbye to all my travel companions of the past six weeks, I’ll miss Suzanne most she’s become a good friend. I can’t wait to go home by this point but one day in Delhi and two in Agra by myself should be nice, than home. I’m looking forward to the Taj Mahal very much… I’m going at sunset Tuesday and sunrise Wednesday, my train arrives back in Delhi at 9:00 PM and I just go straight to the airport. The timing should be perfect, then my flight is at midnight and I’ll be back in New York on Thursday at 4:45PM.
I can’t wait to talk to my friends and see my mom and dad and Simba. I sat with a really nice man from France named Christophe, he was interesting. I met him at the Goa airport and he helped me all the way to Delhi until the tour guide picked me up. I gave him my business card and said if he was in New York to call me.
It’s great preparation for one day at a time this trip, I need to really keep living in the present moment. It takes practice to stay in the moment. So much change happening when I get home, it’s very exciting and one day at a time. I’m trusting in the universe to do what’s best for me in staying true to myself.
Class Notes from Last Day with Sashikala Ananth – Teacher of Vastu
Three theories to Indian culture
Experience – taking place through your senses
Faculties – become
Instruments – manifested form
Northern Hemisphere Direction Meanings
NE. – Water, God, nurturance, direction of warrior, loving to friends and family and tough on those he does not love, enemies. sensuousness connected to the Crow
SE – Fire, spirituality, fire as the witness, messenger, center of activities in the home, the ability to come alive spiritually, connected to snake (I think my notes say snake LOL)
S – Direction of death, unless you understand death you can’t live. One of the most powerful directions, the direction of the lion. South is only friendly with East. Spiritual rebirth.
E – Gets along with all directions
W – is friendly with North East and West
N – is friendly with East and West
SW – Is the location for space, or spirit of your forefathers, an important location, in the shadow of your past. connected to the dog
No corners of a home have entrances in Vaastu – Could be weakness
W – Lord of the waters, the rains, the oceans, adventure an excitement, innovative, creative, West direction of expansion. Connected to the bull
NW – Wealth, healing, volume, Lord of the wind, location of mind, intellectual achievement. Connected to the donkey
N – elephant, moon, wealth, material wealth, Lord of the herbs, healing, person who transforms, pleasure loving, hedonist, indulgence. Connected to the elephant
Center – is earth, leave center open, not too much activity here, no walls or pillars.
Rectangle is residence square is temple and offices you can combine forms.
Letting go of limitations but exploring boundaries!
Next stop and last entry … Alone with One, traveling by myself to Agra & Taj Mahal. Follow my blog at http://www.JAFengShui.com/blog/
Teacher & Consultant guiding you to transformation in your own life. Feng Shui is the Chinese Art of Placement and is about harmonizing and balancing the environment around you by calibrating the Chi, energy, in your home, office or business of any kind. Schedule your Complimentary Discovery call with the link on bio or connect on my website at: http://www.JAFengShui.com
I can do Chinese Astrology readings without the Feng shui but I can never do Feng shui without the Chinese Astrology charts.
Happy 4th of July, Freedom, emancipation, be your own authority, Day. Exodus, my favorite song and chapter of the Bible because it’s about freeing your mind and your body.
“Free Your Mind and the Rest Will Follow”- En Vogue
“Exodus, Movement of Jah People oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, Well Uh, Open Your Eyes and Look Within are You Satisfied with the Life You’re Living” – Bob Marley
“Exodus” is a Latin word derived from Greek Exodos, the name given to the book by those who translated it into Greek. The word means “exit,” “departure”.
May 9th- 11th, 1999 – Traveling from Udaipur, via Mumbai, to Goa. Studying Vastu Shastra with Shahikala Ananth
Day 37 –May 9th, 1999
One day only in Mumbai and it was not even a full day! We drove around in a taxi looking around and stopped at a few sites before heading to our hotel. We are sleeping in a depressing old hotel in Bombay, Mumbai, for one night as we make our way to Goa to study with Shashikala Ananth. We are now spoiled after staying at the Trident in Udaipur so most pale in comparison. Our trip got skewed (one of my favorite words) when we got stuck in the floods of Guilin and had to be rescued by the Army so ever since then we are off by a day. There were no plans to sleep here but now we are which means a bit less time in Goa. My last week with the study tour until I travel solo back to Delhi and then Agra for the Taj Mahal.
Suzanne, my roommate, and friend is trying to make me laugh right now! 😂
Day 38 –May 10th, 1999
Woke up and the group went to the airport to grab our plane to Goa. The last leg of the Five Week study tour :O … I can’t believe it’s almost over. I traveled a week by myself before I met up with the group and I will do the same here in India when the group ends.
I sat next to a really, nice man from Goa who I told about our group and the feng shui tour and how it’s been going. He talked about Goa and India and the differences and similarities between America and India. It was a nice transition to Goa it changed the negative feelings I was having with the group ending and the last hotel we were in and all the moving around.
We got to the Majorda Beach Resort in Goa and Suzanne, and I checked in, quickly put our bathing suits on and went to the beach! No one was around and the sand was blowing on us, so we moved to the pool. It was about 4pm by the time we laid down. I listened to music of course and Suzanne read a book. We came back to the room around 5:45pm and dinner was at 7:30pm. We showered and I wrote some postcards then we were ready for dinner. Majorda is nice but the trip is starting to feel long now. I’m starting to feel ready to get home but have about 2 more weeks to go. The saving grace is yoga and Vaastu classes all this week with Shashi. She is encompassing us with the entire culture as we study Vaastu as it’s a way of being as much as something you can study and learn.
We went down to dinner which was outside by the pool even though the sun had set it was quite warm and very humid but lovely non-the-less. Suzanne, Helene, Trudy, Ron, and I sat together. A band was setting up as we arrived. Later during dinner people were suggesting I get up and sing which I said I would later after dinner. Dinner was good…after I ate, I went over to the band and talked to them and told them I wanted to sing with them if I could. They were very gracious and backed me on about 3 songs. By now everyone was up and dancing and having fun. It was a great night to let off steam after being cooped up in a bus in Tibet and moved around so much prior to Udaipur. Suzanne and I came back to the room around 10:30pm. I called my parents to let them know where I was and then wrote in my journal.
Goa
Here we begin our intensive 6 days (now 5) training with Shahikala Ananth learning all about the Indian culture and specifically Vaastu each day. In the evenings and time off we can enjoy the beach and atmosphere of this famous retreat town. Mesmeric sunsets, good food, and climate make it a popular spot to unwind and enjoy the pleasures of life.
Goa’s 450 years under Portuguese domination produced a unique exotic blend of eastern and western cultures.
Teacher Shashikala Ananth
Holds a degree in architecture and has spent the last 20 years (20+ years ago now) combining traditional methods with indigenous materials and vernacular building styles. Shashikala has undertaken intense theoretical study of the Vastu texts and has worked with traditional artisan communities. In 1999 she was working on different projects where the wisdom of the Vastu Shastras is incorporated into the modern dwellings. Shashikala was one of the most popular teachers with the 1998 study tour group. From May 10-15th in Goa, we will be learning from her about the astrological system of proportional measurements used in traditional design principles, along with ancient techniques and cures for space clearing.
Excerpts from above taken from study tour brochure.
Day 39 –May 11th, 1999 – Goa with Teacher Sashikala Ananth
I had a fun day today with the girls, Suzanne, Trudy & Helene. We have become good friends. Our group started out with yoga in the morning as we do each morning here with Sashikala, breakfast, then class, lunch break and beach, ahhhhh, in the afternoon, then back to class again. We all got showered after and went out to dinner because May 13th is Trudy’s birthday, and Simba my Bernese Mt. dog back at home. I can’t wait to get home, but I am looking forward to traveling to Agra at the end of my studies by myself to see the Taj Mahal. One day only in Mumbai and it wasn’t even a full day! We drove around in a taxi looking around and stopped at a few sites before heading to our hotel. We are sleeping in a depressing old hotel in Bombay, Mumbai, for one night as we make our way to Goa to study with Shashikala Ananth. We are now spoiled after staying at the Trident in Udaipur so most pale in comparison. Our trip got skewed (one of my favorite words) when we got stuck in the floods of Guilin and had to be rescued by the Army so ever since then we are off by a day. There were no plans to sleep here but now we are which means a bit less time in Goa. My last week with the study tour until I travel solo back to Delhi and then Agra for the Taj Mahal.
Suzanne, my roommate, and friend is trying to make me laugh!
Class Notes – Vaastu Shastra – Teacher Sashikala Ananth
Vaastu, or Vastu, was known as the – Vaastu Shilpa Shastra decades ago…an extremely old tradition. At least 16 known texts written in Sanskrit and local texts in different languages.
Vaastu meaning Architecture building – Shilpa meaning Sculpture human form
Vaastu- that which can be comprehended through the 5 senses
Sound is a Vaastu
Vaastu – means energy, object, and energy
Vaas – to be, to reside, to stay
The combination of these two words is Vaastu.
If yor body, mind & spirit are at rest (peace/harmony) nothing can influence it.
Pancha Bhoota – The spirit guardians – 5 elements – Fire, Air, Earth, Space, Water
108 is a very important number in Indian tradition.
Akasham – Space (Vaastu)
Kaala – Time (Vaastu) – Was a demon that walked backwards through the universe and created time that way…time became real.
Shakti – Energy (Vaastu)
Drawing of a Triangle with S on left lower corner, K on top of triangle and A on right lower corner with arrows expanding out from initials representing above energy encompassing Space & Time.
When A, K & S are in balance then Vaastu Shastra is working.
You design the space and layout to direct the energy, so it doesn’t become destructive…when you do this, you’re getting Vaastu.
Yoga – is accepting who are, where you are and move from there.
Once aware of your limitations you can move on.
Yoga and Vaastu go hand in hand, it is essential to do both in conjunction.
Everything is fullness…the concept of fullness is only a concept and relative to each.
Information is not necessarily knowledge and knowledge is not always wisdom
Four Levels of Consciousness
-Ja Grata – Awake
-Swapina – Dreaming State
-Turya* – Deep Sleep, Contemplative
-Dhyana* – Meditative
* Accessing the Collective unconscious.
Dharma – Means upholding and accountability
First Lesson of Yoga:
From below the neck to the pelvis is the main body – the arms, neck, leg and head are only there to assist you – The real work is with the main body – Spine, Lungs, Heart & Organs
Brahma Sutram = Access
Brahma Sthanan = Naval area of body
Brahma is the name always given to the highest God head, creator, space, for maximum energy – no walls or pillars placed in center.
When you have created the perfect center – Then out of that in a clockwise spiral – The design for the space forms.
Center source of energy – even in the body – hence the midriff shows in the Saaris.
Center is Sacred.
Vaastu was a Demon, so the Heavens decided to anchor him on the Earth – 45 Deities to anchor him to the ground – Heaven is duplicated in the energy of the land. You want to release these energies to create harmony in Living.
Yoni = Female sexual organ, sexual compatibility…the same word is used for House.
Next Travel Blog exploring Goa and then travel alone back to New Delhi and old Delhi than Taj Mahal. 🎋
Happy Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year! Also called, Midsummer or Litha. The Sun is entering Cancer. Summer is the season of the greatest growth. Use that expansive energy to your benefit. In the Eastern calendar, the month is Fire Horse and the Season is Fire…both pack a punch when it comes to movement and creative energies.
Angel card is, Education. A card that reminds us to always be learning something new. If you’re not growing, your dying… I told my kids to pick one thing they’d like to learn this summer. I’m learning how to relax. I know that sounds strange but after being a care taking for many years you end up on hightened alert and ready to go a moments notice and I’m doing the opposite of that. What are you going to educate yourself on this summer?
Motherpeace card is, Shaman of Discs: On the edge; long-range vision; strong sense of purpose and direction; magnificent healer. Motherpeace card for Summer Solstice is, Lovers VI: The Lovers depicts the conflict of having more than one interest, and the need to make choices. Lovers VI, is also my Lifecard, derived from your birthdate and the numbers they add up to, see Making Ritual with Motherpeace card. Some Summer Solstice rituals from the book: Honor the Sun, take a hike, go bird watching, stay up to watch the sunset or get up to watch the sunrise, eat fresh fruit particularly berries. The summer is about freedom and liberation that often begs to be expressed through our bodies.
Feng Shui Tarot is: Strength VIII (reversed) – Do not succomb to pressure and negative attitudes. You feel a sense of misunderstanding or injustice. Clear the air, and do what you have to do. Try not to be defensive. Before situations deteriorate any further, clarify you position. Forcing issues to the back burner will only hinder the situation. End Disputes.
Four Agreements is: Be Impeccable with Your Word – Cultivate faith. To have great faith is to have great power. Because your intent, your will, is undivided. When your word isn’t dissipated by doubt. The power of your word becomes even stronger.
Peace & Harmony, Jacqueline Albert Pepper – Master & Teacher of Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology.
Schedule your complimentary Discovery call and find out what your personalized astrology has to say. – http://www.JAFengShui.com
Day 33 ~May 5th, 1999, Left Delhi for Udaipur – Daily Seminars with Nimish & Parul along with Site Visits – First day a walking tour of Udaipur
Roger Green & Nimish Patel
My teachers for the next several days: Nimish and Parul Patel: Established their firm over 40 years ago now. Top students from Vastu Shilpa Research Foundation School of Architecture. They began their study of the ancient way of building science aligned with the cosmic order called Vastu Shastra. For many years they lived in Udaipur, actively working with the local crafts people learning the indigenous styles of buildings. They have pioneered not only heritage restoration work in Udaipur, but also the integration of indigenous building material and Vastu designs. Nimish and Parul are leading lights in energy efficient designs and ecological considerations in India and have successfully incorporated these principles into many major projects.
4/3/2020 – As I looked up where they are today – Nimish Patel – a noted Indian Architect and conservationist passed away on December 12, 2018, at the age of 70. The Indian architectural community is shocked by the untimely demise of one of its most respectable and revered colleagues. Nimish Patel was the founder Principal architect of Abhikram – an Ahmedabad based architectural practice which he established in 1979 ALONG WITH his architect wife Parul Zaveri. The awards and accomplishments are so vast I will put a link here where excerpt above was taken from: www.worldarchitecture.org
I am honored and humbled to have been led by such master teachers in their fields.
About Vastu (Vaastu Shastra): According to Indian manuals on architecture and town planning, the Vastu Shastra, some of which are over 2000+ years old, state how a dwelling and city had to function as a mandala, or sacred diagram. Mandalas were governed by the precise dimensions and proportions, repeating in miniature form the mathematical scheme of the cosmos. Zones within the mandala represented different levels of the universe and were identified with particular symbology. Vastu philosophy states that everything is fundamentally ‘shabda’ or sound, which is the basic pulse of energy, which is then woven into the design. Vastu Shastra (Indian Feng Shui) provides extensive knowledge about design principles following the laws of the universe. Collectively, these underlying rhythms are sympathic to human needs, enhance good health and prosperity, are known to radiate positive energy and represent ecologically sustainable environments.
Udaipur, India (City of Lakes):
Surrounding the vast, shimmering Pichola Lake and dominated by dramatic palaces, Udaipur is one of the most exotic and picturesque cities in the world. High whitewashed houses and narrow alleys give it a medieval charm; it epitomizes Rajasthan’s romantic allure. The 1998 Vastu Shastra group fell in love with Udaipur and promised to return. 40+ years ago our teachers and guides, Nimish and Parul, threw their architectural books away to relearn the art and science of Vastu Shastra from the craftspeople of Udaipur. We join them for a five-day adventure, discussing Vastu techniques and principles of indigenous building and working close at hand on some practical projects. We will also explore the town’s temples and palaces and the scenery in the nearby valleys.– Above taken from the itinerary of the study tour.
On Our walking tour with site visits today some of the places we got to see:
~ City Palace
~ City Palace Museum
~ Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh)
~ Jagdish Temple
~ Lake Pichola
~ Lake Palace (we had dinner there in the middle of the lake it was amazing)
~ Saheliyon ki Bari
Day 34 ~May 6th, 1999 – Site visits today with Nimish & Parul – Second Day Walking Tour and Seminar of Jagdish & Eklingji Temple
This morning we drove out to the county side to two temples. One was in ruins and the other was active. We walked around the village and the temples as our site tour and teachings from Nimish and Parul – Second part of the day was a class seminar. I love how cows and goats wander around the towns and villages…I asked how they find their homes at night…the answer was…they all know where to go when its feeding time.
My friend Suzanne, and some of the other classmates, are my muses but mostly I enjoy taking in the scenery with the camera that best describes in vision form how the people, the culture, and nature live together. For me that’s what catches my eye in photography. Enjoy!
Jagdish Temple:
Is a large Hindu Temple, A major monument, in the middle of Udaipur in Rajasthan just outside the Royal Palace. It has been in continuous worship since 1651. A big tourist attraction, the temple was originally called the Temple of Jagannath Rai but is now called Jagdish-ji – Wikipedia
Eklingji Temple:
Ek means ‘one’ while ling means ‘lingam’ or the lifegiving, a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. The Eklingji Temple is one of the popular pilgrimages of Rajasthan and is located at about 22 km away from Udaipur. It was initially built by the then King of Udaipur Bappa Rawal, on the side of 72 rooms. Jain temple which housed a four-faced statue of Adinath, the first Jain Saint. It stands with the great historic significance dedicated to Lord Eklingji, the benefactor deity of the Mewar Clan.
Class Notes from Udaipur,Nimish and Parul Patel:
Vastu (Vaastu) Principles – Based on mathematics, horoscope, and cardinal directions (each assigned a Goddess to it) Similar to feng shui except all the mathematics in Chinese equate to the male and needs to be converted for female clients.
Vastu Purusha Mandala – Purusha is the body of HuMan – If you were to lay a human figure down in the floor plan of the space:
NE – Is the head in chart,
SW – Is the feet with maximum weight- courtyard usually in center to release the contained energy. Another similar connection to feng shui.
E – Goddess of Wealth
SE – Fire Corner – A lot of things to activate there – kitchen – or any activity things
S – Yama – God of Death but also Karma “you’ve done good, you get good’ and so on – more God fairing people
SW – Forefathers, usually no entrances in this corner.
W – God of Verune – To go forward, progress, grow
NW – Wind, slow but stead progress, intelligence, your children, library, office or scholarly person should be in this corner.
Center remains open, high-energy center.
First take permission of the land by intension, ‘please let us live in harmony and peace together’ – buried icons in the center to release energy
Water in the East – with higher land in the SE or S
No water in the west because it creates internal problems, fights, politic problems.
You can man make the land higher in Vastu with the same results as natural.
NE high energy center as well – do not sleep in NE
NE needs clean water source, like fountain (N, E or NW)
May 7th – 8th, 1999 – Class Notes from Udaipur & One Month Anniversary of Group
Class Notes Continued from Udaipur,Nimish & Parul Patel: -The Cardinal access in the center is for flow, cosmic energy.
– Four are sub directions which are named in parenthesis and are always in the corners.
– Archways with square windows, you see examples of this in my pictures
– Black & Red is combo of devil’s colors otherwise colors don’t really come into play like they do in Feng Shui’s Five Elements.
– NE (Ishan) Kitchen in the NE causes problems in Vastu between husband and wife, coworkers, servants, help, etc… NE (Ishan) – is water, underground water, fountain, a lot of energy here. Ishan (Eshon), best for Temple or Meditation room if spirituality is the focus of your life.
– NW (Vayaya) & South is good for storage India depending on if you live in the north or the south, the same applies in feng shui in China…. Cold climates have South facing and Warm climates have NW or N facing as a general rule of thumb.
– SW (Nirutya)
– SE (Agneya)
In my notes I have written: “Cameron” Aurameter, Life Understanding Foundation PO Box 30305, Santa Barbara, CA 93130 When I googled the above, a bookstore of sorts came up but does not appear to be in business today, this was 20+ years ago.
However, when I googled the Aurameter, this is what came up: The Original Cameron Aurameter was invented and developed over a 22-year period prior to 1952, by the late Dowsing Master, Verne L. Cameron, it is a truly ingenious device serving five distinct Dowsing functions, replacing the need for L-or Swing Rods, Wands, Pendulums, and Forked Switches.
One of the classmates had such a device with him on the trip. Its why we include and teach Pendulum Dowsing in Feng Shui.
5/8/1999 Our study group has now been officially together for a month and we celebrated by all going out to dinner on the island of Taj Lake Palace it was a lot of fun being together and enjoying the great food, masters of their subjects (our teachers), the trip in general and amazing people who had traveled all over the world to be together for this once in a lifetime trip.
Back to notes:
E – Wealth, Goddess of wealth and prosperity, open, less weight, lots of openings in that area of the space, Less openings in the S and SW.
N – Open & Cool
Common sense, common knowledge and innovation when it comes to designing a space in Vastu, and in Feng Shui, whether it’s a commercial or residential.
This is where I had some pieces made for me
Next stop on the Travel Blog…Goa, India via Mumbai
Today, 6/13, is the eve of the Full Moon in Sag coming at 7:52am EDT, also Flag Day and the Strong Sun Moon or Strawberry Moon as this one may be called. Full Moons are about endings of energy so use this time to complete things you’ve been meaning to finish.
Purification is a great Angel card pull this week…with the Full Moon energy, release the negative beliefs about yourself that no longer serve you. Write what it is on a piece of paper or a leaf and burn it, bury it, float it in the ocean or toilet or let the leaf blow in the wind. The intention at that time is to now create the new belief, opposite of the other if you can, that will become the new way of being.
One month in to the Fire Element Season, two more to go, great time to work on the South sector of your home to declutter, maintain, or transform. At my house we are working with great integrity since the South, Fire, is also our Money area according to my husband’s and my BaZi natal chart elements.
Son of Wands: Wands connected also to the Fire & South. In MotherPeace cards Wands are The life force; Creative spark; passion. Son (air/fire): A clown; the energy to delight; light, relaxed spirit; freedom.
Feng Shui tarot card pull for the week is a Green Dragon * Two ~ which is connected to pentacles. Core aspect: Juggling or struggling between this and that. Your cycle indicates that you are ready to make a choice. You will get support and possibly more.
The card pull from Don Miguel Ruiz – The Four Agreements is always a great one for me…Dont Make Assumptions – I tend to jump to conclusions – Discern the Truth.
For more on your personal Astrology, schedule your complimentary discovery call today to find out more about my services and I can learn about your needs and wants.
May 4th Leaving Nepal for India to study Vaastu – Stage 3 of trip
5/4/1999 Tuesday –We were up at 5am Nepal time to begin the last leg of our travel study tour to Udaipur, India, via New Delhi for a day & night, to study Vaastu Shastra with Namish & Parul Patel. I was still quite sick from the bladder infection that began on the last part of the 8-day road trip on Friendship Hwy through Tibet. It was a tough journey to get to Kathmandu … we traveled by small bus over tough terrain, a new hotel/motel every night, very different accommodations than in America. Literally you had a hay/straw stuffed mattress with a blanket that may not have even been washed in a while and if you had running water, you were lucky. I had noooooo clean clothes, and now had to wake up to start a journey feeling under the weather at best with my last skirt and top on, and TMI, I was going commando. Funny enough I am a self-proclaimed worst traveler to begin with (I know, I know, that’s how much I love Feng Shui). I was willing to travel to crazy places and overcome my travel woes to study with these incredible masters in their fields and discover countries and cultures for a trip of a lifetime. Off we began at Royal Nepal Airlines in what felt like a cargo plane with big props on it, no A/C, and it was very loud. We were flying west over the Himalayas towards India, lets put it this way, there was no beverage service on this flight.
By now I have made friends I will forever remember in my heart, even if I can’t remember their names except for a few; ) We had said good-bye last night to all our classmates and travel friends who were leaving and only the last committed handful of study buddies remain. My friend Suzanne and some of the other ladies had gathered around me during this flight knowing I was struggling to keep it together until AFTER we landed. I was feeling faint and dizzy, picture it…8 days on Friendship Highway with not a lot to eat, mostly because the food was soooo different from what I was used to that I only ate hardboiled eggs and apples or bananas practically. I then ended up with a bladder infection, and now have to take a journey like no other to get to India. I digress, it was a comedy act of sorts reminding me of Lucy and Ethel, even though Suzanne was from Germany and had an accent, she was trying to help me by elevating my legs on the plane to stop me from fainting. The plane was so loud no one could hear me saying “don’t lift my legs too high” because I had no underwear on under my skirt!
We made it to Delhi, thank you Buddha, but me barely… Phew
We took a day tour of the city before night fall and had one night there before heading out the next morning to fly to Udaipur. Suzanne, a lovely woman with four children in her late 40’s, at the time, owns a spa in Hamburg and is into health and wellness. She had roomed with my mom for about 3 nights prior and was now my roommate for the rest of the trip. Delhi was a fascinating, big city and I will be back after the study tour ends in a few weeks to complete the last part of my journey as I began it…traveling by myself. I can’t wait to get to Udaipur tomorrow and finally get settled somewhere for at least a few nights in a row…we’ve changed hotels every night or 2 since Guilin and it’s been hard, no clean laundry, no sense of calm with this much moving around. I can finally unpack and not live out of a suitcase for a change, and I am SOOOOOO looking forward to the food and culture here. Well, gotta go meet the gang for dinner downstairs…until later.
Delhi, India: The Nation’s capital territory, north-central India. The city of Delhi consists of two components: Old Delhi, in the North, the historic city; and New Delhi, in the South. Since 1947, the capital of India, built in the first part of the 20th century as the capital of British India. One of the country’s largest urban cities, 2nd to Mumbai. -Excerpt from Britannica.com.
Today, 6/6 marks a full month in of Fire season with two more to go. Keep focusing on the South sector of your home for decluttering, maintenance, or transformation. South/Fire Represents Love and passion.
In the 10,000 Year Old Calendar, ephemeris, it’s the characters whose translation is “Little bit Hotter.” It’s the day of Metal Tiger in Water Tiger year. Metal feeds Water in the cycle of Five Elements making this a day of culmination, completion for you on something. Mercury finally direct and shaking it off.
Feng Shui Tarot – Three of Wands
Past Energy card – Reverse Core Aspect: Scattered energy, lack of detail. This “pie in the sky“ approach is detrimental to any venture you may begin. Foundations are necessary.
Feng Shui Tarot – Four of Pentacles
Present Energy Card – Reversed Core Aspect: Steer away from overspending. Establish a realistic budget. To realize your dreams you need to be patient. You can overcome the obstacles.
Feng Shui Tarot – Three of Swords
Future Energy Card – Core Aspect: Dispute and disagreement can escalate the emotional circumstance. Sit back and listen. Try to understand. Get a grip on the whole thing and avoid loss and upheaval.
In the West enjoy the last 2 weeks of Spring, and here comes the heat, certainly in Gulf Coast Florida where I live. The moon transitioning to Full on Flag Day, June 14th, in Sagittarius.
June is know as the month of Love so tune in closely to the Chi vibration of giving and receiving Love this month. Love comes in many forms so make a ritual for yourself to bring that in whatever it looks like.
Peace & Harmony, Jacqueline Albert Pepper, Master of Feng Shui & Chinese Astrology.
April 25-May 2nd, Tibet with Land drive to Kathmandu, Nepal – Stage 2 of trip
4/25/1999 Sunday –We arrived in Lhasa and enjoyed a fabulous welcome by the locals with dance and song and costumes and music, it was amazing! The Yak is very revered here because they are a true resource to the people…they burn Yak oil lamps, have Yak milk everything and even use Yaks to plow their fields.
We then enjoyed a hotel lunch in the dining room and then after, anyone who was up to it, had a tour of Lhasa and some of the local sites. A lot of people, out of almost 60 were starting to feel the effects of the high altitude and stayed to rest and catch their breath…literally. We are at almost 12 thousand feet in altitude…high for flying right in. Most people enter from the Nepal side so that there is a gradual incline in altitude, but not us, we flew right in and drove up and across Tibet all the way to Kathmandu.
I have prepared wisely for the higher altitude and part of my luggage supplies are alternative support for health while here…. I have been taking double the vitamin C, 2000 mgs, for two weeks now and will continue to do so while here in Tibet. Along with a bottle, and yes one of them broke in my luggage UGGGG, of black strap molasses which has a high concentrate of iron to get the oxygen carried to the brain quicker at these altitudes.
So, I felt good…Me, Mom and my friends all headed out for the afternoon tour of Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Bazar right here in Lhasa to enjoy the people and the sights and smells and sounds of the market.
The views were incredible. You could see the Potala Palace, the 5thDalai Lama’s winter residence which was added to the original structure of 637 (built by Songtsen Gampo) in 1649 and they didn’t finish construction until 1694. The Tibetans call this Peak Potala or “the Peak.” The 3 “hills” surrounding Lhasa are said to be the protectors of Tibet.
By the time it gets dark here at night, around 8:30pm, there isn’t much to do after that in Tibet, so we all went to bed early feeling like we were walking on the moon as we acclimated to the climate and altitude. Tomorrow would be the tour of the Potala Palace and the Gelungpa monasteries, the largest in Tibet…so excited couldn’t really sleep…couldn’t breathe well either…. there is Oxygen in each room if you need it
4/27/1999 Tuesday – My mom had been rooming with a lovely lady from Germany named Suzanne since last night on the very quick Chengdu trip and now again in Tibet. Suzanne and some of the others informed me before bed that my Mom wasn’t feeling well from the altitude and they had called the Doctor in. I was concerned but the next morning Mom said, “Go on to the Palace and I’ll be fine, I’ll rest here all day, it will be OK.” So, I left with a small group, by this point many of the folks were feeling the same way, but my Mom’s room was more elevated than most.
I loved the palace and of course at the end of the tour of the whole place there is a small “gift” shop and I fall in LOVE with the most gorgeous Thangka (Tonka) I had laid eyes on. It was one of the things I wanted/needed for my Flower of Romance area of my Manhattan apartment to support my Love/Relationship area and had on my list to look for this trip. A Thangka is a hand painted scroll that the monks do as a form of mediation, like the sand art mosaics they create…this was antique and real…most you see are reprints…this was the Color Chakra and Compassion Buddha in an embrace of love and unity. Only thing was it was CASH ONLY and it was $150, cheap for this type of handcraft, and I only had a credit card…UGGGG…I asked EVERYONE in the group if they had cash they could lend me, but no one was carrying that much cash around in Tibet. I had to leave it and a piece of my heart behind…everyone said, “You’ll see one in Nepal, you’ll find another one, etc., etc.,” …I never did find one like it again or since.
When we got back from the day trip, I was told my Mom was moved to the local hospital because the visiting doctor and the forms of medicine they had on hand at the hotel were not working for my Mom’s altitude sickness which is very dangerous if not addressed. I grabbed a cab and headed over to the hospital with a friend and was surprised at the conditions of this hospital in Lhasa…they would move someone out of a bed and put someone else right in…. on top of Yak fur and a small grey sheet that was never changed. People are smoking and spitting all over the ground in the hospital and conditions are none like I have ever seen. A doctor comes over and writes me a prescription that I must take to a window and purchase with the chit he gave me and the Tibetan money, bank notes and coins, and then they check it and send you to another window to pick up. You bring that to the doctor in a little glass vial of some sort…he breaks the top off right there on the floor and administers to my Mom in the hopes she stops throwing up and having severe headaches.
They tell me after hours of being there they are going to have to admit her for overnight. That’s when I get a pit in my stomach and say I’m taking her back to the hotel for the night and will talk to the tour guides and teachers about what to do.
Turns out when it comes to severe altitude sickness the only cure is to get you to a lower altitude and QUICK!! After much discussion and concern and worry by me…we all decide the only way out is the next plane back to China. My Mom will leave at 5am the next morning to a lower altitude AND one of the guides will go with her to the airport, etc. I feel mostly comfortable with that because tomorrow early we leave for our Scenic Drive across Tibet on the Friendship Highway and there is no way she can make it in a bus/jeep each day.
4/28/1999 Wednesday Early Morning – Lhasa, Tibet leaving for Friendship Highway – Mom got off OK and I was off for my journey MILES away from home and any type of phone or computer for that fact. The Friendship Highway one of the most scenic and beautiful routes I’ve ever been on was a really rough trip with up to 10 hours a day in a bus for 5 days with, sorry Tibet, shit food to eat, I had a hardboiled egg and an apple every day and if I was brave the Yak Jerky they gave us, most days it was brown bagged.
The accommodations were horrible mostly cold nights with no heat or running water. I was glad my mom had flown out because in the condition she was in that trip would have been impossible for her. I knock on wood I didn’t really get affected at all by the altitude other than a headache for a few hours at the highest pass we traveled. Lhasa was great and the other big city we went to the following day and the energy in the mountains and at the lakes was wonderful, BUT all in all, it was very trying and a hard trip with the dry dusty elements in the day and cold not very comfortable conditions at night.
By the 4th day on the road, I started to feel uneasy and had cabin fever from being on the bus for so long. We would encourage the driver to stop often, and I busied myself by doing yoga poses at the different peak stops along the way.
5/1/1999 Saturday Night LATE –By the last night when we landed at the final hotel before crossing the border and customs to Nepal there was a really bad rainstorm and we JUST made it to the hotel before the road behind us washed away and anyone there was turned back for MILES of a stretch before civilization again. Our whole group made it through, and boy were we glad to be together, and our journey on the bus coming to an end, but our drivers and guides will forever be in our hearts. We made it overland to Gyantse, Xigatse, Xgar and finally Zhangmu.
A Timeless Journey with Professor Wang de Yu
Lhasa begins our stage 2 journey “The Rooftop of the World.” This is the world-famous traveler’s destination. It is said that eventually everyone needs to come to Tibet at least once to face their karma – or so the story goes!
We will be joined in Lhasa by our Feng Shui Scholar Professor Wang, who will take the journey with us to Kathmandu, giving us the chance to ‘Trace’ the dragon energy in the shapes of the mountains and valleys. We will also be studying I Ching readings and Form School principles with Professor Wang.
In Lhasa we have 2 full days of sight-seeing planned. We will visit the Jokhang Temple, the most sacred and active as well as oldest temple in Tibet. Barkhor Bazar famous for its Tibetan Handcrafts, antiques, street performers and it’s push and shove market economy.
Potala Palace, which is a vast white and ochre fortress, a sight that has heralded the marvels of the holy city to travelers for 3 centuries. It is one of the wonders of Eastern Architecture. A short distance away on the west side of town are the important Gelungpa monasteries of Drepung and Sera Sect which are the largest in Tibet. In their heyday they were home to over 10,000 monks. We will also visit the Norbulingka, former Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas.
Although we are staying in the top end accommodation at the Holiday Inn, we suggest an evening drink at the famous Backpackers, a Tibetan run Yak Hotel in the Barhor area. We may even get a chance to sing a few rounds of “Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven’s Door!” – From the study tour brochure.
Professor Wang Yu De: The head of the Historical Research Dept. at Wuhan University (1999).He was the main teacher on the 1996 study tour and has written many books on Feng Shui published in China. Prof. Wang joins us in Tibet where he will travel with us overland to Kathmandu. We are honored to have him lead us in Landscape Feng Shui and Dragon Lines teachings on the “Rooftop of the World” with one of the top Feng Shui scholars of the world!
My Class Notes from Prof. Wang – 5/1/1999:
-The I Ching (EE Ching) is not used in Tibet along with the Feng Shui like it is in China.
-The reason for no I Ching being used could possibly be because Tibet has their own language and the I Ching is written in Chinese…Most Tibetans don’t read Chinese.
-Some people think that the I Ching is a philosophy and others think it is fortune telling. Either way it’s an important book to the Feng Shui.
-It’s divided into 2 parts
1.) I Ching; 2.) I Zhuan, explaination of I Ching
-Symbols of the sun over a side laying crescent moon are ALL over Tibet along with the Prayer flags and backward X’s with over hangs at the end of each stroke over all the doors…a symbol of Recycle which came from Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty.
-Tai Chi, or as we now know it, the Yin/Yang symbol was created by Feng Shui Master in the Sung Dynasty and became popular in the Ching Dynasty.
4/19/1999 Monday Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei is the heart of Taiwan. We are visiting the National Palace Museum while here, which holds the worlds largest collection of Chinese artifacts, including ceramics over 5000 years old. There are many Taoist and Confucius temples in the city including the popular Lungshan Temple where the air is always thick with incense burning.
Two blocks away is the famous Snake Alley, which we will be able to walk to tonight from our Hotel Taipei Miramar…our last night in Taiwan. Snake Alley, a fascinating place with a carnival atmosphere.
Snake soup anyone? Taipei comes alive at night, so put your party hat on!
We will take a visit to Mr. Ho’s Feng Shui School and Society and on the last day we will visit some of the famous burial sites and study the principles of the “Yin Zhai” Feng Shui school of thought. Today Site visits with Mr. Ho in the surrounding areas of Taipei… Our last day here in Taiwan we are back in Taipei studying the famous burial sites of the ancient tombs.
While we were in Taiwan studying with Mr. Ho, who speaks no English, our main interpreter was a friend of Rodger Green’s from Australia: Dr. Michael Paton:He was conferred a doctorate by the University of Sydney for his research into the history and philosophy of science in China. Michael is our official translator and is probably one of the most qualified persons for the job in the world as he was the first person to translate important, classical texts into English. The research was based on full translations of five of the Feng Shui Classics of Form School texts. Dr. Paton works in the Faculty of Economics at the University of Sydney. (1999)
5-day seminar with Mr. Ho Chin-Chung in Howard Beach Resort and Taipei, Taiwan – My Class Notes from Mr. Ho: 4/17-19/1999:
-When worshiping and paying respect to ancestors for abundance hold the incense with the right hand then wrap the left hand around while burning.
-Good numbers of Incense to use – 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12
-Numbers Chinese/Taiwanese do not like using – 2, 4, 8, 13, 14
-Over 7,000 years ago the highest God was called:
The limitless Heaven Master or Master of the Unlimited, Heavenly Father “Tianfu”
-The Ancestral Master of the Ba Gua is “Fu Xi” – also where the I Ching comes from.
-Jade Emperor “Yu Huang”
– “Tai Shang” the old Lord, the Ancestor of Taoism, the 1st Taoist, approx. 4,000 years ago
-Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammad, 3,000 years ago
-Feng Shui has been an essential part of Chinese Culture for over 7,000 years
-The Talisman comes from the time of the Yellow Emperor approx. 4,600 years ago
4/20/1999 Tuesday – Depart Taipei for Guilin China – We all pile into the van and head to the airport so we can fly from Taipei, Taiwan back to Hong Kong, since there are not many direct flights to mainland China, and then on to Guilin. Everything is going smoothly up until now. When I go to enter the gate to board from Hong Kong to China, they inform me my visa has been used already and I can’t board the plane with the class?!? I panic, not sure what this means?! My whole tour group is going on without me and I need to stay the night in Hong Kong to get another Visa for China. Somehow, when all the travel was being coordinated for China and all these other countries, we failed to notice that when I went to Beijing in the beginning of the trip it used and finalized my visa…we needed two. One for each time you enter back into China.
Good thing Rodger made a few phone calls and it’s simply going to be a matter of going to see two people and get it complete…AND MY MOM arrives tonight in Hong Kong to have met me in Guilin, but now we can stay together overnight and travel tomorrow.
4/21/1999 Wednesday – Last night Mom met me at the Eaton Hotel after her flight from JFK…we got some sleep and then woke up today…. I need to go and get my visa cleared and then Mom wants to take me to a shop before we head out to Guilin this evening.
I finish up the visa and we head to the shop where you can pick your own fabric and people will take your measurements and sew any garment you would like and it’s not expensive at all compared to what you would pay in NYC. I pick some nice red silk printed fabric for pants and a nice silk black fabric for a traditional Chinese jacket. I can’t wait to use this outfit for my lectures and teachings back home. Mom and I arrive in Guilin together this evening and we settle in with the group. I introduce Mom to my teachers and friends…I missed one day of class with Professor Cheng.
Guilin, China 4/21-25/1999 5 Days with Professor Cheng.
“Guilin is located on the spectacular Li River. The surrounding landscape is beautiful, and the shape of the hills are very unique to the area. Take a walk to the Seven Star Park, dozens of caves and seven great peaks arranged in the shape of the Great Bear (Big Dipper) constellation. The Li River cruise is a one-day journey of 85 km between Guilin and Yangshuo through the finest scenery which for most people is the highlight of their trip to China. We will pass scores of grotesquely shaped hills with exotic names. Along the way notice the cormorant fishermen on bamboo rafts, they train these birds to dive for the fish, an age-old practice in Southern China. Guilin’s restaurants are of good quality and there are plenty of theatres offering traditional opera and ballad singing.” – From the study tour brochure.
Professor Cheng: An expert on the Lo Pan Compass. In the beautiful setting of Guilin on the River Li, we will be studying for 4 days the application of the Lo Pan Compass. On the last day we go on a 6-hour trip down the spectacular River Li. It is considered in China that there are only 4 experts on the Lo Pan and Professor Cheng is one of them!
Professor Cheng Class notes 4/21-25/1999–Textbook “Chinese Feng Shui Compass-Step by Step”
-Direction is more important to landscape in compass school.
-First thing look at facing direction and compare with landscape.
-24 Heaven Star Ring – Master Lei from Sung Dynasty set up this ring.
-24 Mountain is divided by Yin and Yang
-Lo Shu Squares with number’s 1-9
-9 Star Water Method – uses the I Ching symbols and numbers and builds off 24 Mountain
-Lunar calendar used in Chinese Astrology and Feng Shui is 11 days difference from the western calendar
-Lunar goes clockwise and Solar goes counter-clockwise on the Lo Pan
-Feng Shui Pagoda has 6 sides to equal water, which stands for intelligence
-Chinese Sizes come from music scales and sounds and tones. Called the Huang (Golden) Zhong (Bell) Lu (Order)
4/23/1999 Friday 4:45pm – Gee haven’t written in my journal in a day because it’s harder to juggle with my class notes, Mom being here, and now having made friends with some great people…. BTW Michele left in Taiwan deciding the study tour was not for her and I ended up with my own room until Tibet.
We’re going hiking up the mountains this evening. We’re now in Guilin and Mom’s joined the group…. she always wanted to see Tibet. WOW what a trip. It’s just so cool to be in the Far East studying something I’m so passionate about. I’m just filled with inspiration. Classes have been good here and we’ve been studying Lo Pan for 3 days with Prof. Cheng. I came back to the room early to sleep but was only able to rest and meditate. I knew someone special was going to be in Tibet with me and it’s my MOM. One day at a time that’s my goal in life right now. Also, to appreciate how great life is. This is one of the most wonderful experiences of my life and its halfway over already BUT half more to go!
What more can I say. I’m in a great Country; learning and seeing great things…life is good. I love life. I’ve been so lucky in life my higher power always takes care of me. No matter what, my universe knows what is best for me…I let my spirit guide me. As long as I’m doing that, I’m confident I’m right where I should be. I like Guilin a lot but haven’t been able to see much of it yet with classes…Tonight should be fun, a picnic at the top of a mountain, then onto a Chinese Herb/Medicine clinic for a quick lesson.
Tomorrow, I believe, is the river ride down the Li River and then a banquet Saturday night. We leave for an over night in Cheng Du China and then off to Tibet. I love everyone on this trip…each person has something to offer. I love the teacher here in Guilin he’s great and I love our guide for Tibet, he has joined us already, he’s got such great energy presence around him. Well until later….
4/24/1999 Saturday – This is where my travel journal gets fuzzy on the details because Guilin and our hotel ended up flooding after much rain the last few days, the Li River over flowed. We were able to get our river ride in, but the Chinese National guard had to evacuate us from the hotel earlier than expected as the water was up to our ankles in the lobby. We ended up getting, by special order, the last plane out of there to Cheng Du. It’s so flooded and the rain is so bad we couldn’t see that town at all. We leave for Lhasa tomorrow on a 6:20am flight…arrive in Lhasa at lunch time and get a tour of Lhasa after lunch. So, it was basically a night in a hotel in Cheng Du.
during Mercury Retrograde, with a 🌝🌗 Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio 🦂 starting Sunday night… on a 🔥 Fire 🐅Tiger Day in a 💦 Water 🐅 Tiger year! Powerful energetic times. 13, a great number for me and in general. 13’s meaning in Kabbalistic numerology is – Coming together after having been separated. Coming back to whole.
Did you know?
The Thirteen Club
In the late-19th century, a New Yorker named Captain William Fowler (1827-1897) sought to remove the enduring stigma surrounding the number 13—and particularly the unwritten rule about not having 13 guests at a dinner table—by founding an exclusive society called the Thirteen Club. -History Channel
4/14/1999 Wednesday 11:45pm Taipei, Taiwan – I’ve just climbed in bed after a very long day. We arrived in Taipei (not sure of spelling) around 6pm after trying to shove 40 people and all their luggage on a tour bus, not a travel bus, and drove to the city instead of the resort. You know what I’m too tired to write. More tomorrow.
4/15/1999 Thursday 11:30pm – Traveling was a lot yesterday even though it was only an hour and half plane ride…. we left the hotel in Hong Kong around 8:30am in a coach and had a tour of Hong Kong Island…. exactly what we had done on Monday’s tour except we saw the Governor’s Mansion which they no longer use because the Sha Chi, negative Feng Shui energy, from the Bank of China.
Anyway, onto the airport where 40 of us checked in and boarded a plane. We arrived in Taiwan and were greeted by our Master, his wife and Assistant and our tour guide. They had a huge, beautiful bouquet of flowers to present to us. We all then waited for the bus to pull up. When it did, we realized it was going to be really hard to fit 40 people and all their luggage. We ended up piling the suitcases on the back two rows of the bus all the way to the ceiling. We were all packed in quite nicely. By this time, it was a long travel day…it was around 5pm and we had left early that morning.
Then last minute the tour guide tells us we’re going into the city of Taipei for dinner. It takes about an hour to get there and then we have a traditional Chinese dinner, fish, veggies, rice, some soup, and tea of course. Then after dinner we all pile back into the bus and head an hour in the other direction to Howard Beach Resort Hotel.
When we arrived, our entire luggage had to be unloaded by the group. The men created an assembly line and emptied the bus. By the time we got in the room it was around 8pm. I took a bath, threw a change of clothes on, and headed to the bar. The resort seemed like a ghost town and not much was finished in this brand-new hotel on the southern most tip of Taiwan, the opposite end of Taipei.
Since we seemed to be the only guests there, they extended the hours of the bar for us which normally closes at around 9:30-10:30pm.
By this point most people needed to do so after the day we had. After a while I left the bar and come up to bed. Michele and I are roommates again in Taiwan. The next day we start our lessons with Master Ho who speaks no English.
