The Year of the Sheep, My Take

On February 19, 2015, we will move into the Year of the Sheep (otherwise known as the Ram or the Goat.)

We will be moving out of the Year of the Horse.

Horses I am into.  I absolutely love horses.  They may just be my favorite animals.

But Sheep?  I mean, I really don't think about sheep so much.

What you talkin' about, Katie?  (Source)

Because I was a bit dissatisfied with what information I found on the Internet regarding the Year of the Sheep, I decided to sit down and see if I could get some of my own guidance, (a.k.a. "automatic writing).

This is what came through:
I wrote, "I ask for information/guidance regarding the energies of the Year of the Sheep that is coming up."

I got:
Sheep's energy is one of Giving.  It gives milk and wool and is mild-mannered.  There is an abundance energy regarding Sheep in that it can give and give and not be affected much in that giving.  The milk is easily replaced as is the wool.

Source  "Comfort & nurturing" are marks of the Year of the Sheep

Innocence is the mark of Sheep too.  (Sacrificial lamb.)  Sheep is not necessarily a determined creature but one that is content to follow the herd.

While some people, especially in Western cultures, may see this attribute as a flaw or weakness, in truth, it is simply a willingness to surrender to the flow of the energy currents already present.  Not wanting nor striving to be a "leader" or "unique" can have great benefits.

It has the element of being content with one's "herd" or tribe and enjoying the comforts of a pastoral life, knowing that there is a shepherd of sorts watching over in protection.  After all, how many tales have a shepherd as an important character?  One who is usually humble and true and free of pretense?

Source

Sheep does not hide nor does it stand out particularly.  Their role may seem passive in Western eyes, yet Westerners have forgotten the value of going with the flow and allowing.

After all, if a sheep strays from the herd, that is when disruption happens.  If the shepherd is a true one, it is IDEAL to stick with the herd -- so before one judges the "herd mentality," remember that the herd mentality can be healthy if it's in the highest good of all.

As far as 2015, the Year of the Sheep, goes.... expect abundance -- not in the flashy, showy way -- but in the creature comforts of home and family life.  If one can unplug from the go-go-go mentality of the Western culture and learn to surrender to a calmer, more meandering path, one will discover the joys of a slower pace and really ENJOY life.

While the Year of the Horse had its ups and downs and excitements, the Year of the Sheep will be a welcome one with its nurturing energies if one can recognize that there is value in living day to day at a slower speed.  Give thanks for the blessings that are here!  Sheep shall give great comfort and joy.  She is The Great Provider and while she does not fan fancy feathers nor strut her stuff, her gifts are 10,000-fold if you could all just settle down and honor her.

Sheep is the 8th animal in the Chinese zodiac.

The numerology adds up to an 8 year (2+0+1+5=8).

8 is the number of prosperity and abundance and flow.


It is tradition in China to prepare for the Chinese New Year by letting go of the old -- decluttering and cleaning house!  Please join us for DECLUTTER YOUR WAY TO CLARITY so Sheep can have room and space to provide for you in 2015.  Click here for testimonials and to sign up!  

Clutter: What It Is & What To Do About It

CLUTTER!  Biggest feng shui no-no of ALL!

Here's a peek at last night's lecture on de-cluttering and organization:

The following lists are inspired and/or borrowed by Karen Kingston's book, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, because why reinvent the wheel? -- this book is GOOD.

WHAT IS CLUTTER?

1.     Things you do not use or love.

2.     Things that are untidy or disorganized.

3.     Too many things in too small a space.

4.     Anything unfinished.  

Source

WAYS CLUTTER CAN AFFECT YOU:

·      Make you tired and lethargic

·      Keep you in the past

·      Congest your body

·      Fear of being poor

·      Fear of living your true path

·      Fear of letting good things in your life

·      Can confuse you

·      Can affect the way people treat you – respect

·      Affect your weight

·      Can make you procrastinate

·      Can cause disharmony

·      Can make you feel ashamed

·      Can put your life on hold

·      Create excess baggage

·      Can depress you

·      Can make you more disorganized

·      Be a fire/health hazard

·      Cleaning takes longer

·      Having clutter can dull your sensitivity and enjoyment of life

·      Create undesirable symbology

·      Can cost you financially

·      Can distract you from important things – does your stuff own you?

·      Lack mentality- make you poorer

·      Stuck in your woundology – identifying with a sad part of your life

WAYS TO DEAL WITH CLUTTER:

1.  Get rid of it.  No really.  JUST GET RID OF IT.

2.  Organize it. (From Sharon Stasney:  Decide if the item is Priority 1 -- needs to be accessible easily and often; Priority 2 -- still needs to be accessible but not, say, on the countertop; Priority 3 -- doesn't have to be readily accessible -- can be in more of a storage type space.  Then give the item a "home" accordingly!)

Again, it's just a peek, but hopefully an inspiring one.  Now get to it!

IF YOU WANT MORE, then click HERE to learn more about this 27-day online Declutter Your Way to Clarity course that I offer.  It'll give you a kick in the pants so that you'll never want to live with clutter again! Fun, easy, and good stuff.

Feng Shui for the New Year

Who doesn’t love a new beginning?   Luckily, those of us who practice feng shui or honor Eastern cultures have two chances to celebrate New Year’s!  First on the traditional calendar day of January 1^st, and then again, a few weeks later when the Chinese New Year comes around.

In feng shui, the Chinese New Year is considered very important, and it is highly celebrated.  It’s a major shift in energy, marked by animals such as Rabbit, Dragon, Tiger, and Ox and elements such as Fire, Water, and Earth.   This year the date is January 31^st, 2014, and we are entering the Year of the Wood Horse, moving out of 2013, the Year of the Water Snake.

It’s considered beneficial to acknowledge the changing of the years with certain rituals and acts in order to usher in good chi (a.k.a. energy) to last all year long. 

Here are 5 feng shui tips to help you do just that:

1.     Do a clean sweep.   Literally.  It’s tradition in feng shui leading up to the Chinese New Year to clean like crazy as to not bring any of the old, “dusty” chi into the new year.   The goal is to have the home in best condition as possible on the first day of the new year and then NOT do any cleaning that day and the days after.  You want to keep the good chi IN those days!   When you clean, be sure to pay special attention to your stove (it represents prosperity) and under you bed and any places that are particularly neglected.

2.     De-clutter.  Clutter is the biggest feng shui no-no of all!   Go through your things, and if it doesn’t fit with the “future version of you” or if you don’t use it, don’t love it, or it’s just not serving you, get rid of it!  It’s the fastest way to shift the energy in your space and therefore your life.  

3.    Set some intentions.   In the West, we call them resolutions.  In feng shui, we call them intentions.   There is something powerful about being specific about what you would like to experience in the upcoming year and then voicing them or writing them down.  Even better, implement symbolic feng shui cures to bring the intention further into your subconscious.  For example, if you intend to write a book this year, mock up a jacket for your book and put it on another one and place in your Creativity section of your home.  If you’d like to manifest more romance, put two candles (representing a pair) in your Love corner.   (The list goes on!)

4.     Decorate.  Traditionally, the Chinese use reds and golds to make their home beautiful and "rich" for the new year, hanging lanterns and paper cut-outs.  Again, symbolism is considered: placing candies in bowls to bring in a “sweet” year; oranges for abundance; and flowers, for beauty and love.  Another tradition is to buy something new to wear on New Years Day, especially in the color red or a hue that correlates with the element for the upcoming year. 

Source

5.     Celebrate.   There are many traditions on how to spend the first two weeks of the new year, including handing out money in red envelopes (generating prosperity), giving oranges as gifts, (also generating prosperity) and snapping firecrackers on new year’s eve (to scare away any unpleasant energies from the previous year).  Another one is to gather with friends and family in good cheer with good food, especially on New Year’s Eve.  Although these may seem like fun and games, the very act of celebrating actually generates positive chi.   So even if you don’t participate in the red envelopes, perhaps invite some friends for dinner -- and make a toast to the blessings of new beginnings. 

To usher in amazing, positive energy for 2014 with the help of feng shui, sign up for Katie’s on-line 27-day program: Charge Ahead in 2014 with Feng Shui!   It’s only $1 a day!   Email Katie at KatieRogers777@gmail.com to register!  See the Event on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/226207920836654/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar