Feng Shui consultant Carole Provenazale contacted me a couple of months ago with a wonderful article on Feng Shui inspirations, and since then she has shared her wisdom and experience with our readers in a number of articles. Carole has a Long Island (New York) based Feng Shui consultancy offering Feng Shui consultations for homes, businesses, realtors (estate agents) and beauty makeovers as well as distance readings.
In addition Carole has studied a wide range of Feng Shui-related disciplines including The history of Black Sect Feng Shui, Working with the Bagua, The Five Element Theory, Advanced Transcendental Cures, The Nine Star Ki, I Ching, and Feng Shui in Business, together with classes and introductions in Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Bach Flower Essences, Biofeedback and the energy of connection in any Mind-Body healing.
We enjoyed Carole's lessons on bringing harmony and balance to home or business life, and asked her if she would kindly agree to an e-interview with us. Through emails Carole has shared with me her background in Feng Shui as well as some thoughts on the history and future of this most ancient form of art and science.
Can you simply define Feng Shui for us?
Feng Shui is literally translated to mean “wind and water.” It is the ancient healing art of living in Harmony and Balance with your surroundings. Placement and Design of positive Energy in your Environment helps support and nuture health, success, serenity, relationships and all areas of your life.
How old is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui is estimated to have its original principles from well over three thousand years ago.
Is Feng Shui Basically a Chinese Art?
Feng Shui is primarily thought of as an ancient blend of rich Traditions including Taoism, Buddhism, Chinese and Indian Cultures.
How long did you study Feng Shui and where did you train?
My intensive training began with a full year program in 1997 at one of the first licensed and accredited schools in the United States having a Feng Shui Certificate Program at that time, The Metropolitan Institute of Interior Design and included the highest and most experienced Mentors with all different methods of practicing Feng Shui. Learning Feng Shui is a lifelong process however and learning continues to this day.
Is the typical American or English home, based on a square or rectangular design, a good design for energy flow? If not, what would be the best shape to model our homes in?
The principles of Feng Shui are in tune with homes and businesses that are primarily square so as to avoid any “missing pieces” as we oftentimes use the Bagua Method. However, spaces that are in different shapes can be easily and inexpensively “changed” to square off corners and promote movement and flow.
What are Feng Shui Clients trying to achieve?
Some read or hear something about Feng Shui and become instantly in tune with it while others are seeking to promote changes and transformations in their lives. They may want more peacefulness, enhanced health, better relationships, a new or rewarding career or more wealth.
According to Feng Shui, certain colours should be used in certain areas of the home. Do you agree?
After many years of both seeing and designing new spaces for people, with very few exceptions, I don’t believe there are any “right” or “wrong” colors to use in certain areas. I find my clients most comfortable in colors they love and feel embraced by. I do believe entranceways should be light and welcoming and bedroom colors should be chosen by the couple together, but I have found more and more that my clients like to surround themselves with brighter colors then ever before.
Do you have some examples of Feng Shui treatments you’ve done and the results? What types of spaces have you Feng Shuied?
I have done homes, all types of businesses, wholistic health centers, retailers, remodeling, Realty offices (editor's note: estate agents for UK readers!)and Home Staging and Home Redesign.
A popular Pets Warehouse can be seen on my website, www.FengShuiLi.com and a work in progress, Café of Life New York, which is a chiropractic wholistic center shows the flows of colors we used to enhance and welcome the space to patients.
(Pets Warehouse prior to renovation)
(Pets Warehouse after its Feng Shui transformation)
(Work in progress at a wholistic Chiropractic Wellness Center)
Do you think Feng Shui has been trivialized in the Western World into a “spiritual interior design”?
I believe many people are strongly attracted to the principles and beliefs associated with Feng Shui and find that once they have had a consultation done or even made a few positive changes on their own, they become believers into the powers of Transformations and the impact Feng Shui can have on every aspect of their lives.
Some may say that not utilising all the components in a Feng Shui “reading” properly could be harmful or detrimental. I know you have addressed this issue before in your article “Eliminating the Feng Shui Fear Factor”, but what are your thoughts on why people believe this?
I believe many of the books that have come out over the years have actually frightened people into making changes in their environment because bad luck may befall them if they don’t do it correctly. Many of these books are contradictory and confusing to my clients but I always remind them that if their Intentions are in place, bad luck will not befall them and to experiment a little and see what feels “right” to them. After all, they can always change things back. Not to move and change your surroundings may leave YOU feeling stuck.
Are there other influences that you take into account during a Feng Shui Session, for example astrological influences?
I was originally trained in Western Astrology although I can use the Nine Star Ki if that is what my clients are comfortable with. However, what I incorporate mostly into Consultations after practicing for so long is Intuition about what my clients may be missing or needed to bring about the most effective outcomes. I am always in tune with my clients and my passion and love for Feng Shui assists myself and my clients to bring about their hearts desires.
Our thanks to Carole for taking the time to talk with us!
About the author: Carole Provenzale is a certified Feng Shui Consultant with a US based practise (Feng Shui Long Island), who also offers consultations at a distance online. Visit Carole's website at: www.fengshuili.com or email her directly at: FengShuiLi@aol.com |
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