MARIE-CLAUDE'S NEWSLETTERS

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MAY 2006 - ARTICLE 6
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FIRE

I have chosen to share my thoughts regarding the element of fire with you, on this, my favorite month of the year: the month of May! Throughout the years, it has always been in May, that my most significant personal life events have occurred – those that led to new beginnings, exciting opportunities, great joys, strong growth, and positive change in my life.

I am speaking indeed of change again in this article, as I did in my last one. Yet now, I would like to discuss fire-type change, while in my previous article, I spoke of the slow, ongoing forward movement, that is offered by wood-type change. Compared to the other four elements of feng shui, fire is the most yang of all the elements, that is, it is the most vibrant, strong, transforming, aggressive, and acutely powerful of all!

The month of May represents the fifth month of the year (note that I am posting this article on the 5th day of this majestic 5th month!).   Like fire, the number five is incredibly dynamic. Think of the five points of the star, which in our cultural world, is symbolically depicted with five triangles, joined together, corner to corner, creating a circular-like shape – a sort of sun – the most important fire of our earthly experience.

In feng shui, the shape of the triangle acts as a metaphor of fire. Indeed, the triangle is reminiscent of the dancing flames of fire. Hence, there is a reason…a bond…a synergy here! Writing of the exclusive qualities of fire now, in the month of May, does not consist of a random act on my part. It represents a conscious choice, to emphasize the power of the element of fire, during the most ‘change-possible’ month of the year and indeed in my opinion, during the most stimulating one, for all of the new possibilities that it can offer….to a conscious, open mind, heart and soul.

Fire is creative. Fire creates change. Fire is creative change.

So why are we afraid of fire? Why do we today, think of it, in most part, in the context of its destructive qualities? Why do we not revere it, for its brilliant, transforming qualities, as many ancient cultures have, throughout history?

More than for the obvious reason that it can cause us to lose all of our earthly & physical foundation in life, I believe that we are afraid of fire, because it relates to the two most important needs…or motivating factors of man today, those of love & power. While these represent the main, yet paradoxical and opposite desires of our world, they are also what humankind fears most.   They hold all of the possibilities…and threats to our very basic, innate, natural human instinct of survival – security of self – of our physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual selves – via power or love…which one?...with what balance? You choose! The symbolism in the aversion, defensiveness, yet draw that we deeply feel towards fire is key to understanding and therefore feeding the human spirit.

Fire is the strongest and most instant change-causing of all of the five elements. It creates the earth, as the ashes, which remain after the presence of fire has left, transform themselves into the physical foundation that we live on and from.

Fire is the menace, yet is essential to our survival.

Fire is painful to the touch, yet when granted the proper space, it is warm and soothing to our physical, emotional and spiritual beings.

Fire can look angry and aggressive, yet if seen with new eyes, it can also be beautiful for the creative, ever-changing visual dance that it offers its observer.

Fire can be loud, but if truly heard, it can also be peaceful, positively hypnotizing and meditative, acting as food for the spirit, as it pauses the head’s ruling, at any given moment in time.

Fire stops us in our tracks and spontaneously commands our attention. It brings us into to the present moment – a much needed state that our unconscious, role-driven society has ceased to be aware of.

Fire brings people together, re-assembles a group, promotes communication and nurtures intimacy in this very solitary and individualistic world that we have created.

Fire reminds us that we are human – as men & as women – opposite yet in need of each other – stimulated, awakened, empowered, and enlightened…by our mutual exchanging fire.

Indeed, fire is necessary to us, by the possible change that it offers us – dare I say for our survival, health and happiness. Change…intensely, suddenly, absolutely, wonderfully, and without possibilities for preparation. Dynamic change, resulting in inspired thoughts, hearts and souls, caused by the aggressive & beautiful stimulus of fire. Indeed, the change…of loving fire.

We need change, yet we are afraid of it. It is the number one cause of stress in our society today. Should we believe that everything happens for a reason – a reason of movement forward and growth on our path, then we need not be afraid. We should welcome fire, welcome change and embrace it…when it penetrates the life that we have been granted.

Feed your fire, when it is gracefully offered to you…in the form of excitement, passion, creative vision. Soothe it, when it is out of control. Teach it, when it lacks wisdom. Love it back, when it hurts you. Trust in its trail blazing abilities, when it frightens you. Breathe it, when your heart tells you to do so.

To me, the month of May is fire. It offers the most possibilities for re-awakening and for the creative energy that is present in new beginnings! Tonight, during this month of May, light a candle. Trust in the acute transforming strength of its flame. Envision your dream. Believe in your dream. Realize your dream, with the strength of change…the strength of fire within you.

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JAN 2006 - ARTICLE 5
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WOOD

When I was a little girl, all that I ever wanted to draw or paint were trees. And I favored the branches – the multiple winding, crossing, thick, thin, long and short branches of the trees. I was not really interested in the foliage. I simply wanted to follow the movement of the thousands of branches that stem from the same seemingly solitary source – a single tree trunk.

I was, have always been, and still am fascinated with trees and their growing branches. Indeed, their beauty, strength and multiple ‘options’ leave me in awe!

Today, although I do not paint them as much, I still love to gaze up at trees – searching to see where each branch leads to, when and how many times it crosses another branch, and whether it has lived and still lives a ‘long life’. Whenever I travel, discovering new parts of the world, I notice trees first, thus permitting me to ‘get to know’ each specific environment. I observe their overall, general shape, size, colors, and of course the nature of their branches. I then proceed to sketch at least one tree, or the part of a tree that speaks to me the most – for the presence of its wonderful branches.

It is not difficult to perceive trees and their growing branches, as mirrors of the lives that we live. We have many ‘branches to follow’ or ‘paths to travel’. Not only are the branches of trees like our lives, but conversely, dare I say, that we are like trees with multiple branches. Some branches grow strong, offering the presence of many other branches, while others are mere glimpses of beauty, quickly cut off at their base, thus offering ‘nothing’, at the first sign of their existence. The challenge of life is truly to see the relative beauty, support and potential of each branch!

I sometimes wonder whether a tree consciously chooses which branch to feed and make grow stronger. Or does the tree simply experience the ‘good fortune’ of having received branches that grow by themselves, or not, whenever they choose to, or not? Is this not similar to the lives that we live? Do we really choose the paths of life to travel, or do they present themselves, change, grow, become more important, as caused by many other forces that we as individual beings, have little control over? While some of you may perceive this viewpoint as fatalistic, I do not. On the contrary, this metaphor is one of choice - to be in harmony with the world that we are a part of – for health, happiness and well-being. Indeed, trying to control our world and its multiple paths, only leads to the draining of one’s energy and therefore to distress and sickness. Hence, our key choices become similar to that of the tree’s, that is, ‘now that this branch has grown, do I feed it or devote myself to another, or balance my energy between a few?’

In feng shui, the same objective remains: to consciously observe the outside space, and evaluate how it can better support the individual that lives and/or works in the said space, thus creating the right energy and more possibilities for inner harmony and life successes (whatever success may mean to you!).

As a consultant of feng shui, I work with five elements: water, wood, fire, earth & metal. Each offers a certain level of energy – which can further be qualified as more yin or yang. Yin is calm, wise and soothing, while yang is dynamic, vibrant and energizing.

The second most yang element to consider, when analyzing and enhancing a space, is WOOD. Evidence of its presence is a function of a few factors, namely, actual wood, tall & narrow shapes, and all shades of green. Note that this element of WOOD is a metaphor for Growth, given that WOOD and hence, trees are the ultimate, ongoing, earthly, physical symbol of Growth!

And remember that since WOOD is about Growth, it clearly offers strong yang energy rather than yin energy. It implies movement forward and change. Therefore when people tell me that they have green in their home because it feels soothing to them, I point out that this soothing impression comes from the association that they make of the color green with nature. Indeed, being outdoors soothes the soul. But, I emphasize that the color green is, in fact, energizing, as is the WOOD that it grows from.

When I work to recreate a space, for its potential support to the persons experiencing it, I ask myself how much WOOD presence they need, given who they are and what is going on their life at the time of the analysis. I also survey the reason-for-being of the space – hopefully corresponding to that person’s life needs!

In other words, whether or not a space has ‘good feng shui’ (people often offer this expression to me!) is a function of who is experiencing the space. Therefore whether or not you need the element of WOOD in your space, is a function of whether or not you need energizing, dynamic support, at a given time in your life. Ask yourself, where am I going in life? Am I moving fast or slowly? For the right or wrong reasons? Do I have a vision of where I am going? Do I know why I am moving fast or why I am not? Do I need to continue traveling this path or change paths?

Coming back to the tree, one can ask themselves: Do I need to stay on this branch, because it is healthy, pointing upwards and therefore offering many more new healthy branches or is it cut off at its stem and offering me nothing? Once you can answer this question, once you have consciously made this life’s choice for yourself – for your soul’s growth as is our reason-for-being on Earth, then and only then, can we ‘adjust’ and enhance your space, with different levels of WOOD presence, to either:

. Stay balanced on a given branch
. Help you move forward on the same branch
. Change to an identified other branch & then move forward on it
. Explore new branches to go to, or
. Go back to the root of the tree – that is your soul – to find out who you really are and
what your true Earthly reason-for-being is!

Whether or not the presence of the WOOD element in your home is good for you, or whether it contributes to ‘good feng shui’ has many possible answers. Indeed, WOOD and its trees offer many beautiful branches. The right choice of branch and focus requires consciousness of self and then consciousness of space – for the right life choices.

Have a wonderful New Year, with a conscious vision of your reason-for-being, for your growth and well-being on this earthly experience of your soul!

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DEC 2004 - ARTICLE 4
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WATER

As I am certain that many of you already know, the second part of the term ‘feng shui’, that is the ‘shui’, means water. I find this very noteworthy, since feng shui focuses on the physical experience of life on earth – on solid ground – with all its material, solid, touchable surrounding pieces of the puzzle. Therefore, why water in its name? Is water not simply a more secondary part of this practice’s reason-for-being?

What role does water play in our lives – in our ongoing search for balance, which is needed for our well-being? Is it not a very important role? Indeed it is. One that is more present and significant, than we consciously accord attention to in our day-to-day lives.

As a feng shui designer, when I think of adding the element of water to an environment, I think of adding calm and peace, thus often offering supportive introspection. I think of lowering blood pressures, soothing over-stimulated souls, or relieving the tension that may exist in certain people’s lives, and within a given space. However at times, I can also observe an excess in water, that is, when open communication is scarce, when passions have disappeared, or even when people are suffering from depression.

Why do some people love the ocean, while others prefer to go hiking up a mountain? Is this attraction to, and need for water specific to certain people or rather to certain times in their lives? Perhaps it is a little of both.

I have always felt a connection to water. As a teenager, I lifeguarded in the neighborhood pools. During my breaks, I would often proceed to dive to the bottom of the large body of water and remain there for as long as I could, peacefully & quietly, feeling bathed in silence, feeling the presence of my being – completely. Moreover, whenever I am fortunate enough to be in a place where I hear the waves of the ocean outside my bedroom window before, almost instantaneously, I become conscious of my breathe – of my physical self. I feel extremely tranquil and as a result, I soon fall asleep, into a soothing and peaceful lull. Splashing water onto my face, over and over again, also represents a very purifying experience – for my face, but also for my soul. Indeed, these few examples illustrate how water brings us closer to our individual selves. Water touches our inner, deepest emotions. Water has the ability of cleansing us towards finding our true soul.

Water is an extremely commanding element, yet still, it is commonly under-estimated and taken for granted. And unfortunately today, even often wasted. Without it, we would die, but with it, we are nourished for physical life, cleansed for health, balanced, and awakened into a deeper level of consciousness.

In this essence, water has been used for many different related purposes throughout time – purposes that go beyond the physical – into the emotional and even the spiritual. Water is not for extroversion, but rather for introspection. Not for explosion, but for implosion and hopefully, as a growing and positive support. However at times, water can also unconsciously be used as a crutch or even for self-protection.

I encourage you to observe your space and ask yourself whether the presence of water in your surroundings is supportive of your very specific needs. The presence of water and all of its metaphors includes water itself, the existence of clear transparent glass, all meandering shapes and lines, and especially common to our North American environments, all shades of blue and black. The presence of these multiple factors contributes to bringing water into our world, and hence, the element that supports individual and personal focus – indeed, the power of true, pure, enlightening water.

Once you have identified the water element throughout your environment, ask yourself: Is it supportive to the space that it occupies? Is it a good thing for the number and types of personalities living and/or working there? Is its presence sufficient for the reason-for-being of the space or on the contrary, is it in excess? Look, see, feel, experience and perceive!

Given the ‘popular’ use of the color blue in the Western world, especially by men, I feel it is important to add a special note regarding this phenomenon. Indeed, you may have noticed that an important proportion of North American men are drawn to and as a result often surround themselves with the color blue, by their attire or in their personal environments, such as their bedrooms and offices.

Given the more dominant, powerful role that men play in our society today, the color blue has inadvertently and simultaneously becomes a symbol of conservatism, professionalism and responsibility in North America. Hence, this cultural consideration is important in understanding the presence of the color blue in an environment, that is, among other elements, the presence of water.

The next time that you are drawn to the color blue, when in the process of changing the feel and atmosphere of an environment, ask yourself if there might be enough water in your world and whether a more growing or dynamic element may be additionally supportive to your family, work or personal needs. On the other hand, if you find yourself having difficulty focusing on the task at hand and you need to dig deep within, for a clearer understanding of who you are and/or who have become, a little blue will help ‘calm you down’, focus, and see things in a more cleansed, fluid and even truer manner.

Given the presence of the actual word ‘water’ in its name, it is evident that the practice of feng shui attributes much importance to it – symbolically as well as literally. Indeed, while it is the most calming of all elements, its energy is also extremely powerful. Its ability to change the feeling of space, and as a result, to counter or contrarily amplify the effects of an effort, should not be taken lightly.

Be conscious of the ‘ever-so-popular’ presence of water in your world. Remember that while it can soothe the soul, the deluge of water can stir up emotions, even dilute, absorb or ‘put out’ the effects of much-needed benefits, offered by other physical elements of our earthly experience – such as wood, fire, earth and metal!

I will share with you my thoughts on these other elements, in future articles.

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SEPT 2004 - ARTICLE 3
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Fundamental Feng Shui Principles –
Balance and Outside Energy

I continue in this article to share with you, two other fundamental feng shui principles: Yin & Yang, and Chi. These concepts will feed the preliminary subject which was discussed during our last talk, that is, the Tao. Again, the goal is to bring these principles towards a North-American reality.

Balance

In our evaluation of the Tao, as explained in my last article, a feng shui practitioner must define all the elements within a space, as being either Yin or Yang (or sometimes a little of both!). This is similar to a filter if you will, Yin & Yang glasses, that enable a “measurement” of the level of energy within a space – in terms of weight and of well-being. This measure should take place for each component (and let us remember that this includes individuals), as well as for the synergy that is realized between the components themselves. Is this a color, a form, a texture… an environment, which is calm, that is yin, or stimulating, that is yang? Is this room too calm, or too yin, or does it offer an atmosphere that supports its reason-for-being? That is, the reason-for-being of the building in general and of the entire home, or does it correspond to an influence that acts against the level of balance which is sought after?

I speak of balance, since yin and yang consist of two opposites that are complementary and interdependent to each other. Heat does not exist without cold. Light could not be without darkness. The total presence of each of these opposites, creates an overall level of balance, either of support or not – hence, either more yin in its entirety or more yang! Why this preoccupation? Because each type of activity or reason for being of a physical space and therefore each individual on his or her “path of life”, needs a different level of energy, in order to be supported, to feel balanced and able to realize his or her aspirations.

Let us remember the young sales representative who must meet his sales targets on a monthly basis. Should his office not offer him a more yang level of energy? That is, more dynamic and awakened, in order for this individual to be more motivated and therefore to feel supported by his environment, in the objective of achieving continuous sales. If his office were dark by its tones and its level of light, too calm by its sounds and cushy textures, shapes and level of comfort, etc., he probably would have less success than if his environment was sunny, with fauve colors and the introduction of elements of wood for instance.

It is important to note that when we speak of balance in feng shui, this does not signify that each level of yin and of yang within an environment must be equal. On the contrary, since the premise is to offer a relevant space, one that supports its dwellers, the sought-after balance happens between the people and their surroundings. Thus, the yin and the yang together must constantly be in movement, according to the changing life objectives of the individuals that live or work within the environment in question.

Energy

Overall, by evaluating the Yin & Yang level of balance which is offered by the components of an environment and having understood the specific needs of the people who live there, the Tao is revealed, as well as the nature of its energy, that is its Chi. This Chi is another “popular term”, which unfortunately, is often misunderstood. Yet it is simple! It’s everywhere and part of everything. It is the innate energy within each individual, as well as the energy that we create between ourselves and our surroundings.

Energy is the result of the presence of all the yin & yangs within a given space – exterior and interior within our being. When one speaks of energy, one speaks of a source of support – as long as the energy in question is of the needed level. Therefore, it becomes obvious that feng shui cannot be of value, unless it takes into account the needs of the people within their environment – needs that are cultural, societal, of a business or an individual, etc. Remember that energy can be too dynamic, or too sedating or even stagnant. But this can only be determined following an understanding of the needs of the individuals and as a second step, following an understanding of the reason for being of the whole environment. An environment that is aesthetically pleasing does not make it necessarily supportive to an individual. Many people often ask me to come to their home to tell them whether they have “good feng shui”. I tell them that I cannot answer this question without having asked them about their current life cycle, their objectives, ongoing challenges, etc.

The Tao, Yin & Yang and Chi

I believe that the reason why Tao, Yin & Yang and Chi concepts, are not seen as simple to our society, is because of our North American need to understand everything from a rational, scientific, quantified and proven point of view, rather than in a fluid, organic way, one that is based on the belief of perpetual movement. We want to place everything in its designated box, paradoxically in a world where nothing is absolute, but rather on the contrary: everything is relative.

Our society does not “manage” its well-being objectives on such unorthodox basis, and certainly does not attribute the same level of importance to these concepts, as it does to more pragmatic concepts – those that provide immediate results and therefore more obvious and measurable outcomes. People also often say to me: “If I chose this color for my kitchen it is because I like it. Does this not therefore mean that it is of support to my well-being?” While this idea is not completely false, we do not always choose those things that surround for the right reasons…

Feng shui considers other dimensions that personal taste and aesthetics in the choices of the pieces that make up a building or an environment. It is “another hat to wear” if you will, in order to perceive what surrounds us and by association in order to understand what exists within ourselves. In other words, it is a comprehension of outside energy, in order to achieve a support to inner energy. When applied correctly, it becomes a wheel in continuous motion… a sort of ongoing yin & yang dance!

Unbeknownst to us, the Tao, Yin & Yang and Chi are very close to us and to our everyday lives. Moreover, a large part of our reality is not perceived in a conscious manner. In fact, a large part of our “messages” are received subconsciously and the environment in which we live, offers us many of these messages. It greatly contributes to our comprehension of what surrounds us, to our way of seeing things and those people who are in our lives, as well as to our perception of the level of difficulty involved in a specific task for instance. Hence, we are an integral part of continually moving energy, of a Chi, which is a function of all the components of an environment, creating dynamic or stagnant balance, or of support or not, to which we feel a sense of belonging…or not.

In the articles to come, I will offer you a concrete comprehension of the energy, which is offered by different elements and by some of their characteristics, as utilized in the conception of a building and different types on environments.

Regards!

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JUNE 2004 - ARTICLE 2
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Basic Fundamental Feng Shui Principle –
A Sense of Belonging

As explained last month, I believe that one of the reasons why feng shui is often simply associated with mystical practices or that it is taken lightly in North America, is not only for its misunderstood recommendations, but also for its imagery-based discourse and language. Hence, I would like to devote the next two articles to a translation of far-away feng shui concepts, into a North American understanding and reality. I hope to convince you that feng shui is not mysterious, but rather, very relevant to our well-being, as are regular exercise and healthy eating.

Following these next two articles, we will be able to apply fundamental feng shui principles to concrete examples and pertinent decision-making criteria in the creation of a home that nourishes the souls that live there.

A Sense of Belonging

In feng shui, the Tao must be the ongoing, underlying preoccupation of the practitioner. This Chinese term, which we sometimes hear about in North America, is concerned with, before anything else, the sense of belonging that is experienced by an individual. In other words, we observe what attracts and retains the individual’s attention. Furthermore, we try to understand the reason for this attraction, thus identifying what is positive or negative as an influence. Placed specifically in a feng shui context, the Tao is interested in the relationship that exists between an environment and its individuals, that is, the connection that people feel to the environment where they live or work. The word “draw” or the expression “to be drawn to” explains this phenomenon well.

The word Tao simply means way in the Chinese language. The way, that this culture has spoken of for more than 3000 years, appears at first somewhat simplistic, yet helps to make comprehensible a very significant concept. Similarly to how my grandmother used French proverbs when I was little, in order to help us understand simple concepts, yet at the same time, very important life learnings!

The Tao or way or path, reflects in an imagery-based manner, a deep value of the Oriental culture, that is, the reason-for-being of our life experience on earth. Are you on the right path of life? Does this path that you have chosen contribute to your evolution or does it present to you continuous obstacles? Do you feel “connected” to your path? Do you feel a sense of belonging or do you feel “lost”?

Placed in a feng shui context, these questions of the Tao can become: Is this the building that is right for you? Does it answer your life needs? Does it help you in the realization of your aspirations? Do you feel supported, connected to this physical space that is your residence, you office, “your place”? Or do you feel drained, tense, or even without support or a sense of belonging?

The goal is to arrive at a pertinent reason-for-being of an environment, of a physical space that exists for the well-being of its dwellers, at all levels. If pertinence of an environment exists, a sense of belonging will exist. Let us think of a building and the exterior environment in which it has been incorporated, of the different shapes of the building’s outside façade, of the relationship between the different interior rooms, of the objects that make up the rooms, etc. Hence, the consultant, the master, the practitioner or the designer, regardless of the way in which he or she describes him or herself, must constantly be conscious of everything that makes up an environment and of the link that exists between all of its pieces. The task to realize is to evaluate whether this whole supports its reason-for-being and whether it offers a sense of belonging to those who live there.

Why do you choose a certain way home? Why do you find yourself more often in one room of your house? Why is the dining room esthetically pleasing and « according to your taste », yet rarely experienced? Why does the bathroom appear to offer you peace and a feeling of renewed energy? Contrarily, why do you feel drained even after a moment of rest in your bedroom? Why have you lost the joy of exploring, of creativity or of happiness? Why does your life often change after having moved to a new home? And so on… All these questions often have an answer that is related to the Tao of your life and by association, to the Tao of your environment. A thought to ponder is it not?

It is an innate need with all human beings, this need to feel a sense of belonging to what surrounds us. If this feeling does not exist, we risk becoming unhappy and not realizing our life aspirations. We risk becoming sick – physically, emotionally or spiritually.

Using a simpler example, let us compare the support received from of an environment, to that of an individual’s support. In a healthy personal relationship, two people try to support each other. One hopes that they feel bonded. However, if two individuals who live together do not feel bonded, they will feel unhappy. The same phenomenon exists between an individual and their environment, but it is much more difficult for one to identify the problems of support that is offered by an environment, compared to that of the support which comes from another human being. This is how a feng shui practitioner can help you in your life needs.

Our « place » is the only physical environment where we can truly allow ourselves to create and compose as we wish to, according to our own personal needs and desires. What’s more, this place that we call our own is a metaphor of ourselves. Should it not be at its full potential of well-being? For the being that we wish to become? For our life needs, in order to grow on our life’s path?

Indeed, our environment must communicate by its outside appearance, its materials, its colors, smells, by the way in which its furniture is placed, by the reason-for-being of its different rooms… that it exists for our self and no one else, no other family or business.

Each composing piece of an environment, as perceived by all our senses, contributes to our life experience. In feng shui, the goal is to create a sense of belonging, to create the Tao for its dwellers. The work of a practitioner is to evaluate if a sense of belonging exists, that is, if a relevant link exists. As a second step, the feng shui designer must adjust this link, or even re-create it, by manipulating all the pieces of an environment, according to the specific needs of the people who live or work there.

Next month, I will continue my translation of far-away feng shui concepts into one that relates to a North-American reality. An explanation of the feeling of balance with the energy that surrounds, as experienced by human beings, will complete this initial discussion of fundamental feng shui principals.

Regards!

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MARCH 2004 - ARTICLE 1
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Why feng shui in North America

For Marie-Claude Joron, a long way towards feng shui

Marie-Claude has always been very conscious of her environment. As a little girl, she constantly observed, touched, moved, placed and replaced … according to “the movement of the flow of the day”.

She discovered feng shui while studying fine arts and among others, the ancient practice of Chinese painting. She felt very drawn to this soulful art form. During this period, she performed with much success in the world of marketing, working for 10 years for large prestigious corporations such as Ford of Canada, Cossette communication-marketing and Schering Plough.

She chose to become a feng shui Consultant, following many achieved successes in business and obtained a professional certification from the Feng Shui Institute of America. Quickly, she also became marketing chair, as well as a board & faculty member of its mother organization, the Feng Shui Institute International.

Today, with a feng shui certification, as well as degrees in business from HEC & in fine arts from Concordia University, she works as an independent consultant to individuals & businesses. The synergy effect of her experiences consists in her exclusive strength, thus helping her clients create environments that support their reason for being, their aspirations and their life & business objectives.

Marie-Claude Joron explains: “Why feng shui”

People often ask me why I chose feng shui. I believe with great conviction that our environment has a significant impact on our lives, our perceptions and our well-being. Taking care of our environment is as necessary to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, as taking care of our self with exercise, good eating habits, etc. Moreover, consciousness of what surrounds us and of the relevance of our environment requires consciousness of self. Hence, taking care of our outer world, nurtures our inner world. This is comparable to a wheel in motion, a dynamic and continuous process of balancing and of search for harmony. Winston Churchill said: “We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us”. Is this not so deeply true!

Today, most people have heard of feng shui. Unfortunately, many false perceptions surround this mysterious “wind water”, which is often associated with Chinese practices that are either misunderstood or even made fun of. I explain to those who are interested, that is my clients, colleagues, students and others, that feng shui is indeed of ancient origins and of a culture that is far from our day-to-day practices. I add however that placed in a contemporary North-American context, feng shui can be applied in a creative and intuitive way, but also in a way that is practical, pragmatic, ergonomic, etc. and conscious… most importantly conscious. Conscious of the people who will live and/or work in the environment in question. In other words, if feng shui is practiced correctly, with consciousness of our Western reality and of the specificities of each individual, it becomes a form of design for the purpose of well-being, while still incorporating aesthetics. Thanks to a non-generic approach, the feng shui consultant becomes complementary to the architect and to building & interior designers.

When speaking of my work, I often refer to: “Energy Enhancing Design-Art”, since in my opinion, this is the premise of feng shui, regardless of the school of thought. This premise’s quest is to find the ideal level of energy, which is offered by an environment. However, it is important to emphasize that the ideal level of energy is different for each individual. For instance, a young salesperson should not have the same type of office as an established accountant. This is not only for reasons of projected image or of aesthetics, but also for their potential to reach different career goals.

Since I choose an approach that is conscious of the individual, one that is non generic and on the contrary very personalized, this “contemporary” feng shui, which I practice, becomes more pertinent and tangible according to our beliefs and our more concrete way of doing things. Hence, “a comprehension and manipulation of dynamic energy, between external and internal environments, in order to support those who live or work there”, well describes the reason-for-being of my work.

Feng shui is not magic and certainly does not consist of an external solution to an inner lacking or to unconsciousness. It is not a linear or causal solution, but rather a dynamic, multidimensional process, constantly in movement, in space and time.
I believe that feng shui must not disappear. I believe that it does not simply consist of a fad to quickly “gobble up”, as we often do with the many “news”, which our North-American world of abundance offers us. I believe, on the contrary, that it should become an integral part of our dynamic lives, in evolution, constantly growing, on a path, which exists to feed our souls.

Hence, I profoundly believe that feng shui is necessary. I would even say that that it is crucial, given the uncertain environment that we live in today.

“The articles which I will offer you in the coming months”

I will have the pleasure, in the next few months, of sharing with you my convictions regarding feng shui, its role in our lives and the ways that my work can and should become a complementary necessity to the work of designers and architects. Working together to create buildings and physical environments that breathe and let out their energy within their own space and within the persons that live and work there. My approach will always consist of connecting ancient and far away concepts to a relevant North-American reality, from a philosophical and cultural point of view, but also a practical one. This famous « yin & yang » means something that touches us all… something that is very important. I wish to make this concept real and pertinent to your eyes.

Finally, it will always please me to answer your questions, to exchange and also work with you, in order to create environments of well-being for you and your clients.
I look forward to working with you in the months to come…

The feng shui services offered by Marie-Claude Joron, certified Feng Shui Consultant-Artist -- in Montreal, Los Angeles and New York

Marie-Claude offers feng shui consultations for new and existing homes in Montreal, Los Angeles and New York, for public and work environments, as well as outdoor spaces such as gardens. She also creates personalized works of art, she designs special events such as weddings, and offers workshops and presentations, in order to help people become conscious of the importance of their surroundings. This enables them to integrate an ongoing energy enhancing comprehension to their own environment.

You can reach Marie-Claude Joron, Certified Feng Shui Consultant-Artist, serving Montreal, Los Angeles and New York, by this website's info@mcjfengshui.com