We have a new moon in the sign of Aries on Wednesday, April 10th. The Aries new moon ushers in a period where the focus is on you, your physical appearance, your opportunities, personal freedom, and your passions. The corresponding area of your house is the Career gua. This is the front center of your home, every room in your home, your land and your office or place or business. 

Aries, the first house in the zodiac, represents a time of new beginnings. Correlating nicely with spring, it is a time of emergence after the slower and darker months of winter. Our instinct is to start something new. We may feel more spontaneity, enthusiasm, impulse and courage.

The Career sector of your home is about your Life Path and the opportunities that come your way. To attract more opportunities and/or the right opportunities, refresh the center front of your home and every room in your home prior to April 10th. Set an intention for your life path or Career when the new moon arrives, meditate on it, and then observe what happens and participate in its unfolding beginning with the April 25th full moon and lunar eclipse. 

In many homes the front door is located in the Career gua. This is quite nice since from a feng shui perspective the front door is the most important area in our homes. It is known as the mouth of chi. The condition of your front door heavily influences the quality of energy that enters your home. Refreshing and energizing a centrally located front door also energizes your career and the opportunities that come your way. This is an excellent month to refresh your front door and surrounding area.

The Career gua is energized by the Water element. From a feng shui perspective Water is represented by glass, mirrors, reflective surfaces, black and dark blue, wavy, swirling shapes. A ship or pictures of lakes, harbors, or ocean views make a nice enhancement in this area.

What is in the front center of your home and what can you do to bring new energy and new opportunities your way?

If you are looking for a new job, read my article "Nine Tips for Finding the Perfect Job" in the March 2013 newsletter.

I am hearing from, and about, people being stuck in longstanding patterns and situations that are frustrating, uncomfortable, and less than they desire. Some of the people in these situations are very aware of energy and have been working hard to change their situations, without tangible progress or in some cases, with setbacks. Other people are not aware and/or don't have a clue about how their actions influence their circumstances. Self sabotage is the common denominator in both ends of this spectrum. Self sabotage happens when we get in our own way and stop the flow of progress. Self sabotage includes: lack of clarity about what you really want, holding or expressing self limiting beliefs, feeling that you don't deserve what you want, negative or self defeating self talk, paralysis and inaction, overlooking blessings that have come your way, pushing things away (For instance: "No, You shouldn't have ...!") lack of appreciation or gratitude, complaining about your situation, gossiping about others, and more.

Your personal energy is always aligned with what is happening in your life. So, if life is not going the way you want, you must raise your personal frequency or vibration to become a match for what you want. Feng Shui can assist with this. Don't you always feel better when your space feels great? When you feel good, situations on that same energy wave will begin to show up. Your job is to get out of your own way and allow them in.

Specific actions you can take to raise the vibration of your space include:

• Add a fresh plant or vase of flowers for an instant and affordable shift.
• Clear away clutter (anything you don't us or love)
• Fix anything/everything that is broken

• Make sure all plumbing and electric is working well!
• Clear clogged drains, eliminate drips
• Replace burnt out light bulbs

• Wash your windows to assist with clear vision
• Vacuum and dust ... including all corners
• Clean and reorganize closets

• Eliminate paper piles
• Replace old and dated things with something current and inspiring
• Make seasonal adjustments ... lighten up for spring

The bottom line is that it is time to unplug from our 24/7 dependence on technology and reconnect with ourselves and those we care about. From a feng shui perspective, we have long recommended that you make your bedroom a sanctuary, in part, by removing TVs and omitting all electronics. The healthy home movement (bau-biologie) goes further by recommending that you also shut off all wireless routers before sleeping as well as the electrical circuits in your bedroom. Cell phones for children under 16 are not recommended, yet so many children not only have one, they carry it in their pocket while being turned on. 

Evidence is mounting that overuse of social technology is contributing to higher levels of social isolation, changing brain patterns (and not for the better), a decline in overall health and well-being, and now our capacity to connect with each other. In other words, we may think we are more connected than ever before, but we are actually moving further apart.

This movie has a message that is worth our attention and discussion. It's on my list to see.

Here is a link to the film Finding Joe  that is available for free on You Tube. This is worth watching, particularly if you would like to shift your life. It runs 1 hour 20 minutes. It is about Joseph Campbell's work and the theme of the "Heroes Journey" ... a process that each of us goes through as we live our lives. It is well worth your time. 

Here's a link to an excellent New York Time column about how Less is More :  It is possible for each of us to create fundamental shifts to improve the quality our lives. It's a matter of taking charge and making it happen through whatever way works best for you.