DIY Numerology: What’s In Store for Your Nine Stars This Year?

Happy Chinese New Year!

It’s that time again to celebrate the transition to the lunar new year. On Monday Feburary 8, 2016 we welcome the Year of the Fire Monkey. In addition to the Chinese zodiac animal and four pillars astrology, I utilize the numerology of the Nine Star Ki in my life and feng shui practice. 

The Nine Star Ki was developed in ancient China and syncs perfectly with feng shui, the I-Ching and five element principles. The transition to the new cycle in the Nine Star Ki system occurs on Februrary 4th of every year. 

Holistic Spaces and Aromatherachi have curated aromatherapy inhaler sticks for each number for 2016. The aromastick blends were created to support and enhance the energy that your number will be working with in 2016. These aromasticks can be used with feng shui adjustments to help you achieve your goals this year. Each blend of essential oils distributes olfactory information directly to your limbic system and hypothalamus, producing deep emotional and behavioral transformations.

In case you are not familiar with the Nine Star Ki, you can calculate your principle number by using your year of birth.

For example, if you were born in 1976:

  • Add: 1+9+7+6 = 23

  • Reduce to a single digit: 2+3 = 5

  • Subtract from 11: 11-5 = 6

*if born Jan 1-Feb 4, subtract from 12:  12-5 = 7

For example, if you were born in 1950:

  • Add: 1+9+5+0 = 15

  • Reduce to a single digit: 1+5 = 6

  • Subtract from 11: 11-6 = 5

*if born Jan 1-Feb 4, subtract from 12:  12-6 = 6

Now that you’ve calculated your principle number, you can see what kind of energy you can expect for the year.

If your principle number is 1, in 2016 you will be in the year of Rapid Growth. This year will be a continuation of last year where you see your sprouts grow into strong, grounded trees. This year will be busy and active, so please take care of yourself and be careful not to get burnt out.

If your principle number is 2, in 2016 you will be in the year of Fluctuation. This year will feel a little chaotic, as this is a time of renewal and rebirth. You many need to reinvent yourself this year. It’s a great time to let things go that are no longer serving you. 

If your principle number is 3, in 2016 you will be in the year of Prosperity. This year will feel strong and prosperous. You will begin to feel confident and be recognized for your knowledge and skills. There will still be a lot of effort, but you shall finally be harvesting the fruits of your labor.

If your principle number is 4, in 2016 you will be in the year of Celebration. This year will feel celebratory and playful. It is a great time to relax and pat yourself on the back for all the hard work that you put in the last few years. Enjoy yourself, rejoice and have some fun.

If your principle number is 5, in 2016 you will be in the year of Stillness. This year will be much quieter than the last. It will be a time of stillness, like climbing up a mountain to meditate in isolation. This is a great time to focus inward and do some self-cultivation.

If your principle number is 6, in 2016 you will be in the year of Recognition. This year you will be in the house of fire, where you have the best opportunities to be seen and recognized by others. It is a great time to receive any promotions or any other projects that you want publicity for. Be careful, as all things, good or bad, may be unveiled to the public.

If your principle number is 7, in 2016 you will be in the year of Planning. This year will feel quiet and is a time for planning. In the winter, it may appear that everything is dead on the surface, but underneath there is much life and activity. Similarly, it may feel slow, but take this time to reflect, review and plan for the future.

If your principle number is 8, in 2016 you will be in the year of Germination. This year will be the time to plant seeds. When you plant a garden, you germinate many more seeds than you need. Do the same this year. Put all your ideas out there into the universe and share them with others. Plant the seeds and see what comes up! 

If your principle number is 9, in 2016 you will be in the year of Sprouting. This year will be energetic and full of new beginnings as you catch sight of seeds that you planted last year begin to sprout and grow. Be open to new ideas and cultivate the projects that you start at this time.

For a bit more on Nine Star Ki numerology and what that means for this year, check out a recent Holistic Spaces podcast. You can also visit the posts here for tips on how to bring in the new lunar year in feng shui style! Whatever the year ahead looks like for you, be sure to take time to care for yourself and ensure that your space is nurturing. Also, don't forget to carry a three dimensional snake charm this year, as the snake is the best friend of the monkey and offers support and protection throughout the year! Grab one over at the Holistic Spaces store!

by Anjie Cho

Roll Up Your Sleeves, It’s Time to Paint!

Love the paint color you've picked out! You’ve done your due diligence and you’re about to head out to the store to pick up gallons of that gorgeous color your walls have been begging for! But wait. Now what? How many gallons do you buy? Do you need to do anything to prep the walls? How much time should you set aside for this project? Keep reading.

How many gallons?

You’re going to need to do a little math. Add the length of the walls and multiple that by the height of the room to determine the square footage of your space. Don’t put away the calculator, because you’re not done yet. Now subtract the square footage of each door and window in the room. If you want a rough estimate, you can assume 20 sq. ft. for each door and 15 sq. ft. for each average-sized window. Now you have an approximate idea of how large a surface area you’ll be painting. A gallon of paint will provide one coat to roughly 350 sq. ft. of wall. 

How many coats?

No matter what color you’ve selected, plan on applying at least two coats for an even, complete finish. Darker colors might require 3 or 4 coats for a proper finish. Don’t forget to factor each coat into your surface-area figures above in order to ensure you’ve bought enough paint. Multiply your square footage by the number of coats to determine exactly how much paint you’re going to need. 

But wait, first things first.

You’ve determined how much paint you’ll need, but before you run out to pick up your gallon(s), there’s more to add to your shopping list. A fresh coat of paint deserves a smooth canvas. You’ll need to spackle existing nail holes, fill cracks, and prime the wall. All of that requires supplies. You’ll also need a role of blue tape, rollers, brushes and other related items. Make your shopping list and pick up all your supplies at once before you roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Do you need to skim coat?

Good question. There are a several reasons why you’ll need to consider a skim coat (aka applying a layer of mud/joint compound to the wall.)

  • Are you covering existing decorative texture treatments?

  • Are you blending an existing dry wall with a newly installed section?

  • Are you working on a section of wall that has been patched and repaired?

  • Are you refinishing walls that were recently adorned with wallpaper or other treatments like stenciling and painted patterns?

If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, you’ll want to read up on skim coating here: The What and Why of Skim Coating.

Prime. Just do it.

There is not a question here. Yes. You need to prime. If you’re working with new drywall or recently skim coated walls, primer will help seal and ready the walls for its new hue. If you’re painting a lighter color over a darker one, primer will help quell the bold shade and ready it for its more muted replacement. If you’ve simply spackled and sanded nail holes and/or repaired small cracks with mesh and spackle, prime to ensure a more uniform finish to your final color. 

How long do you wait between coats?

Just because your wall looks dry and feels dry to the touch doesn’t mean it’s ready for the next coat. At minimum, figure you’ve got enough time to fit in dinner and a movie. In other words, give your walls at least four hours between coats. Poor ventilation, cool temperatures, high humidity and other facts can slow the process down, however. It you want to be safe, consider calling it a day after one coat and pick up where you left off the following day.

by Anjie Cho

New Year's Inspiration with Your Own Personal Shrine

First, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I hope it was wonderful and relaxing for everyone. I stayed in the neighborhood and shared an inspiring toast to the future with some friends and my husband.

Ok, moving along :) In my last podcast, Feng Shui and the Winter Solstice, I shared some ways to welcome the winter and new year into your home and life. Instead of just writing up a list of new year's "resolutions," I offered a way in which to create a personal shrine to embody how you want to FEEL in 2016. 

Here are the instructions! Note: I'm sharing the one I created in this post.

Materials:

  • Photographs and/or small items that are special and feel inspiring to you. My selections:
    • Celestite crystals, an angelic and spiritual stone
    • Origami paper crane, white for precision, and the paper crane as a nod to creativity and the story of folding a Thousand Origami Cranes to receive one wish
    • Blessed feng shui cinnabar rice in a red envelope from a teacher, for protection, wisdom and to honor the feng shui lineage that so inspires me
  • Mint tin, match book, any small box
    • I found this old mint box that held some paperclips. And how PERFECT, I opened it up and was reminded of the quote printed inside:
    • "Every thought we think is creating our future" Louise L. Hay
  • Other decorative materials such as paper, plant life, ribbons, shiny things
    • I found a mirror-like silver paper and a beautiful gold satin ribbon
  • Glue to put it all together!

Directions:

  • Decorate the interior of the box with your special objects. Keep in mind the FEELING you want to embody and be inspired by. 
  • Find a special place for it or carry it with you!

Please send along photos of your personal shrine! I hope this project inspires you!

Note: I'm sharing this (somewhat modified) DIY activity from the Winter catalog for the Rubin Museum. The Rubin Museum of Art "is an arts and cultural hub in New York City’s vibrant Chelsea neighborhood that inspires visitors to make connections between contemporary life and the art and ideas of the Himalayas, India, and neighboring regions." Be sure to check it out if you're ever in NYC!

by Anjie Cho