We had our house move planned long before the world turned upside down as Pete’s dad was injured, fell ill and passed seven weeks ago. As I wrote previously, we decided to keep to our schedule and the process was a welcome distraction.
This move completed a series of events that we had envisioned when we first married, never dreaming that almost five years would go by before they could transpire. But finally, the planets aligned and we would be starting anew as we wished we could have done initially. This happiness shared emotional space with grief and sorrow.
We both wanted our new home’s energy to acknowledge and mirror the loving gifts with which we’d been blessed: the ability to look ahead with optimism and purpose while honoring the past. I particularly wanted to leave behind the “presence” I had learned to live with at the other house. It was the beginning of February as the Chinese New Year turned, and it was time to bless our new home.
Our dear friend, Hinda Abrahamson, is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant who graciously offered her assistance. She arrived on a peaceful Sunday morning shortly after we moved in and we chatted lightly about all that had transpired in the space of the previous few weeks. Our move had gone smoothly and harmoniously. We were hopeful these energies were the vanguard of this new chapter in our life together. And we knew if they were, we could retreat for purposes of solace and renewal from the emotional aftershocks that were inevitably coming after such cataclysmic personal events.
Hinda guided the conversation to the purpose of the Orange Peel Blessing which she had selected for us, knowing all these circumstances so very well. The Orange Peel Blessing uses the essence of the orange, which in feng shui has four aspects: protection, blessings, lifting the energy in general, and removing negative energy from a space. Each of these aspects addressed what we wanted for our home’s overall atmosphere.
I have learned from Hinda that feng shui is all about intention. Practitioners learn how to reinforce intent by placing objects within environments to encourage the flow of good energy (chi), as well as to protect from harmful elements. Your general well-being can be supported by opening your home to the blessings associated with good chi, and maintaining its atmosphere toward that end. Should there be residual energy in a space, left over from previous inhabitants or even from the ground upon which it is built, feng shui principles will encompass sensitive acknowledgment as well as manipulative measures to access energy’s most positive qualities and neutralize the negative.
As a real estate agent who toured and showed many houses, I realized that, like many, I am quite sensitive to a home’s atmosphere from the minute I enter it. I had co-existed with a troublesome vibe in the house we were living in, and I was determined to bid it farewell. The vibe in our new place felt neutral by comparison, with friendly overtones. Pete and I wanted these positive aspects to emanate, and our intention was to enhance them.
Hinda began the Blessing Ceremony with a few minutes during which we could center ourselves by contemplating these intentions, identifying them by name, and then mentally introduce them to our space. We did this in silence, each of us choosing specific things and concentrating. As we did this, Hinda quietly intoned the Heart Calming Mantra, which consists of nine sacred words repeated nine times. The peace that enveloped us was palpable and we were ready.
Hinda instructed us to select a special bowl and fill it with water. I knew Pete would want to use the plain earthenware bowl in which his grandmother’s bread had regularly risen on the farm so long ago. What a perfect choice. Our bowl’s neutral simplicity evoked our intentions, and its residual energy – the vessel in which sustenance from the life of the farm was transformed through honest hard work and loving hands – was good.
We set the bowl on the table before us and peeled nine small round shapes from a fresh orange. The number 9 is significant in numerology for universal influence:
The spiritual meaning of number Nine brings us to the very height of vibrational frequencies in this number sequence. Nine represents attainment, satisfaction, accomplishment, and our success to achieve an influence in our circumstances. The spiritual meaning of number Nine deals with intellectual power, inventiveness, influence over situations and things. Nine beseeches us to recognize our own internal attributes, and extend these abilities out into the world to make a positive, influential difference.
We had been pleased that our new address contained several nines, and Hinda concurred, sharing with us the special qualities the Chinese culture assigns to the number nine. The site, Chinese Meaning of Numbers, summarizes:
If we consider each of these initial numbers as a pathway into ever increasing complexity and higher knowledge, the nine will be our precipice of our understanding. At the apex of our upward count stands the nine, and in Chinese meaning of numbers it is the jackpot of celestial forces. Interestingly, in Feng Shui, nine sections are cordoned off by agricultural land owners; eight sections of land are cultivated, but the ninth section (in the center of the agricultural blueprint) is classified as “god’s acre” and is devoted to honor the supreme and sacred. The Chinese meaning of numbers nine is completion and satisfaction. It represents a high standard of celestial congruence. When we reach the philosophical height of number nine we have ascended in esoteric understanding and obtained a cosmic satisfaction. The Chinese zodiac symbol for number nine is the Monkey and its Feng Shui direction is West/Southwest.
Several nines in our new address, but not only that, our townhouse is on the southwest corner of the building. Our front doorway faces south, but is unobstructed from the west. Everything was pointing toward a confluence of good energy.
We floated the nine peels in the bowl and began at the front door. Pete held the bowl and I flicked drops of the orange-flavored water from the fingertips of my hand. This, I later learned, is the Expelling Mudra, which clears the space for blessings. This is done while you hold the intentions you meditated upon in your heart.
We moved throughout our new home. As we spritzed the fragrant orange water, we visualized the removal of any negative energy and welcomed the positive in the form of new blessings. Hinda accompanied us and repeated the Six True Words, which were originated to bring harmony back into life, in a soothing mantra. I felt the presence of goodness and peace.
When we had finished, we returned to sit quietly in front of the bowl and absorb the energy in our space. Part of the process is to leave the bowl in a central place overnight. Hinda reminded us that the next morning, we should divide up the water and pour it down each of our drains until it was all gone. The orange peels, likewise, we were to return to the earth via moving water.
Hinda’s expertise lies in a school of Feng Shui that is called Black Sect, which has origins in Tantric Buddhism. Black Sect shares the Three Secrets of Reinforcement as being Body – the positioning of the hand and placement of an item which holds your intention, Mind - the visualization of what you want and “seeing” it happen, and Speech – the repetition of sacred speech like the Six True Words. These Secrets (which refer to powerful inner methods) can cause adjustments toward preferred outcomes using the strengthening power of mind and speech. This combination is believed to manifest appropriately as well as abundantly when accessed with sincerity and an open heart.
Our house blessing took place six weeks ago on a quiet winter morning. Pete later wrote:
Today we had our fung shui (sp) blessing of the new home. Thank you Hinda for your blessing and friendship. I am excited. I feel that this will be an exceptional year with many positive changes. . .
Perhaps the most challenging times in life are served up by grief. When circumstances are overpowering, as they have been over the past eight months with the loss of both Pete’s parents, the descent into incapacitation and despair can be rapid and, in some cases, permanent. The upheaval is distorting and upending, and we are disoriented and vulnerable.
But changes in perspective can also be wrought from grief that are refined and focused. The unimportant falls away and we, in an effort to conserve and protect our fragility, focus on what matters most. Good healing consists of protection and repair in the beginning, and then the ability to place the experience in its proper place in the continuum of life.
We concluded our morning with another ceremony: the tradition of the Red Envelope. Before Hinda arrived, Pete filled a red envelope with 9 coins, totaling 99 cents, which we presented to Hinda with a slight bow using two hands. She accepted it in the same manner. This tradition signifies payment for favorable service from a teacher, brings good luck and also wards off evil spirits.
Blessing our house by welcoming and making a place for peaceful, positive energy has been an auspicious choice which has already strengthened and supported us in the weeks hence. We are cloaked and protected against harm, and we move forward peacefully and purposefully.
Hinda Abrahamson is a founding member and President of the Feng Shui Institute of the Midwest. If you would like to work with her or subscribe to her monthly newsletter, you can reach her by emailing hinda at livingyourintention dot com.
Random thoughts (sorry, these are the associations my brain makes) on the relationships of significant symbols and the origins of things we refer to:
1. What new context do the following phrases have now that you know the significance of the number nine?
a. “Dressed to the nines”
b. “on Cloud 9″
c. “The whole 9 yards”
2. Do you place any greater significance to the trend toward flavoring cleaning products, oils and soaps with the essence or fragrance of orange?
3. In what way do you believe that harmonious surroundings have a correlative effect on your emotional and physical well-being?
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Peter and Betsy Wuebker are location-independent professionals who share what they know about travel, simplicity and integrating work with life. 
I would only add that Hinda’s energy is one of the keys to her success and well being. Some of that has surely rubbed off on our place after the blessing.
We’re looking forward to a consultation which will help us position and organize everything for best energy. I hope I don’t have to move many wall hanging things.
PETER has an awesome blog post here: Custom Champagne Celebration Stamp
I hope you don’t either!
First, beautiful post. Thanks, Betsy.
Okay, your questions …
Because I have studied Tarot extensively I am very familiar with the number 9. The 9 cards look kind of grim, but I love them. In Tarot it means you have traveled a long journey, and now you are putting to death the final things needed to close off that journey and start an exciting new journey. So, given the 3 choices you provided, the closest for me is The Whole Nine Yards.
We have zero scents in our house as Marc and I are both super sensitive to them. So, no essential oils, potpourri, air fresheners, etc. However, we infuse our house with the smells of cooking. Now THAT is pure comfort, peace and joy.
Harmonious surroundings and health? BIG TIME! There are rooms in some houses that I have absolute anxiety attacks in. Seemingly normal looking rooms, but something is definitely wrong.
When I walked into Marc’s house for the first time, I said “I can live here!” before I had even determined he was truly the man for me
However, once I moved in, I made some changes. First, he had dried flower arrangements all over the house. BAD hum-a-hum-a’s. I got rid of them all without telling Marc and he remarked a couple of days later … “Something changed. I feel much lighter. Like I can breathe better” Then I got to work on his clutter. Huge job, but again, he couldn’t get over the change in his energy.
Blessings to your new house and your exiting new journey to both you and Pete.
Eliza has an awesome blog post here: Age is just a number
Hi Eliza – Like you with Marc’s, I walked into the house that would be Pete’s and immediately felt something. But it was something I couldn’t put my finger on except that I didn’t like it. Little did I imagine five years later I’d be living in/with it! What we do for love! Thankfully we seem to have left the ghost residing in the old place.
Downsizing two times within the space of five years and you’d think we’d be dealing with the bare minimum. We have much less stuff, but there is still too much. You’re right, though, without the clutter (and I can’t believe Marc had dried flowers! Ah-choo!) there is a lightness to life. We spend so much time and money on our stuff so that when there is less of it, we have more freedom.
I always get very anxious when there are too many things. Shopping the local Gift Mart for my business was an exercise in horrification! Clutter is visual noise.
Thanks for your comment!
This is so interesting Betsy! About 18 months ago we purchased a bank owned property that I really believe didn’t sell because of the energy of the place. We felt we were supposed to be here and so we bought it and it is a complete work in progress physically and energetically. We added landscaping and have painted a few of the rooms and each time we do this, there is a completely different feeling in that area of the home. My goal this year is to simplify, simplify, simplify and live with intention – I use essential oils – mostly lavendar and interestingly enough I also use orange oil – I didn’t know the energetic properties of the oil until I read your post. Great post I really enjoyed it! Now I understand better why I use Orange Pledge, Orange oil on my furniture…
Hi Kayla – How great that your house reached out to you with the “supposed to be here” feeling. I believe renovations restore better energy. A while back I saw a website that was filled with photos of abandoned homes in Detroit – some previously quite grand, all very sad. It was the same feeling as wanting to bring a stray puppy home for me. I am glad your property is in your capable hands.
I agree, too, that the properties of certain scents – lavender in linens encourages restfulness, etc. – must have driven their traditional use from back in the day. We use them now because it’s customary, mostly, and it’s nice to know the why of it. Thank you.
Sounds great! I’m a strong believer in rituals of whatever kind have meaning for the person using them. And I know Hinda’s great!
Hi Dot – Yes, the power of ritual. I am learning so much from Hinda and the basis for being more intentional. Being more deliberate and aware brings richness to life even in the daily things. This feels good. Thank you.
Betsy, I smell orange peel here at the library now.
I hope you don’t have to be a professional like Hindi to do the ceremony, because I’d like to try it at home. And since Kelly is NINE years old she might be very excited to be part of the blessing and intention with me.
I do like orange essence very much. And lemon for cleaning.
And drank some orange juice earlier with a friend.
Hope you are enjoying your new home, sounds lovely, and glad to hear of the fung shui plusses is has going on.
xoxo
Jannie Funster has an awesome blog post here: Singing In The Tree House- 2
Hi Jannie – Oh yeah! You could make a big deal about being NINE years old and the power of nine, numerology, Chinese knowledge! It would really be fun to get some of her little friends together and celebrate that! What a great idea!
A party of nine about nine with nines everywhere!
Hi Betsy .. really interesting read .. I’ve never investigated ‘things’ like this .. I know what I like or dislike .. I hate false smells .. and we have fresh flowers in Mum’s room .. I know numbers feature in most ancient philosophies. One day I shall investigate more – or absorb more from posts I read .. thanks – really interesting and stimulating read .. together with the comments .. thanks to you both -Hilary
Hilary has an awesome blog post here: Garden history
Hi Hilary – So glad to have sparked your curiosity! You are so knowledgeable on so many things, it’s a pleasure to have introduced these concepts to you. Thanks!
Such a lovely post and great explanation. We had a native friend bless our house as we did the remodeling process and it was a lovely ceremony and I so enjoy attending house blessings. When all the old plaster and the (asbestos) had been removed from the original house and we were down to bare boards, we had all the children from our church community come and carve their Halloween jack 0 lanterns and roast the seeds. They all came in costume and went room to room with cedar smoke to remove all the monsters and negativity in the house. It was quite an experience.
My numerology number is 9 – I am just beginning to understand and research what that means.
My favorite smell throughout the house is when I am making tomato sauce, or applesauce and for days the house smells so wonderful.
My nose is very sensitive so I do not use any cleaning products that contain troublesome scents or ingredients.
Thank you for sharing this part of your journey. I loved pausing here to read
Patricia has an awesome blog post here: LUNCH
Hi Patricia – I agree, a house filled with the aroma of good cooking is such a pleasure. I have been using some of the items from Mrs. Meyers because the scents were out of the ordinary – geranium was one and now I have something basil-y or verbena, I can’t remember. Definitely unusual and pleasurable, but I can see if someone was sensitive they might not be a good choice.
It’s interesting to find out how many people believe and do these rituals – many more than I would have thought. Thank you.
The number 9 has always been my favorite number, and now I am glad! Maybe it has been bringing me good luck : ) I love the feng shui way of doing things around the house like decorations and placement of furniture. This is awesome, congrats on the new house!
Jasmine has an awesome blog post here: Outdoor & BBQ
Hi Jasmine – Thank you! Glad you enjoyed this post!