In the early days of Feng Shui being introduced to the Western World, many thought they needed to purchase exotic, symbolic Chinese knick-knacks, symbols and décor items in order for their home or business to have good Feng Shui.
After more than 30 years of consulting professionally, I have always emphasized that ordinary items, which can be purchased at home and garden stores, can work as Feng Shui remedies. Some people have gotten very creative, making their own fountains, art work and other objects to work as an elemental device. One memorable client got quite resourceful, repurposing a segment of metal train tracks into a metal décor item.
Some of my clients have asked if a stainless steel pet drinking fountain can work as a moving water remedy in the home and the answer is a definitive “yes.” Aside from the fact that these are rather small, when I prefer to see people use a larger volume of water, the reality is that these pet drinking fountains can work well in small spaces or if the desired location for water is restricted and only a small water feature is practical. Commercial table-top fountains can cost double or more than a pet drinking fountain so the pet fountains are affordable for most. As well, with a dog or cat actually drinking from the fountain, it requires the human to add more water on a daily basis, keeping the water fresh, which is ideal.
And to top it off, in the cycle of the Elements, Metal nurtures Water, so the stainless steel composition of the pet fountain is superior to other fountain materials like plastic, resin or stone. In fact, there are some health risks in having your pet drink from a plastic or ceramic container as they leach chemicals into the water.
What happens when you need to remedy a garage? Or use the Fire Element temporarily? I don’t like to see a client, nor myself, spend a lot of money on some item that is only needed temporarily. I try to make it clear when investing in something pricey is worth it for a long term remedy in the same location.
Whenever I have needed the fire element in my garage as an annual remedy (because it is the common entrance into my home 90% of the time), I have defaulted to a maroon blanket that I drape over anything stored in the garage in the location that needs the fire element. Red blankets are easy to find in stores or on-line and will not cost much. You can come up with all kinds of unique, practical, affordable, useful, whimsical and artistic solutions for your Feng Shui remedies and I invite anyone to share with me what you have come up with!
Additionally, when you need a “moving metal” remedy, it does not have to be a metal wind chime. In fact, using metal wind chimes INSIDE a house is highly discouraged. Instead, a grandfather clock or any metal pendulum clock can work much better as your moving metal remedy.
Author: Kartar Diamond
Company: Feng Shui Solutions ®
From the Feng Shui Theory Blog Series
