Happy Earth Day from CreativeGiftsOfHealing.com. Today is a wonderful day to celebrate nature! Take some time for yourself today and allow yourself to take in the amazing energy of Mother Earth and all that she shares with us - hug a tree, watch the sunset, lay in the grass, listen to the birds sing, or go sit by a lake or ocean - whatever you do, take a minute, take a deep breath, and take in Mother Earth's Healing energy. Peace.

Creative Gifts Of Healing Team :)

By Sue Kennedy

According to some of the homes and interiors magazines I have read, green is set to be an important colour for interiors this year. Green symbolizes nature and psychologically it calms us, as does blue.

It's all about tranquil living. I had a Feng Shui Consultation once and the consultant recommended that I used my own photographic prints as Feng Shui 'Cures'. So I did! Having now moved in my new studio I have been thinking more and more about Feng Shui - the study of how to arrange your space to enhance one's life - once again.

It is possible for a print or photograph to move us, to have an emotional impact, to stir our senses. In Feng Shui, art serves many purposes - it can bring positive energy to a blocked entry, enliven a dead space, add the colour needed to balance energy and generally makes us feel better.

When we love the piece of art we are looking at, it is an effective Feng Shui cure - art can change the energy in any space. If you are living with a piece of art that doesn't appeal to you, then it will have the opposite effect. It may be a piece of art you bought when you were at a different stage of your life, and now you have moved on. Or it may represent the opposite of your goals.

The area of Feng Shui that intrigues me the most is wealth & prosperity, which includes the things that money can't buy too like good health, loving relationships, auspicious opportunities and creative self-expression.

With some success since my first consultation with a practitioner I've switched from office work to creative profession and enjoy all the privileges that such a life change brings including good health. In Feng Shui terms I joined force with my surroundings and took action for positive change.

5 Quick tips on using Photographic prints as a Feng Shui 'cure'

1. The print should not conflict with the function of the room.
2. Place a series of pictures the wall or walls with frames all at the same level which can be good for a room with very high ceilings as it creates the illusion of a second lower ceiling.
3. Pictures of landscapes can be good for rooms with no windows.
4. Having an attractive print on an otherwise blank wall can be a Feng Shui cure for a congestive entrance.
5. Use a print to hide another Feng Shui cure, which might not be to your taste - for example placing a crystal behind a picture.

Sue Kennedy LRPS, LBIPP
Photographer
http://www.blueeyesphoto.com

Find a place and time where you can close your eyes for a few minutes and be at peace. Turn your attention inward and notice the sensations of your body. Note the rhythm of your breathing. Note the tension in your muscles. Let go of the tension. Let your breathing relax into its natural pattern.

In your mind's eye imagine that you are in a beautiful place in nature. Make it a place where you can hear the sound of water. It may be at the ocean or in a forest, in the mountains or some other place where you can feel close to nature away from your everyday cares. Somehow it is only a short walk from where you are now to this scene in nature.

Use all of your senses as you imagine yourself in this place. Listen to the sound of the water. Hear it in your mind and let its rhythm caress you. Perhaps you can hear the sound of birds as well. Listen to their call.

Feel a comfortable breeze on your skin. The air moves just enough to give your body a sense of itself in this place. The air is clean and comforting.

Feel the sun upon your body as well. The warm sun and the comfortable breeze keep you at just the right temperature.

Smell the scents of the earth. Maybe there are wildflowers or blossoming trees.

Look around you. Notice the lovely colors of this wonderful place. See the plants growing here. See the play of light upon the water.

Now that you have a sense of this place, sit or lie down on the warm dry earth. Just relax there. Take your time.

Know that this is your place. Allow it to be your refuge. No one can come here except at your bidding. But in your mind, anyone you like can join you here any time you wish. This is a place for you to get a way from worries. It is a place where your mind can be free and at rest. This is your retreat. You can come here whenever you want to leave your cares behind. It is a place for you to come back to yourself, to be who you really are. It is a place to be in touch with the earth.

Tom Barrett
www.interluderetreat.com

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• Feng Shui in Photography
• Nature Scene Meditation
• Stone Healing Guide
• Mother's Day Gifts

Check out our guide for more information about the healing characteristics of different stones.