Monday, June 29, 2009

Who's YOUR Ideal Mystery Date?


Photo courtesy "Surely" from Stock Xchg
Every Monday I've been treating you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my stories. This week I'm turning the tables and asking you to share a character with me!

If you could have a date with (or meet) any character you wanted out of a novel, who would it be? A swarthy hunk from a pirate story? The svelte and shrewed detective from a hard-hitting P.I. novel? How about a brooding, but uber sexy vampire like Lestat or dare I say, Edward?

I suppose it's only fair to share my own choice to start things off. While there many characters who intrigue, I'll have to go with Dageus MacKeltar from Karen Marie Moning's DARK HIGHLANDER. A rippling Celtic lord with Druid powers and a massive...broadsword, he's got just the right stuff to make MY Mystery Date Monday.

Okay, I confessed...now it's your turn! Whether it be a character from a mystery, science fiction, or romance, I'm anxious to hear who you'd most like to meet!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Friday Day Off in Memory

Image courtesy of Stock Xchg

In memory of the artists and entertainment icons who have passed this week, I'm taking a moment of silence on today's Feng Shui Friday to reflect on life, and how we manage to touch others during the brief time we're walking through it. Selah.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Wild Dreams Wednesday #15

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams!
Every Wednesday I venture away from romantic/erotic fiction writing to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Send it to writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll try to shed some light on Wild Dreams Wednesday!


Well, it's been an interesting dream week! If I didn't know better I'd say Halloween was coming, as there have been a number of reported ghost and zombie dreams. Someone else dreamed they were standing on a picnic table that had a shark chained to it! But since I've covered ghost dreams and shark dreams recently, I thought I'd analyze the zombie dream.


This week's dream:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I dreamed of zombie apocalypse. I saw more and more getting infected, and tried to save a group of boy scouts. I kept running and trying to help, but as always the zombies grew in number and kept coming. It seemed useless."

--anonymous


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What do you think of when you hear the word "zombie?" They are monotone, programmed beings, shuffling forward on auto pilot with zero emotion. And yeah, they eat brains. In dreams, zombies represent ourselves, and feelings that we're moving through a situation without emotion, going through the motions in life while emotionally detached. And this dream involves children. As I discussed in my sinking ship interpretation, children also represent ourselves, aspects of our own childhood. The dreamer here is male, and is trying to save boy scouts from the attack to come. Perhaps current circumstances are bringing up feelings of helplessness you experienced as a child, or you subconsciously wish you could have done things differently to spare the boy scout "you" life experiences that were less fulfilling than you would have wished.


~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Friendship Blog Award

I interrupt your regularly scheduled "Mystery Date Monday" for a special post about blog friends and this award that I'd like to pass on.

I had a rather rough morning, dealing with a kid sick enough to prompt me to call off work, and I'd strongly considered not posting my Monday blog today at all. Imagine the irony when I logged on to find Anita Davison was kind enough to share a "Let's Be Friends" blog award with me via The Disorganised Author. A hearty thanks to Anita, and your friendship is accepted AND valued!

About the award:

Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers.

I'd hereby like to deliver this award to the following exceedingly charming, friendly bloggers:

1. Courtney Mroch, author and blogger at Haunt Jaunts...and an absolutely inspiring friend!

2. Helen Ginger, the always fun and informative blogger at Straight From Hel

3. Tabitha Shay, follow Eternal Press author and always fun to hang out with at Fall Under My Spell

4. Hywela Lyn, author and blogger who is always ready for a kind word. Speaking of which, her Monday's Words blog is not to be missed!

5. Debra Kayn, romance author whose blog I "lurk" at often. I like her Tuesday Catch-up posts a lot!

6. Norm Cowie, author and blogger at FangPlace. Hilariously entertaining, I first "met" Norm while we were busy promoting our first novels with the same pub.

7. Abigail Ly, aka MicroBlogginMom. I've lurked on her blog for a while and always find it informative and friendly.

8. Karen Syed, author/publisher and always helpful and friendly blogger at The Life of a Publisher. I love the variety and spice on her blog, and especially enjoy her refreshing insight on alternative publishing.


To all of you I give the Let's Be Friends blog award, and I hope folks will hop on over and check out your blogs.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Feng Shui Friday: Stolen Car!


Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
Every week I take a break from romance/erotic fiction writing and explore simple tricks to bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life!

Last week I talked about The Metal Element in feng shui, and I was preparing to talk about Wood in this week's discussion. However, my post got delayed due to an unfortunate incident, and I realized that's what I should cover today.

Theft


I absolutely love the apartment complex where we live. It's close to work, the grounds are beautiful, our deck overlooks the pool and spa...it's like living at a resort. Neighbors are friendly, and there are rarely any problems. Except one. Cars of residents here are highly prone to vandalism, break ins, and theft from outsiders. And for the second time in a year and a half, my husband's car was stolen.


What Does Feng Shui Have to Do With This?

Having ones' balance out of whack can pave the way to chaos in other aspects in life. Also, if the Earth and/or Metal elements or safety items are under represented or absent, stability and protection of the household can be compromised.

While I certainly don't lay the blame for every little thing that occurs on whether or not our chi is flowing properly, I do firmly believe it can help or hinder obstacles in our path. After the initial flurry of frustration and required action (notifying police, insurance, etc.), I started to think over my feng shui practices of late and saw where they were lacking.

First, I hadn't been feeling on top of my game recently, and neglected to activate energies in both my Knowledge and Helpful People areas over the past couple of weeks. (I'll be talking about how I routinely activate zone energies later in the series.) What's more, I recently discovered that a small dragon statue displayed outside for protection had been broken. I discarded it immediately, but did not replace the intent, thus leaving a vulnerable spot. Finally, I had not done my usual positive visualization for protection of our home and vehicles and home the night before.

Can Feng Shui Help Now?


Absolutely. Now that the deed is done, and proper "real world" actions have been taken to report the incident, I turned attention to activating feng shui zones that may be of use to us in seeing the car recovered unharmed.

1. Knowledge Area. I activated hanging lanterns in this area for the purpose of "lighting the path" to our missing car, so it will be more easily spotted.

2. Helpful People Area. I activated lighting and incense cures in this area, to encourage individuals to be of assistance in locating and recovering the car.

3. Wealth Area. Because transportation is limited, my husband's livelihood is affected, and there will also be potential added expenses in recovering the vehicle (last time we paid hundreds in impound fees after the found vehicle was towed, and there will be definite steps taken to boost security). By activating indoor and outdoor Wealth areas, especially in conjunction with the Helpful People area, I hope to both minimize the losses and encourage a flow of income in other ways.

4. Marriage Area. Because this is a stressful time, I figured a bit of a positive energy boost in this zone (cleansing and lighting a flameless candle) couldn't hurt.


Did it Work??


As of this writing, the car has not been found. However, within an hour of activating our household chi, a friend called and offered to drive my husband to and from a paid job he'd have had to miss out on tomorrow, and another called with a phone number we needed.

I'll post an update on the car, but meanwhile will be staying on top of keeping positive energy flowing!


~~~~~
Romance writer duties call!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that brings a rolling tide of positive water chi your way!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

It's Coming....BIRTHDAY BLOG BINGO!!

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg

Every day during my upcoming Birthday Bash week July 5-12, I'll be hosting an exclusive game of Author Bio Bingo on my blog! The first round of bingo calls will appear on my blog Sunday, July 12, and more every day that week. I'll be suspending my usual blog format, and will be blogging about other fun topics to accompany my bingo calls.

TO PLAY:

1. Get a bingo card! Email me at writerlisalogan@verizon.net. Include BINGO in the subject line, and I'll send you one to use during that week.

When you get your card you'll note it does not contain typical bingo numbers. Each square contains a tidbit of info about me that might appear in an author bio.

2. Play the game! If you're not already, be sure to follow/subscribe to this blog so you can keep up with the posts! Every day starting July 5, I'll be choosing and posting bingo calls at random. Check my blog and mark off your squares accordingly.

3. How to win: Any straight line, be it horizontal, vertical, or diagonal wins. To shout "BINGO!" just post it in the comments, along with the card number you were assigned for verification of your win.

PRIZES!!


The FIRST player to correctly post "BINGO!" will win a pdf copy of the TWIST OF FATE anthology. ALL remaining players who post a correct "BINGO!" during the week will be entered in a drawing for a fun little conciliatory prize as well.

So get in on the party and request your game cards today. Best of luck to all players!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Wild Dreams Wednesday #14

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams!
Every Wednesday I venture away from romantic/erotic fiction writing to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Send it to writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll try to shed some light on Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I dreamed there were ghosts in my house. One tapped me on the shoulder!"
--anonymous
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While this may sound like a cross post suited to my friend Courtney's Haunt Jaunts blog, ghostly dreams are not all that uncommon. Ghosts in dreams indicate parts of our life, personality, or pasts that haunt or frighten us. Memories, things we've tried to forget, possibilities that we'd rather not face, sometimes will pop up as ghostly specters in our dreams.

In this dream, little detail is given, but one taps the dreamer on the shoulder. Coming up from behind. This item from behind, or the past, is trying to get your attention, though you fear it. Perhaps some memories or issues need to resurface and be dealt with. Once you've done so successfully, the ghost will fade away.


~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Mystery Date Monday: Jade Windsor

Photo courtesy "duchessa" from Stock Xchg

Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:


Who: Budding Psychic, 8-Year-Old Jade Windsor

What Book She's In: VISIONS, contemporary/romance/mystery novel

Where She Lives:
Mentone Beach, California

Why She's So Fascinating: Jade is the product of a divorce, with an upwardly mobile dad intent on a life of status cars and trophy girlfriends, and a lonely mom who works hard to give her a normal life. Except her mother isn't normal, and neither is Jade--her mother is so intent on escaping her special talent that she doesn't even realize her daughter has it, too. Can Jade help her mother embrace a gift that makes them both unique?

A Memorable Moment with Jade Windsor:

“My, Jadey, you’re squiggly today.”

The girl shrugged, itching at the tag on the back of her pink flowered blouse. Her cast had come off yesterday, her pale arm healed well enough that no additional time past the initial six weeks had been required.

She flung a new pat of butter on the stove, then stuck two slices of bread in the toaster.

“Can I have A-B-C pancakes, too?”

“We don’t have time for those today. But I can make you Wheel of Fortune toast. You can have pancakes on Saturday.”

She jumped down from her seat, voice breaking into a panicked whine. “But what if I have to be at Dad’s? Then I won’t ever get A-B-C pancakes! Jenna never cooks anything.”

Abandoning breakfast, Glory went over to kneel down in front of her daughter, hands on her shoulders. “It’s okay, baby. You probably won’t have to live at Dad’s, and even if you do we’ll still be together as much as we can.” She swept Jade into a tight hug, willing herself to believe what she’d just said. “You don’t think anything could stop us, do you? We’re the amazing Jaded Glory!”

The girl sniffled against Glory’s navy blazer before pulling back. “Then when court’s over, can we see Trenton again?”

The name jolted through her stomach. It had been weeks since Jade mentioned him, much to her relief. The whole thing had been too far over an eight-year-old’s head to explain. “I don’t think so. It’s–”

“I want to play my new karaoke CD for him. So he can sing Jailhouse Rock.”

“It’s complicated. Look, let’s just worry about us right now, okay? In fact, we’d better finish getting ready.”

“But I messed up your jacket.”

Glancing down, she saw the smudge of child’s tears and runny
nose leavings below the left shoulder. “Nonsense! That’s just the
official lapel pin of motherhood, and I shall wear it proudly!”

--from VISIONS
~~~~~~~~~

When Jade is Available:
VISIONS is available now in ebook or print.

How You Can Get Her Story: Get it in print on Amazon, or in eco-friendly eBook from Draumr Publishing

Friday, June 12, 2009

Feng Shui Friday: Metal


Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
Every week I take a break from romance/erotic fiction writing and explore simple tricks to bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life!

Last week I talked about The Earth Element in feng shui. Continuing on with the rest of the five feng shui elements, this week I'll be covering...

Metal Element in Feng Shui


graphic courtesy Stock Xchg
Metal. Strong, beautiful, conducts energy. Metal is not one of the typical elements found in other schools of thought (air/fire/water/earth), but it was so named by the Chinese in feng shui because of its value and importance to life giving "chi."


What Does Metal Do In Feng Shui?

Metal is responsible vital facets of existence:

1. Intellectual pursuits

Metal acts as a thought "conduit," if you will, channeling and focusing one's brain energy on tasks and such. Have trouble focusing or problem solving? Take a look at the use of Metal in your home.

2. Connects energy

Just like wiring conducting energy to carry sound or electricity, Metal in the home acts as a wiring network that connects all the household energies to the feng shui zones. Keeping this element in balance is important to ensure this process is optimal.

3. Attracts Wealth

Of course, considering many precious metals are fashioned into expensive jewelry and metal is turned into coin money, this is not surprising.

2. Conveys strength and protection

Metal doors, armor, weapons...more than any other element we think of metals as a way to protect our homes and persons.


Metal is the natural element of the Children/Creativity zone in feng shui.

What Kind of Metal?


Any natural metals are useful--wrought iron, copper, and steel are common in household use. Of course silver, gold, and precious metals as well.

Image Courtesy of Stock Xchg
What Items Can Be Used to Represent Metal?

Try any of the following that are practical and appeal to you:

1.Coins
2.Metal windchimes
3.Metal based candlesticks
4.Metal sculptures
5.Circle or spherical shapes
6.Colors like Gray and White

Any of these can be utilized in Feng Shui design to bring the Metal element theme into play, especially useful in the Creativity area.

Fixing "Metal" Problems



1. Don't Overdo. Too much metal is cold in a space, and can produce too much "sharp" energy. Think of lightning into a large metal conductor. If you have a lot of metal furnishings, lamp poles, etc., balance this by including a strong showing of other feng shui elements.
2. Avoid Sharp Edges.
Not only is this a safety issue, it subconsciously creates a feeling of ill ease in the home, "tiptoeing" to avoid disaster.
3. Avoid Metal in the Family Area. This can cause detriment, "sharp" and "cold" relations, even break family ties (metal cuts wood). Also, avoid placing Fire elements in Metal's natural area in the home. Fire melts Metal, nullifying its effects.
3. Beware of Candleholders as Metal Ambassadors. Again, Fire melts Metal, so either display metal candlesticks without a candle in them (lit or not), or don't use them in your decorating. An exception would be a grouping that contains all five elements, creating a harmonious balance.


Do I Have Too Much Metal?

If you decorate in modern style, possibly. Look for metal frames, table legs, furnishings, candleholders, decor, etc. If it's overdone, no need to hire a decorator and redo the whole house. Simply seek to create a harmonious balance between all the elements, removing metal decor where possible, or softening with colors/shapes/representations of other elements, etc.

Have fun exploring the ways this element can enhance your chi!


~~~~~
Romance writer duties call!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that brings positive metal chi your way!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Wild Dream Wednesdays #13

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams!
Every Wednesday I venture away from romantic/erotic fiction writing to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Send it to writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll try to shed some light on Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I dreamed my kid and I were on a boat that was sinking. We were belowdecks and I saved her from going under, then when things looked really bleak I found a stairwell leading up and out of the waterline. When I climbed up, I was too afraid to open the door at the top, thinking more water might rush in. What does this mean?"
--anonymous
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Water dreams involve our emotions. In your dream, you are in danger of drowning in overwhelming emotions, yet manage to keep your head above water. That you are saving a child represents aspects of your own childhood, in this case emotions left over from childhood memories that may threaten to flood back in, but from which you've pulled yourself.

Not surprisingly, traveling up a staircase in dreams involves progress on your path, as a person or in reaching desired goals. Here you climb out of the flood, making progress only to find a closed door at the top. Closed doors represent opportunities, new freedoms, attitudes, or feelings that you are barred from, in this case by your own fear to walk through it.

In short, while you have made significant progress along your emotional/spiritual path, at present you may feel stagnant, unable to move further because your own attitudes or fears are barring the way to new possibilities. Let go of past issues that hang on like baggage, and allow yourself the freedom to risk opening the door to a new path.


~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!

Monday, June 08, 2009

Mystery Date Monday: Rion Silverhawk



Photo courtesy "Surely" from Stock Xchg
Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:


Who: Pagan jeweler Rion Silverhawk

What Book He's In: THE WICCANING, a paranormal romance

Where He Lives:
the fictitious and magical town of Willowgrove, California

Why He's So Fascinating: Rion Silverhawk is far more than a craftsman who fashions artistic and magically imbued jewelry. He is a powerful witch with a talent for divination, a man who risks bucking his own spiritual ethics to save a woman--even though she rejected him for what he is.

A Memorable Moment with Rion Silverhawk:


A glance over her shoulder rewarded her with a jolt. A man was pushing through the crowd, looking straight at her. Breath dried in her throat as he drew near enough to catalog his features. Not a nondescript, average Joe. The words rock star wouldn't have been too great a stretch. As the quickening flutter of Monarchs in her stomach could attest, neither were the words trouble with a capital hunk. The glowy feeling intensified.

Many women would be moved by the black leather jacket flaring out around his knees as he strode along, or the snug jeans trapping slim hips within every confident step. A long sheen of straight blonde fell below promising, wide shoulders; with each boot step silky strands fanned back to allow glimpses of a provocative array of earrings climbing one ear. Those women who would be immune to such trappings, however, would no doubt be ensnared by the clean, strong angles on his carefully sculpted face, beginning and ending with a pair of lips one could easily envision singing praises from God's own heavenly host. These flashed into a smile that could melt a woman's heart, with a single dimple quirking his right cheek.

A smile she swore he'd just directed at her.

Dumbfounded and rooted to the spot, she managed to twist one weak corner of her own mouth upward in return. As stirring as the rest of the package was, Justine found something far more affecting about the stranger--his eyes. Did eyes that color even exist? They must, for no colored contact lens could take the jade of a Caribbean morning sea, press it into polished glass, and burnish it with a smoky quartz crystal until gray and black and green were indistinguishable from one another. That gaze held within its center the secret to unlocking a woman's universe; a spark of determination mingled with destiny that spoke to her in whispers and shudders.

Those whispers thumped her heart into a primal beat as she watched him approach. Good heavens, but the man was attractive...and getting more so the closer he came. Surely this was where the term “drop dead gorgeous” was coined, for at the rate her pulse was fluttering she would soon collapse from sheer exhaustion. Was he really coming to her? What on earth for? What would he say?

About the time she'd shifted back and forth three times between fear that the captivating stranger would speak to her and fear that he wouldn't, he dashed her hopes completely by veering off course at the last second. She felt a stab of foolish disappointment as he caught up to a basket-carrying flower lady and pulled some bills from a wallet. Of course. He wanted to buy something for the girlfriend―or twelve―no doubt swooning over him somewhere nearby.

Hoping to God he hadn't seen her grinning at him like an idiot, she swiveled back around to her drink and shook ice around in the bottom. So, he wasn't coming to talk to her. What a relief. She didn't need any drunk lechers hitting on her anyway. Speaking of which, when was Miresa coming back? Surely she wasn't planning on ditching her all night to engage in debauched flirting in some dark corner. Why on earth had Justine let herself get talked into this?

Her eyes narrowed in begrudging annoyance at the thought that even now she could be home, sunk chin deep in frothing bubbles or perhaps already slid between Egyptian cotton sheets.

"That ice bothering you, Miss?”

With a small gasp she startled at the interruption, head swiveling to find none other than the world's most striking gaze penetrating her not two feet away. Her heart applauded almost loud enough for him to hear.

She swallowed. “Excuse me?”

The eyes shifted to her glass. “The way you were scowling into your drink, I thought maybe those ice cubes had done something to offend you.”

She blinked twice before the humor in his words sank in. It's just a man trying to make conversation, for crying out loud. A really gorgeous man. Which generally works best if you converse back.

Flustered, she brushed aside a section of sideswept bangs that were impeding the toe-curling sight of him. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”

"Ah, well that explains it,” he said, leaning one elbow casually on the bar. A toss of his head sent luscious blond flying again, a glimpse of earrings winking in, then out as the flaxen hair slid right back down. “Thinking that serious often gets me scowling. Or in trouble.”

His smile flashed again until she felt giddy, but this time she managed to return it as she twisted around in her seat to face him. As she did she saw he held one of the flower lady's wares, a delicate red rose with the stem clipped off and paired with a sprig of leafy fern. He twirled the bud between thumb and forefinger in a motion that beguiled.


--from THE WICCANING
~~~~~~~~~
When Rion is Available: THE WICCANING is a work-in-progress.

How You Can Get His Story: Stay tuned!

Friday, June 05, 2009

Feng Shui Friday: Earth


Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
Every week I take a break from romance/erotic fiction writing and explore simple tricks to bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life!

Last week I talked about The Water Element in feng shui. Continuing on with the rest of the five feng shui elements, this week I'll be covering...

Earth Element in Feng Shui

graphic courtesy Stock Xchg
Earth. Solid, the foundation for our homes, our footing, and the birth place from which food we consume springs.


What Does Earth Do In Feng Shui?

Earth is responsible for these essential facets of existence:

1. Grounding and Centering

Finding your "center" is an often tossed around concept. Earth elements give weight to your thoughts, grounding them to this plane when you need clear focus.

2. Stability

Earth energy in feng shui helps grant us metaphysical legs to stand on, stable emotions and an unmoving, rock-like solid foundation.

2. Health

Earth is the natural element of the Health zone in feng shui, as it is the nurturing, nourishment-producing element from which we are fed and cared for.

So I Need A Bunch of Dirt In My House?


Certainly not! As we've learned, misplaced dirt and clutter causes negative energy. While we tend to think of the word "earth" as either clumps of dirt or the planetary body as a whole, in feng shui the term has more to do with the above depictions of the earth as a nourishing, stabilizing force. Items used to represent the Earth element in your home are created from refined earth.


Image Courtesy of Stock Xchg
What Items Can Be Used to Represent Earth?

Try any of the following that are practical and appeal to you:

1.Terra Cotta decor
2.Clay statues, jars, pots, bowls, etc.
3.Ceramics
4.Natural stones (jade statues, amethyst rocks, a grouping of smooth stones, etc.)
5.Square/Rectangular shapes
6."Harvest" Colors like Yellows and Browns

Any of these can be utilized in Feng Shui design to bring the Earth element theme into play, especially useful in the Health area.

Fixing "Earth" Problems



1. Center Earth When Possible. When you place an Earth object to stabilize an area, it's doubly helpful to "mirror" the intent by setting the item in the center of the space--the natural "Health" location of the feng shui octagon. For instance, if setting a small statue on top of a table in the Health area, try to place it in the center of the table. This is the most stable position, so reinforces Earth's natural intent.
2. Avoid Non-Earth-Loving Areas.
Minimize Earth elements in your home's natural Wood (Wood penetrates Earth) and Water (Earth absorbs/blocks Water) areas. (As per prior discussions, we learned that Wood is the natural element of the Family area, and Earth is the natural element of the Career area.
3. Repair/Eliminate "Broken" Earth. Cracked/chipped vases, statues, etc. interfere with your stable foundation and should be removed from use.
6. Don't Go Overboard. Some Earth is good. Too much can block your path--like a mountain in the road to progress.

Do I Have Too Much Earth?

There is a necessary balance for all elements to coexist harmoniously. If you have a whole lot of Earth-based jars, statues, or other decor, thin the ranks. Choose your favorites and retire others. Rotate them from time to time if you can't bring yourself to part with them. Less is more in feng shui. Use the above locations as a guide to where to centralize--and avoid--your Earthen items.

Have fun exploring the ways this element can enhance your chi!


~~~~~
Romance writer duties call!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that brings the grounding force of positive earth chi your way!

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Wild Dreams Wednesday #12

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams!
Every Wednesday I venture away from romantic/erotic fiction writing to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Send it to writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll try to shed some light on Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I dreamed I was trying to eat but my teeth kept breaking!"
--anonymous
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Teeth falling out/breaking is an extremely common dream, like flying or showing up to class naked. Interestingly, all of these relate in one way or another to feelings of insecurity (or dominance).

Teeth that fall out may well make your dream self feel powerless and unable to accomplish what you set out to do (here, eat). This indicates insecurities about accomplishing things in life. Also, since teeth are also tied to our appearance, this can indicate anxiety over losing ones' looks/attractiveness.

There is a "meatier" interpretation of tooth dreams as well, pun intended. Teeth are used for biting or chewing, and common references in daily life include chewing over problems or make "biting" comments. For some, tooth loss dreams represent feeling at a disadvantage in solving a problem, or in social interactions.


~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!