As we all try to accumulate as many fun-in-the-sun memories as we can before the end of summer, we quickly travel back and forth, across our city, state, or country. Even though gas prices remain at all-time highs, we still have a loving relationship with our cars. The freedom they represent (even if we only commute 10 miles to and from our jobs!), the image they project (Corvettes and the midlife crisis, need I say more?), and the fact that they get us from one point To another. B in a timely manner only adds to the wonderful relationship we have with our cars. And while life imitates the art of this column and I’m car shopping(!), we’ll explore how Feng Shui can help you choose the perfect car!
*** As you look at buying a new vehicle, how does it make you feel? If you hate the color, the fact that it’s a sedan or whatever, you’ll instantly hate driving the car. Neither good energy nor Feng Shui. ***
Now it must be said that the following tips are for ALL vehicles, yes even golf carts! (This is a real project my mom introduced me to to help improve her golf game AND for the golf cart parade (I know) in her condo community, stay tuned.) Feng Shui can not only protect you and your loved ones from danger, but also increase your overall luck and positive energy. By viewing your vehicle as an environment that can affect your mood, you can also use Feng Shui to help make driving more enjoyable and safer.
Do you get tired as soon as you hit the road? Try tying a red tassel with bells to help alleviate sudden fatigue. Remember, RED is a FIRE color and represents action and yang energy. The sound of the bells will also help you stay focused and alert. The jingling of bells and bells also helps drive away negative energy. I have a little fairy chime attached to the rearview mirror of my car, when I get “disturbed” on the road or looking for the perfect parking spot, I ring the chimes. It’s stupid, I know, but it makes me (and the other occupant of the car) laugh at the silliness, which in turn increases the positive energy in the car.
Too much mess? Too many stops at McDonald’s and Starbucks, with the evidence lying in the backseat? Sports gear strewn across the backseat and trunk? Does the front passenger seat look like a remote office space with your Blackberry, iPod, and files strewn about? Have the stuffed animals taken over from the back shelf so that seeing out the back window is a distant memory? While clutter will be discussed in later columns, in Feng Shui terms, clutter is the physical manifestation of our emotional baggage. When your car (or home/desk/office) is littered with empty fast food bags, overflowing ashtrays, and empty water bottles, you’re showing the world that you don’t care how they see you or what image you present. You may also subconsciously feel unworthy or lacking in confidence (i.e. feel like trash).
While many of us travel for work and don’t have a vehicle dedicated solely to work, it’s imperative that you do everything possible to separate personal from work. Keep files in a folder or bag, that way everything stays in one place. I see the need for the iPod (!) so that it can slide. Blackberry or other cell phone should not be seen as an appendage while driving! Use bluetooth technology or the phone service option through OnStar if you MUST be on the phone while driving for safety reasons.
*** You should NEVER text, instant message or check email WHILE DRIVING for safety reasons. ***
On a monthly basis, you should do a thorough cleaning of your car. This means vacuuming, wiping/cleaning the dash and seats (especially if you have leather, be sure to condition it! This is a must if you drive a convertible). Get rid of all the trash that has accumulated in the back seat, empty the ashtrays and organize what should be left in the car. My mom’s car looked like a sporting goods store/closet before we bought her a golf organizer! Shoes, golf tees, golf shirts, socks… you name it, plus the clubs in the trunk that left no room for anything else, they were everywhere. This with all her coupons stuffed in one cup holder, sunglasses in the other made her a total mess. The golf organizer was wonderful as all of his clothes, shirts and other accessories were now in one place, not scattered, and fit in the trunk with the clubs. Thus, freeing up the back seat. I have yet to get her to “release” the cup holders, although she doesn’t have the venti latte addiction that I do, so this isn’t as big of a deal to her, but I’m still working on it. Washing the windows of her car is also a must for safety – it’s always good to see where she’s going, especially at night or in bad weather! But from a Feng Shui perspective, clean glass/windows symbolize a CLEAR vision towards the future and/or goals, as well as natural light that can enter your space bringing positive energy.
*** Be sure to clean your windows with every fill up! Windows are considered the “eyes” of the car/home/office; therefore, they must be kept clean in order to see clearly. ***
A nice smelling car also makes for a smoother ride. Hopefully after doing a deep cleaning it won’t have any odor, but using aromatherapy can help manipulate emotions while driving. Do you have a long journey ahead? Use mint to help you energize. Do you want to be more relaxed and less anxious on your daily commute? Wear orange to help de-stress. There are a variety of car diffusers out there: some plug into your cigarette lighter, others are simply terracotta shapes that can be hung from your rearview mirror or placed in an unused cup holder (again with an empty cup holder!). I have a little terracotta heart, which hangs with the fairy chime, from my rear view mirror. I have a couple of different scents that I use depending on my mood. These terracotta diffusers are great in hot weather as the sun shines on the car, it helps to spread the oil/scent throughout the car! I love this.
Many of you have also heard of hanging crystals in your car to help bring in positive energy. Crystals can also help break up and disperse stagnant energy. (Remember to keep your crystals clean!). This is also a great idea, HOWEVER, do not hang glass larger than 10mm from your rear view mirror. Anything bigger looks like a big disco ball hanging there, swaying from side to side and making drivers around you go blind when the sun hits them. Needless to say, that’s not good Feng Shui!
***When buying crystals for your car or anywhere else in your space, only buy actual crystal spheres, dots…any shape. Glass, plastic, or other materials do not conduct the same energy as real glass. Always ask and verify the material BEFORE buying. ***
Well,
– As with ALL of your spaces, your vehicle should be clean and smelling fresh to facilitate a good and healthy movement of energy.
– DO NOT clutter the back seat with clothing, stuffed animals, sports equipment, etc., as this will detract from your car’s positive energy and create a negative, chaotic and stressful environment. If you don’t LOVE it, USE it or NEED it, GET RID OF IT.
– Some Feng Shui practitioners will tell you to place cushions and/or fluffy blankets in your car to help balance the harsh yang energy of the road with calming and comforting energy. Personally, I’m the “less is more” kind of person, however if you throw a blanket on the backseat or feel the need to “accessorize” your car with some accent pillows, do so if it won’t hurt your drive. . It should be noted that a blanket is a necessity if your dogs are traveling with you and/or for emergencies if you live in a colder climate.
– Less is more when it comes to items hanging from your rearview mirror: the days of fuzzy dice, graduation tassels more than 1 year after graduation (!), or anything else that’s big and hurts your drive (or items that other drivers who are afraid of you will do) need to be torn down. In Feng Shui philosophy, if this item falls off, it means that you have protected it from negative energy, please replace it immediately.
– Use music to help set the mood for your drive: classical music to relax on a long drive, some jazz for a dinner party, classic rock for your commute… whatever sets your mood . I personally like Jimmy Buffet because he makes me think of warm sunny times at the beach and transports me away from the cold and snow of WI. Remember that loud, aggressive music encourages aggressive driving; leave the music on the NAS off for your daily commute.
– According to Calgary-based author and interior designer Margo Trofimenkoff, you can tell the gender of your car by the location of the gas cap. When looking at your car from the front, if the gas cap is on the right, it indicates female, on the left, male.
– Name your car (see above). If you have a personal connection to your care, you’re more likely to take care of problems, keep it cleaner, and perform maintenance in a timely manner. (My car name is Tiffany based on the color sterling silver.)
– Keep your car in good working order. Perform timely oil changes, keep tires properly inflated, replace burnt out lights, and keep your windshield washer fluid topped up (it always drains right after a storm!).
– Make sure doors and windows (as in any space) open and close easily and quietly. Any traffic jam or difficulty will bring tension at the beginning of each trip. A door that doesn’t close properly will also put stress on the window, which can cause it to crack or break.
– When parking, try to leave a clear path that allows for unimpeded entry. It should also be noted that you should never park in front of a house/office/building, as it can create a subconscious threat to the building’s occupants – the feeling that the car is entering the space. Park parallel or with your back to the space.
– When choosing a color for your car, the color of the interior is the most important choice, since it is the color that affects you the most while driving. If you are not satisfied with the interior of your vehicle, it will cause you stress.