Unit 1 Introduction to Feng Shui

In this introductory Unit, you'll learn the actual definition of Feng Shui as well as its history. You will also get introduced to a number of differ-ent schools of Feng Shui, such as Form, BTB, Compass and more.

Because Form School is the oldest school, we discuss it in full and you get to meet the four celestial animals. And, you will be introduced to Vastu, which is a form of Feng Shui that did originate in China.

Get to understand what really is Ch'i and how important it is in our space and lives. Learn to identify favorable Ch'i as opposed to unfavor-able Ch'i.

You will also learn about the Yin Yang Theory. Get to know it's symbol and learn its true meaning. Then you will begin to be able to see its presence in a space and how it can be useful in interior design.

Next, learn all the aspects of clutter and how affects us in such a detri-mental way. And if clutter is a problem for you, you'll get ideas how to overcome it.

Unit 2 Principles of Feng Shui

In Unit 2 you will learn about the Five Element Theory and its cycles. Get to know the qualities of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. See how appear in a space and how they interact with each other. Then, learn how you can use them for a better Feng Shui experience.

Get to understand how Yin Yang appears within the Five Elements and how that can help make more concise Feng Shui adjustments and cre-ate a better balance.

In addition, get introduced to two very important astrology systems that are based on the Five Elements: Four Pillars and 9 Star Ki. They add a very important layer to Feng Shui. You will learn how they work.

Then, meet the family of Trigrams ... the building blocks of the Bagua. Get know what they stand for and how they create the Bagua. See how the Bagua correlates with the Five Element. Hopefully, you will start seeing the big picture.

Learn how to place the Bagua over a space for both BTB and Compass schools. Please note, though, that throughout this course if you are ask to place on a space, it should be based on the BTB approach.

Unit 3 Feng Shui Essentials

In this Unit you will start learning Feng Shui details. You will be intro-duced to specific remedies, learn how intention plays an important part in Feng Shui, and what cultural interpretations can be helpful. Get to really understand color. Learn what specific colors mean and how they relate to the Bagua and the Five Element Theory. And, begin to see how fabrics can be use from a Feng Shui perspective.

Learn about how architectural details affect space. Door, window, stairs placement can really make a difference as does so much more. And, let's not forget about our front door ... a very special door. It needs a lot of attention and special love and care.

Also, in this Unit you will get introduced to your fictions client, Sophia Taylor. You will be working with her and submitting your projects for you along with you Unit Assignments. Let the fun begin!

Unit 4 Feng Shui Room by Room

In this Unit we will look a individual rooms and how to handle them from a Feng Shui perspective. You will learn the best layouts for kitch-ens and dining rooms, living and family rooms, bedrooms and bath-rooms. You will learn how to approach designing a home office and making it as auspicious as possible.

And, you will continue working on your projects for your client, Sophia Taylor, as well as continuing to work on your own Presentation Room.

Unit 5 Putting It All Together

This Unit contains case studies from professional Feng Shui practition-ers. Reading there reports will give you a true idea how to approach a consultation. It is also will give you an idea what to include in a written report. It is very common for practitioners to provide a written report for the client that includes an overview of the analysis and a list of rec-ommendations.

Then for your Unit Assignment you will continue working on Sophia Taylor's Floor Plans. You will also complete your Room Plan Worksheet where you list all the adjustments that you will implement for your Presentation Room.

Unit 6 Personal and Professional Pathways

Just as the others, this Unit is a very important one. We start out, though, on a lighter matter by giving some insight how to use Feng Shui principles in a garden ... how to make something so beautiful more beautiful. Then we get a little more serious by introducing you to Space Clearing ... a subject matter that every Feng Shui practitioner should know about.

Lastly, the two remaining lessons are dedicated to preparing you to treat Feng Shui as a business. They will teach you how to start your business, how to market it, how to get clients and how to act with cli-ents. Even if you are not planning to make this a professional goal, the-se two lesson host a wealth of information worth reading.

This Unit assignment will include you submitting your Final Presenta-tion Room Design. What an accomplishment!

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Feng Shui Classes & Courses | Outline | NYIAD

You might be wondering who this company FSL is? How did they become focused on Backlighting. Whats their story?

FSL was born out of the idea of bringing together two powerful sets of principles that our founder, was passionate about Feng Shui and Lighting Design. He knew the powerful difference that good lighting design could make in a space. The built environment could be enhanced and literally enlightened by the proper and good application of light. As a student of Feng Shui, he knew the impact on a building or space that could be made by applying the principles of Feng Shui. People would feel more at home and comfortable. Things would seem to flow better. The design intent of the space would be fulfilled.

So he set out to combine these two schools of thought by bringing the principles of good Lighting Design to the world of Feng Shuiand the principles of good Feng Shui design to the practice Lighting Design. At first, we sought to apply Feng Shui aesthetic guidelines to the lighting design idea of lighting the vertical. And Feng Shui Lighting was born.

What started out as a collection of small sconces has grown into a full menu of fixtures and complete solutions to light the vertical. But instead of using traditional fixtures to light the vertical from the front, we have chosen to have the Vertical actually Be the light source. And while we still offer some modestly sized fixtures, our offering has literally grown to allow us to assist specifiers in creating complete glowing walls, illuminated ceilings, and luminous design elements.

While were still asked to create bespoke decorative lighting fixtures or clean simple geometric shade lights, were best known for our Flat Surface Lighting.

Weve been lighting people almost all of our lives. We grew up in the industry. We love what we do. Wed love to collaborate with you.

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Feng Shui Lighting - FSL - Backlighting Solutions

Traders' bad luck turns worse

Police are looking for a fake fortune teller who preyed upon Pattaya traders, promising to realign the feng shui of their outlets and improve their fortunes before making off with 2.3 million baht worth of vehicles they let him borrow.

Half a dozen victims of the conman, identified as Jeerawat Rojmaneekorn, 50, complained last week to Nong Prue police in Chon Buri when they realised they had been duped.

Jeerawat managed to con victims out of 17 motorcycles and one car, mostly on loan. Soon after getting his hands on the vehicles, Jeerawat would flee with them, leaving the owners with the burden of repaying the financing debt. Reports say total damages come to 2.3 million baht.

Reports say Jeerawat, who dresses in red and gold to convey the image of a Chinese expert in horoscopes and has the gift of the gab, would make contact with victims, some of them Pattaya bar owners, and strike up a rapport.

Some victims were struggling with poor sales at the time, and fell for his line that their outlet's feng shui was wrong. He would offer to realign it, perform a ceremony adorned with fake gold and food offerings to the gods, and later seize the chance to persuade the owners to part with vehicles.

One victim, Charoenrat, says Jeerawat conned him out of a Mazda 3 worth 1.1 million baht. He said he set up a spririt house at his home and asked Jeerawat to check its feng shui. Jeerawat performed a ceremony for his place and said he should transfer his name onto the title deed. He also asked to sleep at the house for three nights to seek the spirits' forgiveness.

Later, Charoenrat disclosed he wanted to buy a car as a gift for his son, who was finishing his studies. Jeerawat said he knew of a caryard in Bangkok and offered to make contact for him. In September, he said he would need a down payment of 50,000 baht for the Mazda, and had him sign over authoriity to pick it up.

"A week later, he drove the car to my place, but said he had no vehicle of his own and asked to borrow it. I agreed. In December he said the Mazda had been in a scrape and took it in for repairs. Later, when I asked after the vehicle, he said someone had made off with it. On March 4, he disappeared, and I was left with back payments of 14,000 baht a month and no car," Charoenrat said.

Another victim, Kittiya, said she bought a bike worth 160,000 baht last August. Jeerawat claimed the red and black colours of her bike were unlucky and he would get the vehicle inscribed with Chinese lettering to ward off danger. When she went to retrieve the bike, he asked to borrow it and take over repayments. She let him, as she had many other bikes, and he had offered to fix her beer bar's feng shui, which he claimed was acting as a drag on sales.

Later, he claimed he had given her bike to a caryard which leased the vehicle out to foreigners. He made one repayment of 4,000 baht in December before disappearing with the bike.

Krissana, another victim, said she lost a Honda Click worth 77,000 baht to Jeerawat's cunning. He made just five repayments, leaving her with another 24 payments of 2,570 a month.

In a moment of unusual candour, Jeerawat said he couldn't buy a vehicle himself as he was once arrested for robbery. She took it out for him, and is now saddled with the debt burden and no bike. She did not believe her life has improved since he fixed her stars.

Another victim, Auna, who said she met Jeerawat at a time when sales from her business were slow, said she lost a motorcycle worth 130,000 baht. She said Jeerawat claimed the registration of her bike was unlucky as it contained a zero. He took the bike to get the registration changed to include an "8" and inscribed with Chinese lettering.

He asked to borrow the bike to order goods he would need for a religious ceremony but failed to return it. "Finally he claimed the vehicle was involved in an accident and took it in for repairs but later disappeared," she said.

Another victim, Worapoj "Aun" Weerapan, 35, says Jeerawat faked leasehold papers for his beer bar and with them borrowed 90,000 baht from underground lenders. He found out about the debt when collectors turned up at his bar. His bar in Pattaya was in trouble, and he placed an ad on Facebook offering to lease it. He said Jeerawat made contact with him on FB and offered to perform a ceremony to improve its feng shui. Later, he took off with the ownership papers. He also ran up a 20,000 baht bill for alcohol in his name.

Nong Prue police chief Pol Col Chiddecha Songhong said police are preparing to seek an arrest warrant for Jeerawat, whom he said has an outstanding warrant for fraud in Nong Khai from several years ago.

Sleepy shop hosts scared robber

Netizens are marvelling at how a novice gold shop robber managed to walk unchallenged into a gold shop in Trat wearing a motorcycle helmet, seconds before threatening a staff member with a homemade gun.

Security footage taken from inside the Yaowarat Gold Shop in Muang district on Tuesday shows the young thief pulling up on a motorcycle outside the shop, and calmly entering with his helmet still on. A staff member is shown slowly rising to her feet as if to serve him. Seconds later the thief pulls out a gun and demands she hand over the gold.

Off-camera, an alert staff member runs into the back room and sounds an alarm linked to the local police station. The alarm sets off an ear-splitting siren, which sends the young man into a panic.

He is shown scrambling out the shop, stumbling and almost putting his head through the glass door as he does so. News reports say he wet himself in his panic and slipped on his own urine trail.

The footage shows the young man, who left empty-handed, making off on his bike, later found abandoned on a forest road. Police say it had no registration plate and had recently been spray-painted red to disguise its real colour. The robber's gloves, shoes and jacket were in the under-seat compartment.

The next day, having seen publicity of the failed robbery, relatives of the young man brought him in to the police. They charged Nareunat "Paeb" Kaemnum, 23, from Samran beach district, with attempted robbery. He told them he was stressed after recently losing his job. He borrowed the bike for the robbery from his girlfriend's elder sister; the gun, which he abandoned near his rental home, was his own.

Security footage taken from inside the Yaowarat Gold Shop in Muang, Trat.

On the internet, netizens asked why the staff member did not immediately ask the young man to take off his helmet. Others suggested gold shops should instal automatic doors which can be locked by staff inside at the first sign of trouble.

"The woman behind counter looks too cool to be true. If it was me and I saw someone enter with a motorcycle helmet on, I'd know he was there to steal the gold," one wrote.

The staff member told the media she thought he was an ordinary customer, although she wondered why he kept his helmet on. He also wore a sanitary mask underneath, though it was pulled to one side.

On a more humorous note, netizens suggested the young man go back to "robbery school" so he can learn how it's done. "He was bold enough to rob a gold shop, but fled when the siren went off?" one asked. "Unbelievable." Others said his lack of skill gave all gold shop robbers a bad name.

'Python' gets new lease on life

Sek Loso's former live-in lover, model Apisaya "Eve" Pattanaworasap, has stepped up her legal action against the rocker's ex-wife and her former sideckick, after they forced her out of Sek's home last year.

Apisaya 'Eve' Pattanaworasap and inset, Sek Loso

Eve last week visited the Criminal Court in Min Buri to pursue one of a handful of defamation cases she is taking against Sek's ex-wife Wiphakorn "Kan" Sukpimai, mother to his three oldest children, and Sek's second wife, Paphada "Sandwich" Chotikawanitch.

Kan and former Channel 7 actress Sandwich, who have since fallen out -- just as Kan fell out with model Eve before her -- ganged up to force Eve from Sek's home last August, broadcasting the eviction on Facebook live. Kan initially declared that she and Sandwich would live together with Sek, helping the ailling rocker revive his sagging career after a battle with bipolar disorder.

Sek Loso

However, Sandwich later moved out with her young son, Leon, after Kan challenged the actress to get the child's DNA tested amid doubts over whether Sek is the father.

Critics say Kan is manoeuvering herself back into pole position as Sek's main caregiver and spouse. The rocker has said little about the dispute.

Meanwhile, Eve said she turned up at the court last week to press defamation claims stemming from her eviction, in which Kan made unflattering comments about her on FB and later turned her remarks during the drama into a satirical song.

She said she welcomed the court's decision to accept the case in its entirety, which will now proceed to a hearing on April 9 in which both Kan and Sandwich will have to testify. Only one, Sandwich, turned up last week. She emerged from the courthouse looking unhappy and refused to talk to the media.

Eve's cases against the pair will unfold in various courts. On May 18 the Criminal Court in Ratchada will examine a defamation case stemming from Kan's song, which Eve says defames her. Then, on June 11 and 12, the court will hear a case over remarks in which Kan referred to Eve as a lazy python, living off Sek's riches. Kan, who has previously shrugged off her mounting legal troubles, has yet to comment.

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Feng shui conman thrives, newbie robber wets self, Eve in court - Bangkok Post

You go to bed, you fall asleep and you wake up in the middle of the night. You try to go back to sleep but you find it hard. You check your clock and it is 4:00 AM. Every night, the same time. This is a common problem faced by thousands of people every night.

Sleep is essential to your physical and mental health and thats why you spend one third of your life sleeping. The body takes its time to rest and heal so if you dont get uninterrupted and quality sleep for several days in a row, you will be grumpy and exhausted.

Biological, also know as circadian, clock is your inner clock. It is unique and it regulates your sleeping and waking up times which depend on age, among other factors.

According to Feng Shui, waking up at a certain time of the night is a sign from your body about something going wrong. Different hours are associated with different body organs anddifferent emotional states, so if you wake up at the same time every night, it may mean that there is a problem. So lets see what Feng Shui suggests.

Cant fall sleep from 9 PM to 11 PM

Do you find it hard to fall asleep around these times? It may be because you havent relaxed yet and your mind is full of stress. If thats the case, try some meditation and breathing exercises and have some chamomile tea before bed. It may also be related to an underactive thyroid gland so make sure you check it.

Waking up between 11 PM and 1 AM

This period of time is associated to your gall bladder. Gall bladder issues are also linked to bitterness and disappointment so something may be in your mind that makes you nervous. Remember that it is not enough to forgive others. You also need to forgive yourself. We all make mistakes so dont be harsh on yourself.

Waking up between 1 AM and 3 AM

These hours are associated with you liver. According to FengShui, the liver is associated with emotional garbage, that is negativeemotions, such as anger, that you need to expel away. Remember to drink enoughwater and decrease your alcohol and caffeine consumption.

Waking up between 3 AM and 5 AM

Waking up between these hours is associated with your lungs and it is also linked to sadness and loss. Have you recently experienced a loss (person, job, thing) and you are still trying to cope? Have a little faith and things will get better.

Waking up between 5 AM and 7 AM

You looked at the clock and it is certainly not the time you need to wake up? There may be something wrong with your large intestine. Otherwise it may be that you are emotionally blocked. You need to reassess certain situations and relationships, stop insisting and move on.

Waking up between 7 AM and 10 AM

Waking up during these hours is associated to your stomach and spleen or it may mean that you are anxious and stressed over something. Take care of yourself and if you need help to cope with something, make sure you talk to a coach.

How can I sleep with no interruptions?

If you wake up in the middle ofthe night and feel tired over the course of each day, try to identify why thisis happening. Think of your diet, your habits, your emotional state and try tounderstand what is causing this so you can fix it and get some proper rest.

You may also have the associated body parts checked because better safe than sorry! Also, try some breathing exercises while in bed, before you fall asleep, go to bed around the same time every night and wake up at the same time every day, decrease your alcohol and caffeine consumption, dont nap for more than 30 minutes. Think positive, talk to someone you trust or a coach and everything will be better!

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Waking Up at the Same Time Every Night? - Thrive Global

Hillary Diane reports what happened when she went to the Mass. General emergency room yesterday with flu-like symptoms and she was brought up to the hospital's Covid-19 clinic and then tested negative on a flu test:

So when my influenza test came back negative, the doctor admitted that he thinks it's possible that I have Covid-19, and really wants to test me, but he can't - even though I have symptoms and potential exposure, *they have no testing kits at this time*. They even called up the chain to Biothreats/DPH, to ask if they could test me anyway even though I don't strictly fit the State criteria, and they said no.

I asked about Quest and LabCorp, as I recently read that they were taking samples and could test. But as of about an hour ago (6:30pm on Wed March 11th) the doctor said they have been calling those labs and more, but they actually *can't* do it... He said that what the media is reporting about that isn't true (yet). He said he thinks it will be a week or two before testing capability actually ramps up.

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Did the woman in 'strict isolation' at the hospital with a bad respiratory infection have coronavirus? Who knows - the hospital didn't have enough...

[STANDFIRST] With spring around the corner, it's the perfect time to treat your home to a detox. Gabrielle Fagan taps up the Topology design gurus for tips.

Spring is almost here - and the start of this new season often makes us yearn for clean, calm, refreshed spaces at home.

Amy Brandhorst and Athina Bluff, aka interior design duo Topology, have teamed up with Habitat to share expert tips on how to banish your home's winter hangover and make it warm weather-ready and fabulous.

The stylish pair have taken a lot of inspiration from Feng shui. Although it might sound a tricky concept to get your head around, the traditional Chinese practice basically centres on the belief that the specific arrangement of shapes, furniture and objects can have an effect on the unseen energies around us, and combine to harmonise and balance a space.

Creating a positive home environment, it's believed, benefits our mental and physical health too.

Curious? Follow Topology's seven step home 'detox' plan to create a serene sanctuary that boosts your wellbeing, and where you can relax and look forward to sunnier days ahead...

1. Study the space

As a beginner, it's easiest to kick off your Feng shui mission in either your home office/desk area or your hall, say the two designers. "Placing your desk in the centre of a room or opposite/adjacent to a window, according to the laws of Feng shui, enhances creativity, energy and productivity," they explain.

Apparently, it pays dividends if you blitz that hall as well. After all, if your first sight of home when you get in after a day at the office is a dumping ground for coats, shoes and sports kit, it won't exactly lift your spirits! "Keeping it tidy, spacious and inviting is a great start for good Feng shui and positivity within the home," enthuse the pair.

Cleaning the windows so they let in more light could also be a good move.

2. Follow the three-colour rule

Sticking to a simple colour scheme can prevent your space from feeling chaotic or busy, they point out. Just doing that can, they explain, make spaces feel much more understated and tranquil but still full of depth and interest.

TOP TIP: Pick three main colours that naturally appeal to you, then build on that by choosing different shades or tones that work with the dominant colour of the three.

If you're a decor diva and ultra fashionable blue appeals, this could be a great calming choice. As the Topology duo highlight, research has found that being in blue spaces can even lower our blood pressure.

Adding toning shades to your chosen blue colour - such as teal, navy or sky blue - could be the perfect colour palette for a gentle, harmonious scheme.

3. Introduce more nature

Biophilia is a bit of a buzzword in the worlds of interiors and wellness right now - and in essence is a nod to upping the greenery in rooms with indoor plants, to harness our innate need to connect with nature. The Topology pair point out the powerful potential effect on our wellbeing of filling our homes with plants, as it's thought we're significantly happier when we're surrounded by the natural world.

TOP TIP: An interior furnished with natural materials - earthenware, linen, marble-based lamps and objects, woollen cushions and blankets - will increase that feeling of being connected to the great outdoors.

4. Lift items off the floor

Lifting furniture, clutter and everyday objects up and away from the floor can easily create a lighter, detoxified and more uplifting space, according to the pair.

"Seeing more floor space and light through and around objects in a room helps a space feel much more weightless and clutter-free," they explain.

TOP TIP: Sofas or chairs with high legs make furniture appear less bulky and dominating. Open storage and wall shelves will complement the style and add to an airy, uncluttered effect.

5. Use rounded shapes

Shape - not size - is everything! Spherical, round, or gently curving furniture and home accessories can not only create a sense of balance but is visually pleasing, say the designers.

There's even science behind the theory, they point out, as research has found that receptors in the brain light up dramatically when people are around the presence of curved or round objects, rather than angular or jagged shapes.

TOP TIP: A round mirror above a bed is effective in a bedroom, which should be an oasis of calm, while other good choices are a round pouffe, spherical pendant lights, or a round coffee table.

6. Designate a clutter drawer

No home can be completely free of clutter - so create a place specifically for tucking it away. Try the designers' two-step plan for a clutter-busting solution.

First, home in on that clutter and gather it into one place (at some point, you can work out whether you can sort it, reduce it, or get rid of it altogether). Next, select one drawer to store unsightly or practical items that can't be stored elsewhere in a home.

Unsightly electrical cables, newspapers, children's toys or spare accessories could be the perfect candidates for that 'tidy away' compartment, they suggest.

7. Create a multi-sensory home

Finally, finish with a flourish by making your home a multi-sensory space, urge the interior gurus. This simply means a space which appeals to all of our senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste.

Apparently, if all those needs are catered for, explain the duo, it helps us feel relaxed and nurtured in our homes - what's not to like?

TOP TIP: While in general, the scent of lavender and vanilla and soft fabrics such as cashmere make us feel comforted, it's more important to focus on what makes you feel good as an individual.

Experiment with different colours, textures, fabrics and scents to help you find the perfect ingredients for your special sanctuary, suggest Brandhorst and Bluff. "After all," they say, "our homes should be personal to each of us and adhere to our needs."

As part of The Home Detox campaign, Habitat will host a series of interior design, houseplant and cookery workshops in its London stores throughout March 2020. For further info and tips, see habitat.co.uk/inspiration/small-space-living.

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PROPERTY: How to make your home calmer and less cluttered in 7 simple steps - Reading Chronicle

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

With the spreading of the Coronavirus in New York there has been higher requests for Long Distance residential and business Feng Shui consultations. To try and make our Feng Shui services as accessible as possible, I'm offering several Feng Shui Long Distance Consultation options to choose from. This also includes remote Master Reiki Healing Sessions.

And yes, for those who wish to have In-Person Feng Shui Consultations, that option is still available unless otherwise stated on the Feng Shui Manhattan Inc company website.

To review Long distance Consulting Options, click on the provided links below:

With well wishes and healthy blessings,

Laura CerranoCEO and FounderFeng Shui Manhattan, Inc

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch? Register for a user account.

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Long Distance Feng Shui Consultations to Avoid The Coronavirus - Patch.com

Remember a couple of months ago, when it seemed like every brand under the sun was announcing their own color of the year? Now that 2020 has some meat on its bones, its worth asking: What is the color of the year? Well, it depends on who you ask.

In what has become a cottage industry within the home furnishings business, the race to select the color of the year attracts participants from across the spectrum. Of course, just as important as your color selectionsome might say even more importantis getting the word out about your choice and eliciting the corresponding press coverage.

The final months of 2019 produced a plethora of palettes, with enough options to satisfy just about anyones color preferences. The predictions have come from a wide swath of sources, including home decor media, paint companies, forecasting servicesand of course Pantone, perhaps the best-known color predictor of all.

Pantone began life making color cards for the cosmetics industry in the 1950s, but since the 1960s has been focused on the design and graphics fields, supplying color standardization systems that allow color communication among people on different continents speaking various languagesa way to keep hues consistent across space and time.

In 1999, the brand began selecting a color of the year, relying on a complex method that looked at trends and color usage, but largely has been a proprietarynot to mention arbitraryprocess. That year it selected Cerulean, and ever since, its color choice has been highly anticipated, garnering extensive press coverage, including on the front page of The Wall Street Journal.

In a pattern that calls to mind a chicken-and-egg situation, Pantone color selections often become self-fulfilling prophecies. Recent choices, including Living Coral (2019), Greenery (2017) and Radiant Orchid (2014), have proven to be particularly popular, showing up across the home and fashion industries. Others, like 2012s Tangerine Tango and 2009s Mimosa, have turned out to be harder to move into the product mainstream.

In December, Pantone anointed Classic Blue (thats Pantone color #19-4052 if youre keeping score) as the 2020 Color of the Year, setting off stylists around the world to get out their color chips. Its a color that anticipates whats going to happen next, said Laurie Pressman, the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, which selects the Color of the Year. Whats the future going to bring as we move into the evening hours?

While other sources have been in the color-picking business for some time, this year in particular has brought out the prognosticators. Paint company Benjamin Moore picked First Light, a pinkish hue that it said reflects the morning, rather than Pantones evening. Also thinking pink is paint supplier Valsparwith Bombay Pinkand HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, which selected a blush shade called Romance.

Paint brand Sherwin-Williamsnot to be confused with the aforementioned branded collaboration with HGTVseemed to be on the same color wavelength as Pantone, naming Naval its choice for 2020. Yet another paint supplier, Behr, chose Back to Nature, an outdoor-inspired green; Glidden picked a blue-tinted gray called Whirlwind; and PPG gave the nod to Chinese Porcelain, another shade in the blue family.

But its not just paint companies making color picks. Etsy, the e-commerce site for handcrafted products, announced chartreuse as its choice, saying the bold shade of green is known for increasing energy, encouraging unconventional thinking and evoking feelings of growth and harmony. Trend forecasting company WGSN settled on neo mint, which looks exactly like it sounds.

Most of the paint companies predictions come in the context of an entire range of complementary tonesbecause if one color of the year is good, a dozen must be even better. And whether any of these forecasters consulted Chinese zodiac signs is another matter entirely. Now that were fully into the Year of the Rat on the Chinese calendar, feng shui aficionados say that gold, blue and green are considered particularly lucky colors for 2020, while we are urged to avoid yellow and brown.

Makes sense: Avoiding yellow and brown for your home and wardrobe is pretty sound advice to follow in almost any year.

____________

Warren Shoulberg is the former editor in chief for several leading B2B publications. He has been a guest lecturer at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business; received honors from the International Furnishings and Design Association and the Fashion Institute of Technology; and been cited by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN and other media as a leading industry expert. He was also a guest on the BOH podcast, and his Retail Watch columns offer deep industry insights on major markets and product categories.

Homepage photo: Shutterstock.com

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What's the color of the year? It depends on who you ask - Business of Home

WE DONT NEED TO LIKE THEM: Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of the U.S. Central Command told Congress yesterday that hell be carefully tracking the actions of the Taliban as the United States withdraws roughly 3,400 troops from Afghanistan in the coming months and will recommend ending the drawdown if he doesnt like what he sees.

We're going to go to 8,600 by the summer. Conditions on the ground will dictate if we go below that, McKenzie testified before the House Armed Services Committee. If conditions on the ground are not permissive, my advice would be not to continue that reduction.

That would not be my decision, that would be my advice, he stressed. That will be based on the performance of the Afghan military, their ability to incorporate the Taliban if the Taliban is going to be incorporated at all.

We dont need to trust them. We dont need to like them. We dont need to believe anything they say. We need to observe what they do, and we have the capability to do that, he said.

IT WAS THE PLAN ALL ALONG: At the hearing, Kathryn Wheelbarger, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, confirmed that the Pentagon decided months ago that it had several thousand more troops than needed in Afghanistan, and Defense Secretary Mark Esper was ready to order a drawdown, peace deal or no peace deal.

It was in October that Gen. Scott Miller, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, recommended the force reductions and began quietly sending hundreds of troops home. Based on Millers advice, we were prepared, and then planned, to go to 8,600, Wheelbarger said.

The secretary was prepared to adjust the force posture in the absence of an agreement, if that was in our national security interest, she said, but no decision had been made to do so.

THE SECRET ANNEXES: The Trump administration has provided the Congress side letters that lay out the specific provisions the Taliban have agreed to, including spelling out their responsibility to reduce the level of violence in the country and mitigate the threat from the remnants of al Qaeda.

But the Pentagon said there are legitimate reasons why the annexes, known as military implementation documents, must remain secret. We have some constraints on information we don't want to have out in the full public domain, said spokesman Jonathan Hoffman at yesterdays Pentagon briefing. That would include operationally sensitive information regarding troop movements, information that may be of interest to ISIS and al Qaeda and other entities that are operating in Afghanistan.

Some members of Congress whove reviewed the documents bristled at the classification, insisting theres nothing in them that puts U.S. troops in danger.

I've read the entire agreement, and I see no reason why they could not be released, said Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado. I believe, as do many people on this committee, that the American public deserves to know under what terms we are withdrawing from Afghanistan.

Twenty-four hundred Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan. Over 20,000 had been wounded. This is America's war, not any one administration's war, Crow said.

BUT THE TALIBAN CAN READ THEM: It's an agreement with the Taliban, it makes sense for them to read the documents, said Hoffman at the Pentagon when asked about debate. The agreement with them, it provides information on process and how we will be implementing these.

For example, Hoffman said, with our movement of forces, it's necessary to deconflict that with the Taliban. So there's information that is necessary to be provided, and it's perfectly normal to do that in a diplomatic negotiation.

Good Wednesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyres Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by David Sivak. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesnt work, shoot us an email, and well add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter: @dailyondefense.

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HAPPENING TODAY: Adm. Craig Faller, commander, U.S. Southern Command, is scheduled to brief reporters at the Pentagon at 2:30 this afternoon, while Esper delivers remarks at the National Defense University's President's Lecture Series at Ft. McNair.

Both events will be streamed live on the Pentagons website. https://www.defense.gov

CORONAVIRUS FENG SHUI: In accordance with the new social distancing protocols, the chairs in the spacious Pentagon briefing room were no longer arranged in rows, but rather spaced 6 feet apart as reporters were updated yesterday on the coronavirus threat.

One wag referred to the arrangement as business class seating.

THE LATEST NUMBERS: While nationwide, the number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus, the numbers in the military remain low, according to Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Friedrichs, joint staff surgeon.

Here are the numbers of people who have tested positive:

In addition, six people are currently being evaluated, and 143 have been tested at 13 Department of Defense laboratories.

MARINES IDD: The Pentagon has released the names of two Marine Raiders, who were killed in Iraq Sunday assisting Iraqi forces in clearing an ISIS cave complex.

The Marine Special Operations Forces were Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo, 34, of Simi Valley, California, and Capt. Moises A. Navas, 34, of Germantown, Maryland.

Both were assigned to 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

BEWARE THE BEAR: NORAD reports that the U.S. and Canada intercepted two Russian Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance aircraft Monday that were flying off the coast of Alaska and entered the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone over the Beaufort Sea.

Although the planes did not enter either U.S. or Canadian airspace, at one point, they came as close as 50 nautical miles to Alaskas coast. The aircraft were intercepted by U.S. F-22s and Canadian CF-18 fighters in addition to support aircraft. The Russian aircraft remained within the identification zone for about four hours, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command.

KEANE HONORED: President Trump has bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, on former Army Vice Chief of Staff retired Gen. Jack Keane, who he called a courageous warrior and fearless patriot.

In 2006, Jack helped engineer the surge that stabilized the deteriorating situation in Iraq and allowed Iraqis to finally take charge of their own future, Trump noted at a White House ceremony yesterday. In the years since, Jack has continued to offer his sage counsel to military and policy leaders, and to visit our troops on the frontiers. And Jack, I have to say, has given me a lot of good advice too.

Jack Keane is a visionary, a brilliant strategist, and an American hero, he said. General, you will be remembered as one of the finest and most dedicated soldiers in a long and storied history of the United States military. No question about it.

Washington Examiner: Taliban talks with Afghan government to move forward as US troop withdrawal hangs in the balance

New York Times: In a Reversal, Afghanistans Leader Agrees to a Phased Release of Taliban Fighters

Washington Examiner: UN calls on Iran to 'release all prisoners' during coronavirus outbreak

Washington Examiner: Nearly 200 North Korean soldiers dead from coronavirus: Report

Washington Examiner: Here's the 1-mile-radius coronavirus containment area Andrew Cuomo just erected around a synagogue in New Rochelle, New York

CNN.com: U.S. Military Expected To Announce Halt To Troop And Family Relocation Moves In Areas Impacted By Coronavirus

Stars and Stripes: Dont Panic, Says Naples-Based Admiral As Italy Shuts Down Over Coronavirus

Defense News: F-35 Work Continues In Italy Despite Coronavirus Lockdown

Breaking Defense: Coronavirus: AUSA Cancels Huntsville Conference

Defense One: Iran and Russian Media Push Bioweapon Conspiracies Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Washington Post: Pentagon: Difficult Terrain Slowed Recovery Of Remains Of 2 Marines In Iraq

Wall Street Journal: After a Buildup to Counter Iran, U.S. Troops Begin Leaving Mideast

Asia Times: Chinas Navy Shipbuilders Are Outbuilding Everybody

Breaking Defense: Air, Space Force Leaders Near Missile Warning Plan

Task & Purpose: The Taliban is allowed to read classified documents related to the Afghan peace deal, but you cant

Bloomberg: U.S. Sees War-Zone Drones as New Improvised Explosive Devices

The Economist: A constitutional ploy may keep Vladimir Putin in power until 2036

WEDNESDAY | MARCH 11

7 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd,, Arl Association of the United States Army Breakfast series, with Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier, deputy chief of staff of the Army G-2 (intelligence). https://www.ausa.org/events/breakfast-series-berrier

8:30 a.m. 14th and F St. N.W. Woodrow Wilson Center's Africa Program, the Institute for Defense Analyses, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Africa Symposium: Advancing Africa's Governance, Peace, and Security, with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa and Security Affairs Whitney Baird delivering remarks, Maj. Gen. Christopher Craige, director of strategy, engagement, and programs at U.S. Africa Command. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/africa-symposium

9 a.m. 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. N.W. Access Intelligence LLC Satellite Conference and Exhibition, with Air Force Lt. Gen. David Thompson, vice commander of the Air Force Space Command, Clare Grason, chief of the Air Force Space Command's Commercial Satellite Communications Office; and Derek Tournear, director of the Space Development Agency. https://www.satshow.com/

10 a.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. N.E. Heritage Foundation discussion with White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien. https://www.heritage.org/defense/event

10 a.m. 2118 Rayburn House Armed Services Committee hearing National Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activity in North and South America, with Kenneth Rapuano, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and global security; Adm. Craig Faller, commander, U.S. Southern Command; Gen. Terrence OShaughnessy, commander, U.S. Northern Command. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

10 a.m. 138, Dirksen Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing on the Navy and Marine Corpss FY 2021 budget request, with acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday, and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger. https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings

2 p.m. 2212 Rayburn House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities Hearing: Reviewing Department of Defense Science and Technology Strategy, Policy, and Programs for Fiscal Year 2021: Maintaining a Robust Ecosystem for Our Technological Edge, with Michael Griffin, under secretary of defense for research and engineering; Bruce Jette, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology; James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition; William Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology, and logistics. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

2:30 p.m. Pentagon Briefing Rm. 2D972 Navy Adm. Craig Faller, commander, U.S. Southern Command, briefs reporters at the Pentagon. Streamed live on https://www.defense.gov/Watch/Live

2:30 p.m. 2118 Rayburn House Armed Services Subcommittees on Seapower and Projection Forces and Readiness Joint Hearing: Sealift and Mobility Requirements in Support of the National Defense Strategy, with Gen. Steve Lyons, commander, U.S. Transportation Command; Mark Buzby, U.S. Maritime Administration; Vice Adm. Ricky Williamson, deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Lt. Gen. David Nahom, Air Force deputy chief of staff for plans and programs. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

2:30 p.m. 106 Dirksen Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel hearing on programs in the Department of Defense, with Matthew Donovan, performing the duties of the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness; Virginia Penrod, acting assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs; Thomas McCaffery, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs; Thomas Constable, acting assistant secretary of defense for readiness; Elizabeth Van Winkle, executive director, office of force resiliency. https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings

3 p.m. Ft. McNair Defense Secretary Mark Esper delivers remarks at the National Defense University's President's Lecture Series. Streamed live on https://www.defense.gov/Watch/Live

6 p.m. 1957 E St. N.W. George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs discussion on "The State of the Transatlantic Alliance, with former NATO Deputy Secretary-General Rose Gottemoeller. http://elliott.gwu.edu

THURSDAY | MARCH 12

9 a.m. 2118 Rayburn House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness Hearing: FY21 Navy and Marine Corps Readiness Posture, with James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy, research, development, and acquisition; Adm. Robert Burke, Vice Chief of Naval Operations; Gen. Gary Thomas, Assistant Marine Corps Commandant. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

9:30 a.m. 2212 Rayburn House Armed Services Subcommittee Strategic Forces hearing: FY21 Priorities for Missile Defense and Missile Defeat Programs, with Gen. Terrence OShaughnessy, commander, U.S. Northern Command; Vice Adm. Jon Hill, director, Missile Defense Agency; Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; Rob Soofer, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy; Cristina Chaplain, director, contracting and national security acquisitions team, Government Accountability Office. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

10 a.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. N.W. United States Institute of Peace discussion on "A Peace Regime for the Korean Peninsula, with Scott Snyder, director of the Council on Foreign Relations Program on U.S.-Korea Policy; Kathleen Stephens, president and CEO of the Korea Economic Institute; Jacob Stokes, senior policy analyst at USIP; Joseph Yun, senior adviser at USIP; Frank Aum, senior expert on North Korea at USIP; and Patricia Kim, senior policy analyst at USIP. https://www.usip.org/index.php/events/peace-regime-korean-peninsula

2 p.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. N.E. Heritage Foundation discussion on "Shining a Spotlight on Human Rights in North Korea, with Kwang Cheol-Hwan, founder and chairman of the North Korea Strategy Center; Eiko Kawasaki, chairwoman of Action for Korea United; and Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. http://www.heritage.org

4 p.m. 1521 16th St. N.W. Institute of World Politics lecture on "The Role of the U.S. Military Under the NDS (National Defense Strategy) Over the Next Decade, with Col. Jon Duke, deputy director of operations at the Marine Corps Headquarters. https://www.iwp.edu/events

FRIDAY | MARCH 13

8 a.m. 1135 16th St. N.W. American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security breakfast, with Special Inspector General John Sopko discussing Corruption: A Threat to Rule of Law and Sustainable Peace in Afghanistan. https://www.americanbar.org/news

9:30 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. N.W. Center for Strategic and International Studies discussion on "Army Air and Missile Defense," with Maj. Gen. Robert Rasch, program executive officer for Army Missiles and Space; Brig. Gen. Brian Gibson, director of the Army Air and Missile Defense Cross-Functional Team; Barbara Treharne, senior analyst at the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization; Brian Green, nonresident senior associate at CSIS; and Thomas Karako, director of the CSIS Missile Defense Project. http://www.csis.org

10:30 a.m. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion on "France's Defense Strategy, with French Ambassador to the U.S. Philippe Etienne; and former Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, president of CEIP. http://carnegieendowment.org/

We dont need to trust them. We dont need to like them. We dont need to believe anything they say. We need to observe what they do, and we have the capability to do that.

Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of the U.S. Central Command testifying before Congress on the withdrawal agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban.

Link:
Top commander says Afghanistan withdrawal plan does not rely on trusting the Taliban - Washington Examiner

Feng Shui (literally means wind-water or geomancy) is a traditional Chinese art dedicated to furnishing, building, and arranging homes in a calculated manner.

The reason this is done is because it is believed that by practicing this ancient art, a positive and healthy energy will be projected, helped by the balance of the natural forces of Yin; and Yang.

HistoryFeng Shui dates back 6,000 years, back to the time when people believed in it as a method to build prosperous villages. It was initially used to create farms in a way that would protect farmers from dangerous energies and ensure that they prospered within the protective guard of mountains. This negative energy was discovered to be harsh winds that could topple houses and blow away produce. Despite that, the art of Feng Shui continued to grow, being passed down from father to son then eventually producing learned scholars and ending up inside the Imperial Court. Feng Shui masters were forced to keep their methods secret.

MethodsAs a general rule of thumb, Feng Shui discourages, and even outright refuses in certain cases to use harsh angles in furniture. Their furnishings must match each other, whether they are of the same colour or same style. It is very much suggested that furniture must contain solid wood to ensure a balance of being tied to the five elements; wood, water, fire, metal, and earth.

Living Room Welcoming and AccommodatingLet us begin with the first room of a typical house or apartment the living room. The front door must be sturdy and made of wood. In addition, it must open inwards to provide a welcoming and friendly sense. After all, guests must be treated with the utmost respect. The pathway to the entrance itself must always be clear of debris and other obstacles to create an open, clear path for positive Chi to flow through.

Bedroom Happiness, Assurances, and PositivityFor positive energy to flow freely in the bedroom, one must do the following. First, you must use a solid, wooden bedframe for the sole purpose of spiritual and physical stability. One must also have a clear, open space under the bed for an open flow of energy that will create inner happiness and health within the room. Next, allow for symmetry by having a wooden, identical nightstand by each bedside to bring peace and reassurance to ones mind.

Hang pictures of nature such as a landscape image of the mountains and views of plant life in order to project a sense of serenity and relaxation. An inspirational quote is a good option too; it can create courage and positivity in ones mind.

Warm colours such as creams and browns must be used. These hues can ensure that a soothing, calm, and positive atmosphere is achieved. This priority on order with colours is once again used when organising books. Books that are organised by colour, rather than other traits, are believed to bring both order and purpose.

Kitchen The Heart of the HomeThe kitchen is believed to be an integral part of ones home, mainly because it is believed to be the heart of the home. As a result, much care has been put into ensuring everything goes smoothly within the kitchen, starting with the use of dark, earthy tones in furniture whenever possible. Masters of Feng Shui believe that these colours have a grounding effect to ensure stability.

The stove should never face the door because this force users to cook with their backs facing the door. This is considered taboo since it is said to invite negative energy, causing bad luck throughout the persons day. The fridge, stove, and sink should also form a triangle for good luck. Feng Shui masters suggest that the kitchen table must be surrounded by chairs in order to create a sense of community. And finally, corners must always be illuminated because it is believed that dark spirits hide in the shadows, especially in corners.

Typically, lists of chores or work are pasted on the refrigerator door. However, Feng Shui masters encourage using positive images. These include pictures of family, nature, and quotes. Finally, adding vases of flowers or a bowl of fresh fruits is believed to help balance the five elements.

Why use Feng Shui?The main reason why Feng Shui has remained an important centrepiece for many families is that it is believed to work magnificently; it truly creates a strong sense of peace, positivity, and prosperity in the household. As a bonus, their homes are beautifully decorated, shown by how neat and well planned everything is. Whether youre choosing to partake in Feng Shui for the promise of positive energy or for its aesthetically pleasing style of dcor, theres absolutely no doubt that this art is one you must try.

More here:
The Art of Feng Shui - Indonesia Expat