What is all this talk about the Red Envelopes used in Feng Shui? As many consultants differ on methods, cures and other areas of Feng Shui, it appears many of us use the Red Envelopes in different ways as well. We were all trained by different mentors and sometimes view things differently; our methods are all effective in what we'd like to create and please note that these are only MY methods and intentions when using the Red Envelopes.

I actually didn't know we had a difference as I just assumed we were all taught the same way. The Red Envelopes are used and exchanged when we perform a Transcendental Blessing or "Cure" in the Black Sect tradition of Feng Shui. As these methods were never supposed to be published in a book, they were only meant to be passed down from Mentor to Student verbally, in our cases, the clients we performed the Blessings for. I describe what is used and why and explain they are an integral part of any Consultation. I have never felt that a Consultation would be helpful beyond a very limited point without them and they are always a vital part of my consultations. Since they are non-denominational, I have never had anyone object to them.

While I was Chapter Director of the International Feng Shui Guild, I finally had an opportunity to meet with some of the other members who expressed an interest in doing a Community Service for Long Island. And it was during this lunch that a discussion of the Red Envelopes came up. I was more then a little surprised to hear from two of the Consultants that I had been using them the "wrong" way. And that I had apparently been taught "incorrectly" by several of my mentors who were already Masters of Feng Shui in 1997.

We were taught (repeatedly) that the Red Envelopes are an Energy Exchange, a form of protection for those of us imparting these beautiful Blessings and Cures to another person; and if the other person were to pass them on, they also would need to get Red Envelopes from the recipient. We were further advised that some money should be placed in the envelopes, that amount to be determined by the client; and this money was NEVER, EVER to be kept, it had to be donated. As the years passed I have donated hundreds and hundreds of dollars to various causes such as the Red Cross and St. Jude's Hospital. If the amounts in the envelopes were small, I would just save them until they had accumulated and then write out a check to different organizations.

It is our part of our duties to sleep near or on the Envelopes provided for a period of Nine nights, Nine being the Auspicious number in Feng Shui. Sometimes we put them on an altar, but we are never far from them during this very important time. And it is also a time to keep up with our clients as some have changes almost immediately while others take longer. If things are changing rapidly, I want to know as I would if they are not moving at all. Remember, the Blessings in and of themselves are very powerful to create and change our surroundings and the Energy in it.

And through the years of my practice I noticed another thing happening with the envelopes; I would get an image in my head or just "see" something in a home or business that I had not seen or thought of while I was there. With some clients it would be more intense (as some people's energy are more intense) and I would call or email them to advise them of what had occurred. I decided to try something and asked my clients to write down their Intentions and place them inside the envelopes as well…..surely, I thought, if they are infused with Energy I will get more thoughts and wanted to see what happened.

And I did. The dreams and thoughts became more vivid and clear and sometimes I would see things differently than I had during the consultation; sometimes I would envision something else that should be added. When it was intense I would "see" things that I didn't always know what they signified. And at these times, a call to my client was needed, as much for me to try to understand what was happening as well as to advise them. I develop amazing connections with my clients and the Energy that we establish during a consultation will likely keep us connected for years; some of my very first clients are now life long friends. We attract the clients we are meant to have, just as we attract all the people who come into our lives.

Back to the lunch where I was advised that I was "taught" incorrectly; the Red Envelopes were definitely an Energy Exchange and the amount of money to be put into them were determined by the client above and beyond your fee…it was money to be kept; it was an example of my "worth" is what they told me. Could I have been so wrong after ten years when I was having such positive results with my clients? I went back to my original notebook, dusted it off and read it cover to cover---and then to the second and third notebooks. ALL of our mentors during the year of 1997 at The Metropolitan Institute of Interior Design (which was, by the way, the very first school on Feng Shui Studies that was both licensed and accredited in Feng Shui Studies in the U.S.) had informed us to never keep that money.

I felt that I was in a quandary, felt a lot of (well meaning) criticism and wondered what to do. And I didn't have to wonder long. I realized through the years of all the unseen and unknown people that had been helped through the kindness of my clients and the donations that had been made. After all, I reasoned, if it's worked so well for ten years, why change it now? Perhaps I wasn't taught a "wrong" way, just a different way but it was working well for myself, my clients and many people out in the universe. The joy of "gifting" back all these years has always made me feel good and I don't need money to tell me what my self worth is equal to. I have seen and shared firsthand wonderful success stories with my clients while having helped others around the world. What better gift can Feng Shui give us?