Feng Shui Crazy!

 

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How To Arrange Your Bedroom For Good Feng Shui

by Pat
13 April

Feng Shui for the Bedroom

What is the best Feng Shui bedroom layout? And what other things should you consider when decorating your bedroom?

This photo illustrates some good things for Feng Shui in the bedroom, as well as a few things that are not so good Feng Shui.

The most important thing in your bedroom is the placement of the bed itself, and it looks like this room has done it right, assuming that you are looking into the room from the door. The bed should be in a “power position”, that is, you should be able to see the door from the bed, but the bed should not be too close to the door. On the wall opposite the door is ideal, but the bed should not be directly in line with the door.

The reason is that you want to feel secure in your bed, so you want to be able to see if someone comes in the door. But you don’t want to be directly in a straight line with the door, because in China, this is considered the “death position” - your feet are pointing right out the door, so you can be carried right out when you die.

Don’t worry if you have to place your bed in an unfortunate position. There are always Feng Shui “cures” that can be done to fix bad Feng Shui. However, what I have described is the ideal bedroom layout, and that is what the room in the photo has.

Another good thing the photo room has going for it is that it has two end tables and each one has a lamp. This is very important, especially if you have a partner or are trying to attract a partner. Two end tables and lamps mean that the two partners are equal, or, if you don’t yet have a partner, it gives off energy that will attract a partner. If possible, the end tables and lamps should be very similar or identical.

The room also gives off a nice peaceful energy. It is not cluttered, and the bed looks inviting. This is important in a bedroom, because you need a peaceful energy to be able to sleep well. Clutter in the bedroom is very bad and will disturb your sleep on an energy level, even if you don’t realize it.

The bed has a headboard, which is good for Feng Shui. However, I would replace the wrought iron headboard and footboard with a solid one. You want a solid headboard to give you a feeling of security. One other thing I would do to this room is to remove the bag that is hanging on the footboard. It does not seem to belong there, so it gives a little twinge of unsettledness.

The bedroom is one of the most important rooms for Feng Shui. You spend one third of your life in bed, and a restful sleep is important for your general energy level. The bedroom is also an important area for relationships. For these reasons, you should try to make sure your bedroom has a good layout, the bed is in a good position, and your bedroom is calm and uncluttered.

Feng Shui and Clutter

Even if you don’t know a lot about Feng Shui, there is something you can do to make a huge impact on the energy in your home.

That is: get rid of clutter!

Clutter and Feng Shui

16 Sep
Clutter is very bad Feng Shui. If you think about it and stop to really experience what you feel when you are surrounded by clutter, I think you will agree that clutter is depressing and really lowers your energy levels.

In Feng Shui, we say that the chi (energy) gets stuck in clutter. The chi can’t flow like it should, with clutter around. It just gets sucked in to the pile of clutter and stays there, stagnating.

I used to have a huge problem with clutter before I started studying Feng Shui. I really didn’t notice much of how my environment was affecting me. It was only when I read Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui by Karen Kingston that I really realized just how my clutter was affecting me. This is a small book and a quick read. It contains a lot of good information, and I highly recommend it.

Clearing Clutter

Now that I know how clutter affects me, I don’t let it get so bad. I still have a tendency to let my desk get messy, for example. But I soon feel myself getting irritated with my work, and I realize that it needs to be cleaned up. It is amazing to me how much different I feel as soon as the clutter is cleaned up.

As far as the rest of the house goes, I have learned over the years to clean up as I go along. I don’t let clutter pile up. If I am in a room and I notice something out of place, I put it where it belongs. This way, it’s not a huge job to clean up all at once.

For a former clutter-holic, this is really saying something. I believe that you do things that you feel are important. Once you realize how clutter impacts your life, you will gladly do what it takes to keep from getting overwhelmed by it.

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A Nice Uncluttered Workspace

The Power of Nine

If you have a clutter problem in your house, don’t be overwhelmed. Just start small. Feng Shui has a few tricks that can help you with this. One tip is to do a small amount every day. In Chinese culture, the number nine is very important and signifies completion. So use the number nine in your decluttering. Every day, work at decluttering for 9 minutes. Or, pick 9 things a day to clean up.

Soon decluttering will become a habit, and you will see progress. Those 9-minute segments will add up. Remember, it takes 21 days to create a new habit, so keep at it every day until it becomes automatic.

7 Comments

1. Bust Clutter
8:23 pm on May 3rd, 2009
Feng shui is a great method for clearing the clutter. The state of mind clutter leaves you in can be draining.

2. Pat
9:06 pm on May 3rd, 2009
I agree - Feng Shui has helped me a lot in getting motivated to get rid of clutter.

3. Dorine King
8:54 pm on May 18th, 2009
I remember when my son was very young (he’s almost 31 now). If his room was cluttered and toys were not in bins or on shelves in the playroom, he was hyper, and generally aggressive. When I noticed that, we would start to sing the Barney clean up song and soon, everything would be nice and clean and orderly again — including his emotions. (Is Barney even still around?) Clutter has a big effect on the mind and can really affects it as well!

4. Pat
9:05 pm on May 18th, 2009
Hey Dorine!   My son was very neat when he was little. He loved to keep his stuff organized. It was only when he got to be a teenager that he pretended to be messy (but I think he still secretly liked things neat). I think everyone really feels better when things are neat and nice looking.

5. lily
7:44 pm on July 4th, 2009
I’m 16 and I just spent an entire day going through my bedroom and it felt sooo good to sort through everything. My room was packed with so much crap, by the end i nearly filled the outside paper rubbish bin. It’s so hard deciding what to keep, and what to chuck out. But i did it, and it was the biggest clean up I’ve ever done. My room feels so clear it’s amazing, I kind of feel addicted to that feeling of chucking things out now, and I’m worried i kept too much. I probably should chuck out that old toe nail that fell off though, and some other gross stuff.

Now I just have to do my bedroom at my dads house, that’s going to take, ummmm… a couple more full days than my room at my mum’s. Its full of basically everything I’ve ever owned including school books. But i will do it and chuck out nearly EVERYTHING and it will feel great. I can’t wait! It really makes me feel so much clearer.

6. Jan - queenofkaos
6:05 am on August 5th, 2009
Love your site Pat! I had no idea about the number 9. I will definitely be using it more - completion is my focus right now.

7. Pat
10:20 am on August 5th, 2009
Lily, That’s great! I’m so glad you are getting rid of your clutter. Keep up the good work 

Jan, thanks! You have a great site too!

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Chaco Canyon: Feng Shui on a Grand Scale

by Pat

Feng Shui in Various Cultures

Chaco Canyon

Have you ever been to Chaco Canyon? I haven’t actually been there, but I recently watched The Mystery of Chaco Canyon on DVD, narrated by Robert Redford.

From the description at SouthWestIndian.com:

Located in New Mexico, Chaco Canyon is one of the most extensive prehistoric ruins in America. For years archaeologists have assumed that Chaco was primarily an ancient trading center. Now, this nationally broadcast film (narrated by Robert Redford and first aired on PBS,) shows that Chaco was instead a complex ceremonial center, harmonized by extraordinary astronomical alignments of buildings and roads, and elegant light and shadow markings. Aerial and time lapse footage, computer modeling, and interviews with scholars show how the Chacoan culture oriented and located its major buildings in relation to the sun and moon.

It was thrilling to watch this documentary, especially with knowledge of Feng Shui principles.

When Feng Shui was developed in China, people were trying to locate their buildings and gravesites in spots that would be auspicious, given the natural surroundings. Today, we use Feng Shui to improve our lives by bringing our homes into balance. We might not realize it when we are adjusting our interior space, but a familiarity with nature and the directions of the compass are still there in the background of Feng Shui.

So it was amazing to me how the ancient Chacoans set up their worship centers in alignment with the travels of the sun and the moon. Some of the buildings are lined up over huge distances. The documentary spoke of a certain road that went “nowhere”, but it actually followed the path laid out by the celestial bodies.

It reminded me of the bagua that we use to overlay a house, a lot, a room, or even a table or desk, except that this was on a much grander scale. This was a giant cosmic map that was overlaid on the structures built by the Chacoans.

They worshiped their deity not only in prayer but in the actual layout of their buildings in relation to the surroundings.

If you get a chance to watch this documentary, I highly recommend it.
6 Dec

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How We Can Find Healing in Nature

by Pat

It is amazing how I keep finding parallels to Feng Shui wherever I go.

A few weeks ago, I went to hear a talk by Philip Chard about being healed by nature. The theme of the talk was that, today, people are alienated from nature. Some people hardly ever get to spend any time in nature.

Philip stated that it is very healing just to get back to nature and spend some time there. There is a different energy in nature than in man-made things. This energy is very healing.

To me, this sounded a lot like the teaching of Feng Shui. Our environment has a great effect on us. It really makes a difference what kind of energy we surround ourselves with.

Theenergy we surround ourselves with can be healing or it can be destructive to our well-being. I think if we just attune ourselves to how we feel in different environments, we can sense when an environment is good for us.

The trouble is that usually, we are too preoccupied to really notice what is going on around us and how it is affecting us.

If we can just learn to surround ourselves with a more serene and healthy environment, we will be a lot better off. The right environment can truly be healing for us.

And if you can’t always get outside into nature, it does help to bring nature inside. This can be in the form of plants, natural materials such as seashells or rocks, pets, artwork depicting nature, water fountains, and many other ways.

Remember that the human race used to spend a lot of time in nature. It is only recently in our history that we have become so cut off from nature. When we don’t feel that nature energy, we miss it, even though we don’t always consciously realize it.

Think about ways that you can bring nature into your life, whether by going out and doing things in nature or by bringing some of it into your home.
5 Dec

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Feng Shui Princples Literally Came True!

by Pat

Front Door

Usually Feng Shui is a lot more subtle than what happened to me this Monday…

Two important principles in Feng Shui are:

1. Keep the path to your front door clear.

Good chi, or good energy, enters your house by the front door. It is not good to have anything blocking the path of this good chi. The front door is one of the most important parts of your house for this reason. The path to the door should be attractive and easy to traverse.

2. Fix anything that is broken.

Broken things are bad Feng Shui. The unfortunate energy from broken things can have consequences throughout your house. It is discouraging for you to see broken things, so it lowers your own mood. And on subtler levels, the broken things have a bad effect on the general chi (energy) of your house.

I Want My Laptop!

Even though I know the above principles very well, I was not prepared for how literally they played out on Monday.

We had quite a bit of snow over the weekend, and the people who were supposed to clear my walks never showed up. So the path to my front door was completely blocked by snow.

I was sitting in my home office when I saw a Fed Ex truck in the driveway. My laptop! I was expecting a new laptop that I had ordered from HP. My first laptop ever, so I was really excited. I quickly put my shoes on and ran out, but the Fed Ex guy was already on his way. He didn’t see me waving from the porch.

On the back door, I found a Fed Ex tag. Oh no! I forgot that my back doorbell was broken! Of course, the Fed Ex guy didn’t use the front door, because the path to it was full of snow.

I would have to wait until another day to get my new laptop…

I learned my lesson, though. I went right out and shoveled the walk from the front door to the street. :)

Well, as I said, usually you don’t see the effects of bad Feng Shui so clearly. Usually you just notice that things are not going quite as well as they should. You realize that you need to do some Feng Shui work in your house. (At least, if you are a Feng Shui consultant, you realize it ;) .)

If you keep reading this blog, you will realize it too! I hope to give you lots of Feng Shui tips and ideas. Whether you are a beginner or already know a lot about Feng Shui, I hope to have something of interest to you.

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Feng Shui and Everything Fancy

Fast Feng Shui Tips

Make sure that all your home windows don’t have cracks or not broken. If there are cracks and/or broken, replace it immediately. Windows should be easy to open/close and not blocked by any objects. Its important that all windows are properly maintained and cleaned so that positive “chi” energy can smoothly flow inside your home. If you have a pet cat who enjoys “meditating” by the window, its better to have cat veranda to avoid breaking your windows.
September 21st, 2008

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Awesome find of the week: Museum Glass Teapot

I was looking for gift ideas when I stumbled upon this Museum Glass Teapot from VivaTerra. My day is not complete without drinking a warm green tea before bedtime, it relaxes me. Drinking tea is good for one’s health. And nothing excites me than finding a cute, artsy, awesome teapots. I was just looking for a glass tea kettle but seeing the Museum Glass Teapot like an “art form” is truly awesome. Its like a teapot and incense in one. I swear I love VivaTerra! They have eco-friendly products to die for at reasonable prices.
September 21st, 2008

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Post-it Sticky Notes made of Recycled Paper

I love using Post-it Sticky Notes. I use it at work and for personal reminders. I like its different colors, in fact the colorful the better. Paper cubes and Post-it sticky notes are life saver to someone like me who likes constant reminders of “to do.” So when I saw the new Post-it sticky notes made from recycled paper, I was elated. I was starting to feel guilty using too much paper. Although its made from only 30% recycled paper, 3M is eco-friendly.  The best part is, paper cubes made from 100% recycled paper is now available!!! Now I can use Post-it sticky notes and paper cubes without feeling guilty.

September 21st, 2008

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Feng Shui of the week: The Power of Chi Energy

Have you ever experienced the feeling like there’s an “energy” in your environment that affects you? Its a kind of energy that you can’t explain but it “mixes” with you in a way that it affects your moods, emotions, physical energy and health. Feng Shui experts said that its the “chi” energy, a subtle flow of electromagnetic energy which links all things in the universe. They give nicknames to describe the energy, “life-force,” “spirit”, etc. In China its called Chi and in Japan its called Ki or Qi. But whatever names you want to call it, I do believe in the power of this “energy”. It feels like it flows around me and present in all things, even in humans. We all have personal “chi” within us. I have friends whom when I see kinda have good “auras” around them. They have “aura” or “chi” energy that draws me to them because they have a positive influence in my life.

The flow of “chi” from one entity to another is the basis of Feng Shui. Chi energy is carried through the environment by wind, water, the sun’s solar energy, light and sound. It moves like water ebbing and flowing with the tides, and like air moving around the earth. The name Feng Shui, which literally means “wind-water,” reflects the way “chi” moves. The basic aim of Feng Shui is to enable you to position yourself where this natural flow of chi energy helps you to realize your goals and your dreams in life.

Source

Isn’t it amazing if we can live harmoniously with our environment? Feng Shui can help us achieve that. We can either be fatalistic and accept our fate, or we can take life into our own hands and make changes.

September 14th, 2008

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Feng Shui of the week: I-Ching Coins to Attract Wealth

As gas prices keeps going up, more and more people are looking for ways to increase their income or at least to attract wealth. Who doesn’t want to have extra cash to spare? Or shop till you drop? In Feng Shui, there are many applications that will help you attract wealth and prosperity. For this week, I feature the lucky I-Ching coins or metal coins that are common prosperity symbols in Feng Shui. Didn’t you notice that I keep on posting about “how to attract wealth and prosperity” in my Feng Shui posts. Simply because I also want to try them. To be honest, the reason I was hooked in Feng Shui was because of trying out these lucky I-Ching coins. I made my first purchase at a Feng Shui store that “promises” I will never run out of cash if I place a three I-Ching lucky coins wrapped in a dollar bill (with at least with number “8″ in the serial numbers) and place it inside a lucky Chinese red envelope - then I placed the red envelope with I-Ching lucky coins in my wallet. And it worked for me! I mean, when I am about to run out of cash in my wallet something will arrive or come up (aside from my regular salary).

So what does these I-Ching lucky coins in Feng Shui really mean?

Coins in China have been used since the 7th century BC. The antique coins from China had a square hole in the center which the energy of the earth (yin) could enter. The round shape corresponds to the energy of the heavens (yang). In Feng Shui, coins are thought to bring good luck and worn for protection. Several coins (three, five, or nine) are strung on two red (the color signifying joy) silk ribbons. The ribbons are fed through the square holes in the coins’ center and tied together to make a good luck ribbon, which is hung near the entrance to attract good luck and defend against harm and evil.

Special lucky coins had different symbols and signs on the surface: 1) a bat means “Good luck is right in front of your eyes” 2) Nine coins on a string signify uninterrupted good luck.

So you want to try if this will work for you? Here are some applications you can try to attract wealth that may work for you:1) 8 coins strung on a red silk ribbon hung near or above the cash register; 2) A large coin in a glass bowl lines with red or blue velvet; 3) 3 coins in a red envelope placed under a healthy, strong plant as a symbolic gesture of letting money grow; 4) 4 coins in a square red envelope attached to each bed leg, out of view, for continuing goodluck.

There’s no harm in trying, may wealth and prosperity be with us!

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Feng Shui Tips: Have trouble sleeping?

Are you having trouble getting a good night sleep? The position of your bed might be the culprit. If you’re having a hard time getting a good snooze because your bed might be directly facing the hallway to your room, in Feng Shui, you can try changing the position of your bed. If changing the position of your bed is not possible, place a divider or shield to block the direct energy coming from the hallway to your room. Happy sleeping!

August 20th, 2008

 

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More Background On FengShuiCrazy.org

 

FengShuiCrazy.org was a website devoted to the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui, offering practical advice about home organization, interior design, energy flow, relationships, prosperity, and personal well-being. Originally associated with feng shui consultant Pat Doyle of Shorewood, Wisconsin, the website combined traditional Chinese philosophy with accessible recommendations for improving everyday living environments. Its articles explored how the arrangement of furniture, placement of household objects, removal of clutter, and use of natural elements could influence the atmosphere of a home and, according to feng shui principles, the lives of its occupants.

The website belonged to a generation of independently operated blogs that helped introduce specialized subjects to audiences searching for practical information online. Rather than treating feng shui exclusively as an ancient philosophical system, Feng Shui Crazy explained how its principles could be applied to bedrooms, entrances, workspaces, and ordinary household situations. Its conversational writing, personal experiences, and reader comments distinguished it from more formal educational resources and commercial interior design websites.

Although the original website eventually ceased operating in its earlier form, FengShuiCrazy.org was subsequently revived as a preservation project intended to keep portions of its historical content available. The site's history therefore encompasses two distinct periods: its original operation as a personal feng shui blog and consulting resource, and its later existence as a retrospective collection of articles from that earlier period. Understanding both phases provides insight into the website's purpose, its audience, and its place within the wider popularization of feng shui in Western culture.

Origins and Early History of Feng Shui Crazy

Feng Shui Crazy emerged during a period when blogs were becoming an important means of sharing specialized knowledge. During the 2000s, independent publishers increasingly used websites to explain subjects that previously required specialized books, consultations, or participation in professional organizations. Feng shui was particularly well suited to this format because its principles could be demonstrated through specific household examples, personal observations, and simple changes that readers could implement themselves.

Surviving material associated with FengShuiCrazy.org includes articles dated August and September 2008, along with reader discussions from 2009. These dates establish that the website was publishing material during the late 2000s, although its precise launch date has not been independently established. The available articles reveal a publication that addressed both introductory concepts and more specialized applications, including the symbolism of Chinese coins, bedroom arrangements, natural materials, household maintenance, and the importance of entrances.

The original website's approach was generally informal and encouraging. Articles frequently began with familiar situations, such as a cluttered room, problems sleeping, or a household repair that had been neglected. The writer would then connect that experience to a feng shui principle and suggest a practical adjustment. This approach made the subject approachable for readers who might have been curious about feng shui but unfamiliar with its terminology, history, or different schools of practice.

The website also reflected the blogging conventions of its era. Individual posts carried dates, personal observations, and opportunities for visitors to respond. Topics ranged from philosophical discussions of chi to environmentally conscious household products and personal stories about applying feng shui principles. Together, these features gave Feng Shui Crazy the character of a lifestyle blog rather than a formal academic publication.

Pat Doyle: The Consultant Associated With the Original Website

Pat Doyle was the central figure associated with the original Feng Shui Crazy website. In the site's preserved introduction, Doyle identified herself as a feng shui consultant based in Shorewood and the Milwaukee area of Wisconsin. Her stated professional objective was to help individuals make positive changes in their lives by applying feng shui principles to their surroundings.

Doyle's approach emphasized the relationship between a person's environment and their psychological, emotional, and spiritual experiences. She explained that physical surroundings influence people in ways they may not consciously recognize, and that thoughtful changes to those surroundings could help them focus on their goals. Her interpretation of feng shui was therefore not limited to selecting attractive furniture or improving the visual appearance of a room. It included intention, symbolism, awareness, and the emotional associations created by particular objects or arrangements.

A distinctive aspect of Doyle's philosophy was her emphasis on intention. She encouraged individuals to establish personal goals through affirmations, written statements, visualization, or prayer and then reinforce those goals through physical changes in their homes. In this interpretation, a symbolic object or rearranged space could serve as a recurring reminder of a desired outcome. The physical adjustment was connected to a conscious decision to pursue change.

Doyle identified her preferred method as Black Sect Feng Shui, a Western-adapted approach associated with Professor Thomas Lin Yun. This connection placed her work within a recognizable school of feng shui that became influential in the United States during the late twentieth century. Although the site's introductory material establishes Doyle's geographic location and philosophical orientation, independently documented information about her professional qualifications, consulting fees, client roster, and later career remains limited.

Location and Geographic Connections

FengShuiCrazy.org was associated with Shorewood, a village immediately north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Shorewood is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area and lies along Lake Michigan, adjacent to Milwaukee's northern neighborhoods. This location provided the original consulting practice with a potential audience in both a residential suburban community and a larger urban market.

Milwaukee's residential neighborhoods include historic houses, apartments, condominiums, and newer developments, each offering different opportunities for the application of feng shui principles. Older residences may present challenges involving room arrangements, door placement, natural lighting, narrow entrances, or furniture positioning. Apartments and smaller homes may have limited space for rearranging beds, desks, and other large furnishings. The practical advice offered by Feng Shui Crazy could be applied to these different types of living environments without requiring extensive construction or expensive renovations.

The website's geographic location also distinguished it from the major centers associated with the early popularization of Western feng shui, particularly California and New York. Professor Lin Yun established a prominent institutional presence in Berkeley, California, and later on Long Island, New York. Feng Shui Crazy represented the diffusion of related ideas into the American Midwest, where independent consultants and bloggers could introduce the subject to local residents while simultaneously reaching a national and international online audience.

No verified street address, physical storefront, or publicly documented office location has been established for Feng Shui Crazy. Its primary public identity was that of an online publication associated with an individual consultant rather than a destination business with a walk-in retail location.

Understanding the Feng Shui Principles Behind the Website

Feng shui is a traditional Chinese practice concerned with the relationship between people, buildings, landscapes, and their surrounding environments. The Chinese terms feng and shui mean wind and water, reflecting the importance of natural conditions in traditional ideas about choosing favorable places to live, construct buildings, and establish burial sites.

Historically, feng shui developed through multiple systems involving landscape forms, directions, the relationship between yin and yang, the five elements, and the concept of qi, or chi. Some traditions emphasize the physical characteristics of land, including mountains, rivers, and protection from prevailing winds. Others rely on compass directions, symbolic relationships, and calculations involving time and orientation. The practice has evolved over centuries and encompasses several schools rather than one universally accepted method.

A 2023 systematic review published in Heliyon examined 36 empirical and quantitative studies concerning feng shui. Researchers identified relationships between feng shui and topics such as housing preferences, environmental characteristics, sunlight, wind conditions, and landscape ecology. However, they also concluded that the evidence did not establish the claimed effects of feng shui on human outcomes, and that the quality and quantity of available research were limited.

This distinction is important when interpreting the original Feng Shui Crazy articles. Recommendations such as reducing clutter, maintaining entrances, improving natural light, and repairing broken fixtures can have practical benefits regardless of spiritual belief. Claims that particular objects or arrangements directly produce wealth, good fortune, or improved relationships belong to traditional feng shui belief systems and have not been conclusively established through scientific research.

Black Sect Feng Shui and the Influence of Professor Thomas Lin Yun

The form of feng shui practiced by Pat Doyle was closely associated with Professor Thomas Lin Yun, an influential figure in bringing feng shui to Western audiences. Lin Yun developed and popularized a system known as Black Sect Tantric Buddhist Feng Shui, also called Black Sect or BTB Feng Shui. His teachings incorporated Chinese philosophical traditions with concepts drawn from psychology, spirituality, architecture, and other disciplines.

Lin Yun's international influence is well documented. Cornell University announced a lecture by him in November 1996 titled Chi, Feng Shui and Life from the Perspective of Black Sect Tantric Buddhism. The university's announcement described his approach as an effort to connect traditional cultural knowledge with contemporary disciplines, including medicine, physiology, ecology, architecture, and the social sciences.

The South China Morning Post also profiled Lin Yun in September 1999, discussing his influence on the international spread of feng shui. The newspaper connected his teachings with author Sarah Rossbach, whose books helped introduce Western readers to the practical application of Chinese placement principles.

One important feature of Black Sect Feng Shui is its use of the bagua, a symbolic map representing different areas of life. In common Western applications, the bagua is positioned in relation to the main entrance of a room or building rather than strictly according to compass directions. This approach can make the system easier for beginners to apply without specialized instruments or extensive traditional training.

Intention is another important element. In a published explanation of Black Sect Feng Shui attributed to Lin Yun, physical environmental conditions and personal intention are described as complementary aspects of the practice. This combination helps explain why Doyle emphasized both furniture arrangements and the personal meaning of changes made within the home.

Bedroom Feng Shui: One of the Website's Best-Known Subjects

Bedroom arrangement was among the practical subjects discussed by Feng Shui Crazy. The website presented the bedroom as a particularly important environment because people spend a substantial portion of their lives sleeping and recovering there. Its recommendations addressed bed placement, symmetry, visual clutter, furniture design, and the sense of security created by the room's arrangement.

A major principle was the placement of the bed in what feng shui practitioners frequently call the command or power position. In this arrangement, the occupant can see the bedroom entrance from the bed without being positioned directly in line with the doorway. The reasoning combines traditional symbolism with the everyday preference many people have for being able to observe an entrance while resting.

The website also discussed the significance of matching bedside tables and lamps. In relationship-oriented interpretations of feng shui, paired objects can represent balance and equality between partners. Symmetrical bedroom furnishings may also create a visually orderly environment, independent of any spiritual meaning attached to them.

Other recommendations included using a solid headboard, removing unnecessary objects, and creating a quiet, comfortable atmosphere. These suggestions illustrate how Feng Shui Crazy translated philosophical concepts into manageable household decisions. Readers did not need to rebuild their bedrooms or purchase elaborate decorative objects to experiment with the site's recommendations.

The bedroom advice also reflected a broader theme: environmental changes could have symbolic meaning while simultaneously affecting comfort and usability. A stable headboard, clear access to the bed, sufficient lighting, and organized furniture can improve the practical experience of a room even when the traditional explanation involves chi or relationships.

Decluttering and the Philosophy of an Organized Home

Clutter reduction was another major subject associated with Feng Shui Crazy. The website characterized accumulated possessions, disorganized surfaces, and neglected household areas as obstacles to the free movement of chi. From a practical standpoint, it also acknowledged that disorder can contribute to frustration, distraction, and an unpleasant atmosphere.

One of its recurring ideas was that decluttering should be approached gradually rather than as an overwhelming project. The site introduced the symbolic importance of the number nine and suggested using it to establish manageable cleaning routines. Examples included spending nine minutes each day organizing a room or selecting nine objects to put away, discard, or otherwise address.

This approach offered a particularly accessible entry point for readers. Someone unfamiliar with feng shui's symbolic systems could still benefit from creating a more organized desk, reducing unnecessary possessions, or establishing a regular household maintenance habit. The small-task method encouraged consistency instead of attempting to transform an entire home at once.

The original writing also referenced Karen Kingston's Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, a book associated with the popular connection between decluttering and emotional well-being. Kingston's work helped make the removal of unwanted possessions a recognizable component of Western feng shui discussions.

Comments preserved from 2009 reveal that readers responded to this advice by sharing their own experiences. Some described the emotional relief associated with cleaning rooms or reducing possessions, while others discussed the effects of household disorder on family routines. These exchanges provide evidence of an engaged readership, although they do not establish the website's total audience size or commercial popularity.

Chi Energy, Prosperity, and Symbolic Objects

Feng Shui Crazy also explored chi, the traditional concept of vital energy that plays a central role in many Chinese philosophical and healing traditions. Within feng shui, chi is commonly understood as moving through landscapes, buildings, entrances, and rooms. Practitioners seek arrangements that encourage beneficial movement while avoiding conditions believed to create stagnation or imbalance.

The website discussed objects commonly associated with prosperity, particularly Chinese coins with square central openings. In traditional symbolic interpretations, the circular shape can represent heaven while the square opening represents earth. Coins tied together with red ribbons or placed in red envelopes have been used as symbols of luck, protection, and financial abundance.

Articles describing these customs reflected the appeal of inexpensive, accessible feng shui practices. Unlike major renovations or specialized architectural consultations, symbolic arrangements could be attempted with relatively simple objects. This helped make feng shui approachable to people interested in experimenting with traditional customs without investing substantial money.

The website also addressed household entrances as important locations for chi. Keeping walkways accessible, ensuring doors function properly, and repairing damaged features were presented as ways of supporting the favorable movement of energy. Such recommendations have obvious practical applications, particularly in regions with seasonal weather and older housing.

These subjects contributed to the website's distinctive mixture of spirituality and ordinary domestic problem-solving. Feng Shui Crazy did not merely describe symbolic traditions; it connected them with actual household experiences and encouraged readers to observe the results for themselves.

Nature, Environmental Awareness, and Sustainable Living

Another recurring theme was the relationship between feng shui and the natural environment. Traditional Chinese placement practices were influenced by natural conditions, and the modern application of feng shui often incorporates plants, water, natural materials, sunlight, and views of outdoor landscapes.

Feng Shui Crazy encouraged readers to consider the emotional atmosphere created by natural elements. Indoor plants, stones, shells, natural artwork, and water features were among the objects associated with bringing a sense of nature into interior spaces. The broader message was that people should be attentive to how their surroundings make them feel and make deliberate choices about the spaces they inhabit.

The website's interests also extended to environmentally conscious consumer products. Surviving material discussed recycled paper products and decorative household items, demonstrating an interest in sustainability that complemented the site's emphasis on environmental harmony.

One particularly interesting discussion connected feng shui with Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. The site considered the relationship between ancient architecture, celestial alignments, landscape, and ceremonial spaces, drawing parallels with the importance of orientation in Chinese traditions. Such comparisons illustrated the author's interest in how different cultures have attached spiritual and symbolic importance to the placement of buildings within their environments.

These parallels should not be interpreted as evidence that the ancestral Puebloan builders of Chaco Canyon practiced Chinese feng shui. Rather, they demonstrate the website's broader interest in the ways civilizations have connected architecture with nature, cosmology, and cultural beliefs.

Website Content, Organization, and Reader Experience

The surviving content suggests that FengShuiCrazy.org functioned primarily as an informational blog with an associated consulting identity. Its content was organized around individual articles addressing household problems, feng shui principles, symbolic objects, and personal experiences. Readers could explore both introductory explanations and more specific advice without needing professional design knowledge.

The publication covered several recognizable subject areas, including bedroom layouts, clutter management, chi, prosperity symbolism, nature, entrances, maintenance, and environmentally conscious products. Some articles were instructional, while others were reflections on experiences or observations. This variety helped broaden the website's appeal beyond readers seeking a single feng shui solution.

The presence of reader comments was significant. During the late 2000s, blogs commonly developed communities through comment sections, blogrolls, and reciprocal visits between independent websites. Feng Shui Crazy's preserved discussions show readers responding to articles and sharing their own perspectives. The personal nature of these exchanges distinguished the website from static commercial pages designed primarily to advertise services.

There is no independently verified complete historical navigation menu available from the research conducted for this article. Likewise, no reliable evidence establishes that the site operated an online store, appointment-booking platform, paid membership program, or formal training academy. Although consulting was part of Doyle's professional identity, the website appears to have placed considerable emphasis on freely accessible informational content.

Popularity, Audience, and Community Engagement

Feng Shui Crazy's likely audience included homeowners, apartment residents, people interested in interior design, readers exploring alternative spirituality, and individuals seeking practical approaches to household organization. Its content was especially suitable for beginners because the examples were generally familiar and did not demand extensive prior knowledge.

The website's geographical connection to Wisconsin may have helped attract potential consulting clients in the Milwaukee area, while its online articles could reach readers anywhere. Topics such as bedroom arrangement, clutter removal, and prosperity symbolism have broad appeal and would have been discoverable through search engines as well as referrals from other blogs.

The surviving comments establish that the site attracted reader participation in 2009. They provide a limited but meaningful record of visitors who engaged with the content. However, historical visitor totals, monthly traffic, search rankings, subscriber counts, and social media reach have not been independently verified. It would therefore be misleading to describe Feng Shui Crazy as one of the most popular feng shui websites of its period or to assign it a particular audience size.

Its significance lies more clearly in the role it played as a specialized independent publication. It made the subject accessible, encouraged experimentation, and allowed readers to exchange experiences with the writer and one another.

Reviews, Awards, and Media Recognition

Publicly verifiable information about formal recognition of FengShuiCrazy.org is limited. Research did not establish that the website received major industry awards, appeared in recognized website rankings, or was the subject of substantial independent newspaper or magazine coverage.

The original reader comments provide a different kind of historical feedback. They show appreciation for the site's practical advice and include personal accounts of decluttering and changing household habits. These remarks are valuable evidence of engagement, but they should not be treated as independently verified professional reviews or representative satisfaction ratings.

There is also an important distinction between media coverage of Feng Shui Crazy and coverage of the broader feng shui movement. Professor Lin Yun and Black Sect Feng Shui received attention from universities, newspapers, and publishers, including Cornell University and the South China Morning Post. That coverage helps establish the historical context in which the website operated, but it is not evidence that Feng Shui Crazy itself received comparable recognition.

Similarly, no confirmed awards or professional honors specifically attributable to Pat Doyle's Feng Shui Crazy practice were identified. The absence of accessible records does not establish that no recognition ever existed; it simply limits what can be responsibly reported.

The Website's Discontinuation and Later Revival

At some point after its original period of activity, FengShuiCrazy.org ceased operating in its earlier form. The exact date of closure, the circumstances surrounding it, and any changes in ownership during the intervening period have not been conclusively established.

The current website explains that the domain became available and was subsequently acquired by a person familiar with the original publication. The stated purpose of this acquisition was to preserve selected material and prevent the domain from being repurposed into something unrelated to its original subject. This transformed Feng Shui Crazy from a contemporary consulting blog into a website with a retrospective and archival purpose.

The revived presentation incorporates material associated with Pat Doyle while acknowledging that the site is not an exact reconstruction of the original. Consequently, readers should distinguish the original publisher's articles from introductions or commentary added during the later restoration. The present domain holder should not automatically be assumed to be the original founder or the operator of Doyle's consulting practice.

Publicly accessible information does not establish the current domain holder's legal identity, the date of reacquisition, or the existence of a formal organizational entity responsible for maintaining the restored website. The site's own account is the primary available explanation for its revival. Although the Internet Archive was considered during this research, an independently accessible historical snapshot could not be retrieved to establish a complete timeline of changes.

This preservation effort nevertheless illustrates a broader issue in digital publishing. Small independent websites frequently disappear when their owners retire, lose interest, change careers, or allow domains to expire. Unless their material is archived or republished, useful articles and reader discussions can become difficult or impossible to recover.

Cultural and Social Significance

FengShuiCrazy.org represents an intersection of several cultural developments: the Western popularization of Chinese feng shui, the growth of personal blogging, increasing interest in environmental well-being, and the desire to improve everyday life through manageable changes.

The website's use of Black Sect Feng Shui is particularly relevant to this history. The movement associated with Lin Yun made traditional placement concepts more accessible to Western audiences by incorporating symbolic interpretation, intention, and methods that could be applied to contemporary homes. The success of books, lectures, and training programs helped create an environment in which local consultants could communicate directly with readers through independent websites.

Feng Shui Crazy also reflected the growing connection between interior environments and emotional well-being. Its emphasis on decluttering, comfortable bedrooms, functional entrances, and natural materials overlapped with concerns later discussed widely in home organization, wellness, and residential design. While its explanations frequently relied on traditional beliefs about chi, many of the practical subjects remain relevant to contemporary discussions of housing quality and personal comfort.

The site's informal writing and reader conversations also preserve something distinctive about the early blogging era. Independent authors frequently developed recognizable voices by sharing personal experiences rather than presenting themselves as detached institutions. Readers responded with stories of their own, helping turn informational articles into ongoing discussions.

Its later restoration adds another dimension of cultural significance. The effort to preserve content illustrates how ordinary websites can become historical records of changing interests, communication styles, and popular beliefs. Even a modestly sized personal blog can provide insight into how people understood and applied a cultural tradition at a particular moment in time.

Feng Shui Crazy's Continuing Relevance

Although its original blogging period belongs to the late 2000s, many of the subjects explored by Feng Shui Crazy remain familiar. People continue to search for advice on bedroom layouts, organized workspaces, welcoming entrances, natural materials, and the relationship between their surroundings and everyday comfort.

The website's practical emphasis is part of its continuing appeal. An individual interested in feng shui does not necessarily need to adopt every traditional belief to find value in thinking more carefully about the home. Improving access to doors, reducing clutter, arranging furniture for comfort, and maintaining neglected spaces are meaningful activities in their own right.

At the same time, readers benefit from distinguishing traditional symbolism from scientifically demonstrated outcomes. A pair of bedside lamps may represent partnership within a feng shui interpretation, but it does not guarantee improved relationships. Chinese coins may symbolize prosperity, but they do not produce financial security by themselves. The meaningful historical contribution of Feng Shui Crazy is not that it proved such claims, but that it documented how a Western practitioner and her readers understood and used these traditions.

For researchers studying the early internet, the website is also an example of the personal expertise that flourished outside large commercial publishing organizations. It demonstrates how individual consultants used blogs to teach, share experiences, develop professional identities, and communicate with readers who shared their interests.

The Legacy of FengShuiCrazy.org

FengShuiCrazy.org was more than a collection of household decorating tips. During its original period, it served as a personal publication associated with Pat Doyle, a feng shui consultant in the Milwaukee area who promoted a Western interpretation of traditional Chinese environmental philosophy. Its articles connected the symbolic language of chi, intention, and spatial harmony with familiar questions about bedrooms, clutter, entrances, prosperity, and everyday living.

The website's historical importance is best understood through its accessibility and personal character rather than through unverified claims of commercial success or widespread recognition. It provided examples that ordinary readers could understand, invited participation, and showed how specialized knowledge could circulate through the growing network of independent online publications.

Its revived form serves a different but related purpose: preserving selected examples of that earlier writing for visitors interested in the history and practical application of feng shui. Although questions remain about the precise ownership chronology, original traffic, formal recognition, and circumstances of closure, enough material survives to establish the site's identity and the themes that defined it.

Feng Shui Crazy ultimately illustrates how an ancient cultural tradition found expression in an ordinary American blog. Its combination of traditional symbolism, personal storytelling, household advice, and reader interaction captures an important aspect of the internet's early lifestyle publishing culture. By retaining examples of that material, FengShuiCrazy.org offers both an introduction to Western feng shui practices and a window into a period when independent websites played a particularly visible role in sharing personal knowledge and experience.

 

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