The yin and yang of collecting is the accessioning and deaccessioning of items in the collection. Accessioning is yang because you are making the collection larger—just like when you breathe in, you are making your body larger. Deaccessioning is yin... Read More

Bricks-and-mortar bookstores are needed now more than ever. In this day and age of “truth decay” they are a visible symbol of truth and those who value it. The areas that need bookstores the most are the so-called “red states,”... Read More

Red peppers are the most appropriate vegetable I can think of for planting in your front yard. The Red Bird is the symbolic animal for the front yard, and certain small hot peppers are actually called bird peppers. The plants... Read More

A couple of physical objects have appeared at the White House since the election, and they are so odd as to warrant a feng shui exploration. The first is that Noguchi sculpture outside—frankly it looks like a big pile of... Read More

“Food gardens symbolize abundance because they truly are a literal source of abundance. Food gardens provide exercise and better nourishment and help sustain the planet. They are auspicious anywhere, and the bigger the better. Situate them for the best sun.... Read More

The feng shui advice has always been—don’t have great rooms—also known as open floor plans. They can’t ruin your life, but great rooms are just not ideal. Ideal are rooms that feel like rooms for distinctly different purposes. The dining... Read More

The next time you see me, you may not recognize me—I scarcely recognize myself now when I look in a mirror.  I’ll soon have a ponytail. I’ve already got a full beard, but my hair isn’t yet quite long enough... Read More

I just read a short article on the growing popularity of home offices. The last sentence in the article really stuck with me: “Given a choice, more than half the people working from home said they prefer a remote workspace.”... Read More

Binary organizing, which yin/yang is, lends itself to sexism. It’s something to be conscious of, and to guard against. Ancient China bought into sexism in a major way (footbinding as an example) and it’s still not over that. A true... Read More

In the naming of life forms, common names are yang, and scientific names are yin. That’s without exception. One of the things that makes common names yang is that they are easy to remember. In my quest to learn our... Read More