Lately health has been pretty foremost in most of our minds with new cases of the H1N1 virus popping up everywhere. There’s a new epicentre every couple of weeks, making travel inconvenient and those of us with kids a little paranoid. We did an interesting study on how swine flu started and the illness star in the West this year may well have played a part. But whatever the cause, it is something we have to live with, at least for now, so it’s better to cover our bases. Our recommendation is to avoid unnecessary travel, stay responsible and wear or carry protective symbols such as the Wu Lou. Since the illness star comes in the form of malevolent Earth energy, it also makes feng shui sense to don the precious metals, which helps ward off sickness vibes.

We have started a new section “The World is Talking About...” where we cover the latest popular news stories with a feng shui twist. Our take on world events adopts the chi angle, and we do so to show the wind and waters at work in an entertaining and easy-to-understand manner. Why did Diversity win over voice-of-an-angel Susan Boyle, what on earth happened with David Carradine, and how will the new First Dog affect the Obamas?

In response to letters from readers, we are also carrying a feature on selling your house and how to make it happen. You might not find the right buyer overnight, but putting in some effort to infuse your property with some mega yang chi can make it happen sooner rather than later. Give it a try! In Lillian Too’s Fine Points column, she reminds readers of the importance of using prosperity dimensions and how to make the best use of your feng shui ruler. For those who have neglected this aspect of their practice, this is a simple way to ensure you maximize your luck when renovating your home, creating your furniture or re-doing your feng shui.

Our personality this issue is the lovely and unpretentious Miss Universe winner, Natalie Glebova, Russian born and Canadian raised. Married to equally good-looking Paradorn Srichaphan, international tennis champ from Thailand, she considers Asia her home and shares with us what winning is all about. While blessed with both beauty and brains, she humbly admits that it takes more than that to win... proving it by losing the first time around, then winning big the second.

Spurred on by the many celebs and world leaders setting good examples, the environment is another thing on people’s minds these days, and Wena Brussaard shows how one can reconcile feng shui practice and responsibility towards our planet. Lillian Too shares in her Life column how she uses feng shui in her garden, and introduces us to a great new find – “created flowers”. As good as if not better than the real thing, she says, and having tried and tested the silk and rubber flowers coming out of China, we totally agree! Head to page 30 for more on this.

Gossip and intrigue surround the Brooke Astor case, as father and son face off in court. As we go to print, heir to the Astor fortune Anthony Marshall is being accused by his son Phillip Marshall of defrauding the old lady of her millions; if charged he could face the rest of his natural life in prison. It seems money can’t buy happiness, and sadly can be the source of great unhappiness. 

Although there’s plenty that’s not right about the world, there is also plenty that is; Marc-Olivier and Johann of World of Feng Shui Belgium show us just how life should be enjoyed with a touching celebration as they solemnized their vows in feng shui style and splendour. A truly auspicious wedding between two special people. Though turbulence and turmoil may rock the bigger picture, there are always personal moments of happiness that make everything worthwhile – and that’s what we should focus on.

Have a healthy and happy rest of summer!