The last few months have not been easy on the world. There has been natural disaster after disaster, skyrocketing fuel prices and a general feeling of unease in the world. While the annual Four Pillars charts point to a better year next year, we still need to live through the rest of this one; so how does one thrive or just survive amidst such an unfriendly landscape? First let’s look at our attitude. What you make of your personal circumstances and how you can carve out strategies that lay the foundation for future abundance. Take a look at the China earthquake for example; the feeling emanating from this tragedy is not one of sadness or helplessness. On the contrary, it was a great show of courage, compassion and strength of character and we saw a nation coming together in very trying times.

Second, feng shui is not just about good times. It is about making the most of the energies at the time, whether good or bad. In good times, you can use feng shui to achieve greatness. In bad times, you use it to weather the storms and remain strong to fight another day after the storm has subsided. We have stories on how the average person can use feng shui to shake off feelings of collective negativities accumulating these days. Don’t miss our feature on Strategic Renovation Ideas on page 18, which gives great ideas on how to refresh the chi in your home and to improve your feng shui in simple and clever ways.

Lillian Too revisits the Pa Kua and its Trigrams, the fundamental basis of feng shui, and also shares her experience in Katmandu making Tsog Offerings for the safety of the world. She wrote from her notebook in the mountains of the Himalayas, and while we all awaited her return, there were TV reports of rioting and demonstrations in downtown Katmandu. There was no phone reception in the mountains, but she was with Rinpoche, so we had faith she’d return safe in one piece which she thankfully did!

On a lighter note, our celebrity section covers Sex and the City, where Sarah Jessica Parker returns – this time to the big screen – as Carrie Bradshaw. She reminds us of the joys of fashion and frivolity, and that the best cure for a rainy day ain’t snacking, it’s shopping! We have some great ideas of our own for how to splash out if the shops are a calling. But meanwhile, Ghost Festival is approaching, so also make sure you arm yourself with protective amulets coz it’s better to be safe than sorry. As we await with the rest of the world for the announcement of a Royal engagement, we look at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s charts, while looking at some unlikely celebrity marriages that have worked. We also have a new Miss Malaysia in Levy Li, who we wish the best of luck in the Miss Universe pageant happening now in Vietnam.

China continues to be ultra fashionable in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, with big name fashion houses embracing all things Chinese for their Summer collections, while lucky Italy plays host to “China: At the Courts of the Emperors”, an exhibition of Tang Dynasty masterpieces. On practical feng shui, we put the spotlight on Bathrooms, while Peter Lung designs the feng shui of a shopping mall in Guatemala.

Tickets for Lillian Too’s Feng Shui Extravaganza 2009 are now on sale, so book now to enjoy Early Bird prices! The good news is next year is reportedly a much better year, so she will be speaking on how to make the most of just such a year. More info inside, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . See you then!

In the meanwhile, stay cool and stay connected...