Cleansing
Part I: Do You Really Need a Ghostbuster?
Kathlyne Bramante
January 2000
"Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon." ____George Santayana

At long last, contemporary scientists are awakening to and recognizing the significance of the more subtle, alchemical and mystical influences surrounding us. Some of the openly courageous among them are re-examining the ancient practices and realizing there is more to life and our physical self than what we can merely see and touch.

It’s important to understand how energy operates before we investigate and blindly accept these theories. Essentially, everything is energy. This force we call energy can be stabilized, directed, transformed and modified; however it cannot be destroyed. As a Feng Shui practitioner I see your job as being one that can move this energy, divert it or alter it when necessary. This work should include helping the client protect the total self—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual essence from these subtle yet damaging influences. Perhaps, for lack of a better term, it should be called Holistic Feng Shui.

One of the earliest schools of Feng Shui is the Ch’i Feeling School. The name itself seems to imply these practitioners were ones who could manipulate and control chi. Through practice I believe anyone can learn these methods. It’s not a skill given to a chosen few, like any ability it must be honed. One of the strongest testimonies I heard regarding manipulating ch’i was following an audit of a mortgage company. I don’t use any obvious cures that blatantly scream--A Feng Shui practitioner was here. However, my initially skeptical client called to tell me he could not believe what happened after the audit. His client stepped through the entrance door and stood there silently with his eyes closed taking a deep breath. He opened his eyes slowly and said, "You’ve had this place Feng Shuied." Baffled by this remark, my client asked, "How can you tell?" The man said, "I felt the ch’i." This man was a police officer who was previously stationed in the Orient while serving in the military. He was truly a fortunate man to have been shown the ways of Feng Shui.

"The subtlest of subtleties, this is the gateway to all mysteries." ____Lao-tzu

Are we influenced by the unseen? Let’s take a look at sound vibrations. Although we can’t see sound, this energy has the power to vitalize, make us angry or put us to sleep. Sound can have a far-reaching effect on our health and well being. Scent can arouse our animal instincts or relax us in a stressful moment yet, can anyone describe what scent looks like? In addition to sound and scent, electrical energy, magnetic fields, light frequencies, toxic chemicals and that which falls into the category of spirit energy may cause disturbances. Daily we are bombarded by these subtle influences, at home and on the job, while they silently cause their destruction.

Something I hear echoed time and again by Feng Shui practitioners—"When you Feng Shui an area it will automatically eliminate any problems caused by spirits." From one who has worked with these energies for many years I find this simply is not so. These practitioners believe if you ignore an entity, it will go away. It will not. Often, something more targeted is needed to handle this problem. Would you make a cup of coffee with a tea bag? To expect positive results from an audit, above all, it’s necessary to know the antidote or cure for the particular problem.

"Dust thou art, to dust returnest, was not spoken of the soul." ____Longfellow

Don’t be fooled by Hollywood stereotypes and legendary haunting appearances. I have yet to audit a haunted house that is a classical, crumbling, cobweb-filled Victorian home. A spirit can take up residence literally anywhere. It can cause havoc on a highly traveled highway, or at a busy mini-mall. You will also find some clients desperately want to be told that Casper is living in their home. I wouldn’t recommend materializing a spirit for them. It’s best not to disturb them. Allow it to be their idea.

Something I have also noticed that troubles me is that spirits are often blamed for activity when there may not be a spirit to be found within a ten-mile radius of the property. Initially we need to identify what is causing the disturbance and only then can we remedy the situation. There are many possibilities and they should all be investigated before a judgement is made.

Natural Explanations
The first step is to look for a natural explanation. Are building materials faulty or are these common settling noises. Also you should be aware temperature changes cause materials to expand and shrink.

Residual Energies
Old castles are known to contain residual energy. If stone is used for construction it absorbs sound. Today used brick is used on many properties to give a building a more natural look. The origin of the bricks may be causing odd occurrences. For example bricks that originally encased a pub may replay the sounds of music and laughter or barroom brawls. You must be especially careful bringing handcrafted objects from the islands or a foreign tribe home with you. An innocent looking sculpture may open the door to unforeseen problems.

Thought Forms
A thought form is a cluster of mental energy. Once it takes form it becomes more concrete. It can have a detrimental effect on people and environments. Obsessions can create these forms and cause them to cling to the area. Often a thought form is mistaken for a spirit. It may just be the oppressive energy left when your mother-in-law or ex-spouse visited.

Objects
Antiques may be bearing much more than their financial value. Often they carry the emotions and feelings of previous owners. Is the object linked to a succession of troubled marriages or emotional problems? Do animal trophies still retain the energy associated with their violent ending? Do you recognize anything placed in the environment that can have a negative consequence on the premises?

Predecessor Energy
It’s important to investigate the history of the property. Predecessor energy is very powerful. Earthbound spirits are normally the result of suicide, accident or a loved one clinging to the spirit. A violent death is commonly a factor causing a spirit to become earthbound. Most ghosts are not malicious or nasty. Just imagine how you would feel if you were suddenly transported to the year 2050. A little confused? Visualize being alone in France if you can’t speak a word of French. Get the idea? That is how spirit feels when they can’t communicate with us.

You may ask, what effect can a spirit possibly have on your home or business? Let me share this story with you and you can be the judge and jury.

There is a restaurant located in a large city I was asked to Feng Shui. This place had previously won awards for its fine food. As always, I explained to the owner that results are not often what we expect. I added, many times changes that take place may appear negative at first. It’s like pouring salt on a wound. Ouch…and then a healing takes place.

The reason I was asked to audit the property is that the finances of this once thriving business suddenly stagnated at an alarming rate. During the cleansing of the restaurant it became quite obvious that there was an unsettled spirit creating havoc. A high staff turnover and employees complaining of a presence only added to the chaos.

When I entered the kitchen the feelings were the strongest. I tried to communicate with the spirit and found him receptive but angry over his murder and something he related regarding money. The chef walked over to me and said, "It doesn’t surprise me he’s hanging out in the kitchen. He originally owned the place and he really loved it here. He put his heart and soul in here." Spirit is known to return to places that they feel familiar with and where they are most comfortable. He felt he had come home.

The spirit gave me a name he felt was someone helpful. The chef started laughing and said, "That is the fellow who was sent to help out following his death." The staff showed signs of frustration and the owner’s mood wasn’t much better. I knew the previous owner most likely caused the ominous gloom trapped in the environment. Before his murder he had gone into a partnership with someone to open another restaurant but his heart was always in this place. A large insurance policy was purchased on his life. It was believed his murder was a contract hit. I tried to communicate with him and assure him his killer would be caught. Not long after the cleansing of the property the television stations broadcast the arrest of his former business partner. The partner had taken out a million-dollar policy on his life.

The most outstanding feature with this property was the office. It was the epitome of everything negative you could possibly find—a dark entranceway to the office, crooked room and slanted doorway, door that stuck, no windows, stale air, clutter, dull walls and lack of lighting. I told the owner her love life would not improve until the adjustments were made in the office. A heavy cologne scent permeated the room and the odor was much too concentrated. Again, this was another area our spirit liked to hang out. Often a fragrance associated with a spirit will be overpowering and too strongly pronounced.

A follow-up is always important for your personal knowledge. When an audit is completed I stay in touch with my client. This is why it’s vital to keep good notes. When I asked my client if she made the most crucial adjustments at the entrance door she said no, but added, the office is looking much better. Actually she was only making changes in the office. Funny how Feng Shui works, she met a man and became so immersed in her relationship that she decided to sell the restaurant and did.

In closing, I want to remind you, be rational with your diagnosis. Don’t impulsively tell a client they have an entity that has taken up residence with them. You’ll find it’s best to exhaust all practical considerations first. Look at the logical and natural dynamics of the circumstances and then only, decide to take more extreme action.

"Despise learning and make everyone pay for your ignorance." ____Chinese Proverb

To be continued in Part II: Getting into the Feng Shui Spirit: Detecting Spirit Energy

Kathlyne Bramante, © 2000, All Rights Reserved
[Editors Note: Kathlyne Bramante has long been involved in various aspects of Spiritual and Mystical arts. Kathlyne welcomes comments and critiques, both pro and con, at Kathlyne@jersey.net. For further information you are invited to visit Kathlyne at her Kathlyne's Secrets... website. You are also invited to subscribe to Kathlyne's free ESP-zine.... ]