JUNE-JULY 2002

Since I'm behind again, writing the newsletter at the end of the targeted month, to my way of thinking, creating an imbalance (not in keeping with the Feng Shui principles of balance and harmony), I'm combining the June and July newsletters. My concern may seem a bit silly but there's a lot on my plate at the moment and any small semblance of order helps!

Speaking of help, last month's interviewee, Gabrielle Alizay, gifted me with a three and a half hour Feng Shui phone consultation. Using a floor plan I faxed her, Gabrielle proceeded, in great detail, to Feng Shui our house. It was an extraordinary experience both personally and professionally. Now that I know first hand how a phone consultation works, I highly recommend this method. You can sign up for a phone consultation right on Gabrielle's website. Go to www.homepeace.com and check it out!

Positioned To Die, second in the Feng Shui mystery series, will be in bookstores July 2^nd. On that very day, we fly to Oklahoma for assorted events: celebrating our shared July 3^rd birthday with my mother, July 4^th fireworks, toasting our 22^nd wedding anniversary with my husband on July 5^th after a 7p.m. signing at the gorgeous Full Circle Bookstore in Oklahoma City. On the 6^th I'll be at the busy Barnes & Noble on 41^st Street in Tulsa, hosting a Feng Shui workshop in conjunction with a signing. Will be back in California for the July 9^th signing at the Capitola Book Café at 7:30p.m.

Another big date is July 12^ththe deadline for the first edit of Designed To Kill. Once the manuscript is out the door, I'll relax a bit. Then it's on to San Francisco Mystery Bookstore for a 2 pm signing on July 20^th, followed by a trip to Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego on the 27^th, where I'll discuss the books and Feng Shui at 2:30 p.m.

If you'd like to read a review of Positioned To Die, please check out www.reviewingtheevidence.com. Sharon Katz wrote the review and I couldn't be more delighted with her effort.

I'm so blessed by Feng Shui, especially the Feng Shui practitioners who generously contribute to my research for the books. Among these enlightened individuals is Dennis Fairchild, our June/July interviewee. I met Dennis at the 1999 Feng Shui Conference held in Monterey, CA. His lecture was most memorable for the charming weave of entertainment and information. All in the packed room were in his thrall, enchanted by his slide show and tales of adventures in Feng Shui. So here, for your information and enjoyment is Dennis Fairchild…

INTERVIEW WITH DENNIS FAIRCHILD

1. How did you become involved in Feng Shui?

I was born in 1950 with polio, my infant leg set in a permanent cast until I was seven years old; docs informed my parents that I'd either be dead or a severe cripple by age 11. My folks couldn't cope with it so I moved in with my favorite friend and relative, a famous 87 year-old astrologer and psychic of many political types, royalty and who resided in a one-room home on a small round lake in the country sticks. Truly it was the best thing in the world that could happen. My "Grandma" and "the sticks", not my disease.

Her specialties as a professional star-gazing intuitive included Feng Shui. Our dwelling was perfectly aligned according to Classical wind and water and our birthdates. Much to my surgeon's surprise, within a year I was swimming in our front yard's Dollar Lake (auspicious name or what?) and became a major advocate of Feng Shui in 1956.

I followed in her footsteps, became a good astrologer and proponent of Feng Shui. Interestingly, my first college roommate was Japanese, and also a Feng Shui fan. Throughout my freshman and sophomore years, we traveled throughout Japan and China and learned from "masters" akin to my grassroots Granny.

In my late 20s, I relocated to Detroit and became the longest-running "primetime ask-the-astrologer" on talk radio, promoting what I believed to make me healthy and smart. And I continue to do so, today. My previously published books by Running Press have sold over 1+ million. And, like Grandma, I continue to practice what I preach.

2. In which areas have you devoted special attention—i.e., kitchens, gardens?

My expertise is Classical-Compass School: working accurately with nature and the stars, rather than contemporary venues (which work, but not as well in my opinion). My devotion is largely to maintaining one's health.

After all, any good practitioner should come from what they know best, right?

However, all areas of Feng Shui are my joy and love. Gardens can make one's life more grand. Kitchens/food/dining areas are of utmost importance. And, of course, everyone acknowledges that the bedroom is boss.

3. What to you see as the most common problem(s) needing Feng Shui attention?

I'm not clear what this question means. But if I understand it correctly, I'd say that most dwellers don't pay attention that their home is analogous to their body, themselves. Yeah, yeah, yeah: clutter is a major messy factor and one that must be constantly addressed. Still, learning traditional "folklore" about all schools of Feng Shui and esoterica is important, as well as is astrology—IF one wants to practice Feng Shui. By the way, I believe that the words should always be capitalized to give them respect: Feng Shui, not lower-case.

4. Do you have a particularly memorable story of a Feng Shui transformation?

I honestly do not believe that my life would have extended past puberty if it were not for aligning our home properly. Also, my loving partner of 24 years, age 87, was given his cancer "death sentence" 10 years ago. Because we concentrate on the east (Health) and our clean-quality, etc., at home he's still alive and kickin' chi.

5. What is your personal philosophy of Feng Shui—i.e., a natural science, intention-driven, etc.?

Feng Shui is a mélange of uncommon sense, folklore and nature. All which we can learn from, tweak, make personal and real. There's no "right or wrong", only right and left—lots of different "schools", but all boil down to the original Classical/traditional which wants one to learn about nature, stars.

6. In your practice do you adhere to one particular Feng Shui school?

I'm a Progressive Compass kinda guy. I adore Professor Lin Yun tremendously, admire Terah Collins and other contemporaries. But I feel that one needs to look deeper than "all front doors face North."

7. Of what does your practice consist—i.e., home consultations, workshops, etc.?

Largely, I perform: lectures to inform, on-sites for personal spaces (homes or offices). My greatest joy over the past 10 years has been writing for many international magazines, in addition to my ongoing local newspaper columns (Making Waves—about Feng Shui—is over 19 years old/young). My job is to be a cheerleader for Feng Shui. I am not, nor would ever claim to be, a "Master."

8. Do you have any advice for those just starting Feng Shui?

Read, read, read everything—especially the traditional/Classical. All chain stores feature Lillian Too: e-z to get, pretty much real…just make sure that her latest title isn't just repackaged as she has a huge tendency to do. Never let your thirst be quenched, stay thirsty for more. Attend any type of Feng Shui lecture, conference and grow from what you didn't know, and groan from what is silly. Scope the Internet, daily—lots of great info.

9. Please list publications, websites, and any places we can find more information about you and your practice.

My only Feng Shui title is out-of-print, although I have a few dozen available. Title is Healing Homes: Feng Shui—Here & Now. New revised version available via Running Press in a year or so…however, with a brand-new 21^st century spin. But I can't talk about that now.

I don't have a website (email: DenFairchild@aol.com; I do not answer personal questions but am happy to point you in a direction that you my not be privy to).

My clientele is select because I don't enjoy traveling and my business is happily, keenly established. I do out-of-town assessments via post, FAX and phone—but hands-on, on-site is my joy.

Currently my fave websites are www.3dglobe.net (or maybe 'com', I fergit) and www.fengshuitimes.com. I also adore www.fengshuiemporium.com. The folks are truly blessed. Several years of my columns are also available at www.phenomenews.com. Scroll down and search "Feng Shui". There are loads of many other beautiful words and information out there. One must make an effort; seek and ye shall find.

Never stop searching. Yo' go!

Better living through Feng Shui! Happy summer days to all!

Denise

Newsletter Archive: April 2002 May 2002

Have the Newsletter delivered to your mailbox! SIGN UP

NEWSLETTER

JUNE-JULY 2002