In the last ten years as the cities are becoming over developed and housing has become unaffordable for some people, developers are moving people to our cities' edges. Inexpensive housing is available in the desert and depleted agricultural areas such as Palmdale, Lancaster, Apple Valley, Riverside, Corona and Hemet. Here, the rent you were paying in the city can easily convert to mortgage for a house. Despite the longer commute, people are attracted to the benefits of owning their own home.

This is the case for many of my clients in recent years. One such client, Fred, has lived in the high desert area for almost ten years and only recently when he lost his job did he decide to call me. He has read a book or two and tried doing feng shui adjustments on his own. It was more complicated than he realized and decided it would be better to call a professional.

As I make the two hour drive to Fred's home in the high desert, I could not help but notice the landscape of rock piles and haggard rocky hills and mountains. Even as I approached the residential areas, few houses have grass and most have rock gardens. It is obvious the soil here is barren and dry. These earth energies are weak and depleting. It is not easy for anything to grow well here. There is likely to be similar results in the resident's lifestyle and well being. The people living here may find that it is not easy to keep savings, even if they can earn an income. Although their housing costs may be lower, this is often offset by what the desert lacks: ample water, fertile soil, and comfortable climate. Residents need to pay for more expensive water, higher air conditioning to maintain livable temperatures and deal with more health problems in the dry climate. The desert requires a lot of input - more water and nourishment - without giving back in return.

Fred's house is on an irregular plot located in a cul-de-sac. Being located within a cul-de-sac tends to be very quiet. The energies are slower and more stagnant. Living within a cul-de-sac usually makes it more difficult to attain energy for more opportunities and higher income. Income tends to be remain the same even if expenses rise. For a growing family such as his, it is important that they be off an active street that brings energy.

There are two rock mountains facing his house and there is a gradual downward slope in the backyard to a view of the valley behind. The rocky mountains in front of the house suppress its energy, further compounding the difficulty of the residents to progress. Having a downward slope with a view in the back lets energy descend away from the house. Without any support, the house's energy is constantly weakening, causing the residents to be vulnerable to trouble as well. Unless, a family is very strong, it is usually difficult to survive very long in this situation without some devastation.

The backyard is completely dry sandy soil with many rocks. Surrounded by dryness, it is easy for residents to feel stagnant, suffer chronic fatigue, illness, inflammation, emotional instability and temper. Of course one can still live there and make a living, but they are unlikely to be progressive.

The desert and agricultural areas are more suitable for retirees who are not concerned about income and it makes sense for them to have economical housing. However, although some elderly fare better in warmer areas, the dry heat can be too harsh. Medical workers who cater to the elderly are generally in higher demand and people in these fields may be able to make a living here as is the case for Fred and his beautiful wife.

Still, the phenomenon remains the same, as humans, we require a comfort zone where energy is balanced. A place where the there is comfortable weather, convenience to work and supplies, an abundance of vegetation to provide the shade and oxygen we need, inexpensive water and other basic natural resources that support our survival. Being surrounded by barren rocks and sand depletes us. Those who are lucky with a stable job, can maintain a living, but if one were to suddenly lose their job, one can easily be bankrupt in the desert.

The northeast/southwest orientation of Fred's house does not match the Eastern Direction Pattern energies of him and his wife, Greta. It does match their daughter, Marisol. The master bedroom is located within the southwest with their bed located directly over the kitchen stove downstairs. I pointed out that having the bedroom in the southwest for them brings argument to their marriage, trouble makers at work, problems with skin, stomach, uterus and catching colds. Sleeping over the stove has in 9 out of 10 cases caused cysts or tumors. Fred and his wife immediately responded that everything I mention has happened. Fred shows me his arms and explain he has always had skin problems since he moved here. Greta grasped her body near her chest and said she had breast cysts. They looked at each other and admitted they argue plenty and it usually had to do with problems with people at work. They wanted to be out of this room.

The only other room that matched them was the east bedroom. Unfortunately, it is located over the garage. I explained that the garage is unstable due to its function of storing moving vehicles. But they had no other choice so I recommended placing three rose quartz crystals around their bed to release stress and enhance their energies. A special empowered feng shui painting of two elephants for stability and strength can be placed facing them to reinforce their energies as well.

With the house on a northeast/southwest axis, there is no main door that faced their positive direction. It is vital for them to bring in energy that matches them. I recommended opening a southeast facing side door or angling their main northeast door to the north. This should bring in energy to support them.

Finally, the stove is located in a matching direction for Fred and Greta so income is there but the energies of the master bedroom and desert around them tends to deplete it easily. Money comes and goes. Fred could not agree more. He explained that anytime they had savings, there would be an expense to eat it right up. They have managed to live like this for ten years, but with Fred's recent job loss, he is concerned.

Looking at the floor plan again, I explained that if they ever had an opportunity to move to a better city or home with better feng shui, they should do it. Even with the adjustments, it is hard to say how much it can overcome the insatiable energies of the depleting desert. With Fred and Greta's energies being so strong, allowing them to survive ten years here, they can only do that much better in a more comfortable environment with better feng shui.

- Jenny T. Liu