I was recently asked about the “travel corner” on my Facebook Goup, Feng Shui for Everyday Living. In Orthodox Chinese Feng Shui there is no such thing as a Travel Corner or Travel Section. Many people have been introduced to New Age iterations of Feng Shui that was invented and popularized in the 60s and 70s. Since then other iterations have been invented, mostly to add someone’s personal spin on an ancient art. According to these iterations, your home, office, and even your desk can be divided into a grid of nine sectors or “guas” that represents each aspect of your life: Wealth, Fame, Love, Family, Creativity, Knowledge, Career, Travel, and Health.

These 9 sectors (bagua) may be associated with a compass direction, or simply aligned with the career sector at the front door. Allegedly, if you arrange items in each of these sectors that represent your desires/intentions for that area of your life, you will be sending a message to the Universe to manifest your desired outcome. I agree that the energetic power of intentions, such as vision boards, etc., can produce results. Based on the theory that energy flows where attention goes, we have the ability to make manifest our goals. This means that not only our desires, but our actions motivate and support changes in our lives. Sometimes visual or tactile reminders are helpful tools in our endeavors. But the mere act of putting a talisman in a specific corner of your house or desk qualifies as superstition, similar to carrying a rabbit’s foot for luck. So, if there’s no such thing as a Travel Corner, and you have a desire to travel, how would you manifest that according to the principles of Orthodox Feng Shui?

I have a friend who does this quite well. Her home is filled with travel books, atlases, maps, language dictionaries, and the occasional travel brochure. Many of these are in critical placements where she encounters daily. Some are reading material on her bedside table, on the table next to her favorite chair, on her desk, and on her coffee table. Many more are in a bookcase. She has an entire section devoted to her travels, past and future. She travels to many parts of the world. Originally from Europe, she has always traveled since her childhood. She travels for pleasure, for business, and for humanitarian volunteering.

My recommendations for manifesting travel is that you do your homework. If you want to visit a specific place, research it. Borrow books from the library or purchase them to keep in your home as permanent reminders of future and past travels. If it’s a country where you don’t speak the language, sign up for a language course. Visit travel agents for brochures and tips about the places you want to visit. Begin mapping out your trip, even if you think it’s a year or more away. Start putting money aside for it…there’s no greater energy more powerful than designating resources to make it happen. Learn about the culture and local attractions or customs. Place items from that country or location on your desk, by your bed and easy chair, on your bulletin board, or in frames or shadowbox displays in areas where you will encounter them every day. They will serve as reminders and an energetic reinforcement of your intention. These actions not only keep you focused but they are an energetic message to the Universe. Whatever your focus is will always be reflected back to you.

Beware of negative thoughts that can derail you…such as, “I could use that money on something more tangible.” As soon as you begin to pick apart your decisions and second guess, well, that’s when the wheels tend to come off the cart of your goals.

Make your travel “Feng Shui” by keeping your vibration high, and by extend kindness, courtesy, and compassion to those you meet,. Pack exactly what you need and stay organized. Buy traveler insurance for peace of mind. Don’t allow the normal hiccups of a trip to derail your enjoyment of the experience. Be open to places, ideas, and people that can and will change your perspective and world view. Happy travels!