Foo Dogs

Foo Dogs - protection
Foo Dogs – protection

Sometimes you need a little protection and that’s where Foo Dogs come in handy. Scaring off evil spirits and negativity aimed at thresholds and entrances, they are protectors of truth and defenders against evil. The name comes from the Chinese word “Fu” meaning luck or prosperity.

Foo Dogs gather near temples, palaces, tombs, government buildings, banks, offices and estates. Are they lions or dogs? They have manes, large paws and sharp teeth. At the time they first appeared in China (208 BC to about 221 AD) by way of the Silk Trade Route, Buddhist artisans had never seen a lion. They had only heard of their reputation so they stylized their faces more friendly than fierce.

What you need to know about Foo Dogs is that they hate to be alone. To be effective they work in pairs. One is male, the other female. The “boy” has a ball under one paw. The “girl” has a pup under hers.

If their mouths are closed, they will keep good spirits in the house. Open mouths scare off demons. They are displayed looking away from each other so they don’t get distracted. As you face the doorway, the male sits on the left while the female sits on the right.

Foo Dog Bulletin:

  • Place outside to guard entrances
  • Mouth closed keeps in good spirits
  • Mouth open scares off demons
  • Should face away from each other
  • Facing door; male on left, female on right
  • They attract good fortune
  • Known as Celestial Dog or Dog of Happiness

Learn more about Foo Dogs in my new book Practical Magical and Household Luck in the Good Karma Shop.

 

RuYi power

www.AnitaRosenberg.com
www.AnitaRosenberg.com

A RuYi is the power symbol of authority. It is an ancient talisman typically made from valuable materials like gold, jade, coral, crystal and precious gems. RuYi means “as you wish” and it is a scepter-shape composed of a long handle and a head usually in the form of a heart, heavenly cloud or longevity (Lingzhi) symbol. They can be lavishly decorated with gem stones, power symbols and the Chinese knot of good luck.

My first RuYi was a gift from Hong Kong Feng Shui Master Jill Lander. She gifted it to me over cocktails at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kowloon. I knew it was something special and now my powerful RuYi sits on my desk facing me as I work. Jill sent me a few from her favorite Hong Kong source and they are available for you if you dare!

RuYi Bulletin:

  • Power symbol of business
  • Place in front of you at your desk
  • Provides protection from gossip & back-stabbing
  • Represents health, wealth & long life
  • Multiplies business opportnities
  • Use for career enhancement
  • Gives good fortune

GOOD KARMA SHOP – buy now

Pi Yao baby dragon

www.AnitaRosenberg.com
www.AnitaRosenberg.com

Pi Yao (Pixiu) are baby dragons. Cute mythical hybrids resembling a winged lion, they are considered powerful to Feng Shui practitioners. To me, they are more cultural, but either way they are super cool. What makes them special is that they have no anus. That is right. They are missing a butt hole. Pi Yao’s purpose is to eat up all your good fortune and hold it in. It is said that he craves the smell of gold and silver and likes to bring his master money in his mouth. Once he has it in his tummy he can’t poop it out.

 

Pi Yao Bulletin:

  • Place in entryway facing out
  • Must be repsected and honored
  • Display in the office to hold money in
  • They harness good Qi
  • Eliminates negativity or bad fortune

Money God

MoneyGod copy

Do you know the Chinese god of great luck & large wealth? 

In China, they love to gamble (I can tell you this because I have been to Happy Valley Race Track in Hong Kong and the Portuguese gambling island of Macau.) The fu manchu-wearing God of Wealth is who they pray to for all their financial needs. How do we recognize him? First of all, he has that distinctive facial hair. He always wears a crown and usually holds a pot (ingot) of gold. Don’t be fooled. There are so many styles it can make your head spin.

Money God quick-tips:

  •  Brings good fortune to business & sales
  •  Protects from poverty in bad times
  •  Invites wealth for the New Year
  •  Use when starting a prosperous business
  •  Removes obstacles
  •  Keeps your business honest
  •  Reminds you to search for business opportunities
  •  Gives positive vibes

Magical Incense

incense copy

Did you know that incense sends your prayers to heaven?

SPIRIT begins with prayer and what better way to speed up that communication than by lighting incense. SMOKE is the vehicle that dispatches your wishes and dreams to the universe. Incense is a powerful tool dating back 6000 to 8500 years. The trend took off spreading to Greece and Rome when Babylonians wafted incense sticks during prayer. What you need to know is that true pratitioners of magic use only powdered incense for magic – other types just smell good.

Here’s my guide:

  • Sandalwood – Real Indian sandalwood is pure magic. It vibrates with Ganesh to remove obstacles, bless new beginnings, and attract prosperity.
  • Dragon’s Blood – Dragon’s aren’t real, silly. This plant resin is a powerful remover of negative energy.
  • Francinsense – Another plant resin used in churches to create a sacred space.
  • Sage – American Indian tool to protect against evil. Use with caution because it clears the energetic slate but then you have to add positive energy back with other incense.
  • Nag Champa – A masala incense that makes your home smell hippie dippie.
  • Vanilla – The sex bean of a plant that stimulates sensual energy

What’s your favorite type of incense?

Quan Yin

Quan Yin
Quan Yin in Vietnam and in our family foyer

I arrived late to the Quan Yin Party. My focus for years had been on all-things Buddha-licious. One night while roaming the Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon “I spied with my little eye” the goddess of compassion and mercy and was intrigued. What magic did she possess? What message was she here to teach? Quan Yin was thought at first as a male god. Introduced to China by Buddhist missionaries traveling from India to Tibet, early statues are flat-chested making it hard to tell the difference between Quan Yin and Buddha. After the 12th century she developed an ample bosom and became the voluptuous vixen we know today.

When you have evil thoughts, a prayer to Quan Yin will drive them away. When you need to be more positive and stop judging yourself and others, she helps you focus on light and love. Having her around helps when trying to get pregnant. She also awakens musical talents, especially if you are a singer. This gal does a lot! What can she do for you?

  • Quan Yin is a powerful greeter
  • She instills a sense of service to others
  • Encourages those with musical abilities
  • Protects women and children
  • Blesses everything with spiritual and physical peace
  • Assists those wanting to conceive

Lucky Charms

Lucky Charms
Lucky Charms in Bangkok, Thailand photographed by Anita Rosenberg

Lucky charms are not just a magically delicious breakfast cereal, they are serious talismans worn for protection and good luck. You can hang them on your lucky bamboo or from your rearview mirror. Each amulet reflects a person’s individual beliefs, values, and superstitions. Asia and India are famous for their elaborately decorated vehicles where lucky totems are the focal point. More is more, but they should always be placed in a high position in order to be honored. In Dale Konstanz’s book Thai Taxi Talismans, he explains that cabbies remove amulets from their necks and hang them from their rearview mirror while saying a prayer. They protect the car and passengers during their shift. At the end of the day, the drivers then put the amulets back on as they say another invocation. On the streets of Bangkok men trade amulets, however you cannot own a magical talisman you can only “rent” them. Each person is a temporary custodian of its magic. Traveling is the perfect time to collect your own charms and danglies and of course you can “own” them. After climbing the Giant Buddha during a monsoon storm on Lantau Island to get a photograph (I got an amazing one BTW) I picked up a glass Buddha charm in the gift shop to hang on my rearview mirror. It reminds me of my fantastic adventure. My prayer charm came from Man Mo Temple and not only protects but takes me back to the temple chimes and wafts of steaming dim sum from my first visit to Hong Kong.

Have you brought home a charm for your car and where did you get it?