- Guns and knives. I really hope you don't feel need to have these in your house at all. All that potential violence is not conducive to a good night's sleep, no matter how "safe" it may make you feel. A feng shui friend once told me she'd consulted for a guy who collected knives, and who kept that collection under his bed. No wonder he complained of a long string of failed relationships! Regardless of any other qualities he may or may not have had, that's a lot of cutting chi underlying what should be a place for romantic connection.

These examples should give you an idea of sort of potentially disruptive effect stuff under your bed can have. If you must use under-bed space for storage, reserve it for soft, cuddly items like extra bedding or your winter sweaters.

You may even find a good use for that space by placing something with positive symbolic meaning there, so you can take conscious advantage of proximity and duration effect. For example, laying a mirror face up under bed is a recommended feng shui sure for insomnia; symbolically mirror reflects bed "downward" thus drawing into a deep, restful sleep. For a child who is frightened of imaginary monsters under bed, placing a super-tough-guy action figure under there could provide some important protection and security.

A feng shui client recently asked if it was okay to keep her empty suitcases under bed. If you enjoy traveling and want to do more of it, then having luggage under bed may help to encourage that. Inside suitcases you can put guidebooks, photos, travel accessories, and other items related to places where you'd like to go. For example, if you would love to take a trip to Paris put a guidebook to city, a French-English phrase book, and a photo of Eiffel Tower in an empty suitcase under your bed. Add some French currency or traveler's checks for future trip. The suitcase and its contents is now a feng shui activation to help make your travel dreams come true.

On other hand, if you've been traveling a lot lately and would like to stay home for a change, then I definitely recommend finding some other place to keep your luggage. If you absolutely, positively have no alternative to keeping suitcases under bed -- and you really want a break from travel -- put a rock in each one and cover them with a blanket, to help them settle in for a long rest and to keep you grounded at home.

(c) copyright 2004 Stephanie Rogerts

If Valentine’s Day passes and you haven’t received hidden gift (but it's now gone), then it’s obvious that he gave it to someone else. Make it your business to find out who.

Shortly before Valentine’s Day, Carol found a box in her husband’s sock drawer containing a diamond and sapphire ring. She said nothing because she didn’t want to spoil surprise. But on Valentine’s Day Jim gave Carol a dozen long stem roses and a gift certificate for a day of pampering at her favorite day spa. The next day Carol searched high and low but ring box could not be found. She spent several sleepless nights trying to figure out what had become of ring. Three weeks later Carol dropped by Jim’s office to meet him for lunch. One of his co-workers was wearing a ring similar to one in box. It didn’t take Carol long to find out Jim and this woman were having an affair.

Laura found a gift box containing a sexy negligee in trunk of her husband's car. He tried to pass it off as a gift he purchased for her but gown was several sizes too small. No amount of persuasion on his part could convince Laura salesclerk put wrong size in box by mistake. Especially since she had already found other telltale signs of a possible affair.

Be suspicious of any unusually expensive gifts your husband receives this month. Especially if he claims he purchased items for himself, but can’t produce a receipt.

Likewise, warning bells should sound if your husband receives gifts of an extremely personal nature, in February or at any other time. No woman other than yourself should be giving your husband six pairs of silk boxer shorts -- unless it’s his mother or his sister. (And even then, you should check to make sure.)

Take notice if your husband is missing for several hours on February 14th. Be wary if he invents excuses to come home late, or to run an errand later on, on Valentine’s night. These could be additional telltale signs.

If you suspect your husband of cheating, Valentine’s Day gifts could provide missing pieces of infidelity puzzle. Especially if there have been other telltale signs in previous weeks or months. It may be time to have a serious talk with your husband. If he’s cheating, you don’t want to be last one to know. Find out what’s going on before it’s too late.

© Ruth Houston 2004