How to Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology for more Love Happiness and Success with Guest Denise O'Dwyer

There's been much talk of 2026 being the Year of the Fire Horse, which I understand is pretty potent.

And I'm sure I've read that it's good to put money plants on your window sill.

But I want to learn MORE! So, in true Midlife Unlimited style, I'm calling in the expert and I'm delighted to be joined for this episode by leading UK expert in Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology Denise O'Dwyer.

Using my birth chart as the basis for our conversation, Denise explains how we can use Chinese Astrology and Feng Shui to create our personal roadmap.

Don't miss my jaw-drop moments as Denise reveals all about my chart - and shares her insights and advice for how we can use these readings to help us navigate our Midlife journey. 

Connect with Denise

FengShuiConsultant.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/denise_odwyer/

https://www.facebook.com/denisejodwyer

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniseodwyer/

Transcript

Copy Transcript Copied

SPEAKER_02 0:01

Welcome to Midlife Unlimited, the podcast for women who want more. I'm your host, Kate Porter, the Midlife Metamorphosis Coach, and I know what it's like to feel stuck navigating the midlife maze. I've looked in the mirror and thought, who is that woman? So Midlife Unlimited is here to let you know you are not alone. You don't have to put on a brave face and put up with it. You don't have to play it safe. Midlife Unlimited is all about ripping off that mask and telling it like it really is. Nothing is off limits because together there's no limit to what we can achieve. So welcome to today's episode. Now, there's been lots of talk about this being the year of the fire horse, which I understand is pretty potent. And I'm sure I've read somewhere that it's good to put money plants on our windowsill. And I hope it's true because I've got some of mine right in front of me. But I want to learn more. So, in true midlife unlimited style, I'm calling in the expert. And I'm delighted to be joined by my guest today, Denise O'Dwyer, leading UK expert in Feng Shui and Chinese astrology, to talk about how to use Feng Shui in Chinese astrology for more love, happiness, and success. And who doesn't want a bit more of that, eh? So welcome, Denise. It's fabulous to have you here.

SPEAKER_00 1:33

Kate, hi, thank you so much. I've been really, really looking forward to this conversation. So thank you.

SPEAKER_02 1:40

Well, me too, because everyone knows by now that I always have a pre-chat with my guests, and I got goosebumps during us. I won't give any spoilers now, but I absolutely loved it because I think, probably like a lot of people, I've had Chinese takeaways, and you get the old calendar through with all this is the year of the so-and-so, and I know vaguely that I'm a rooster, I forget and then I realize and I search it up again. And but what that means, I've got no idea, no clue. Feng shui. Well, this is the first question. Did I pronounce it correctly in the introduction?

SPEAKER_00 2:16

You know, everybody asks that question. If I'm doing a talk, people go, Oh, how do I say it? So I say feng shui, and it doesn't matter how anybody else pronounces it. So I trained at Chinese school in Asia, and they in in Chinese, uh the other Chinese students will call it feng soi. And uh feng shui is the kind of anglicized version of the translation from the Chinese, and what it means is wind and water. So there's actually a meaning behind the name because what happens is in feng shui, the it's all written down all the ancient texts, and in the ancient text it says qi, which is energy, is carried by the wind and stops at the edges of water. So those principles actually are the underlying principles of feng shui because what we are the purpose of feng shui is to capture that qi or energy and bring it into the homes or the workplaces for the people who are there in order to support their lives.

SPEAKER_02 3:24

So when we say qi is energy, I'm guessing that's a good a good energy. So I'm guessing that we don't want the bad energy if this if that exists in this culture to come in. We'd want to welcome in this qi with open arms.

SPEAKER_00 3:39

Yeah, I mean the principle is all qi, all energy is good, but it can be too fast or it can be too strong or it can be too intense in some way. So doing feng shui, we look at where is the qi coming from and how quickly does it reach the property, can it come into the property? And what we talk about is making the qi flow in a sentimental, and that's feng shui word, sentimental way. So, for example, lots of people have their house and then they have a path from from the from the gate or from the edge of the road that is completely straight. Straight from the road to the door. So ideally, and it's not an ideal world, we like that path to meander, to sort of have a bit of a curve in it, so it doesn't kind of straight to the door.

SPEAKER_02 4:32

Oh, and why is that?

SPEAKER_00 4:33

Is that to keep the energy moving or um to keep it to keep it moving slower? So we want it to be that word sentimental so it flows gently. So cheat that is too fast along a straight road, um, is is too um harsh for want of a better word. For us, we want it to be gentle and therefore supportive.

SPEAKER_02 4:57

I love that. I love that. Now, I say when we first chatted, I thought, and I've now learnt incorrectly, and I'm the first to hold my hand up because I'm all about learning. That's what I love doing. Now, straight away, you mentioned about air and water, if I've remembered correctly, and obviously they're two of the elements, and I thought feng or feng shui, I've probably said it wrong again, was one thing, and Chinese astrology was another thing, and until our first chart, I didn't really realize that they intertwined, but but they do, don't they? So perhaps could you start by explaining that a bit? And I say you've mentioned obviously that you studied in Asia. What was it that really drew you in? Because it's not a niche thing, but it's something that is more unusual than say the astrology, the zodiac that we're more familiar here in the UK.

SPEAKER_00 5:52

Okay, well, let's start with the with the five elements of feng shui. So we we use the five elements that the same five elements that they use in traditional Chinese medicine or acupuncture, qigong, we're all working with the same qualities of qi. So that's fire, metal, wood, earth, and water. So we don't have air. Like in tarot, that we don't have air. But we have things that express a little bit like air, it's not a direct correspondence, but similar. So those are the five elements that we work with in all of those um metaphysical uh modalities. So feng shui and astrology. So how we connect to our space is through our date of birth. So I will always look at the person's astrology before I go on site because then I can see whether where they are in their life, what's going on, who they are, and then get the the property to support them through their chart. So it's a very yeah, so it's a very interconnected process.

SPEAKER_02 6:56

Well, I think if you think about it, home, whether we own our own home or we're renting, or it does play such a big part in our lives, isn't it? And how we're feeling. And I and I think if if something feels disconnected or if something doesn't feel right in our home, it can impact all sorts of things from our sleep to just our general mood, can't it? Our our attention, all sorts of things.

SPEAKER_00 7:21

Oh, yeah, it's absolutely hugely impactful. So the model that we use in Chinese metaphysics, which is feng shui astrology, is what happens to us in this life is 30% is our heaven luck, which is our astrology, 30% is our earth luck, which is our feng shui, and the other 40% is our human free will. So in all of this, we always have free will.

SPEAKER_02 7:46

So that's what I loved because the the cynic in me was like, well, that's all very well, but I'm all about choices. My coaching is all about choices, my own metamorphosis was all about me making choices and actually no longer not choosing, but starting to choose. Because even when we don't choose, we're still making a choice. If you don't make a choice, you've still made a choice not to make a choice. So I love the fact that very much our own free will and our own thoughts and actions do come into play rather than handing it over to something else to control our lives.

SPEAKER_00 8:22

Well, yeah, because it's the difference between destiny and fate. So fate implies you can't do anything about it. Some people go, Well, what's the point in me having astrology? What's the point in me doing feng shui if these things are going to happen anyway? So that's not entirely true. So what happened, the reason why we do this work, for example, with astrology is it's a map. So it's a map of your life and it's a picture of who you are. So say you you're the who you are is a car. How you choose to drive that car on that map is entirely up to your human free will. So the reason why we do the work is so we can have the map. And so if you always say it's driving around the M25, if you don't like what's at junction 18, you can carry on to junction 21. So it takes some effort, you know, it's not, it's not to change the direction of your chart takes awareness and effort in itself. But once you so it means that you can, if you don't like it, you can change it. So it's not a done deal. And same with with your feng shui. So you can have somebody's feng shui that is not great and it's not supportive, and then I'll come along and do the survey, and then we'll go, okay, let's do this and this and this and this, depending on what they're looking for. And then um it changes, so it changes the feng shui. So ultimately, it's not we always have the the biggest component is our choice, and we always have choice.

SPEAKER_02 9:51

No, see that that's so that resonates so strongly with me. But it talkative choices there. What was it? Was it literally you were in Asia and your interest was peaked, or is this something that you have always been interested in? Because that that's what I that's what I like to find out, where it all began.

SPEAKER_00 10:12

Well, um, so I did have a very conventional career, and and I worked in marketing for years, and then I had a sort of change of direction and had my children, and then I lived in America and came back, and I did other things. And then one day I had an email from somebody who was a feng shui architect, and it was about something completely unrelated, but just seeing the words written, feng shui architect, it's like I have to become a feng shui consultant because forever I had dabbled, dabbled in feng shui. So from even from a child, so I would find anything I could read, which wasn't a lot then because of course there was no internet, anything I could get my hands on and read it. And then I got my parents to put this Chinese wallpaper on my bedroom wall. One more there's like red and Chinese figures, and one more was like a bamboo, kind of a fake bamboo. I loved it so much, and I think I don't know where that came from because it must be something else at play. Because I'm from Rochdale and therefore a million miles away. Not your not your usual interior design. No, so um, and then that never left. So I was always interested. And I remember buying my first book on Charles Road in the bookshop, and um, years and years before, and then it just kind of that email was just like a light switch. And so I did loads of research, ended up training with a Hong Kong school in this country for three and a half years, sat my exams, and then I went to Malaysia, to Chinese school in Malaysia to do my mastery two years backwards and forwards, and then carried on going out and doing extra classes.

SPEAKER_02 11:52

So a real we've just had an episode uh with um Natalie about midlife pivot, and you you epitomize that then.

SPEAKER_00 11:59

That's completely it. And the thing is, Kate, if it wasn't really a conscious choice, you know. I was completely driven. You know, when I got on that plane to Malaysia knowing no one, and not even where I was going to, um, it was just like I could, there was no rational reason for doing it, but it was something I had to do.

SPEAKER_02 12:20

I love that, and I love the fact that you did it. You didn't you didn't overthink it, you didn't think, oh well, I'll put that on my bucket list, I'll do that the old one day. And I say we don't we don't do one days, we make that today. And imagine if you hadn't done it four, five years down the line, that awful I could have done that five years ago and where I'd be now had I done that.

SPEAKER_00 12:44

Yeah, completely. But because I didn't spend too too long thinking about it, I just did it because I didn't if you know it's like if we spend too much too long thinking, we lose the momentum. And so I call it catching the chi. It's like, you know, I had to catch the chi and do it, and and so I did, and uh, and it was life-changing. You know, I look back now, first of all, I go, how did you even make that happen? And secondly, I go, it has changed my life completely, not just because this is the work that I do, but because I use this every single day in my own life, and and the things that um it has supported me with. Um, some of those things are really profound.

unknown 13:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 13:27

I mean, have your loved ones, were they were they surprised by you taking on this, well, new slant to your life, or were they like, no, this makes sense. Like, I can see why you're doing this.

SPEAKER_00 13:37

Just um not surprised, but they couldn't see why, but they were just not surprised because the children were like, Oh, mummy is doing things right, okay. So, and then my children used to say to me, Why can't you be normal like all the other mothers? I said, because you would have been that boring.

SPEAKER_02 13:58

Yeah, I've had that, yeah. Don't don't mind don't mind mum. Yeah. But they wouldn't like it, they wouldn't like it if we conformed because we're enabling them to then go and do their stuff, aren't we?

SPEAKER_00 14:12

Yeah, exactly. It's such a good example to set. Um, don't you think? It's don't don't think too long about it. If you want to do something, just do it.

SPEAKER_02 14:21

Yeah, because we can overthink things. We can, I mean, now, especially in midlife, I mean that's what midlife unlimited is all about. No longer that whole thing, oh, what would everyone think? What would everyone say? Who cares? No, no, no, no. Now, when we set the date to record our episode, you straightaway said 4th of June is a really powerful day. And so, listeners, we are recording. I know we come out on the 18th of June, but we are recording on the 4th of June in the run-up to my 57th birthday, drum roll, please, cake and balloons. No, we haven't, but we should have done. We should have, I used the word should then. We should be sitting eating birthday cake. Birthday's on the 14th of June, we're coming on the 18th. So, quite a little powerful 10 days, perhaps for me.

SPEAKER_00 15:05

Well, it's very timely, I think, that we're having this conversation now. And yeah, we have looked at your astrology chart, and the reason why it's a good day, so part of Feng Shrey and astrology is something we call date selection. So every day is not the same as another day. So the quality of the day um varies, and it's all it's all on a cycle, so we can predict it. And um, so the first thing I would do when somebody says to me, like, well, when should we do the recording of the podcast? I go, okay, let me have a look between which dates. And then I would start with which is a really good date generically. So which date has a lot of support in it, which date has a good qi, and then within that period of time, find a connection to the other person's chart or to my chart or to your chart. And so this day today is the same, what we call pillar in Chinese astrology as your year pillar. So you, Kate, connect completely to this day, and the day itself is a very good day in terms of the qi. So you are really supported by this day, and also you and I, between our charts, we have what's called a combination. So we combine, which is why we immediately clicked, and so you get the support, and I indirectly get the support because I combine to your chart.

SPEAKER_02 16:24

I love this. This is super exciting. I think this is the beginning of a new journey for me. I really do. And I say, I'm glad you say that we click because it is so amazing how I would say 70% of my guests I have yet to meet in real life. And I always use that word yet because I never say never, and there's no reason why we won't meet, especially with the book coming out. Ha ha ha ha. She rubs her hands in glee. Um, but it is so important, and hopefully, I think, and I've had feedback, but it does come across in the actual episodes. You know, you start to get to know each other a bit more. But obviously, what we thought might be nice when it comes to you sharing your insights and tips for the listeners who want to get find out more about I'm gonna say it wrong again, feng shui, feng shui, all I'll say, all the variations and Chinese astrology. Um, for I say more success, more love, more happiness, just more to get more from their midlife. It might make sense to actually use my chart as a springboard if you're happy to do that. And I say, I I want to know there are any skeletons you're gonna pluck out. It's quite exciting. So I don't know how you want to go about doing it. Do we do we start just literally by what my birth year is, or what where where would you start with me or with anyone that obviously came to you?

SPEAKER_00 17:53

This okay, so the start point, and I also teach this, so this is the start. Oh yeah. So when I look at your chart, Kate, you have a really um your dominant element is metal. So whilst you're born in the earth rooster year, what you who you really are is you're a young metal monkey. So that's what we call a pure pillar of metal. So this is why you do what you do, Kate. Talking, you know, good with the voice, um, because metal is the element of the voice. And so everybody who has strong metal in their chart, they're really good at debating, they're really good speakers, they're good barristers, you know, where where argument and voice is fundamental.

SPEAKER_02 18:38

So that really struck me as soon as you said that, because literally from the year dot when I was in debating class and public speaking at school, all the way through my newspaper edited days, obviously, and even when I was just a mum, I took on the role chairman of the PTA and then midlife coach, and then I'm gonna launch a podcast. I can't seem to shake it off. It does seem to be just part of my other career. Had I not been a journalist, barrister. That's what I wanted.

SPEAKER_00 19:07

Yeah, it's just that it's magical, don't you?

SPEAKER_02 19:08

So it's all scary, listeners. It's a bit scary. No, it's not scary, it's a good in the good note, yeah. No, it's not scary. I used the wrong word.

SPEAKER_00 19:19

But it's um, but basically, you can you can get the feel of somebody uh by just you don't need to be able to understand the ins and outs of a chart to be able to get a feel. Like I can look at your chart and go, you're really strong metal chart, Kate. So I know that conversation and communication is really important to you. So what do we do with that? Because basically, we think everybody is like us and they're not, and so this gives us that kind of unique insight into the other person. And what can you do with that? It's about getting on the map of the other person through knowing how what they want to hear, how they like to be spoken to, what are their sort of core interests. So everything about you, Kate, is about talking language, and also in your month pillar, you're a metal horse. So horse people, and this is horse year, horse people like to be at the center. So horse is the peak of fire, so it's all about visibility. So you're all about finding your visibility, using that in your work with the communication and the chat and the strength of speaking that your chart has. So you like to be in the spotlight and you like to use your talents in that spotlight.

SPEAKER_02 20:36

Um it's funny because it it's you're absolutely right. And I always say it's not that I love necessarily to be the center of the attention, but I tend to automatically find myself there. And I don't mean in a big-headed way, just if something's going on, I seem to naturally gravitate to not perhaps it is taking over, perhaps it is taking control.

SPEAKER_00 21:00

Well, horse people have a really strong dynamic, you know, they like to be at the center, they like to be in the spotlight, they like to be visible. So, you know, you if you it's I would say it's less about for horse, it's less about control and more about being at the center of attention. So the control in inverted commas, because control's not bad, you know, it's just that's just another word. Um, so that's the metal, so metal-like structure. So, with all of this, Kate, you also like things to be very structured and quite organized. So, this isn't a sort of wafty, wishy-washy um way of being. You know, what you do, very entertaining and very visible, but you have such a structure behind it.

SPEAKER_02 21:47

You know, you'll you'll know as my guest that it is quite an organized process, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 21:52

Impressively so. You know, all your communication, everything, really, um, you know, everything very detailed. And clear. So you are your chart for sure. So what else would you like to know? Everything is here, Kate.

SPEAKER_02 22:08

Well, obviously, we we picked on, you know, money, love, and success. And I I don't without, I don't want to make it all about me, but I want to make it so listeners can go, yeah, if I come, if I come, why are you laughing?

SPEAKER_00 22:22

I'm laughing so much because horse, it's always about horse. And also, Kate, this is horse year. So you're amplified. So yeah, I'm imagining that you've had a lot of attention this year with your podcast and with other things you're doing, a book. And so it is all about horse.

SPEAKER_02 22:43

And that's fine. Can I can I share, can I share my horsiness then? Because I'm gonna start now. I'm gonna leave this in. I'm gonna leave this in. This is how this is how the energy, the qi between us is flowing down the wires, and I love that. I love that. So in terms of we've started with finding out a bit more then about what the Chinese astrology, and I'm guessing that will link through to my what works for me in Feng Shoy. Sorry. Um once anyone that works with you, and I say other experts are available, but Denise is rather fabulous. We'll be giving her contact details later on. And I've not worked, she's not paying me to say this, and I've not paid to work with her. We've just encountered each other, and it's a good thing. The energy has flowed. So they would start with this. Now, would would I say to you then, right? I want this, and you will say to me, okay, use this element of your personality or this skill to get it. Is that how it works? Or is it already charted that something is going to happen? My book's gonna get to number one.

SPEAKER_00 23:55

There's many touch points when people come for astrology, particularly. Um, sometimes they say, you know, I I've written a book and I want to, will it be successful? And when should I launch it? And all of those things. Some some people come because they're at a crossroads, and they say they go, I don't I don't, I don't really know where I'm going at the moment, and I don't really know who I am at the moment. So, you know, that happens to a lot of us.

SPEAKER_02 24:18

I think that will resonate with so many of the women listening and some of the chaps as well, because it it's a common thread, isn't it? It's a midlife thing, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:27

It is totally, totally a common thread, and so some people can can arrive and say, I just I feel totally lost. And then you can see where they are in the chart, but also using their chart because they we can see your journey through life as well. So, not just who you are, so your you know, your metal chart with monkey and all and with horse, but also um, I'm looking at your chart here, and I can see the whole of your life pulled out like a concertina. So, with that, you can see where the opportunities are, or and any kind of bumps in the road where it's like, you know, it could be like, don't publish a book this year, but next year is better, for example. We don't know.

SPEAKER_02 25:04

Let's let's let's let's delve a bit then. I mean, obviously, I I'm more about looking backwards than forwards, and I would another time be interested to see if all the shit that I've been through shows up in my chart. Who knows? Perhaps I couldn't escape it, perhaps I was always meant to go through that, but I've made it through.

SPEAKER_00 25:21

Can I just say, sorry to interrupt, that's such an important thing because people come and they go, um, I'm not sure whether I should have made that choice. Should I have left that job, should I have left that relationship, or should I have done X, Y, and Z? And then if they want to, I will look back and I go, Look, it's here. You were always going to make that choice. And it means that then they can have kind of closure of, I was always going to make that choice at that time. But going forwards, once you know your chart and you can see what's coming up, you can then have more conscious choice over whether you are going to follow your chart and do the do whatever it is that's there, or do it differently. So it's very empowering to know your chart because I had this woman come to me and she said, Um, I'm going to divorce my husband. So we sort of unpacked the but both of their charts, and I said, both of them were clashed in the year. So I said, Don't do anything this year, because actually, this is a one-year situation. And if you do nothing, and she got fully armed lawyers and everything, and I said, just leave it for one year. And if in one year's time you still feel like this, go ahead. So off she went. And then I never heard from her. And then about two years later, I got a card in the post, in the post. And she said, I'm so pleased I took your advice. I did nothing. She said, anyway, we sold the house and we moved to North. No, fucking, we're really happy. So had she followed her chart, she absolutely would have divorced him. But knowing that it was a one-year thing, yeah, well, you can put up with it for a year, and then it passed.

SPEAKER_02 27:01

I mean, I need to know now. I need to know that. So, so in terms of looking at my chart, then is there some good coming? Is do I need to brace myself? Do I need my big girl's pants on? That's the big question, isn't it?

SPEAKER_00 27:16

So let's have a look. Well, what's really interesting, um, and probably is why we're having this conversation, is that we change every 10 years into a new period of time. And in that 10-year period of time, um, we receive new influences. Old things go out and new things come in. So these are like the mile markers in life. So it's like when we get married, get divorced, move abroad, change career. All of those things often occur when we go through the change point into a new 10 years. Everybody changes at a different point, otherwise, the world would be completely mad because everybody would change every 10 years. Can you imagine? So, um, so what's interesting, um, and nothing is a coincidence with you, Kate, is that you are this year changing into a new 10 years. So yeah. So, what that means is um new opportunities, new experiences, um, everything changes now. And I always say when I work with the clients, is choose what you want to take with you now because you move you're moving into a new period of time. Things that you don't want to take with you, consciously let go of them because you don't have to take them with you. It's it's like a it's like a reboot of your life. So you're changing this year, and let's have a look what you're going into. So you're picking up, right? So um, a lot of it will be around your work. So you your work will change in some way, and your work will change in a way that is around you doing something more specialist uh compared to what you've done previously. So, have you got work change plans?

SPEAKER_02 29:02

Not so much. I mean, I say I'm working on the book that is linked to the podcast, so it's a feeling that the two might come together and open up new opportunities down that route while still keeping the coaching. But you don't want to spread yourself too thin as well, isn't it? It's like, do I not do the book then? Does the book on hold?

SPEAKER_00 29:24

I would say looking at your chart, you definitely need to do the book and more because you're picking up um you're picking up something that is all about having influence. In fact, I was just having this exact conversation with a client before I came on here, where you're picking up a period of time that's led by um your ability to have influence through charisma, through charisma and drive.

SPEAKER_02 29:48

So that ties in perfectly because I would love to use the book, which includes all my guests. It's not just about me, it's not just about the horse. The horse is the driving force. That's going to be my new thing. Yeah, but no, I would love then to get my bum on the one-show sofa, to get on loose women, to get on this morning and use the book and the influence to spread this whole midlife maverick that I'm all about. That would be my dream.

SPEAKER_00 30:16

Yes, because what you're going into is highly visible. So you've got visibility, you've got drive coming from this, and it's like unstoppable drive that you're picking up for 10 years. And also um, because it comes with heaps of charisma, um, it makes it easy to have that influence. And it's all to do with your specialist work.

SPEAKER_02 30:39

So, how do I get the charisma? Do I have to do I have to is that where the thing's choice? Do I have to start putting some plants around and stuff? Opening windows.

SPEAKER_00 30:49

Kate, you have loads of charisma. Okay, you have this we have this concept called peach blossom. So peach blossom means um likability and attractiveness. So we have four peach blossom stars. Horse is a peach blossom star. So you already have that charisma in your main chart through through your career. So horse is in your career pillar. So you have loads of charisma in your work, and the 10 years you've gone into is also a peach blossom star. So it's like double win win, right? Use this, use this carefully because double peach blossom attracts a lot of attention, so be wary. And your rooster is also a peach blossom star. So in these new 10 years, you've got listeners. I'm getting whoo! You are, honestly, and it's really because everything we want in life comes from other people, and so likability is um makes it easy because people are immediately pre-dis disposed to when they like you to go and uh okay. Well, can I work with you? How can I help you? All those things. So you're gonna have three peach blossoms at play, and that makes you very attractive, um, and likable, and therefore will bring opportunity. It's also a romance star as well. Oh I don't know what you're saying.

SPEAKER_02 32:18

I don't know what your situation is. I am happily with Scott, he puts up with me all the time.

SPEAKER_00 32:23

Oh good, then it means that you then you'll be very happy together because you'll have loads of peach blossom running.

SPEAKER_02 32:30

But you know, as well, peach blossom obviously, the whole when I first started second spring life coaching in second spring blooming and new, and obviously, second spring is the oriental word, I think in Chinese medicine for the menopause, which is why I chose it. It's all this this is uh definitely goosebumpy, definitely goosebumpy.

SPEAKER_00 32:52

Yeah, you're very much in line with your chart. You're definitely doing unconsciously doing your chart.

SPEAKER_02 32:59

Now, do you find is this just I mean, am I special? No, yes, of course I am.

SPEAKER_00 33:04

Special, well, we're special, but we're all different.

SPEAKER_02 33:06

That's what I mean. So, do is my reaction and listeners? This is the first time I've heard this. That's why I wanted to do it this way, because it's it's not pre-rehearsed. We had a pre-chat, but there was, I don't think I even gave you my details fully until after we'd finished chatting. But I wanted it to be like this. I wanted it to be this is how you will feel when you're hearing about you. Um, is my reaction a normal reaction? Do people normally go, well?

SPEAKER_00 33:34

Oh no, people are because this is. I mean, I I mean, I know I'm biased, but this is the most accurate guidebook to yourself and your life. So, but can I just finish on this peach blossom? Because three peach blossom, Kate, very rare. So having three peach blossoms running for the next 10 years, you can do a lot with that.

SPEAKER_02 33:57

So, what do I need to do? I mean, I'm not telling you what telling asking you to tell me what to do, but obviously in terms of advice and tips, and anyone else who finds that they've got peach blossom or or whatever their strength might be coming through, are there I don't know how to word this, how do I find out the two 30% that I need to work with to enable my 40% in the middle to make the choices?

SPEAKER_00 34:25

So it's more simple, it's simpler than that. What you do is you step outside your door every day and you just put on your peach blossom hat and you just go, you know, I am likable, I am charismatic, um, I'm wearing my peach blossom today. And it means that it really kind of drives you forward because it gives you confidence, knowing that you have that is rare. What I'm describing to you is rare, three peach blossoms running at the same time, very rare. So it means that you know that you've got that kind of je ne sais quoi, that kind of you know, extra level of charisma to your chart, and that counts for a lot.

SPEAKER_02 35:03

I I needed to hear that. I needed to hear that. That's quite amazing. I need to be very careful how I use it then.

SPEAKER_00 35:08

Oh, yes, you do, because it's a lot of responsibility if you've got that much peach blossom running, means you have a lot of influence, you know, to charm people. So that's why I say, you know, use it for good. Which of course you would, you know.

SPEAKER_02 35:25

Well, I find that quite interesting because I anyone who's getting to know me, and hopefully listeners, that includes you, will be realizing by now that I am absolutely the old, is it Ron Seal or whatever? What you see is what you get with me. And now I love that when I go out somewhere and people go, Oh, I've seen your pay, and even like round here where I live, like Beaconsfield, I can be in Sainsbury's, and people now are going, I I've seen your pet. Yes, oh, because obviously I promote in all the local groups as well. They're like, you look exactly like you do in your photograph, or you're not, you know. Of course I got a red lipstick on, but I always do. Like I said to Hella the other day, I put the bins out with the red lipstick on. I don't put it on to put the bins out, but I keep it on. But they're like, you're just like and I find that such a lovely thing to say because that's one thing I pride myself on, if that's the right word. Just be because I spent so many years not being me. Really? Oh god. I mean, I'm seven years sober now, and I I make I make no I'm not I've never pointed a finger at blame. I was the shitty person, but that booze was numbing so much stuff, and um that's why I wondered if the past seven years have got um I've had you know mental health issues and all sorts, and I'm I'm still very much a work in progress, but aren't we all? But the woman you the woman you see looking at you today, and I'm getting quite emotional now, is I love myself more now than I ever have. And ten years ago, if you told me at the beginning of my previous 10 years that I would be sitting here today feeling like I do, not in a big-headed way at all, and I'm sorry, viewers, I'm I'm listeners, if you if you were viewing this, you'd see I'm welling up now. Not in a big-headed way at all, but in a big-hearted way, because I know I'm a great person now.

SPEAKER_00 37:21

Yeah, and I didn't and I didn't know that. See, that's where the astrology comes in. Because if we'd have had this conversation 10 years ago when you felt you were, you know, hitting rock bottom, so I would have been able to say, first of all, this is when you come out of it, secondly, this is what's going on in your chart, and thirdly, this is what you need to do to stay connected to who you are, and also just knowing that you have all the talents that are in your chart are huge, and same in everybody's chart, and it's about knowing what you have from the chart to then putting them into practice, which makes your life a lot easier. So you found your way to where you are now, knowing that your one of your core skills is communication and being seen. And so when you were feeling at your lowest, we would have had the conversation around all of that. So now, you know, you can this is where you need to focus, these are your innate talents, so that we don't spiral down into that loss of confidence. Um, so it's a real, you know, it's like somebody wrote me a testimonial once, and they said having the consultation is like 10 years of therapy in one session because you can see you just cut all that stuff out. And it's just like this is who you are, this is what's going on, and this is what you need to do. Boom.

unknown 38:42

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 38:42

So without having to go through all the pain of the conversations, and um, because it gives you the handbook to yourself. And I think you have you have a terrific chart, and it's really strong, and you're using it really well. But 10 years ago, you didn't know that, and you felt fed up. So a lot of it is it's like holding up a sorry, it's like holding up a giant mirror because we become so disconnected from who we are as we go through life and get to this point because you know, we're an amalgam of what people have told us we should be, what we think we should be, to help other people, all of that nonsense that we collect over all the years, and just opening up the chart and just walking through it, and I can see the relief in people's faces, and they go, Oh, now I get it.

SPEAKER_02 39:34

Yeah, that's how, and I you know, I don't know if you remember in my intro every week. I say, and it's true, I've looked in the mirror and thought, Who the bloody hell? And I just don't mean the grey hair, because actually I'm happier grey than I ever was as a brunette, and I get more compliments now, which is really weird. But that I think that's perhaps part and parcel with my whole being now. Perhaps I'm giving off it's my cherry blossom, people, it's my cherry blossom, but also talking to cherries, and obviously pop your podcast, cherry that's another thing as well. But it's all about then me with me moving forward. You're giving me this mat, and I thank you for that. And it's now down to me to make sure that the choices I make make the most of that. But leaving the past behind, but I'm not slamming the I'm I'm about I don't look that. It's not about slamming the door to me, it's about cherry picking, see what I did there, cherry picking the lessons that I've learned and the strengths that I've realized that I've got having been through that and having dragged other people with me, you know. I I admit these things have have done though now, and I could spend the next 10 years doing the guilt trip the this, the that, but it that doesn't help anyone, you know. I I've spoken, you know, with my son, with my partner. They're like, no, we you're here now, and that's what we love. Let's go forward, let's make the next however many hours, minutes, years, days we've got together the what most wonderful yet.

SPEAKER_00 41:12

Yeah, there's absolutely no point in looking back because all those periods of time you've been through in your chart, we can see you've completed them. And I would say it's like going through life collecting luggage. Okay. So as you go along, you pick up suitcases, and then you kind of keep hold of what you need and you let go of what you don't need. And so it's like that. So there's no point in looking back and going, I really shouldn't have done that. Because if we had more time, we would go much deeper into your chart and go, look, this is this is what happened, and this is why and when, and this is your susceptibility from your chart. So um, there is no point. It's just take the suitcases with you that you need and leave the rest. Because in Chinese astrology, the the big potent use of the work is seeing where we're going, because that's that's that's the biggest work, and then we can make the most of it.

SPEAKER_02 42:07

So I'm I'm going somewhere rather fabulous, then.

SPEAKER_00 42:10

Uh yes, you are. So it's all around you and you know, all the things that you're you've been laying the groundwork for now. So if we had more time, I would open up the 10 years, and then I can see every year within the 10 years. So the way I work with clients is we look at every year within the 10 years, and then every year we open it up and look at every month within the year. So you can say this is this is to launch a book, this is to do this, this is to be quiet, this is you know, where to put your energy. So, you know, the clients that I work with regularly, they know what they're doing literally month by month, and then some of the clients have a whole year of dates that support them. So we we take it down to each day. So they're like the super users. Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_02 42:55

Well, I said we are going to be giving your details in a little while. I know I keep saying we are, we are, we are, but uh, anything I need to watch out for before we go into your three questions, before I I stop picking your brains, so I could talk to you for hours now, I could make this the longest ever episode. Listeners, you've been warned. Yeah, anything I need to be wary of? What kind of things? Well, I don't know. Um, health-wise, I don't know if that flags up or or any potential obstacles. I don't know, I don't know how it would show up in this.

SPEAKER_00 43:24

Okay, so so to answer the question, I would make it more broad than your 10 years. So because so you've got um, because you're a young metal person, and you also have young metal in your um month, which is your career, and that's the young metal horse. Young metal has a tendency to so young metal is like the gladiator, so you are like the female gladiator. You will go and go and go and go and go and go and go until you collapse, and then you get up, do it all again. So I always So too, especially women with young metal, because there is a difference between how men and women express their charts. And I would say, as a young metal woman, always factor in um downtime, and you don't have to do everything for everybody. Because young metal will, you know, why do warriors, it's like the war female warrior, why do warriors go to war to protect their people? So you're very compassionate, you're very caring, you do a lot for other people. So young metal always needs, especially the women, always need to kind of go, and now it's my time. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 44:39

That is so interesting as well, because that is something that over the in recent months I've been intentionally doing more and more because that awful sandwich generation. Well, not so much my son now, bless him, he's off in London having a wonderful time, and I see him as much as we can, but you know, with aging relatives or whatever, that not I won't say guilt trip, but that feeling of being in one place when I feel I should, and I am using that word intentionally because everyone knows I hate it. I should be here when I'm here, and when I'm here, I should be here, and uh and I'm not doing anything well because I'm trying to do no. So now I go and see the ducks every morning.

SPEAKER_00 45:21

Yeah, because because the new 10 years you've gone into softens your metal, by the way. So you won't be as kind of full on some bang, bang, bang, that you've gone into you've picked up some fire that's gonna soften and make your metal more malleable, so you won't work yourself to the point of exhaustion, which is why you go and feed the ducks every day.

SPEAKER_02 45:44

I love this. Yeah, oh, oh, we're gonna have to speak again. We're gonna speak again, but I think for now that's been absolutely mind-blowing. Really has. I wasn't sure I hadn't necessarily that's why I love learning, I love delving into new things, and you've been an absolute joy. And we will be giving your details in a minute, but before we do, you know what's coming next. You don't need a chart for this because I pre-warned you, and you listen to the other episodes. So I'm quite intrigued to find out the first question What is your midlife anthem?

SPEAKER_00 46:19

Okay, I loved these questions so much. I think they're really clever because they're very um, they're not really generic, are they? And they're actually quite searching. So, midlife, midlife anthem, I would say. So I'm a big Beatles fan, huge Beatles fan, yeah. And I would have let it be. Because, because, um, because it's so I think the Beatles were ahead of their time. And I read something recently written by a spiritual master, one of their spiritual masters, who said the Beatles are not of this world, and there is something to that, and so I've chosen let it be because I think the philosophy woven into that is very true. All the Beatles songs sound very superficial, and if you if you listen to the music and if you really listen to the lyrics cleverly, there they are there is so much, and also um Paul McCartney is fire horse, so he's double fire horse. So this year for him is a big year, massive year. Yeah, so double fire horse, Paul McCartney. So yeah, let it be by the Beatles. Whisper words of wisdom. Let it be that's on my WhatsApp.

SPEAKER_02 47:29

Yeah, that is beautiful. Oh, so words of wisdom then. See what I did. Which ones are you using for your midlife mantra?

SPEAKER_00 47:40

Oh, yes, so midlife mantra, um, and I say this constantly, um, is timing is everything. Because if it's not the right time, it's not the right time. And so people will come to me and they go, When am I going to meet somebody, partner, husband, or whatever? And if it's not in the chart at that point in time, I tell them to go and focus on their work or do something else. Because when it's the right time, it will all happen. And then you can see when the right time is. So timing is everything, and there is no coincidence in timing either. Oh, having this conversation, you're moving into your new 10 years right now, and that's why we're having this conversation.

SPEAKER_02 48:22

That's how literally as if we've been drawn together.

SPEAKER_00 48:25

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 48:26

Golly gosh. Oh, my goosebumps have got goosebumps. Right. Autobiography.

SPEAKER_00 48:34

Oh, this was the hardest one. This was it's like I'm never gonna write an autobiography. And and I wanted something that was really clever, like you know, Prince Harry's autobiography is spare because it means so much, you know, there's so much in that word. And then I was listening to Boris Becker being interviewed by Louis Thoreau, and he's just written a book about his time in prison, and uh, it's a very interesting interview that. So, you know, I like those kind of like meaningful titles in one word, but I couldn't get that. So I would say, for me, reading the room, reading the room, because again, so many levels of that though.

SPEAKER_02 49:15

I love it.

SPEAKER_00 49:16

Yes, feng shui, astrology, all in. So I might write a book now and call it reading the room.

SPEAKER_02 49:21

I think you should I'll write the forward about how fabulous you are. Oh, thank you. No, because it's readings, oh yeah, yes.

SPEAKER_00 49:29

So, and and it's like, gosh, it covers everything.

SPEAKER_02 49:32

Yeah, you've got to do it now. Is it in your chart? Do you look at your own chart a lot? Constantly.

SPEAKER_00 49:40

I was gonna say, I forgot to ask that. Constantly, I don't do anything without because I have it in my Google diary. So people go, can you do this date that day? Dental appointment, let me have a look. You know, I will, you know, things like dental appointments only on a good day for me. Things like that. Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_02 49:57

Well, this leads beautifully then into I say all your details are in the show notes for our episode, and you have your guest profile on the Midlife Unlimited podcast website. But there are going to be listeners thinking, right, I'd be waiting for this bit, Kate. Come on, speak quicker, speak quicker. How can they connect with you? How can they have a chat, organise a reading? Take that first step.

SPEAKER_00 50:21

So I'm on every social media, obviously. So I'm on Instagram, Denise underscore odwyer. Um, LinkedIn. I really like LinkedIn. Um, have a look on LinkedIn, um, Denise Odwaier, Facebook same. Um, yeah, so then just send me a message through any of those things. My website is um um feng shui consultant.co.uk. Feng shui. Yeah, so feng shui f e-n-g s h ui consultant.co.uk. Um so any of those things will take you to some form of contact.

SPEAKER_02 51:02

And I love the fact you said that's what you wanted to do when you saw that an email come through from the feng sh Feng Shui architect, and now your website is exact. I love that. Yeah, thank you. Oh listeners, come on, we need your feedback on this episode. What did you think? What do you think of my chart? What should I do? What advice have you got? Can you help? Can you get me on those sofas? Can you help? Come and do the book with me. Get in touch. I'd love to hear you or leave a review. You can email or text me via the link in the show notes, too. Come and join the Facebook group again, links in the show notes where you'll find the website link with obviously um Denise's guest profile and details of how you can work with me one-to-one and come and join my all-in-one award-winning coaching program more M-O-R-E exclamation mark. Which, you know, I think that's a strong contender for the name of the book at the moment. Listeners, I'd like your views on that. Thank you for joining me, Denise. I've loved this. I could I could talk to you or I was so excited. I even forgot to write down what time we started recording. So there you go. This could turn into the longest ever episode. And listeners, I hope you agree it's been worth every nanosecond. Thank you for listening. Uh, don't forget there's a new episode every Thursday, so don't forget to tune in next week, and you can catch up with all the previous episodes as well, wherever you get your podcasts and via the website. So here's to being fabulous and flourishing together. Here's to cherry blossom times three. Here's to being a metal monkey, here's to being a rooster horse or whatever. I'm so excited. And here's to living midlife unlimited. Thanks, Denise. It's been brilliant. Bye.

SPEAKER_00 52:55

Thank you so much. Goodbye.